Learn all about the best whole house surge protector and get well informed before you go buying surge protectors to keep your house safe from surges.
Since you have different types of equipment and devices in your house that run on electricity, you have to start considering the digital or electronic components of those devices. It important to note this because all equipment and appliances are susceptible to power surges.
In this article, we’ve made a list of some of the best whole house surge protector that can give you give you value for your money. But before we delve into that, let’s take you through what and what you need to look out for before you make a decision on the surge protector to buy.
Whole House Surge Buying Guide
What To Look Out For When Buying A Surge Suppressor
Two components are very vital when you are about to purchase a surge suppressor or surge protector device. The two elements here are safety and performance.
These two element cannot be compromised thus you must look for the individual suppression circuit the must be fused to remove MOV that is inoperative in case an extreme event occurs. The surge must also provide over current protection when the suppressor is in faulty condition. When it comes to performance, you must note the clamping voltage and the surge current capacity.
Compatibility
Compatibility of a surge protector is another important factor to consider when making a surge purchase. You have to ensure that the surge you’re buying is going to fit and operate the system you have. If you have to buy an additional equipment to enable you connect your house surge protector, let it be a deliberate choice you have to make and not becauseyou didn’t really research about the product you are buying.
Mode Protection
Research the whole house surge protector that you intend to buy to know if it offers the type of coverage you want.
Removable Mod
les
Consider where your home, business, vacation and even RV is situated before you decide on a whole house surge protector. If you are in a region that is accustomed to lightning storms, or if they are constant power surges because of your area, then you should consider buying a device with a removable modules.
In the event where the surge protection unit has protected the electricity, it stops working and you have to replace the entire piece of equipment, the removable modules helps you swap out the ones that are no longer functioning properly which makes it more efficient and normal.
Visual Indicators
Install a whole house surge protector, that helps you know how it is working. This means you should go for surge protector with indicator lights that intimates you on what’s going on internally. Thus a device with a clear display of visual indicators that you can easily read will be a good choice.
How A Surge Protector Works
A surge protector device safeguards your appliances and electrical equipment in the house. The surge protector limits the voltage that is transmitted to an appliance or equipment by either blocking the current or shorting it to ground. Any voltage above the safe threshold, is treated by the surge protector in the same manner.
How To Install A Surge Protector
Start by turning off the electricity from the main board and then remove the front of the panel which will expose the circuit breakers. Once that is done, remove the knockout plug from the side and install the surge protector. It is advised you let a professional handle this procedure for safety and accuracy.
Let’s get started with the different best whole house surge protector list.
Leviton 51120-1 Panel Protector
This surge protector from Leviton has a 120/240V capacity, and comes with 4-Mode protection. The panel protector metal box comes with a real time visual indicator for diagnosis of suppression and power status of all the phases. It’s metal enclosure is a standard J-Box.
This device is fully compatible with Decora Home Controls, and comes with a ten-year lifetime warranty as well. It designed to divert the high voltage or energy away from the sensitive equipment within the household and is best for apartments, homes and services entrances.
If you are looking for a device that can work well in small scale commercial buildings,the Panel protector is the ideal surge. Highly compatible and very simple to install.
What to love
- Steel box helps it stay durable.
- Has a ten years warranty coverage
- It’s visual indicator displays the suppression and current status of all the phases that are protected by this device.
- Comes with a 4-Mode protection and 120/240V protector for panels
What’s Not so good?
- The unit is specially designed for indoor use only
- A little expensive because of the metal design
Product Dimensions
14.4-Inch × 8.4-inch × 6.9-inch.
Weighs 4.7 pounds.
Final Thought
Built to last long, and an ideal surge protector that protects your house indoors.
Square D by Schneider Electric HEPD80
The Electric’s Square D gives you equal protection for your home. It keeps the electrical and digital equipment that is not connected with the surge strip safe massive lightning bursts. This device, comes with a LED indicator and is also NEMA 4X rated for both indoor and outdoor purposes.
Built with 80,000 amps Surge Current Rating (SCR) along with 25,000 amps SCCR. This surge protector is UL 1449 and CSA 3rd Edition Type 1 SPD approved also. A device that can be easily linked with any residential load center and a LED indicator that confirms that your house is protected.
A five years warranty covers this surge, and is very easy to install and offers superior performance.
What’s to love
- Equipped with suppression circuitry for high voltages and energies to keep the equipment and appliances within the household secure.
- Each of its Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV) is individually fused.
- LED light indicator
- Ideally suited for indoor and outdoor use.
- Easy to install and offers an outstanding output.
What’s not so good?
- It’s LED indicator it too dim for anyone to see if the surge protector is working or not.
Product Dimensions
2.7-inch × 3.8-inch × 3.6-inch
Weighs 2 pounds.
Final Thought
Designed to deliver exceptional performance. Quality tested and approved with a decent price and a five years warranty.
Siemens FS140 Whole House Surge Protection
This Siemens device is listed in UL 1449. It is a type 2 surge protector equipped with commercial grade notification system that is based on three stages. It is an ideal surge suppressor that can be used both for business and residential purposes. The Siemens FS140 SPD is compatible with any branded breaker or load center.
It is a device with an enclosure that is rated type 4 for outdoor usage. Thus it can be used with the load center and on the outside. It also has a warranty coverage of 10 years from the company and can take a maximum surge current of 20 KA. It is also uniquely equipped with an alarm system that is integrated with it’s notification status.
What’s to love
- Comes in handy for both indoors and outdoors usage.
- Type 2 surge protector device is listed in UL 1449
- A 10 warranty coverage from the date of purchase to cover you in the event of any defect.
- Apart from visual alerts, it also gives audible alerts
What’s not so good
- Not portable enough to fit in the breaker box.
- A conduit must be purchased separately for the device plus the amount spent in buying the appliance.
Product Dimensions
6-inch × 10-inch × 4-inch
Final Thought
A well functioned device even though a tad too big. Can be used outdoors which means you can use a conduit with it. It can also be used anywhere and is designed with some mortification mechanisms to alert as regards power.
Intermatic IG1240RC3 Whole Home
The Intermatic IG1240RC3 Whole Home isa type 2 whole house surge protector that has a greater power as compared to the various plug-in strips. This device can be installed on 120/240V panels and singles also.
It features a green light indicator to alert when a surge strikes. To top if off, this device comes with four different 12 gauge leads all 30-inch in size.
It is a CSA listed device and has NEMA 3R rating. It is also designed with plastic and comes with a five years warranty.
What’s to love
- Designed with permanent mounting feet
- Product quality is assured by CSA and NEMA
- A type 2 surge that has better capacity than the regular plug-ins
- Has four 30-inch long 12 gauge wires also.
What’s not so good?
- Some may perceive the quality as being cheap, but it goes well with the price.
- NEMA ratings as low as compared to other devices as well.
Product Dimensions
6.5-inch × 8.3-inch × 8-inch.
Weighs around 2 pounds.
Final Thought
A device developed to offer essential features with a good price.
Eaton CHSPT2ULTRA Surge Protection
This 3rd Edition device from Eaton is designed with a welded mounting panel to enable it connect easily with the main board. The Eaton CHSPT2ULTRA Surge Protection also has the rating of NEMA 4 and is SPD Type 2. Quickly accommodates a maximum surge per phase of up to 108KA. This device is also UL certified and is listed as Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor and comes with some modes of protection. There’s a Line-to-Neutral control, Neutral-to-Ground control, Line-to-Line control, and Line-to-Ground control.
What’s to love
- Designed with a mounting panel
- Equipped with some protection modes also
- Offers excellent value for money due to it’s numerous features
- UL approved and has NEMA 4 rating.
What’s not so good?
- It’s method uses #14 stranded copper wires that are tin-platted because it doesn’t fit in the 50 amp breaker with #6 wires
- The supplied cable is not long enough for various applications.
Product Dimensions
2.4-inch × 5.2-inch × 7.5-inch
Weighs around 1 pound.
Final Thought
The Eaton CHSPT2ULTRA Surge Protection gives you value for your money and comes with a wall panel also. It’s quality is assured and offers some modes of protections once it is installed.
Surge Protectors & Manufacturers Warranties
It is important to note that not all surge protectors come with manufacturer’s warranties to customers. However, some manufacturers give warranties that cover everything connected with the device. Even though you may not make use of this warranty at the end of the day, it is ideal to have one in place to be doubly sure.
Conclusion
Now that you have gone through our review for each of the surge protectors from different brands, you can now make an informed decision as to what you want, the price you are willing to pay for it and what you want to use it for. If we are to advise, we would say go for a surge protector that has warranty, can be used both indoor and outdoor and a device that has the capacity to carry the equipment and devices you own.
