Surge Protection for Homes and Businesses
Anderson Lighting & Electric provides professional surge protection solutions for residential and commercial properties. Power surges, whether caused by lightning strikes or fluctuations in the utility grid, can cause significant damage to appliances, electronics, and critical electrical systems. With the growing reliance on smart devices, computer systems, and sensitive equipment, protecting against electrical surges is more vital than ever.
Surge protection systems are designed to reduce the risk of costly damage and maintain power quality throughout a home or building. Anderson Lighting & Electric provides customized surge protection services to help property owners maintain electrical safety, extend equipment lifespan, and prevent unexpected failures.
What Is Surge Protection and Why It Matters
Understanding Power Surges
A power surge is a sudden and brief spike in electrical voltage that exceeds the standard flow of electricity in a circuit. These surges can be caused by external events, such as lightning strikes or utility grid switching, as well as internal sources, including cycling HVAC systems or major appliances.
When a surge occurs, the excess voltage travels through the wiring and reaches connected devices. Without surge protection, this voltage can overload circuits, damage circuit boards, and permanently turn off electronics.
Surge protection devices (SPDs) are designed to detect excess voltage and safely divert it to the ground, thereby preventing it from reaching sensitive equipment. These systems help maintain stable electrical performance and reduce the risk of system failure.
The Cost of Ignoring Surge Protection
Without a surge protection system, property owners are exposed to potential losses across various areas of the electrical system. Damaged appliances, disabled HVAC systems, and destroyed electronics are common outcomes after voltage spikes. In commercial settings, the financial impact may include downtime, data loss, or damage to expensive equipment.
The cost of replacing electronics, filing insurance claims, and recovering from lost productivity often exceeds the investment in professional surge protection. Taking preventative measures can help homeowners and businesses avoid unnecessary expenses and improve long-term system reliability.
How Whole-House and Whole-Building Surge Protection Works
Panel-Level Surge Protectors
Panel-level surge protection involves installing a surge protective device (SPD) at the main electrical panel. This device serves as the first line of defense against incoming voltage spikes from the utility line or external sources, such as lightning.
When installed at the panel, the SPD detects excess voltage and redirects it away from the electrical system, typically grounding it before it can reach interior circuits. This helps protect all downstream electrical loads—such as lighting, outlets, appliances, and electronic equipment—connected to the panel.
Panel-mounted surge protectors are essential for homes and businesses that require comprehensive protection against external power surges. Anderson Lighting & Electric installs these devices in compliance with local codes and industry best practices to ensure safe and effective protection.
Layered Surge Protection for Complete Coverage
A layered surge protection strategy offers the most complete protection against electrical surges. This approach includes multiple levels of security:
- Primary Protection: Installed at the service entrance or main panel.
- Secondary Protection: At subpanels or branch circuits.
- Point-of-Use Devices: Plug-in surge protectors for sensitive electronics.
Layering ensures that if one device is overwhelmed or a surge enters through another path—such as cable lines or Ethernet cables—other protective devices can still prevent damage. For example, a whole-house SPD may handle a utility spike, while a point-of-use protector shields a computer from an internal surge.
Businesses with sensitive equipment and homeowners with home theaters or innovative systems benefit from this multi-tiered protection. Anderson Lighting & Electric evaluates each electrical system to recommend an appropriate layered approach based on the property’s specific needs.
Why Surge Protection Is Essential in Texas
High Lightning Strike Frequency
Texas experiences a high number of lightning strikes each year, making it one of the most lightning-prone states in the country. These strikes are a major external cause of power surges that can enter homes and commercial buildings through electrical, cable, or phone lines.
Even if a lightning strike does not hit a building directly, a nearby strike can send a surge through the utility lines. Without a surge protection system in place, this excess voltage can damage circuit boards, overload electrical systems, and destroy electronics within seconds.
For property owners in Texas, surge protection is not optional—it is a crucial component of a comprehensive electrical safety plan. Anderson Lighting & Electric installs whole-house and whole-building surge protectors that are specifically designed to mitigate the risk of high-energy events, such as lightning.
Grid Fluctuations and Voltage Spikes
Beyond lightning, Texas properties are also affected by fluctuations in the power grid. Utility switching, transformer issues, and sudden power restoration after outages can cause voltage spikes. These events often occur with little warning and frequently go unnoticed until damage is already done.
When power is restored after an outage, the sudden inrush of current can exceed normal voltage levels, resulting in a surge. Repeated exposure to even minor surges can degrade electronic components over time, resulting in shortened lifespans and unexpected failures.
Anderson Lighting & Electric helps clients protect against these risks with surge protection systems that stabilize voltage levels and prevent excessive current from entering the electrical infrastructure.
Residential Surge Protection Services
Protecting Home Electronics and Smart Devices
Modern homes rely on a wide range of sensitive electronics, including smart TVs, Wi-Fi routers, security systems, gaming consoles, and smart home assistants. These devices are vulnerable to both large and small power surges. Even minor voltage spikes can degrade internal components over time, resulting in reduced performance and potentially leading to premature failure.
Anderson Lighting & Electric installs residential surge protection systems that safeguard all connected electronics. By intercepting surges at the panel level and supplementing with point-of-use devices as needed, homeowners can prevent costly damage and extend the lifespan of their home technology.
The increased reliance on smart devices makes whole-home surge protection more crucial than ever. A professionally installed system helps ensure consistent protection, eliminating the need to rely solely on individual plug-in surge strips.
HVAC, Appliances, and Home Office Protection
Large home systems—such as HVAC units, refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters—are often overlooked when considering the need for surge protection. However, these appliances are high-value items and are frequently affected by internal surges generated from within the home.
For those working remotely or operating from home offices, protecting computers, modems, and printers from surges is crucial to maintaining productivity and preventing data loss. An unexpected power event can result in downtime, equipment damage, and costly repairs.
Anderson Lighting & Electric offers residential surge protection plans that cover all major appliances and office equipment, providing homeowners with peace of mind and ensuring comprehensive coverage across their entire electrical system.
Commercial Surge Protection Solutions
Safeguarding Equipment and Reducing Downtime
For businesses, electrical surges pose a serious risk to operations. A single surge event can turn off computers, point-of-sale systems, servers, security systems, and industrial equipment. The result is often operational downtime, revenue loss, and the need for expensive equipment replacement.
Anderson Lighting & Electric offers commercial surge protection services tailored to meet the specific needs of each facility, whether a small retail store or a large commercial building; systems are installed to intercept power surges before they reach mission-critical devices.
By protecting electrical infrastructure from voltage spikes, businesses can maintain system uptime, reduce maintenance costs, and avoid interruptions that affect customer service or production.
Custom Solutions for Offices, Retail, and Industrial Facilities
Every commercial property has different power requirements and vulnerabilities. Offices with networked devices, retail shops with high transaction volumes, and industrial facilities with heavy machinery all require customized surge protection plans.
Anderson Lighting & Electric performs on-site evaluations to design and install layered surge protection systems tailored to the business’s electrical layout. These may include panel-mounted surge protectors, subpanel protection, and equipment-specific devices.
Additional protections can also be integrated with other safety systems, such as fire alarms, phone systems, and access controls. The result is a complete, facility-wide approach to electrical surge defense.
Surge Protection Installation and Service Process
Property Assessment and Surge Risk Evaluation
Before installing a surge protection system, Anderson Lighting & Electric conducts a complete property evaluation. This includes reviewing the electrical panel, subpanels, equipment load, and known vulnerabilities to voltage spikes.
Each assessment identifies external and internal surge risks, such as proximity to lightning-prone areas, grid instability, and heavy appliance use. The evaluation ensures that all recommendations are tailored to the specific needs of the property—whether residential or commercial.
This upfront review helps determine the type and number of surge protection devices needed for adequate coverage and code compliance.
Professional Installation by Licensed Electricians
Once the appropriate protection plan is developed, licensed electricians install the surge protection devices. Installation is performed at critical points, typically beginning at the main service panel and extending to subpanels and high-risk circuits.
Anderson Lighting & Electric ensures that all work is performed according to local electrical codes and industry standards. Devices are selected based on surge current rating, response time, and compatibility with existing systems.
Clients are also advised on the proper placement of plug-in surge protectors for added point-of-use protection, particularly for valuable electronics and IT equipment.
Ongoing Maintenance and Support
Surge protection devices can degrade over time, especially after repeated surge events. To maintain long-term performance, Anderson Lighting & Electric offers routine inspections and maintenance.
During service visits, technicians verify device status indicators, check connections, and replace units as needed. This ensures continuous surge protection and system reliability.
Clients are also kept informed about product lifespans and warranty options for peace of mind and predictable maintenance planning.
Common Signs You May Need Surge Protection
Frequent Tripped Breakers or Blown Fuses
If circuit breakers trip often or fuses blow regularly, this may indicate unstable voltage or minor internal power surges. While these signs may appear to be routine electrical issues, they can be early warnings of surge-related problems.
Frequent breaker activity can place added stress on electrical components, signaling the need for a surge protection system to stabilize voltage flow. Anderson Lighting & Electric can assess the cause and recommend appropriate panel-level or circuit-specific protection.
Malfunctioning Electronics and Shortened Lifespans
When electronics fail without clear cause—or experience random reboots, display issues, or data errors—voltage spikes may be the source. Surges, especially low-level and repeated ones, can slowly degrade sensitive components inside televisions, routers, computers, and appliances.
If high-value electronics appear to wear out more quickly than expected, surge protection can help reduce damage and improve their longevity. This is especially important in homes with innovative systems or businesses that rely on consistent device performance.
Visible Signs of Electrical Damage
Burn marks around outlets melted plug tips, or buzzing and popping sounds from electronics may be visible evidence of electrical surges. These symptoms should be addressed immediately to prevent fire hazards or further equipment loss.
Anderson Lighting & Electric can investigate these warning signs and install surge protection devices to prevent future damage. Early detection and response are critical to protecting both equipment and occupant safety.
Choosing the Right Surge Protection System
Types of Surge Protection Devices (SPDs)
There are several types of surge protection devices available, each designed to address specific surge scenarios:
- Type 1 SPDs are installed between the utility power line and the main service panel. These protect against external surges, such as those caused by lightning or utility switching.
- Type 2 SPDs are installed at the main or subpanel and protect against internal and external surges that pass through the electrical system.
- Type 3 SPDs are point-of-use devices, typically installed at outlets to protect individual devices such as computers or TVs.
Anderson Lighting & Electric helps homeowners and business owners determine which type—or combination of types—will best protect their property based on risk factors, building size, and electrical load.
Factors to Consider When Selecting Surge Protection
When choosing the right surge protection solution, several key factors should be evaluated:
- Surge capacity (measured in kiloamperes, or kA)
- Response time
- UL 1449 compliance
- Voltage rating and compatibility
- Installation location
- Manufacturer warranties and lifespan
Not every device fits every situation. For example, a small residential home may only require a panel-mounted Type 2 Surge Protection Device (SPD) and select point-of-use protection. At the same time, a commercial facility with industrial-grade equipment may need a more layered, high-capacity approach.
Anderson Lighting & Electric offers customized surge protection recommendations after evaluating these factors during the assessment process.
Why Choose Anderson Lighting & Electric for Surge Protection
Anderson Lighting & Electric has established a reputation for providing reliable, code-compliant electrical services throughout North Texas. When it comes to protecting homes and businesses from power surges, the company delivers customized solutions backed by licensed electricians, top-rated equipment, and long-term support.
Clients choose Anderson for:
- Decades of experience in residential and commercial electrical systems
- Professional installation by licensed, insured electricians
- Local knowledge of surge risks in Texas, including lightning and grid instability
- Ongoing system maintenance and monitoring
- Transparent pricing and product warranties
Anderson Lighting & Electric prioritizes safety, performance, and client satisfaction, ensuring every surge protection system provides dependable and lasting defense.
Call Today to Schedule Your Surge Protection Evaluation
Protect your property before the next surge hits. Contact Anderson Lighting & Electric to schedule a professional assessment of your home or business’s surge protection needs.
📞 Click to Call: (972) 822-4522 Let a licensed electrician design a surge protection system that fits your needs—and your budget. Reliable protection starts with a single call.