Homes today are packed with sensitive tech. Smart thermostats, internet routers, and electric vehicle chargers all humming on the same electrical wiring. But all it takes is one voltage spike to knock out everything. That’s why smart homeowners are investing in whole-house surge protection before it’s too late.
As your trusted electrician in Central Wisconsin, PGA Inc. is here to help you ride out storm season. Let’s cover what sparks power surges, how you can protect your tech-filled home, and why bringing in an experienced electrical contractor is a powerhouse move.
What Causes Power Surges?
Power surges, also known as high voltage spikes or sags, come from two main sources: outside your home and inside your walls.
On the outside, Mother Nature gears up. A sudden lightning strike during a summer storm can send rains of electrons racing through the electrical grid, pulling intense current into your transformer, then shooting it down the wires straight into your house. That massive voltage spike can overwhelm your circuits in an instant. And during a thunderstorm, you can’t bank on your power supply staying consistent — flickering lights and even full power outages are par for the course in Central Wisconsin.
Behind your walls, smart gadgets and power-hungry appliances are all fighting for the same electrical supply, and even a small spike can cause big-time damage. For example, when you turn on the stove or the air conditioning kicks on, that’s an internal surge: the quick switch from one electrical load to another sends energy surging through your system. Even flipping your circuit breaker back on after a trip can cause a mini-spike. All this puts stress on your sensitive electronics.
How Do Surge Protectors Work?
Surge protectors operate via clever electrical engineering. Most use a metal‑oxide varistor (MOV), a component that stays non‑conductive under normal voltage. When a surge occurs, the MOV switches on, diverting the excess electricity to ground and protecting your devices.
There are two key protection layers. Point‑of‑use (POU) protectors, found in power strips or multi‑outlet devices, shield individual gear like computers, servers, routers, or laptops. Whole‑home surge protectors are installed at the breaker panel.
Types of Surge Protection: Comparing Options
To compare surge protectors, pay attention to three core specifications: joule rating, clamping voltage, and response speed.
The joule rating tells you how much excess energy the device can absorb over time — higher numbers mean better protection and a longer lifespan. Clamping voltage refers to the level at which the device activates to divert a surge; lower clamping voltages indicate faster intervention, which is better for sensitive electronics. Finally, response speed measures how quickly the device reacts to a voltage spike — the faster it responds (typically in nanoseconds), the more effective it is at stopping damage before it reaches your connected equipment.
Altogether, these three specs determine how well a surge protector shields your home from unexpected electrical threats like lightning strikes or sudden grid fluctuations.
- Plug‑in Surge Protectors/Power Strips: These are the everyday, easy-to-find strips you can buy at your local hardware store. They work in a pinch to guard your laptop, smartphone, or router. Most have built-in fuses and LED indicators showing when they’re active. But they don’t protect your whole home or large appliances from big outside spikes.
- Point‑of‑Use Protectors With UL Certified MOVs: These are heavy-duty gadgets that fit between wall outlets and pricey electronics. They’re UL‑listed, so they meet safety Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards and often cover higher joule ratings. Ideal for home audio systems or home automation hubs. They can include warranty coverage that pays for damage if they fail.
- Panel‑Mounted Whole‑Home Surge Protectors: Installed right into your electrical wiring at the circuit breaker panel, these are the gold standard. You get whole-home surge protection! They guard everything, keep your power supply steady, and shoulder the biggest hits.
- Layered Surge Protection Systems: This is layering the first three categories — panel protection, point-of-use protectors, and plug-ins — to create impenetrable shielding for your most sensitive stuff. If lightning hits hard, the panel system takes the brunt. If something sneaks past, point-of-use units and plug-in strips back it up. This layered approach gives you the best overall shield against both internal and external voltage spike threats.
Benefits of Installing Surge Protection
Investing in surge protection is a smart decision that pays off across the board. Here’s how:
- Protect Your Expensive Electronics: Your TV, gaming console, smart fridge, and everything from your computer to your smartphone are vulnerable to voltage spikes. A whole-home surge protector can take the hit so your gear doesn’t. And in places where the weather swings from breezy to thunderstorming, that’s serious peace of mind.
