Square D 1 Phase Surge Protector
|

Best Whole House Surge Protector Reviews

Spread the love

Introduction

One of the most economical ways to shield your electronics and appliances against harm from power surges or lightning strikes is with a whole-house surge protector.

Despite this, very few consumers actually have these in their homes. And many of those who do own a unit do so with a model that is either improperly rated or improperly configured for their use. In this tutorial, we’ll help dispel some myths regarding power surges and arm you with the knowledge you need to choose the best whole-house surge protector for your requirements.

You’ll discover the several kinds of power surges, why the majority of whole-house surge protectors are woefully insufficient, and how to choose a whole-house surge protector that can safeguard all of the electronic gadgets in your home.

All of the many gadgets and equipment in your home are prone to electrical surge damage, as you must be aware if you are familiar with electricity and electrical appliances. A surge protector can be purchased for each one of them, but that is not the best choice. Instead, you can think about purchasing something like the top whole-house surge protectors listed below, which were selected based on the following criteria:

Maximum Surge Current:

The maximum surge current rating on each whole-house surge protector lets you know how much current it can handle in the event of an electrical surge. High-end variants can even withstand up to 60000 amps per phase, whereas entry-level units can only manage about 40000 amps per phase.

Surge Protector Type:

There are various types of surge protectors available when purchasing one for the entire house. This covers surge protectors of kinds 1, 2, and 3, where each type has a unique technology for surge protection that makes it perfect for a particular application. Type 2 surge protectors are typically the most adaptable solutions.

Protection Modes:

Since numerous protection modes typically provide superior performance, you can discover multiple protection modes with a single entire house surge protector. This can include choices like those with four or six different protection modes, as well as others where having additional protection modes is always a fantastic idea.

While all of these elements are very crucial to take into account when choosing surge protectors, there are still many other factors to take into account. So that you can purchase the finest whole home surge protectors by reading this listicle through to the conclusion, all of the best whole house surge protectors included here have all of their key characteristics and features thoroughly discussed along with a comprehensive “Buying Guide.”

Best Whole House Surge Protector of 2023

Siemens FS140 Whole House Surge Protection
  • Rated maximum surge current of 60000 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 10-year long warranty for longevity
Leviton 240 Volt Panel Protector
  • Rated maximum surge current of 50000 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 lifetime warranty for longevity
Intermatic IG1240RC3 Whole Home Surge Protection Device
  • 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
Siemens QSA2020SPD Whole House Surge Protection
  • 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
Eaton CHSPT2SURGE SPD Type 2 Chsp Whole Home Surge Protector
  • 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
Square D 1 Phase Surge Protection Device
  • 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

Siemens FS140 Whole House Surge Protection

Siemens is a premium and well-known manufacturer of electrical parts and apparatus, including its whole-house surge protector, which normally provides exceptional performance numbers.

The Siemens FS140 whole-house surge protector is ranked first because it is the best-performing choice available. This is mainly made feasible by its excellent maximum surge current, which is the largest one stated here and up to 60000 amps per phase.

This Siemens surge protector is a type 2 surge protector in order to provide such high-performance statistics. Additionally, you have a total of 4 protection modes, which are always a plus in a surge protector for the entire house. For your peace of mind, you also receive a 10-year warranty with it as this is a very expensive option.

Pros

  • Superb performance for protection against electrical surges
  • The fairly long warranty period for your peace of mind
  • Inbuilt LEDs for notifications and ease of use

Cons

  • Highly expensive whole house surge protector

Leviton 240 Volt Panel Protector

If you want something like a whole-house surge protector that provides pretty fantastic performance statistics while being equally dependable, you can also take into account Leviton and its electrical component options.

The second-ranked item on this list is the Leviton 51120-1 whole-house surge protector since it is the most dependable and long-lasting alternative available. With this surge protector, you also obtain a respectably high-performance rating because the maximum surge current rating is up to 50000 amps per phase.

This entire house surge protector is a type 2 device with a total of 4 protection modes, which enables such excellent performance statistics. The lifetime guarantee that comes with it makes this whole-house surge protector the most dependable choice on this list, which brings us to the finest part about it.

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

Cons

  • Not a budget-friendly whole-house surge protector

Intermatic IG1240RC3 Whole Home Surge Protection Device

Intermatic is a relatively new and modest manufacturer of electrical products, such as the whole-house surge protector we have here that is renowned for being perfect for a certain use.

