Power Strips Protect Outlets. This Protects the House
Voltage spikes come from outside, like utility switching and power restorations after an outage, and from inside, when large motors in AC units and appliances cycle on and off. Small, repeated spikes wear out electronics over time.
A plug-in power strip only protects what’s plugged into it. Your dishwasher, range, HVAC system, water heater controls and EV charger aren’t on one. A surge protector at the panel limits spikes on every circuit.
Code requires it with service upgrades. Under current electrical code, surge protection is required when a home’s service is upgraded or replaced. If you’re doing a panel upgrade, it’s part of the job.
For the best protection, pair whole-home protection with good plug-in surge protectors for computers and TVs.
