Many people are under the false assumption that plugging their computer into a power strip is adequate protection from electrical surges. However, it is important to protect one’s entire house from major electrical spikes that may occur unexpectedly. Unlike power strips that only protect susceptible electronic devices, whole house 
surge protectors provide safety from major power surges for the electrical system of an entire building.
A whole house surge protector works by forcing excess power into a ground wire. Typically, electricity flows through them; if a surge occurs, the extra power is diverted until flow returns to normal. Some have alarms or lights to alert the homeowner when a surge has occurred so appropriate precautions can be taken. Most of these devices can stop a surge of 40,000 amps or more. These surges can be caused by a variety of factors, including lightning, downed power lines, and even the use of electrical devices in the home. Though surge protectors that are wired into the service panel of a house cannot stop surges completely, they can protect against about 85 percent of voltage. Plug-in protectors such as power strips can take care of the extra 15 percent that makes it through the barrier.
There are many different types of surge suppressors available on the market today. It is important to invest in a system that will effectively protect one’s home; the extra money spent on the protector will be far less costly than replacing expensive appliances damaged by power surges. The Intermatic whole house surge protector is one viable option. It protects from surges up to 48,000 amps and is fairly simple to install. It has a five year warranty and usually costs between 110 and 150 dollars. The Leviton whole house surge protector is another high quality and affordable option. It is effective up to 50,000 amps and is recognized for its instantaneous response time to surges. At 170 to 220 dollars, it is a little more expensive than some other models, but it provides extremely reliable and effective protection. Every homeowner wants to keep their house safe; a surge protector covering the entire house’s electrical system is an essential component of this process.