Residential Electrical Services
Surge Protection
in Vancouver, WA
A whole-house surge protector installs right at your electrical panel and absorbs voltage spikes before they reach anything in your home. Power strips protect one outlet. A panel-mounted surge protector covers every circuit in the house. Newman Electric installs Type 2 surge protection devices in homes across Vancouver, WA and Clark County. Ryan does these as standalone jobs and as part of panel upgrades.
Why It Matters
Where Power Surges Come From
Most people think of lightning when they think of power surges. Lightning is real, but it accounts for a small fraction of the surges your home sees. Most surges are smaller, more frequent, and come from sources you wouldn't expect.
External Surges
These come from outside your home. Utility grid switching, transformer faults, and downed power lines all send voltage spikes through the electrical grid. Vancouver WA gets its share of winter storms that knock out power, and the moment power comes back on, it surges.
A whole-house surge protector at the panel catches these before they spread through your circuits. That's its main job.
Internal Surges
These come from inside your home. Every time a motor-driven appliance cycles on and off (air conditioner, refrigerator, washing machine, garage door opener), it creates a small voltage spike on the circuit. Individually, each spike is tiny. But they add up over months and years.
This low-level wear is what shortens the life of computers, smart TVs, and other electronics. A surge protector at the panel reduces that wear across every circuit in the house.
Power Strips Are Not Enough
A power strip surge protector only covers the devices plugged into that one strip. And most of the cheap ones stop working after one decent surge without telling you. Your HVAC system, your refrigerator, your garage door opener, and your washer/dryer aren't plugged into power strips. A whole-house surge protector at the panel covers all of them. Newman Electric recommends using both: a panel-mounted SPD for the whole house, plus good power strips at your most sensitive electronics.
The Job
What a Surge Protector
Installation Looks Like
Installing a whole-house surge protector is one of the faster jobs Newman Electric does. Most installations take about an hour. We install it at your main electrical panel and verify it's working before we leave.
Check the panel
We open your panel and look at what we're working with. The surge protector needs two open breaker slots (or we use a combination breaker). We also check that your panel is in good shape and has room for the SPD. If your panel is full, we'll talk about options.
Mount and wire the SPD
The Type 2 surge protective device mounts right next to the panel or inside it, depending on the model. We connect it to a dedicated 2-pole breaker and run short, straight wires from the SPD to the panel bus. Short wire runs matter because longer wires reduce the SPD's effectiveness.
Test and verify
We turn it on and check the indicator lights. A working SPD shows green. We verify there are no faults and that all your circuits are still operating normally. Newman Electric also checks your grounding system, because a surge protector only works as well as the ground it diverts energy to.
Code & Safety
Surge Protection Code Requirements
in Vancouver, WA
Washington state follows the 2023 NEC, adopted under WAC 296-46B. The 2020 NEC added a requirement for surge protection on all new dwelling unit services. That means surge protection is now code for new construction and major panel replacements in Vancouver, WA. Newman Electric follows the current code on every installation.
- Surge Protection on Dwelling Services (NEC 230.67)
All dwelling unit services must have a listed surge protective device (SPD). This applies to new construction, new services, and service replacements. If your panel gets replaced, a surge protector is part of the job. Newman Electric includes surge protection on all new panel installations.
- Type 2 SPD Requirements (NEC Article 285)
Type 2 surge protective devices install at the panel and are the standard for residential surge protection. They must be listed (UL 1449), rated for the service voltage, and installed with short lead lengths. The shorter the wire from the SPD to the panel bus, the better the protection.
- Grounding (NEC 250)
Surge protection only works if your home has a proper grounding system. The SPD diverts excess voltage to ground. If the ground connection is corroded, loose, or missing, the surge protector can't do its job. Newman Electric checks your grounding electrode conductor and ground rod connections as part of every surge protection installation in Vancouver, WA.
- Permit
Installing a whole-house surge protector that connects to the panel requires a permit in most cases. Newman Electric handles the permit and the inspection. The cost of the permit is included in the job.
Customer Reviews
What Customers Say About Newman Electric
"Ryan, was responsive & great followup. We added in a surge protector to our home & issues resolved. Great service!"
"Great service with amazing pricing. Installed a 240v outlet 40 amp ckt next to panel my panel and added a 50ka surge protector. Permit included in job cost. Same day installation. Continue the great work!"
"Called late one afternoon, needed service early the next morning. They showed up early, made quick work, and went on their way. Easy peezy. Thanks guys."
Common Questions
Surge Protection FAQs
A whole-house surge protector installed at the panel is one of the more affordable electrical jobs. The device itself ranges depending on the surge rating (measured in kA), and installation takes about an hour. Newman Electric includes the permit in the price and gives you a firm number before any work starts.
Using both gives you the best protection. The panel-mounted SPD catches the big surges from the grid. A good power strip adds a second layer of filtering for sensitive electronics like computers and home theater equipment. Newman Electric recommends this layered approach.
Most Type 2 SPDs last for years, but they do have a finite life. Every time the device absorbs a surge, it uses some of its capacity. The indicator light on the device turns from green to red when it needs replacement. Check it once or twice a year.
Yes, for new construction and service replacements. NEC 230.67 requires a listed surge protective device on all new dwelling unit services. Washington state adopted this requirement. If Newman Electric replaces your panel, surge protection is part of the job.
A whole-house surge protector can handle most indirect lightning surges that travel through the power grid. A direct lightning strike to your house is a different situation and can overwhelm any SPD. But direct strikes are rare. The surges you see from nearby lightning, utility switching, and grid disturbances are exactly what a whole-house SPD handles.
Yes, as long as the panel has two available breaker slots or can take a combination breaker. If your panel is completely full, Newman Electric can discuss options including a sub-panel or a panel upgrade. We check your panel before quoting so there are no surprises.
Related Services
Other Ways to Protect Your Home's Electrical System
Electrical Panel Upgrade
New 200-amp panels include surge protection
Generator Installation
Backup power for outages
Whole House Rewiring
New copper wiring for older homes
Dedicated Circuits
Isolated circuits for sensitive equipment
Smart Home Wiring
Smart switches and home automation
Outlet Installation
Grounded outlets throughout your home
Electrical Repair
Fix wiring, outlets, and switches
Smoke Detectors
Hardwired smoke and CO detectors
Service Area
Surge Protection Installation Across
Vancouver & Clark County
Newman Electric installs whole-house surge protection in homes all over the Vancouver, WA area. Newer homes in Ridgefield and Salmon Creek already have surge protection from construction. Older homes in Hazel Dell, east Vancouver, and the downtown area are the ones that benefit most from having one added. It takes about an hour and covers the whole house.
We also install surge protection in Cowlitz County. Longview, Kelso, Woodland, and Kalama. Same pricing, same free estimate.
Protect Every Circuit
in Your Home
Newman Electric installs whole-house surge protection in homes across Vancouver, WA. It takes about an hour, the permit is included, and the estimate is free. Call or fill out the form to get started.