Point-of-entry panel SPD
Installed at the panel, ahead of every breaker. One device protects every circuit in the home, including hardwired equipment that nothing plugs into.
Surge Protection
Whole-Home Surge Protection in New Jersey
Panel-mounted surge protection for every circuit in the house, against utility surges and transients in one install, with a free assessment.
Tell us what you're interested in and we'll call you back for a free quote
Quick answer
Generac, by 02 Energy installs panel-mounted whole-home surge protective devices across New Jersey, protecting every circuit in the house from utility surges, lightning-related transients, and switching transients from the panel out. Installation is performed by a licensed NJ electrical contractor (Lic. 34EB00941600), with the permit and inspection included and a written quote provided at a free on-site assessment before any work begins.
Panel protection versus a power strip
A plug-in power strip only protects what is plugged into it, and only from smaller transients. A whole-home surge protective device mounts at your electrical panel and sits between the utility service and every circuit in the house, so it catches a surge before it has a chance to spread to your HVAC system, appliances, or anything else on the panel.
Plug-in power strips
Protect only the devices plugged into that one strip, and only from smaller transients. Useful, but not a substitute for panel-level protection.
What it protects
Modern homes run more sensitive electronics than they did even ten years ago, and a single surge event can damage several of them at once. A panel SPD is sized to guard the whole load, including:
- HVAC systems. Furnace and air conditioning control boards are especially vulnerable to surge damage and expensive to replace.
- Major appliances. Refrigerators, washers, dryers, and anything else with an electronic control board.
- EV charger electronics. The control electronics inside a Level 2 charger are exposed to the same panel a surge would travel through. See our EV charger installation page for the install itself.
- Standby generators. Transfer switches and generator control boards sit right at the panel and are worth protecting alongside it - more on that on our generator installation page.
- Smart home equipment. Thermostats, security panels, and networking gear that are costly and inconvenient to replace after a surge.
Layered protection is the right answer
We recommend layered protection on every job: a panel-mounted SPD as the first line of defense, plus point-of-use strips on your most sensitive electronics for the second layer. Neither one alone covers everything a surge can do, and together they cost far less than replacing the equipment they protect.
Where Surges Come From
Most surges start outside your house, not inside it
Utility grid switching
Routine switching on the utility's distribution network sends small transients down the line into your home far more often than most homeowners realize.
Storm-related transients
Nearby lightning strikes and storm damage on the grid can push a surge in through the service line without a direct hit to your property.
Internal switching
Large appliances and HVAC equipment cycling on and off inside your own home create smaller transients that add up in wear on sensitive electronics over time.
Installation
What the installation involves
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01
Free assessment
We check your panel type, age and available space to confirm the right SPD for your service.
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02
Written quote
Exact price on the spot, with the permit included.
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03
Permit and install
The device is wired in at the panel and the township permit filed alongside it.
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04
Inspection and sign-off
Inspection scheduled and passed, with the status indicator confirmed working before we leave.
Whole-Home Surge Protection FAQs
Does a whole-home surge protector stop a direct lightning strike?
No device can guarantee protection from a direct lightning strike to the home. A panel-mounted surge protective device mitigates the surges and transients that travel in on utility lines and reach every circuit - which is the far more common event. It is protection against surges, not a lightning rod.
If I have a whole-home surge protector, do I still need plug-in power strips?
Yes. A panel-mounted SPD and plug-in strips do different jobs and work best together. The panel unit stops the large surge before it spreads through your wiring; a point-of-use strip handles the smaller transients created by the devices plugged into it. That layered approach is what we recommend on every install.
How long does a surge protective device last?
SPDs wear down absorbing surges over time rather than failing all at once, which is why most units include a status indicator light. We check that indicator as part of any service visit so you know if the device has reached the end of its useful protection.
Do I need a permit to install a whole-home surge protector in New Jersey?
Most NJ townships require an electrical permit for work at the panel, including adding a surge protective device. We pull the permit and schedule the inspection as part of the installation - it is included, not an extra.
Is a surge protector worth it if I already have a generator or EV charger?
It is one of the better arguments for one. Generator transfer switches, inverters, and EV charger electronics are exactly the kind of equipment that a bad surge can take out, and they are not cheap to replace. Protecting the panel that feeds them is a small add next to what it is guarding.
Can a surge protector be added to my existing panel, or do I need a new one?
Most panels can accept an SPD as an add-on breaker or feed-through unit without a full panel replacement. If your panel is older or already at capacity, we will tell you that plainly at the free assessment and price the options.
Why Generac, by 02 Energy
What makes Generac, by 02 Energy different
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Premier Generac Dealer
Factory-trained crews installing the most trusted standby generator line in America.
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Backed by CPI
Our parent company brings in-house engineering and a project history in the tens of millions.
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Permits handled end to end
We pull the permits, schedule the inspections, and keep you updated until the township signs off.
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24-hour on-call line
Residential and commercial electrical emergencies answered around the clock, across New Jersey.
Book Your Free Assessment. Let's Talk About Your Project.
Tell us what you need and we'll call you back to schedule a free on-site assessment. Generator, EV charger, panel, or anything electrical.