The third spot in this list goes to the Intermatic IG1240RC3 whole-house surge protector since it is excellent for usage with delicate devices. Despite this, the maximum surge current of up to 50,000 amps per phase means that it can also be utilized for heavy-duty applications.

The main characteristic of this whole-house surge protector is that it is a type 3 surge protector, which makes it perfect for delicate applications. You can be even more confident that it delivers excellent protection when combined with the six protection modes. You even receive a 5-year warranty with it to make sure you can use this surge protector for a very long time.

Pros

  • Pretty amazing for using 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

Siemens QSA2020SPD Whole House Surge Protection

For individuals searching for whole-house surge protectors that provide respectable protection in a tiny form factor for practicality, Siemens also provides choices that are fairly entry-level.

One of the most portable solutions available when looking for a surge protector is the Siemens QSA2020SPD whole home surge protector. You can achieve a maximum surge current with it of up to 40000 amps per phase, even at the size, it is.

However, it is a type 1 surge protector, which in many situations might not be the best choice. A limitation of its surge protector kind is that it only provides a total of 3 protection modes. Fortunately, it does come with a 2-year guarantee, which, despite being shorter than some, is still very good.

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

Eaton CHSPT2SURGE SPD Type 2 Chsp Whole Home Surge Protector

Eaton offers a number of excellent whole-house surge protectors that are often very reasonable, even though they may not be as well-known as other solutions.
Since it is the least expensive option available, Eaton’s CHSPT2SURGE whole-house surge protector is the best choice for individuals on a tight budget. A maximum surge current of up to 36000 amps per phase for an entry-level surge protector is to be expected.

Fortunately, it is still a class 2 surge protector, which gives it a wide range of potential uses. This type 2 surge protector provides a total of 4 protection modes for your peace of mind, just like many other similar devices. Speaking of security, this reasonably priced whole-house surge protector also includes a 5-year warranty, which is unusual for most others.

Pros

  • Highly affordable and budget-friendly whole-house surge protector
  • Decently versatile being a type 2 surge protector
  • Quite a long warranty with the decent build quality

Cons

  • Limited maxim surge current rating for heavy-duty usage

 Square D 1 Phase Surge Protection Device

Electrical products like the whole-house surge protector shown here, manufactured by Square D by Schneider Electric, are relatively new to the market.
One of the better solutions is this Square D 1 by Schneider Electric whole-house surge protector. Additionally, it is a fantastic value for the money. It is comparable to considerably more expensive solutions in terms of maximum surge current rating, which is rated for up to 36000 per phase.

This surge protector is a type 2 entire home surge protector, just like other high-end surge protectors. It has two different types of protection, L-L, and L-N. It is mounted in the chase nipple fashion. It has a built-in LED indicator that shows the current condition.

Pros

  • Superb value for money
  • Quite a high maximum surge current value for the given price
  • Decently reliable with the great build quality

Cons

  • Nothing much than the long delivery time

Buying Guide for the Best Whole House Surge Protectors

Almost everyone has a variety of electrical equipment and appliances in their home. Protection from things like electrical surges is crucial since you want all of them to last as long as possible.

Purchasing one of the top whole-house surge protectors mentioned above is a simple approach to achieving the same result. These numerous whole-house surge protectors also have their key features and options thoroughly explained to assist you in making the best choice. But if you’re still perplexed and want to learn more, have a look at this comprehensive buying guide for the top surge protectors for your home:

Maximum Surge Current

You should choose a unit that can tolerate strong electrical surges because whole-home surge protectors are designed to stop any damage from an electrical surge. You may essentially check their maximum surge current rating to assure the same. When choosing entire home surge protectors, you have alternatives like 40000 amps per phase, 50000 amps per phase, and even 60000 amps per phase. And the greater maximum surge current of 60000 amps per phase will be the greatest option if you want your appliances and electrical equipment to receive perhaps the finest protection possible.

Surge Protector Type

You should look at the surge protector type of a specific whole house surge protector to obtain a basic notion of the performance and the best applications it provides. You can locate surge protector types like type 1, type, and type surge protectors in particular while hunting for entire home surge protectors.

All of these various surge protectors use various technologies to guard against electrical surge damage, making them suitable for various purposes. Type 3 surge protectors are typically the best for sensitive electrical devices for preventing harm from tiny electrical surges, although type 2 surge protectors are extremely versatile for all kinds of applications.

