Electrical Do I need whole-house surge protection?
Whole-house surge protection is not compulsory and cannot guarantee protection from a direct strike; a licensed electrician can advise if it suits you.
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.
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
Note what happened
Write down the date, whether there was a storm or outage, and which appliances stopped working.
Photograph the damage
Photograph any visible damage or error messages, and the make and model labels of affected items.
Check your cover
Read your insurance policy or contact your insurer about surge damage.
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.
Was this helpful?