Power surges can wreak havoc on your electronics, inflicting frustration and expensive repairs. Thankfully whole house surge protectors can be your lifeline. They shield your entire electrical system, safeguarding valuable devices from voltage spikes.
Here’s what to consider when choosing the best whole house surge protector for your needs.
- Surge Energy Rating: Look for a surge protector with a high surge energy rating (3,000 joules or more) to handle powerful surges.
- Clamping Voltage: Choose a surge protector with a clamping voltage below 400 volts to activate rapidly and protect your devices effectively.
- Response Time: Pick a surge protector with a response time under one nanosecond for near-instantaneous voltage spike prevention.
- UL (Underwriters Laboratories) Rating: Make sure the surge protector is UL1449-certified for safety and functionality.
Best Whole House Surge Protectors 2024 Table
| Whole House Surge Protectors | Maximum Surge Current | Surge Protector Type | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siemens FS140 Whole House Surge Protection | 60000 amps per phase | Type 2 surge protector | Check On Amazon |
| Leviton Whole House Surge Protector | 50000 amps per phase | Type 2 surge protector | Check On Amazon |
| Intermatic Whole House Surge Protector | 50000 amps per phase | Type 3 surge protector | Check On Amazon |
| Siemens Whole House Surge Protector | 40000 amps per phase | Type 1 surge protector | Check On Amazon |
| Eaton Whole House Surge Protector | 36000 amps per phase | Type 2 surge protector | Check On Amazon |
| Square D1 Whole House Surge Protector | 50000 amps per phase | Type 2 surge protector | Check On Amazon |
Best Whole House Surge Protectors Reviews
1. Siemens FS140 Whole House Surge Protection
Siemens is a well-regarded and widely recognized brand for delivering impressive performance across its product range, including the FS140 whole house surge protection. This device is classified as Type 2 and is listed under UL/cUL 1449 standards.
The FirstSurge Surge Protective Devices features are equipped with a substantial surge current capacity of 140,000 Amps per phase, ensuring robust defense for your valuable electronic devices. With a durable NEMA 4X enclosure built for commercial use, it allows for versatile installations both indoors and outdoors, offering flexibility and convenience.
Best Features:
- Works as a type 2 surge protector
- Offers a total of 4 protection modes
- Ideal for 120-volt and 240-volt electric currents
- Backed by a 10-year warranty for longevity
- 140,000 Amp surge current capacity per phase.
- Ground-referenced monitoring with audible alarm and status LEDs.
- Compatible with any brand of load center and breakers.
Pros:
- High-quality construction and durability.
- Bright LED indicators for easy monitoring.
- Easy installation praised by users.
- Superb performance for protection against electrical surges
- Comprehensive protection for smart appliances and electronics.
Cons:
- Issues during sustained surges.
2. Leviton Whole House Surge Protector
Leviton provides a range of electrical components, including the highly effective and dependable Leviton 51120-1 Whole House Surge Protector. This surge protection panel is suitable for both residential and light commercial use, boasting excellent performance metrics.
With its 120/240V Single Phase Panel Mount Surge Protective Device, Leviton ensures comprehensive protection against power transients, safeguarding your delicate electronic equipment.
Best Features:
- Rated maximum surge current of 50000 amps per phase
- Offers a total of 4 protection modes
- Ideal for 120-volt and 240-volt electric currents
- Real-time diagnostic visual indicator for power and suppression status.
- Standard J-Box enclosure with pre-punched knock-outs for easy surface mounting.
- Low VPR for enhanced protection of LCD TVs and computers.
- Compatible with Decora Home Controls for added convenience.
Pros:
- Perfect for long-term usage with an excellent warranty period
- Quite great performance even for heavy-duty usage
- Fairly small and compact for easy installation and setup
- Real-time diagnostic indicator for quick status checks.
- Protects high-energy transients.
Cons:
- Not a budget-friendly whole-house surge protector
3. Intermatic Whole House Surge Protector
Intermatic, a relatively recent and relatively small company in the electrical components industry, offers products like the whole house surge protector showcased here, which is particularly well-suited for certain purposes. The Intermatic IG1240RC3 is a prime example. Engineered with meticulous attention to detail and ingenuity, this surge protector features six modes of surge protection and incorporates TPMOV surge protection technology for increased dependability.
Encased in a Type 3R rainproof enclosure suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, this device delivers thorough protection for your household.
Best Features:
- Rated maximum surge current of 50000 amps per phase
- Works as a type 3 surge protector
- Offers a total of 6 protection modes
- Ideal for 120-volt and 240-volt electric currents
- Backed by a 5-year warranty for longevity
- Six modes of surge protection for maximum defense.
- Green LED indicator for easy status checks.
- Type 3R rainproof enclosure suitable for indoor/outdoor use.
Pros:
- Pretty amazing for use with sensitive electronics
- A large number of protection modes for great protection
- High maximum surge current rating for better protection
Cons:
- Not a type 2 surge protector for heavy-duty applications
4. Siemens Whole House Surge Protector
Siemens provides entry-level options tailored for those seeking compact whole-house surge protectors that deliver effective protection. The QSA2020SPD in this regard is equipped with two 20-Amp circuit breakers, and is designed for practicality without compromising on safeguarding your valuable electronic devices.
It specifically crafted for Siemens panels, assures comprehensive whole-house surge protection, enhancing the safety of your home. Featuring 150 VAC and 40 mm metal oxide varistors, it ensures reliable protection for your electronic equipment, offering peace of mind.