Protection Modes

Along with looking at the surge protector’s type, you should also see how many different types of protection it offers. This is because nearly every whole-house surge protector has a variety of protection settings to provide property protection. And as you can anticipate, the user will be better protected if there are more protection settings available. As a result, a whole house surge protector with 6 or 8 protection modes will be superior to one with just 4.

Voltage Support

A whole-house surge protector must support both the voltage required by your application and the energy in your home before you can begin utilizing it. Nearly all whole home surge protectors support both 120-volt and 240-volt currents for maximum adaptability and excellent compatibility. To guarantee that it functions effectively for providing protection against electrical surges, however, if yours does not, make sure that it fits your electrical current-voltage.

Warranty

You would like your whole house surge protector to be really dependable even though it is designed to protect the various electrical equipment in your home and boost their longevity. You may merely think about looking at the offered warranty with it to ensure the same. Fortunately, almost all of them have a 5-year warranty, and a few models even have a 10-year or lifetime warranty. This makes them far more dependable and perfect for long-term use.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Why Do You Need A Whole House Surge Protector?

Although not everyone owns one of these units, we believe they make excellent investments or serve as insurance. What is the item you value the most? similar to how smaller power strips with surge protection safeguard your TV, computer, or home theatre system. However, that kind of surge protector is not the greatest. You might not have thought of some additional appliances that you can’t use a surge protector device for or don’t use one for. Do you, for instance, charge your phone or another mobile device from a surge-protected outlet? What about your blender, espresso maker, dishwasher, fridge, chest freezer, air conditioner, washer, and dryer? How about your costly treadmill?

Your equipment might not be destroyed by a single little surge this time, but over time even a minor surge might shorten its lifespan because many electronic devices have low-voltage components that require protection. The extensive electrical infrastructure in your home can be completely protected with just one small installation.

Q: How long does a whole house surge protector last?

Due to the different intensity of power problems you could have, even the greatest surge protectors do not have a precise lifespan. To determine the degree of protection you have, carefully examine the product features. The device might be destroyed by lightning strikes, or it might take 5-7 years of a few minor but nonetheless significant interruptions. You may possibly get up to 15+ years out of one pulse by having extremely few of them. It’s difficult to say and depends on a variety of variables. To make sure the gadget is still safeguarding all of your devices and functioning properly, it’s crucial to constantly check the indicator lights.

Q: Do these companies honor the warranties?

Although we haven’t heard any horrifying tales of warranties not being honored, it’s always conceivable that you missed a little nuance in the warranty information, which would result in a claim being denied. You shouldn’t experience any problems as long as you adhere to the installation, maintenance, and use guidelines provided by the manufacturer’s warranty information and follow the procedures for filing a warranty claim. One of the benefits we seek in a warranty is extra protection, but warranties do not cover damage caused by incorrectly fitted equipment, out-of-spec power problems, or specific kinds of lightning strikes.

Q: If a surge comes from appliances like AC units and larger appliances, do I still have device protection before the breaker panel?

Any surge on a dedicated circuit, such as one from an air conditioner, will transfer back to the breaker panel, where the surge protector can then shunt the surge, safeguarding the rest of your home’s wiring and any internal surges. A panel-mounted surge protector has the tools needed to protect the entire circuit, regardless of where the surge comes from—within the house or outside.

Q: What features do Type 1, 2, and 3 whole house Surge Protectors have?

A Type 1 home surge protector guards against an external power surge, such as one caused by lightning. These are built between the pole serving your electricity utility and your power meter, and the electrical business frequently offers service for them in order to stop surges coming from gensets. Since its characteristics are industrial in nature, consumers don’t really need to be concerned about their safety. The surge protectors discussed in this article are Type 2 hours, which are put in your breaker panels and provide voltage surge protection for every component in that breaker. Use type 3 surge protectors at the point of contact, such as power strips, UPSs, etc., as your last line of protection. They don’t have many characteristics, but they do provide a last line of defense.

Conclusion

A whole-house surge protector, as the name suggests, safeguards your entire home’s electrical system as well as all of the numerous electrical gadgets you use. The importance of employing one of these whole-house surge protectors cannot be overstated because an electrical surge may be quite damaging to your equipment.

As a result, we previously covered a few of the top whole-house surge protectors above. These many whole-house surge protectors each contain their key features and specs, as well as a thorough buying guide, to assist you in choosing the best one.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *