Whole-Home Surge Protector Lifespan
Power surges can cause serious damage to your electrical system and anything plugged in at the time, but whole-home surge protectors act as a line of defense.
They’re typically installed in your electrical panel and work constantly to reduce the risk of damage. There’s much more to know about these devices, including what to do if they start to fail and their lifespan.
What Is the Lifespan of a Whole-Home Surge Protector?
A whole-home surge protector usually has a lifespan of 3 to 10 years, but it’s typically closer to 5 years. It may not seem like a long time, but its protective efforts can be worth it.
Do I Need to Get it Inspected?
Your home should have a yearly electrical inspection. We’ll assess your whole-house surge protector during the appointment. There’s never a bad time to schedule an electrical inspection.
However, we recommend doing it in early spring. It’s the perfect time between the increased electrical usage during the holiday season and the upcoming peak air conditioning usage in summer. The device will also be ready to protect your electrical system during spring storms.
Can I Install a Whole-Home Surge Protector Myself?
Installing a whole-home surge protector yourself is possible, but we strongly recommend against it for your safety. Working with electrical wiring can be incredibly dangerous.
Professional electricians have the tools, knowledge, and experience to do the task safely and efficiently.
How Can I Extend the Lifespan of a Whole-Home Surge Protector?
There are several steps you can take to help extend the lifespan of your whole-house surge protector. The first step is to make sure it’s installed properly by a reputable professional. Our electricians have extensive experience installing these devices, and you can trust that yours will be installed correctly so it helps protect your home.
Annual inspections are also important. They allow us to evaluate the device with a professional eye. Between yearly inspections, self-inspections are crucial to catch any issues as early as possible. It’s ideal to do them frequently. Weekly is great, but more often is even better. If you suspect a problem, call us immediately and schedule an appointment so we can assess the situation and recommend a repair or replacement of your whole-home surge protector.
How Do I Know Something Is Wrong With My Whole-Home Surge Protector?
Your senses can play a key role in helping you recognize if something might be wrong with your device. A burning odor is a definite sign of an issue, but it can be difficult to tell whether it’s coming from the panel or the surge protector itself. Either way, scheduling an immediate inspection appointment is vital for your safety.
The same applies if you hear any strange noises, such as a popping sound. Another serious and obvious sign of a problem, and a reason you should call us, is if the whole-home surge protector looks physically damaged. For instance it may appear melted or have a crack.
What Happens if I Don’t Replace a Whole-Home Surge Protector?
Not replacing your whole-home surge protector can put your electrical system and any plugged-in devices at risk for damage, especially if you live in an area that experiences frequent power surges.
Power surges might also lead to a fire, so it’s important to do what you can to prevent them. However, it’s also vital that the device be replaced by a professional to ensure its effectiveness and safety.
A whole-house surge protector can be a fantastic addition to your home, but it’s important that it works properly. Keep in mind that its effectiveness can decrease the older it gets, so consider replacing the device after a few years as a precaution. This can also prevent having to do so unexpectedly after you notice signs it may be failing. It will help it do its job properly, which is particularly essential if your home is no stranger to power surges.
