A Smart Investment from Allen Electrical Service
Power surges can happen in the blink of an eye—but the damage they cause can be permanent. At Allen Electrical Service, we help Virginia homeowners protect their entire home with professionally installed whole-home surge protectors. Whether you’re building new, upgrading your panel, or simply want peace of mind, surge protection is one of the smartest electrical investments you can make.
Let’s take a closer look at how these devices work, why they matter in Virginia, and what the code says about them.
1. What Is a Whole Home Surge Protector?
A whole-home surge protector, also called a surge protective device (SPD), is hardwired into your main electrical panel. It protects your entire electrical system by blocking dangerous voltage spikes before they reach your wiring, outlets, appliances, or sensitive electronics.
Unlike power strips that protect a single outlet, SPDs defend against surges originating from outside the home (like lightning or utility grid switching) and those generated internally (like when large appliances cycle on and off).
2. Why They’re Essential in Virginia
If you live in Virginia—especially in coastal areas like Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, or Norfolk —you’re no stranger to lightning storms, tropical weather, and grid instability. All of these can result in sudden power surges, which put your home’s devices and electrical system at risk.
On top of that, today’s homes are filled with sensitive electronics: smart TVs, HVAC systems, refrigerators, computers, EV chargers—you name it. A single strong surge can fry the circuit boards inside these devices in just a second.
Surge protection from Allen Electrical Service ensures that your home’s electrical system is shielded from damage, no matter the source.
3. Code Requirements in Virginia
With the 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC), surge protection is now required for all new residential construction and most panel upgrades. Virginia adopted this requirement under the 2021 Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC).
This means:
- If you’re building a new home or replacing your main panel, installing a Type 1 or Type 2 surge protector is no longer optional—it’s the law.
- Type 1 SPDs are installed at the service entrance (between the utility and your panel).
- Type 2 SPDs are installed directly inside or next to your main panel.
Allen Electrical Service ensures all installations meet or exceed current Virginia code requirements. Whether it’s a code-mandated upgrade or a preventative add-on, we’ve got you covered.
4. Choosing the Right Surge Protector
Not all surge protectors are created equal. We recommend UL 1449 3rd Edition listed devices, which meet the industry’s highest safety standards. Our licensed electricians will assess your home’s electrical needs and recommend the right SPD based on:
-
- Your service capacity
- The location of your panel
- The level of surge protection needed
Installation by a professional ensures your surge protector performs as intended—diverting excess voltage safely to ground, without compromising your home’s safety.
Protect What Matters Most
At Allen Electrical Service, we’ve been protecting homes across Hampton Roads with expert electrical service and code-compliant installations. Whether you’re in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Suffolk, or Chesapeake, our team is ready to help you install reliable, affordable whole-home surge protection.
Keep your home—and everything in it—safe from unexpected surges.
Give us a Call Today at 757-679-9383
Or, use our online form to request a quote today in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, & Eastern Suffolk.
Be sure to check out our TOP Reviews on Google Business!