- Guard Against Electrical Fires: Sudden surges through unprotected electrical wiring can overheat circuits. This can lead to melted insulation, arcing, and, in worst cases, fires. Installing whole-home surge protection helps direct that unwanted voltage away from flammable pathways.
- Improve the Longevity of Appliances: Every voltage spike wears down your stove, air conditioning, washer, and electric vehicle charger just a little. Over time, they give out early. Surge protection helps stabilize your electrical load, extending the life of your high-ticket systems.
- Reduce Downtime and Data Loss: Think about how frustrating it is when your router, server, or computer network resets mid-project. Or worse, when the digital work you were working on vanishes. Surge protection minimizes those interruptions.
- May Reduce Home Insurance Risk: Some home insurance providers love seeing protective electrical systems in place. You might just qualify for reduced premiums, or at least avoid claim denials related to avoidable electrical issues.
- Safeguard Smart Home Automation Systems: In a tech-forward home with home automation, surge protection helps keep lights, locks, cameras, and timers humming. If you’ve ever lost a smart thermostat or door sensor to a power outage, you know it’s no joke.
- Peace of Mind During Summer Storms: Let’s be honest — when the skies turn dark and a lightning strike booms in the distance, wouldn’t you rather be watching from the porch than unplugging everything in the house?
Whole-Home vs. Point-of-Use Surge Protection
There’s a time and place for both. Point-of-use protectors (like those power strips behind your couch) work well for individual electronics. You can find them at any hardware store, and they’re a quick plug-and-play option.
But here in Central Wisconsin, where a surge can come not just from lightning but from grid fluctuations or a neighbor flipping their switch too hard, whole-house surge protection gives you next-level defense. They catch the surge before it ever reaches your computer, refrigerator, or air conditioner.
Our recommendation? A layered approach: install whole-home surge protection at the panel and use point-of-use surge protectors for anything with sensitive electronics or delicate wiring.
Is Professional Installation Necessary?
You’re handy. You’ve watched all the YouTube tutorials, you’ve got your toolbox, and maybe you’ve even swapped a circuit breaker or two. But when it comes to surge protection electrical panel installation, trust us: this one’s better left to the pros.
An electrician at PGA Inc. will evaluate your electrical wiring, determine the correct type of surge protection for your system, and install it right at your main panel. We’ll also ground it properly because a bad ground equals bad protection. Plus, we’re familiar with local codes and the unique quirks of historic homes.
And when something needs maintenance or upgrade, we’re already familiar with your setup.
Signs You Need a Surge Protector
Not sure if you need a surge protector or an upgrade? Watch for these red flags:
- Frequent Power Flickers: If your lights dim when the AC kicks on, that’s a signal your system isn’t managing electrical load well. This can damage appliances long-term.
- Burnt Smell or Warm Outlets: That smell of scorched plastic is never a good sign. Neither is a warm power strip or wall plate. Time to bring in a professional.
- Devices Reset or Fail Randomly: If your router disconnects during storms, or your smartphone charger randomly fails, you may be dealing with low-level voltage spike issues.
- Living in a Surge-Prone Area: Welcome to Central Wisconsin, where thunderstorms, lightning, power outages, and grid hiccups happen regularly. If your neighbor’s surge hits the line, you can feel it too.
- No Visible Protection at Your Panel: Look at your breaker box. If you don’t see a device labeled whole home surge protector, odds are you don’t have one.
- New Investments in Tech or Automation: Just installed a new appliance or electric vehicle charging station? Congrats! Now protect that investment with surge protection.
Protect Your Home From Dangerous Power Surges Today!
PGA Inc. is proud to protect homes across Central Wisconsin. We know your neighborhoods. We know the electrical grid that powers them. And we know how a good surge protector setup can keep your appliances humming and your AC flowing, even when the rain hits hard.
Our licensed electricians in Wausau, WI, bring decades of experience to every electrical panel, every wire, and every backup system. Contact us to schedule a consultation!
