Surge Protection for Valuable Circuits

By Todd Fratzel on Electrical

Adding Surge Protection To Computer and Entertainment Circuits

We live in an electronic gadget age that sees most of us spending significant money on the gadgets that make our lives more enjoyable. Many of us have a home computer network, home entertainment, and even home automation all powered by our homes electrical service. Most of us use small surge protectors as a last line of defense to help protect those devices but often times that’s simply not enough protection.

Entertainment Center and Electronics

An average home entertainment center can easily be worth in excess of $5,000! Home automation can be even more expensive and the value of a fried computer is hard to put a price tag on with valuable photos, documents, and even business files. Luckily there are some options on the market that provide significantly better protection than a power surge strip alone.

Intermatic Surge Protection

One such solution is the Intermatic Surge Protection Device with Consumable Modules (SPD) which provides surge protection to individual circuits in your home. The SPD uses consumable modules (much like a fuse) to protect your valuable electronics in the case of a power surge. Each consumable module has a LED light on it to give you an indication if the module has been compromised. The module is easy, safe, and fast to replace.

Intermatic Surge Protection Device

The SPD retails for $299 (including 3 consumable modules) and the replaceable modules retail for $50 each. When you consider the cost of the items that you might protect with this device I would say it’s a very affordable insurance policy!

Intermatic Surge Protection Device

Because this device needs to be connected to your electrical service panel I highly recommend you use an electrician. This isn’t a big job for an electrician so the cost should be fairly reasonable (I’d guess $100-$200) would be in the ballpark.

Intermatic SPD

The Intermatic SPD comes with a 10 year warranty and a $25,000 connect equipment warranty in the event equipment connected to this surge protector is damaged due to a power surge.
Consumable Module

Intermatic Surge Protection Video

Learn more about this innovative product here:

 

About the author

Todd Fratzel

I'm full time builder for a large construction company in New Hampshire. I run their design-build division that specializes in custom homes, commercial design-build projects and sub-divisions. I'm also a licensed civil and structural engineer with extensive experience in civil and structural design and home construction. My hope is that I can share my experience in the home construction, home improvement and home renovation profession with other builders and home owners. I'm also the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Tool Box Buzz. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, suggestions or you'd like to inquire about advertising on this site.

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2 Comments

  1. Dick B. says:

    Why not just install transient voltage protection (i.e., a larger MOV device) on the main power line at the main circuit breaker box and have whole-house protection? After all, there is a lot to protect in the entire house (e.g., microwave, refrigerator, stove).

  2. Mike says:

    I installed one of these last year in my house, it’s a pretty cool device. By the numbers its not the best money can buy, but you also don’t have to rewire it (or call the electrician) when it takes a hit – just replace the module. Buy one or two modules with it to have on hand for replacement.

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