One power spike can destroy thousands of dollars worth of equipment. We install switchboard-level surge protection devices (SPDs) for homes and businesses across Sydney. Protect your appliances, electronics, and sensitive equipment. Licensed electricians, fixed price.
Verify our NSW Contractors Licence 493243C on the official NSW Trades register.
A voltage surge is a brief spike in the electricity supply that exceeds the normal operating voltage. Surges can be caused by lightning strikes near overhead power lines, switching events in the electricity grid, or the startup of large motors and equipment within a building. Even a surge lasting milliseconds can damage or destroy sensitive electronics.
A Surge Protection Device (SPD) installed at your switchboard absorbs or diverts the excess voltage before it reaches your circuits and appliances. It does this through metal oxide varistors (MOVs) or similar components that conduct when the voltage exceeds a set threshold, redirecting the surge energy to earth.
AS/NZS 61643.11 governs surge protection for low voltage power systems in Australia. The 2023 National Construction Code (NCC) includes requirements for SPDs in new residential construction in areas exposed to lightning risk. Installing an SPD at the main switchboard provides first-level protection for the entire installation.
We install SPDs that comply with AS/NZS 61643.11, correctly sized for your installation's voltage and load requirements. All work is carried out under Contractors Lic 493243C and certified with a CCEW where required.
The cost of an SPD is a fraction of the replacement cost of a modern home's electronics. We complete most installations in under an hour.
AS/NZS 61643.11 defines three SPD types by installation location and protection level. Type 1 (or Class I) SPDs are installed at the main switchboard and designed to handle direct lightning-induced surges from the supply network. Type 2 SPDs protect against induced surges after the main switchboard. Type 3 SPDs are point-of-use devices at individual outlets. We install Type 1 and Type 2 SPDs at the switchboard for whole-of-installation protection.
An SPD protects against external voltage surges entering through the power supply. It does not protect against sustained overvoltage from a faulty supply, direct lightning strikes to the building structure, or internal surges from equipment within the building. For complete protection against internal surge sources, point-of-use power boards with individual SPD protection are a useful supplement.
An SPD absorbs a finite amount of energy before it is degraded. After a significant surge event such as a nearby lightning strike, the SPD may have sacrificed itself protecting your installation. Most SPDs include a status indicator. A red or failed indicator means the device needs replacing. We inspect and replace SPDs after reported surge events.
Solar inverters and battery storage systems are sensitive electronic equipment that can be damaged by voltage surges. If you are installing solar or battery storage, adding a quality SPD at your switchboard at the same time is a sensible precaution that adds minimal cost to the overall project.
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“Sam is an absolute legend. He fixed my hot water system this afternoon. He didn’t charge me a lot and he done a great job”
A power board with built-in surge protection provides some protection at the point of use for devices plugged into it, but it does not protect the rest of your home's circuits, appliances, and wiring. Switchboard-level SPDs provide whole-of-installation protection. Both are complementary. We recommend a switchboard SPD as the primary layer, with quality power boards at sensitive equipment as an additional layer.
Some home and contents insurance policies cover surge damage, but coverage varies significantly between insurers and policies. Common exclusions include damage from gradual deterioration, manufacturer defects, and sometimes events that occurred during power network switching. Installing a switchboard SPD demonstrates that you have taken reasonable precautions, which can also support an insurance claim. Check your policy wording.
The 2023 National Construction Code includes requirements for SPDs in new residential construction in areas exposed to lightning risk. NSW is largely classified as a lightning risk zone. For new builds, SPDs are increasingly a compliance item. For existing homes, installation is recommended but not mandated unless triggering a significant renovation.
Most residential SPD installations are completed in 30 to 60 minutes. The installation involves mounting the device at the switchboard, connecting to the appropriate terminals, and testing. We turn off the main switch briefly during installation. No extended outage is required.
Smart home controllers, automation hubs, and connected home devices are sensitive electronics that can be damaged by voltage surges. If your home contains significant smart home infrastructure, an SPD is a worthwhile investment. We work alongside smart home installers and can time the SPD installation to coincide with their work if you are fitting out a new home.
Yes, and this is the most efficient approach. When upgrading a switchboard, adding an SPD at the same time avoids a second call-out and means the cost is absorbed within the larger switchboard project. We recommend including an SPD in any switchboard upgrade quote.
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