Whole House Surge Protector Installation in Los Angeles

*Updated November 2025

Protect appliances, HVAC, and electronics from sudden voltage spikes. RG Electric installs code compliant whole house surge protection across Los Angeles, for homes and multi unit properties. Our licensed C-10 team recommends the right device, installs it at your main panel, and provides clear documentation for your records. Call for a free estimate or add surge protection during a panel upgrade to save on labor.

What a Whole House Surge Protector Does

A power surge is a short, sharp rise in voltage. It can come from lightning near the grid, utility switching, a downed line, a large motor starting, or wiring issues in a building. Even small, repeated spikes stress circuit boards in appliances, HVAC controls, garage openers, computers, and TVs. A whole house surge protective device, installed at the service equipment, diverts excess energy to ground before it reaches your branch circuits and sensitive loads.

Type 1 vs Type 2 Surge Protection

• Type 1, installed on the line side of the main disconnect in some configurations, offers service entrance level protection. Often used when lightning risk is a concern.
• Type 2, installed on the load side at the main panel, is the most common and is ideal for homes and apartments in Los Angeles.

Many properties benefit from a layered approach, a main panel device plus point of use protection for high value electronics. During a panel replacement we typically install a Type 2 device and label it for inspection.

Why Los Angeles Homes and Apartments Need Surge Protection

Los Angeles has a dense grid and a mix of older buildings with modern loads. That combination means more nuisance spikes and a higher risk of damage to control boards. Adopting heat pumps, induction ranges, EV chargers, and connected appliances has increased the number of sensitive electronics in every dwelling and common area. Surge protection is a relatively small upgrade that helps avoid expensive replacements and service calls.

• Grid events, storms, switching, and utility maintenance can spike voltage.
• Older equipment, legacy panels and loose neutrals increase vulnerability to damage.
• High electronics density, modern homes rely on sensitive control boards, from HVAC to refrigerators.
• Cost avoidance, a single failure of an HVAC board or refrigerator can exceed the cost of a whole house device.

How We Install a Whole House Device

• Site check, verify service rating, panel brand, grounding and bonding, and conductor space.
• Device selection, choose a matched unit with adequate surge current rating and short-circuit rating for your service.
• Mounting and wiring, mount externally or in a dedicated breaker space, keep lead lengths short for best performance.
• Labeling and testing, label the device, check indicator lights, verify terminations with proper torque.
• Documentation, provide photos and a note in your panel directory for future reference and insurance files.

Common Mistakes We Prevent

• Using an undersized device relative to service rating.
• Long pigtail leads that reduce protection effectiveness.
• Incorrect breaker type or location that violates listing instructions.
• Missing bonding and grounding corrections that limit diversion to ground.
• Installing at a sub panel when the main panel is the correct first layer.

Maintenance, Indicators, and Replacement

Surge protective devices absorb energy over time. Most units include an indicator light that shows status. We recommend a quick visual check during seasonal HVAC maintenance, and after known events such as a storm or an outage. If the indicator shows replacement is needed, contact us for a like for like swap and a quick system check.

Costs and Timeline

Most whole house surge protector installations take about one to two hours once on site, longer if panel access is limited or if grounding needs correction. Pricing varies by device rating, panel type, and permit needs. Share a clear photo of your main panel and service disconnect when you request an estimate for accurate pricing.

Add Surge Protection During Other Work

The most cost effective time to add a device is while other service work is underway. Ask your project manager to include surge protection whenever the panel is open or new loads are added.

• Main panel or sub panel upgrades, most efficient time to add a device.
• EV charger installation, protect new charging equipment and existing appliances.
• Emergency repairs, add protection after a surge event to prevent repeat damage.

Whole House vs Power Strips

A whole house device reduces surge energy entering the building, which protects every circuit. Quality point of use strips are still helpful for sensitive electronics where a long run or shared circuits make equipment more vulnerable. The best practice is layered protection, service level plus targeted strips for high value gear like home office equipment and entertainment centers.

Case Example, Los Feliz Home

A homeowner in Los Feliz reported repeated failures of a refrigerator control board after storms. Our technician found a legacy panel with long feeder runs and loose neutrals in a sub panel. We corrected bonding and grounding, installed a Type 2 device with short leads, and labeled the panel. The client has had no repeat failures and added protection for a planned EV charger.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a whole house surge protector replace power strips?
It protects the entire panel, which reduces the need for many point of use strips. For sensitive electronics, keep quality plug in protection as a second layer.

Will it protect against lightning?
No device can guarantee protection from a direct strike. A properly installed whole house unit helps with nearby lightning and common grid surges.

Do I need a permit in Los Angeles?
Some jurisdictions require a permit, especially when we correct grounding or make panel modifications. We advise case by case and handle permits when needed.

How long do surge protectors last?
They wear over time as they absorb energy. Many units have indicator lights that show status. We recommend checking the indicator during seasonal HVAC maintenance.

Can you install on any panel brand?
Yes, we stock and source devices for common brands. During older panel replacements, we install new protection as part of the upgrade.

Why Choose RG Electric

• Licensed and insured C-10 electricians
• Experience with legacy gear and modern protection
• Clear pricing, photos, and labeled documentation
• Available across the Los Angeles metro, with fast scheduling

Electrical work is hazardous. Consult a licensed electrician like RG Electric for inspections, permits, and code compliant installations.