According to Section 409.7, “Safety circuits for personnel protection that are subject to damage from surge events shall have surge protection installed within or immediately adjacent to the control panel.”
Why the change? Because surges don’t just wipe out TVs and computers—they can disrupt or disable critical safety systems and equipment shut offs. In other words, a surge at the wrong moment can lead to far more than inconvenience—it can pose a direct risk to people’s safety. Every home should have surge protection as a first line of defense against today’s increasingly unpredictable power events.
What Is a Power Surge, Anyway?
A power surge is a sudden spike in electrical voltage that travels through your home’s wiring. These spikes can be caused by:
- Lightning strikes
- Utility grid switching or power restoration
- Downed power lines
- Large appliances cycling on/off (like HVAC systems)
Even small surges can degrade electronics over time. Larger surges can fry appliances instantly—or in severe cases, cause electrical fires.
To protect your home you can have a whole home surge protector installed. Think of a whole home surge protector as a security system for your electrical panel. It monitors the flow of electricity coming into your home and diverts dangerous voltage spikes away from your system—sending excess current safely into the ground before it can cause damage.
Unlike power strips or plug-in surge protectors (which only protect individual devices), a whole home unit protects:
- Your appliances (fridge, dishwasher, washer/dryer, oven)
- HVAC systems and water heaters
- Garage door openers, smoke detectors, and hardwired systems
- Every device connected to your home’s circuits
Some may ask “Is a home surge protector really necessary?” Absolutely. Especially when you consider:
- The average home has $15,000+ worth of electronics and appliances
- Surges can happen dozens of times per day, even from within your own home
- Most homeowners insurance does not cover damage caused by surges
A professionally installed whole home surge protector is an affordable investment compared to the cost of replacing just one appliance—or worse, suffering a safety system failure.
At Lemere Electric, we believe every homeowner should understand the risks and protect their home accordingly. Whether you’re building new, upgrading your panel, or simply being proactive, surge protection is one of the smartest ways to add long-term value and safety to your home.
Want to learn more or get a free estimate? We’re here to help—because peace of mind should never be optional.
