What’s a Surge Protector and Do You Really Need One?
When people think of electrical safety, they often picture circuit breakers and fuses. But there’s another layer of defense that is just as important for protecting your home or business: the surge protector.
What Is a Surge Protector?
A surge protector is a device designed to shield your electrical system and equipment from sudden spikes in voltage—also known as power surges. These surges can happen for a number of reasons:
- Lightning strikes near your property
- Utility grid switching from the power company
- Large equipment cycling on and off, such as HVAC systems or industrial machinery
- Faulty or aging wiring inside a building
Without protection, these surges can fry sensitive electronics, shorten the life of appliances, disrupt business operations, or even cause fires.
Types of Surge Protectors
- Power Strip Surge Protectors
The familiar strips you plug your devices into. Great for TVs, gaming consoles, and computers at home or in a small office. - Wall Outlet Surge Protectors
Compact plug-in devices that protect one or two critical pieces of equipment, such as a home office computer or point-of-sale terminal. - Whole-Home Surge Protectors
Professionally installed at your main electrical panel, these protect every outlet and appliance in your home—from your fridge to your entertainment system. - Commercial-Grade Surge Protectors
Installed at service entrances or distribution panels, these defend entire buildings or specific systems—essential for offices, retail spaces, restaurants, and industrial facilities. They safeguard computers, POS (Point of sale) systems, machinery, and other critical infrastructure.
Do You Really Need One?
For Homeowners:
- Protects costly electronics, appliances, and smart devices.
- Prevents wear and tear from repeated small surges.
- Reduces risk of damage from storms and unstable power supply.
For Businesses:
- Avoids expensive downtime caused by damaged equipment.
- Protects sensitive systems like servers, networking gear, and POS (Point of sale) devices.
- Helps meet insurance and compliance requirements in certain industries.
Why Whole-Building Surge Protection Is the Smart Choice
While power strips and wall protectors offer some defense, they only cover what’s directly connected. A whole-home or whole-building surge protector acts as the first line of defense, stopping surges before they reach your outlets and devices.
For businesses, this can mean the difference between continuing operations or shutting down until repairs are made. For homeowners, it can mean avoiding thousands in replacement costs.
Protecting Your Investment with TYFAR Electric Inc.
Think of surge protection like insurance. It’s a relatively small investment compared to the cost of replacing electronics, appliances, or critical business equipment—not to mention the cost of downtime.
At TYFAR Electric Inc., we’re ESA-licensed electricians installing CSA-approved whole-home and commercial surge protection systems tailored to your needs. Whether you’re protecting a family home or a commercial space, we make sure your investment is safe from sudden electrical spikes and fully compliant with Ontario’s Electrical Safety Authority standards.
Want to know more about protecting your home or business from power surges?
Our ESA-licensed electricians can help you choose the right surge protection for your needs.