When it comes to protecting the electrical devices throughout your home, most homeowners buy surge protectors. However, they don’t realize that a simple plug in surge protector isn’t enough to protect their entire home. A plug in surge protector is considered a secondary surge protector and won’t be strong enough to protect the larger devices throughout your home. At TriStar Electric, we recommend learning about each of the four types of surge protectors available, and then using a combination of the four to best protect your home.
Four Types
There are four different types of surge protectors that can be used to protect your home against power surges that are caused by storms or surges.
- Primary Surge Protectors: These surge protectors are essential to protecting your home appliances and can be found where your power lines enter your home. This type of surge protection not only protects your appliances, but the wiring within the building as well. Primary surge protectors are large in size and can be very powerful when being used.
- Secondary Surge Protectors: The most commonly used and thought of surge protector; secondary surge protectors are able to plug into the wall outlet to provide protection for devices.
- Uninterrupted Power Supply Surge Protectors: Similar in size when compared to the secondary surge protectors, this type of protection comes equipped with a battery. The battery will begin working when the power supply has been cut off, protecting your device from damage.
- Power Strips: Power strips fall into the category of secondary surge protector, however, power strips have a function that other secondary surge protectors do not. Power strips can host more than one device at a time. If a power surge comes through the line, the power strip will cut power to all devices plugged into it at the time.
Surge Protection with TriStar
At TriStar Electric, we will work with you to determine the best way to protect your home from power surges. Our electricians will observe the main electrical panel for your home, along with the devices you use throughout your home, to decide what types of surge protectors should be used. Our electricians will come out to install surge protection to your home, including a main panel surge protector that is used to protect the entirety of your circuit box.
If you have any questions about Surge Protectors, please contact TriStar Electric by calling 410-799-5791 or 301-384-8880 or fill out the contact form on our website. Our electricians can provide you with a competitive quote that covers every stage of the process – from installation to final testing.
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