# Do I need whole-house surge protection? 1. [Home](https://arlite.co/) 2. [Support](https://arlite.co/support/) 3. [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) 4. Do I need whole-house surge protection? **Browse support** [Support home](https://arlite.co/support/) [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) - [How does a solar power system work in a Brisbane home?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/how-does-a-solar-power-system-work-in-a-brisbane-home/) - [How do I turn off a solar inverter safely?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/turn-off-solar-inverter-safely/) - [Do solar panels work during a blackout?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-during-power-outage/) - [Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/add-battery-to-existing-solar-system/) - [Hail or storm damage to solar panels: what to do](https://arlite.co/support/solar/hail-storm-damaged-solar-panels-what-to-do/) [Air conditioning](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/) - [Why is my air conditioner not cooling or heating properly?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-not-cooling-or-heating/) - [Why is my air conditioner leaking water inside?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-leaking-water-inside/) - [Why does my air conditioner smell musty or like dirty socks?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-smells-musty-dirty-socks/) - [Can solar panels run my air conditioner at night?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/can-solar-panels-run-my-air-conditioner/) - [What should I ask before getting an air conditioner installed?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/questions-to-ask-before-air-conditioner-installation/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) - [Do I need whole-house surge protection?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/whole-house-surge-protection/) - [Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/circuit-breaker-keeps-tripping/) - [Why does my safety switch keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-keeps-tripping/) - [Burning smell or hot power point: what to do right now](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/burning-smell-hot-power-point/) - [Why is there no hot water? Electrical faults explained](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/no-hot-water-electrical-checks/) [Costs and finance](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/) - [How does interest-free finance work for home energy upgrades?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/interest-free-finance-home-energy-upgrades/) - [What affects the cost of a home battery in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/what-affects-home-battery-cost-brisbane/) - [Can I get compensation for a power outage in Queensland?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/power-outage-compensation-energex/) - [How much does an electrician cost per hour in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/electrician-cost-brisbane/) - [What affects switchboard upgrade cost?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/switchboard-upgrade-cost/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) Whole-house surge protection is not compulsory and cannot guarantee protection from a direct strike; a licensed electrician can advise if it suits you. By Aaron Midgley, Arlite Energy Last reviewed 30 October 2026 4 minute read **No DIY.** Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. Never open, repair, test or modify electrical equipment yourself, even if it looks simple. This guide explains what is happening; it is not a how-to. **On this page** 1. What is a power surge? 2. What is the difference between whole-house and plug-in protection? 3. Can surge protection guarantee my electronics are safe? 4. Do I need it in South East Queensland? 5. Will insurance cover surge damage? 6. What would an electrician look at? 7. What to do if you think a surge damaged your electronics 8. Frequently asked questions Whole-house surge protection is not mandatory, and no device can promise protection from a direct lightning strike. It can reduce the risk of damage to electronics from power surges, particularly in storm-prone areas like South East Queensland. It is fitted at the switchboard, so it must be installed by a licensed electrician. ## What is a power surge? A surge is a short spike in voltage above what appliances are designed for. Surges can come from outside the home, such as lightning or network switching, or from inside the home, for example when large motors start and stop. Electronics such as computers, televisions and modern appliances with circuit boards are the most sensitive. A surge may damage an appliance at once, or it may wear it down slowly, so a failure can happen well after the event that caused it. ## What is the difference between whole-house and plug-in protection? - **Whole-house protection:** a device connected at the switchboard that aims to reduce surges entering the home’s wiring. It is wired into the home’s electrical system, which is licensed work. - **Plug-in surge protection:** a power board or adaptor with surge protection that serves the devices plugged into it. It protects only those devices. The two do different jobs. A plug-in board protects only what is plugged into it, so it does not cover fixed appliances such as an air conditioner. Burning smell, sparks or a shock after a storm If you see smoke or sparks, or