Whole-House Surge Protection

A surge protector at your panel guards every circuit in the house: AC, appliances, pool equipment and electronics.

Tampa Bay sees a lot of lightning, and utility switching and storms send surges through the lines. Today’s AC systems, appliances, pool pumps and smart devices all run on sensitive electronics. A plug-in strip only protects what’s plugged into it. A whole-house surge protective device (SPD) at the panel is the first line of defense for everything.

Call (727) 476-7079 to add surge protection

What we install

  • A UL 1449-listed Type 1 or Type 2 surge protective device in or right next to your service equipment (the meter-main or main panel), matched to your equipment
  • A check of your grounding and bonding, since a surge protector is only as good as the ground it diverts to
  • Recommendations for point-of-use protection on high-value electronics (layered protection)

Included with every panel we install

Every panel upgrade, service upgrade and SPAN panel we install includes whole-house surge protection. Section 230.67 of the 2020 National Electrical Code, which the current Florida Building Code (8th Edition, 2023) adopts, requires a Type 1 or Type 2 surge protective device on every service supplying a home, including when the service equipment is replaced.

Hurricane season: surge protection

Lightning and utility switching spikes are common in Gulf coast storm season. Practical notes:

  • Whole-house surge protection (a Type 1 or Type 2 SPD) mounts in or right beside the service equipment. Florida’s adopted electrical code requires one on the service for every home, new or replaced. We include it with every panel we install.
  • Before storm season is a good time to add a panel-mounted protector even if you are not upgrading the panel — especially if you have already replaced HVAC, a well pump, or sensitive electronics.
  • After a storm: if the surge device shows a failed/end-of-life indicator, or if appliances failed during a strike, call us to inspect the protector and the panel before assuming everything is fine.
  • Pair surge work with a safe generator hookup when you are also planning backup power — see generator installation and Member Care Plans.

FAQ

Will a surge protector stop a direct lightning strike? No device can guarantee that. A whole-house SPD greatly reduces damage from the much more common indirect and utility surges, and it’s one part of a layered protection plan.

Type 1 or Type 2: what’s the difference? Mostly where it can be installed. UL 1449, the safety standard surge protectors are listed to, defines a Type 1 SPD as permanently connected and suitable for the line side of your main breaker, such as the meter socket, as well as the load side, without a separate breaker. A Type 2 SPD goes on the load side of the main breaker, usually in or beside the panel and typically fed from a breaker there. Either type meets the code requirement for a home. Plug-in strips and receptacle-type protectors are Type 3: point-of-use protection that adds a layer but doesn’t replace a whole-house device.

Does code require a whole-house surge protector? For homes, yes. NEC 230.67 requires a Type 1 or Type 2 SPD on all services supplying dwelling units, built into the service equipment or installed immediately next to it (or at each next panel downstream), and the rule applies when service equipment is replaced. Florida currently enforces the 2020 NEC through the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code. The 9th Edition (2026), effective December 31, 2026, moves to the 2023 NEC, which keeps the same requirement. Inspectors check for it on panel and service replacements.

Can you add a surge protector to my existing panel? Usually, yes, if the panel is in good condition and has space or a compatible mounting option. If the panel itself is obsolete, we’ll tell you.

How long do surge protectors last? They wear with each surge they absorb. Most have an indicator light showing they’re still protecting. We check it during Member Care Plan visits.

Do I still need plug-in surge strips? For computers, TVs and networking gear, a quality point-of-use protector adds a second layer. We recommend both.

Protect what’s plugged in. Call (727) 476-7079.

Ready to get started? Call (727) 476-7079 or request service online.

Areas we serve: Seminole · Largo · Bay Pines · St. Petersburg · Clearwater · Pinellas Park · Palm Harbor · Dunedin · Safety Harbor · Tarpon Springs · Tampa · Brandon · Carrollwood · Westchase · Wesley Chapel · Bradenton · All service areas →

Our workmanship warranty is 3 years, or 5 years for Member Care Plan members. We also check whole-house surge protectors during Member Care Plan visits.

Related: Generator installation · Panel upgrades · SPAN smart panels · Member Care Plans · Service upgrades