Surge Protectors for Your Home

When choosing surge protectors for your home, it’s important to focus on safety, capacity, and convenience. Here’s a guide to help you choose the right ones, along with a few recommendations:

What to Look for in a Home Surge Protector

  • Joule Rating
    • Indicates how much energy it can absorb before it fails.
    • Recommended: 2,000+ joules for valuable electronics like TVs, computers, or gaming consoles.
  • Number of Outlets
    • Choose based on your usage — 6, 8, or 12 outlets are common.
    • Look for widely spaced outlets to fit bulky plugs.
  • Clamping Voltage
    • Lower is better (330V is ideal). It’s the voltage at which it begins protecting.
  • UL 1449 Certification
    • Ensures it meets safety standards for surge protection.
  • Indicator Lights or Alarms
    • Let you know if the surge protection is still active or if it needs replacing.
  • USB Ports
    • Many now include USB-A and USB-C ports for charging phones and tablets directly.
  • Wall-Mount or Strip Design
    • Wall-mounts are good for kitchens and bedrooms; strips are better behind desks and TVs.

Whole-House Surge Protection

For added protection, especially if you live in an area with frequent lightning or power fluctuations:

  • Install a whole-house surge protector at the electrical panel.
  • Contact a professional electrical contractor