smell burning, after a storm or surge, leave the building with everyone in it, including children and pets, and call 000. If anyone has had a shock, call 000. If appliances stop working, lights behave strangely or the switchboard looks damaged after a storm, stay away from the board and anything wet nearby, do not open it, and call a licensed electrician. ## Can surge protection guarantee my electronics are safe? No. Surge protection can reduce the risk but cannot guarantee protection, especially against a direct lightning strike or a very large surge. Be wary of any claim that says otherwise. ## Do I need it in South East Queensland? Storm season in South East Queensland, generally the warmer months, brings lightning and network disturbances. Whether protection is worth it depends on how much sensitive equipment you have, how often you have had problems, and your budget. Whole-house protection is not a legal requirement. A licensed electrician can look at your switchboard and advise whether a device would suit your installation. Fitting one involves working at the switchboard, which should never be attempted by a householder. In Queensland, electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician, and the Electrical Safety Office Queensland is the regulator. ## Will insurance cover surge damage? Cover for surge damage varies between policies. Read your policy wording or ask your insurer, and keep any records of electrical work done in your home. ## What would an electrician look at? A licensed electrician can look at your switchboard, the space and protection it has, and the equipment you most want to protect. They can explain what a device would and would not do, so you can decide whether it is worth it for your home. ## What to do if you think a surge damaged your electronics 1. Note what happened — Write down the date, whether there was a storm or outage, and which appliances stopped working. 2. Photograph the damage — Photograph any visible damage or error messages, and the make and model labels of affected items. 3. Check your cover — Read your insurance policy or contact your insurer about surge damage. 4. Ask a licensed electrician — If several things failed at once or the board seems affected, ask a licensed electrician to inspect the installation. Do not open the board yourself. ## Frequently asked questions - Whole-house surge protection is not a legal requirement for homes. It is an optional extra to discuss with a licensed electrician. - No. Work at the switchboard is electrical work, and in Queensland it must be done by a licensed electrician. - They protect only what is plugged into them, so they do a different job from a whole-house device. - No. It can reduce the risk but cannot guarantee protection, particularly against a direct strike. - It depends on the policy. Check your policy wording or ask your insurer. [Learn about Electrical](https://arlite.co/services/electrical/) ## Official guidance For the rules and safety information that apply to your home, go to the regulators and industry bodies directly. - [Electrical Safety Office Queensland](https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/) - [Energex](https://www.energex.com.au/) Was this helpful? Written by the team at Arlite Energy, a Brisbane business that designs and installs solar, air conditioning and electrical work for homes and businesses. We write these guides in plain English so you know what is happening in your home. ## Related articles - [ElectricalDo I need a switchboard upgrade?Old fuses, frequent tripping, burn marks, no safety switches or new solar, EV or air conditioning loads are reasons to ask about an upgrade.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/do-i-need-a-switchboard-upgrade/) - [Costs and financeDoes unlicensed electrical work void your home insurance?It can affect a claim, but policies differ, so check your own policy wording and keep paperwork showing a licensed electrician did the work.](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/diy-electrical-work-insurance/) - [ElectricalAre power boards and double adaptors safe?Power boards and double adaptors are safe only within their rated load; heaters and kettles are the usual overload risk.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/power-board-double-adaptor-safety/) - [ElectricalWhat do I do in an electrical emergency, fire or shock?For fire, smoke, sparks, a shock or anyone hurt, get everyone out and call 000, and do not touch the equipment or the person.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/electrical-emergency-what-to-do/) ## Still stuck? Tell us what is going on and we can arrange a call-out. [Book a call-out](https://arlite.co/contact/) On this page 1. What is a power surge? 2. What is the difference between whole-house and plug-in protection? 3. Can surge protection guarantee my electronics are safe? 4. Do I need it in South East Queensland? 5. Will insurance cover surge damage? 6. What would an electrician look at? 7. What to do if you think a surge damaged your electronics 8. Frequently asked questions --- **Arlite Energy**, Unit 1, 1468 Anzac Avenue, Kallangur QLD 4503. Phone [(07) 3062 9299](tel:+61730629299), email [info@arlite.co](mailto:info@arlite.co). Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm. Page: https://arlite.co/support/electrical/whole-house-surge-protection/ Site index for agents: [llms.txt](https://arlite.co/llms.txt), [sitemap](https://arlite.co/wp-sitemap.xml), [developer resources](https://arlite.co/developers/).