Surge Protection in Perth: Protecting Your Home’s Electronics
Surge protection guards the electronics in your home against sudden voltage spikes that can quietly damage or destroy them. Good surge protection starts at the switchboard, not at a power board. Here is how surges happen, what protection actually does, and whether your Perth home needs it.
What causes a surge?
A surge is a brief spike in voltage, far above what your wiring normally carries. Lightning strikes nearby are the dramatic cause, but surges also come from the network when supply is restored after an outage, from switching events, and from large appliances in your own home cycling on and off.
6 things to know about surge protection
- Surges come from storms, the network and big appliances
- A switchboard device protects the whole home
- Power board protectors only cover what is plugged in
- Protection wears out over time and needs checking
- It suits homes with lots of electronics
- Installation at the board is licensed work
What a surge does
A big surge can destroy an appliance outright, but the sneakier damage is cumulative, small spikes gradually degrade the electronics inside TVs, computers, appliance control boards and chargers. Things fail earlier than they should for no obvious reason. Surge protection is about preventing both kinds of damage.
Switchboard protection
The most effective surge protection is a device installed in the switchboard, which shunts excess voltage safely to earth before it reaches your circuits. Because it sits at the board, it protects everything in the home, including hardwired things like your oven, aircon and cooktop that a power board cannot.
Power boards are not enough
Plug-in surge protection strips help, but they only protect what is plugged into them, and cheap ones offer little. They are a useful second layer for a home office or entertainment unit, not a substitute for protection at the board. The best approach uses both, the board first.
They do wear out
Surge protection devices absorb energy each time they act, so they degrade over time and eventually stop protecting. Most have an indicator showing whether they are still working. It is worth having yours checked during electrical maintenance, since a spent device gives you nothing but the illusion of safety.
Do you need it?
Most Perth homes now run a lot of expensive electronics: TVs, computers, solar inverters, EV chargers, smart appliances. Weighed against replacing even one of those, surge protection is inexpensive. It is especially worth considering if you are already having switchboard work done, since it fits neatly into that job.
Storms and Perth summers
Perth’s summer storms bring lightning and the switching events that follow, which is when spikes are most likely. Protection cannot stop a direct strike, but it handles the far more common nearby-strike and network surges that quietly take out appliances after a rough night of weather.
Solar, EV and modern homes
A modern home has more sensitive electronics than ever: a solar inverter on the roof, a charger in the garage, smart appliances throughout. Each one is a replacement cost if a spike gets through. The more of them you have, the better the case for protecting the whole board.
Fit it with other work
The tidiest time to add protection is while the board is already open, during a switchboard upgrade or when a new circuit goes in. It shares the labour with work you were doing anyway, which makes it a small addition rather than a separate visit.
Why use a licensed electrician
Installing surge protection in the switchboard is licensed work that must be done and certified correctly. A licensed electrician fits the right device for your board and checks it during maintenance. The state’s Building and Energy sets the standards involved.
Want surge protection for your Perth home?
ACS Electrical fits switchboard protection across the metro. Explore our switchboard upgrades service, electrical storm damage guide or electrical maintenance and repairs service. Call 0419 967 838.
Professional electrical services for homes & businesses. We ensure safety & compliance.
Electrician Near Me
Emergency Electrician
Near Me Electrician
Book Your Electrician Now
Get A Free Electrical Quote
Switchboard Upgrades
Local electrician Perth WA
Same day service for homes and businesses call now
Joondalup, Wanneroo, Stirling, Balcatta, Carine, Beldon, Connolly, Edgewater, Currambine, Kingsley, Kinross, Chittering, Lancelin, BIndoon, Baldivis, Melville
Phone: 0419 967 838
Email: admin@acselec.com.au