11 Best Whole House Surge Protector In 2024
Bob Vila May 2, 2024 1:20 PM
We independently study, test, and review 11 Best Whole House Surge Protector products before making recommendations. We’re testing the EATON, SIEMENS, GE home electrical, Belkin, Intermatic, HVAC YELLOW HAT, BULL for a for a future update to this guide.
Overview
All those who have made a significant investment in their electronics and appliances have realized the importance of whole-house surge protection. Electronics can be severely damaged by a power surge, and you won't know it until you use the device for the first time.
Surge protection devices that protect the entire house are considerably different than those that cover individual outlets. The power strip may only protect one device from surges, but a whole house surge protection device can protect your complete home from power surges.
You must, however, ensure that the surge protector you choose is appropriate for your requirements before making your purchase. A large house may be the home of some, while an apartment may be the home of others. When comparing various alternatives, keep in mind that size matters.
A whole-home surge protector is a good idea if your house is huge. Circuit overload protection is possible with the use of these protectors.
There are 8 various kinds of whole-house surge protectors, and in this review, we'll look at each one and provide our verdict on which is best. A surge protector has several aspects to consider when making a purchase, and I'll go over a few of them in this article.
- SCORE9.6
- BrandSIEMENS
- SCORE9.6
- BrandSIEMENS
- SCORE9.2
- BrandIntermatic
- SCORE9.0
- BrandSIEMENS
- Prime
Last update on 2024-05-02 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
When purchasing a whole-house surge protector, there are a few factors to keep in mind. These are the features:
Diagnostic LEDs
Because they illuminate when the surge protector is plugged in and functioning, they are a really helpful feature. There's no way to tell if it's guarding your home without lights.
If you have a diagnostic light or an indication light, it might provide you with some peace of mind. As long as your defenses are up and running, you may feel secure.
Clamping Voltage
Surge protection will kick in when this voltage is reached. Its role is to prevent surges from entering your house.
This is an important consideration when comparing different surge protectors. For example, the more protection it provides, the lower the number is.
It's far better to have an electrical surge protector with 200 volts of clamping voltage than 400 volts, for example.
Surge Current Rating
This is the maximum wattage that will not damage the surge protector if it passes through it. Better surge protection is associated with a higher grade.
With 60,000 Amps of surge protection, you're better protected than someone with a 30,000 Amp surge protector.
Modes of Protection
Negative (N) and Positive (P) conductors, as well as Line to Ground (L-G) on both incoming and outgoing lines (L-L)
Ease of installation
It should be easy to fix a good surge protector. In theory, it should take less time and fit into a normal electrical panel.
You can solve this if you're knowledgeable with electrical panels. To be on the safe side, I'd suggest hiring an electrician if you don't already have one on staff.
Material Quality
The surge protector's construction material is also critical. Absorbing large amounts of energy without failure is essential.
They use semiconductor components inside, while the housing is built of high-insulation materials like plastics.
The Voltage Protective Rating (VPR)
It's also vital to monitor the VPR, which measures how much voltage remains in your home after the module has completed its work. A low VPR rating should be the goal for all units.
Certification
Be sure to verify the certification of any surge protector before making a purchase. An impartial laboratory certifies most high-quality surge protectors. Advertisers and product listings make it clear that this is a significant factor.
Warranty
If a warranty is included, it will vary from one whole-house surge protector module to the next. Find out what kind of warranty coverage you'll get and what conditions can void it before you buy. For example, if the module was not installed by a professional, you may lose warranty coverage.
Why do I Need a Whole House Surge Protection Unit?
As much as 80% of power surges can be protected using a whole-house surge protection device. A whole-house surge protection equipment is a must-have unless you don't mind having to replace all of your valued home electronics and appliances whenever there are power spikes. Especially if you live in an area prone to lightning.
How Often Should I Replace My Surge Protector?
In most cases, you don't need to replace your surge protector unless it's getting old and no longer operating properly.
Make sure that your old surge protector is working properly before you buy a new one. If it's melted or exposed wiring, for example, it's time to get a new one.
Is Whole House Surge Protection Device Worth it?
Investing in a surge suppression device to safeguard your pricey household equipment from power surges that could render them worthless in a matter of seconds is a sound investment.
To avoid having to repair items damaged by surges, surge protectors are a worthwhile investment.
Other forms of protection equipment, on the other hand, can't claim to be able to prevent surges from entering the grid and entering your home.
With the knowledge you've gained from this article, you can decide for yourself whether or not making this type of purchase is correct for you.
A whole-house surge protector from the list above will do the trick. For this year, these are the most popular and well rated surge protectors on the market.
Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns!
