Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) have been in the headlines recently as legislation has been changed surrounding their installation.
Many homeowners and landlords in Abergavenny have been left unsure what these changes mean for them. PG Electrics are your friendly, local electrician in Abergavenny, and we are here to tell you more about why surge protection matters and why you should have a surge protection device installed at your property.
What is a Surge Protection Device?
A Surge Protection Device (SPD) protects the electrical systems in your Abergavenny home from transient overvoltage, also known as a power surge or overload. The main cause of transient overvoltage is a lightning strike nearby. This can cause a power surge in your electrical system which damages circuits and electrical equipment. The surge protection device absorbs this extra current and then disperses it naturally. Without SPD protection your wiring and electrical equipment can be significantly damaged by these events. Repairing this damage and replacing the multitude of electronic devices the average Abergavenny home contains can be extremely expensive.
Why Install an SPD?
Having an SPD protecting your Abergavenny home has obvious benefits. Take a look around your home, how many electronically controlled items do you currently have plugged in? Chances are you have a washing machine, cooker, dishwasher, and microwave just in your kitchen. Now consider how much it would cost to replace those items. It’s a considerable amount. In the event of a surge all of those items could be irreparably damaged and if you’ve no surge protection device installed your home insurance may not cover you for their loss. If you are unsure whether your home already has a surge protection device installed, PG Electrics will be happy to advise you.
Do I need a Surge Protection Device?
Amendment 2 of BS7671 means that the installation of surge protection devices has become mandatory for many homeowners and landlords. Previously, electricians were only required to install SPDs in specific circumstances after a risk assessment. When SPDs first hit the market, they were expensive and were only fitted in specific circumstances. As costs lowered, many reputable electricians began to fit them as standard when upgrading a fuse box as they could see the benefits for their customers.
With the change in legislation a surge protection device must now be installed when exposure to transient voltage (power surge) can:
- Result in serious injury or loss of human life: This is most relevant in properties where medical equipment is in use.
- Result in failure of a safety service: Hardwired smoke alarms, emergency lighting and other safety equipment all fall under this category. This change is particularly relevant for landlords but can also apply to homeowners. The lack of a surge protection device in a property will now show as a code C2 on an EICR and will require remedial work.
- Result in significant financial or data loss.
As I have already mentioned, most homes now contain lots of technology; computers, televisions, and EV chargers to name but a few. A surge protection device costs around a 10th of the amount of a new TV. That makes an SPD installation great value for money. For most homes the cost of installing an SPD is lower than that of replacing the electronic equipment and so surge protection is required. Legally, under these criteria you have the right to decline an SPD installation, but this would be at your risk. You would have to sign a waiver declaring you do not want SPDs and that you accept both the risk and any financial loss. It is worth noting that this may invalidate any claim you make on your home insurance for surge related damage.
If you have any questions about surge protection devices or would like to arrange to have one installed at your Abergavenny home, PG Electrics will be happy to help. We are fully qualified and NICEIC registered electricians, so you can be sure you are in safe hands. Call us today.