Best Features:
- Rated maximum surge current of 40000 amps per phase
- Works as a type 1 surge protector
- Offers a total of 3 protection modes
- Ideal for 120-volt and 240-volt electric currents
- Backed by a 2-year warranty for longevity
Pros:
- Comparatively affordable and entry-level whole-house surge protector
- Decent performance in terms of maximum surge current
- Great build quality with a decent warranty period
Cons:
- Not the best type of surge protector
- Issues with the light indicator.
- Challenges reported with the visibility of LED lights.
5. Eaton Whole House Surge Protector
Although the Eaton brand might not enjoy the same popularity as some others because of its affordability, it presents a range of quality whole-house surge protectors at very competitive prices. One notable option is the CHSPT2SURGE SPD Type 2 Whole Home Surge Protector.
This surge protector offers robust AC power protection for your entire home. It’s compatible with load centers from different manufacturers and features a quick-connect design for straightforward installation of cable protection modules, providing reliable defense against power surges and spikes.
Best Features:
- Rated maximum surge current of 36000 amps per phase
- Works as a type 2 surge protector
- Offers a total of 4 protection modes
- Ideal for 120-volt and 240-volt electric currents
- Backed by a 5-year long warranty for longevity
- AC power protection for comprehensive safeguarding.
- Quick-connect design for easy mounting of cable protection modules.
- Universally connects to any manufacturer’s load center.
- LED status indication for quick monitoring.
Pros:
- Highly affordable and budget-friendly whole-house surge protector
- Decently versatile being a type 2 surge protector
- Quite a long warranty with decent build quality
Cons:
- Limited maxim surge current rating for heavy-duty usage
- Issues with product effectiveness.
6. Square D1 Whole House Surge Protector
Square D is a recent addition to the electrical components market, offering cost-effective solutions such as the featured whole-house surge protector. The Square D 1 Phase Surge Protection Device, produced by CAI – SQUARE D, is specifically crafted for single-phase applications, providing versatility for settings such as offices, restaurants, apartments, hotels, and others.
With a 25 Amp capacity, this protector can effectively manage electrical loads up to 25 amps, guaranteeing strong protection for your valuable electronic devices.
Best Features:
- Rated maximum surge current of 36000 amps per phase
- Backed by a 5-year long warranty for longevity
- LED status indicator
- Two modes of protection
- Ideal for 120-volt and 240-volt electric currents
Pros:
- Superb value for money
- Quite a high maximum surge current value for the given price
- Decently reliable with great build quality
Cons:
- Nothing other than the long delivery time
- Challenges with LED alert visibility.
Buying Guide For The Best Whole House Surge Protectors
A diverse range of electrical appliances and devices are present in most households, and ensuring their longevity is crucial. Safeguarding these devices from potential threats like electrical surges is essential. One effective method to achieve this is by investing in one of the top-rated whole-house surge protectors mentioned above.
To aid in making the right choice, crucial details and options for various whole-house surge protectors are thoroughly explained. For those seeking further clarification, this comprehensive buying guide for the best whole-house surge protectors is available:
1. Maximum Surge Current
To safeguard against electrical surges, it is important to choose a whole-house surge protector capable of handling powerful surges. Assessing the maximum surge current rating is key to ensuring this capability. Options ranging from 40,000 amps per phase, 50,000 amps per phase, to 60,000 amps per phase are available. Opting for a higher maximum surge current, such as 60,000 amps per phase, provides optimal protection for appliances and electronic devices.
2. Surge Protector Type
Understanding the performance and applications of a particular whole-house surge protector can be gauged by examining its surge protector type. Types 1, 2, and 3 surge protectors are commonly found when searching for whole-house surge protectors. These types employ different technologies tailored for various applications. Type 2 surge protectors offer versatility across applications, while type 3 surge protectors are ideal for safeguarding sensitive electrical devices from smaller surges.
3. Protection Modes
In addition to considering the surge protector type, evaluating the number of protection modes offered is crucial. Most whole-house surge protectors feature multiple protection modes to ensure comprehensive protection. A higher number of protection modes, such as 6 or 8, enhances overall user protection compared to protectors with only 4 modes.
4. Voltage Support
Before deploying a specific whole-house surge protector, compatibility with the voltage in your home and the targeted application is essential. The majority of surge protectors support both 120-volt and 240-volt currents for increased versatility and compatibility. Ensuring a match between the surge protector and your electrical current voltage is imperative for effective protection against electrical surges.
5. Warranty
While whole-house surge protectors are designed to safeguard electrical appliances, the reliability of the surge protector itself is equally important. Checking the included warranty assures in this regard. Many surge protectors offer a standard 5-year warranty, with some models extending to 10 years or even a lifetime warranty, enhancing their reliability for long-term usage.
Conclusion
A complete home surge protector safeguards your entire residence, including its electrical connections and all the various electrical devices in use. Given the potential harm caused by electrical surges to your devices, the use of these comprehensive safeguards is crucial.
To assist you in selecting the right one, we have previously discussed some of the top whole-house surge protectors, each with its essential specifications and factors, accompanied by a detailed buying guide. Taking into consideration all these elements, here are our recommended choices for the best whole-house surge protectors:
- When compared to most other options, the Siemens Whole House Surge Protector stands out with superior performance. This is attributed to its impressive maximum surge current rating of 60,000 amps per phase, achievable due to its design as a type 2 surge protector for residential use.
- For those prioritizing reliability, the Leviton Whole House Surge Protector is an excellent choice. It not only boasts a robust build quality but also comes with a lifetime warranty, ensuring its suitability for long-term use.
- If you’re on a budget and seeking an affordable option, the Eaton Whole House Surge Protector is a viable choice. As an entry-level option, its expected maximum surge current rating of 36,000 amps per phase is reasonable.
