Adelaide's summer storms are getting more intense. Lightning strikes nearby and electrical surges through the power lines are common. Surge protection is one of the cheaper insurance policies you can buy for your home electronics.
What a surge is
A sudden, brief spike in voltage well above the standard 240V. Can be caused by a lightning strike nearby (does not have to hit your house), a power line accident, switching events at substations, or even some appliances inside your house starting up.
What surges damage
Electronics with sensitive components. Computers, TVs, modems, smart appliances, LED light fittings, hot water systems with electronic controls, modern dishwashers and washing machines.
Older purely mechanical appliances (basic kettles, classic toasters, simple light bulbs) are mostly unaffected.
Two levels of protection
Whole-house surge protection: a device installed in your switchboard that absorbs surges before they get into your house wiring. Cost around $400 to $800 installed.
Point-of-use surge protection: power boards with surge protection at the appliance end. Cost around $30 to $80 for a quality unit. These are a second line of defence.
Best practice is both, especially for valuable electronics or essential equipment.
What about insurance
Most home insurance policies cover surge damage to appliances as part of normal claims. Worth confirming with your policy but usually included.
The catch is the excess. If your $1,500 TV gets fried, the claim might cost you $500 in excess and a year of premium increases. Surge protection at $400 starts to look like good value.
What level of protection
The protection rating to look for is around 40kA on a residential switchboard surge protector. Lower-rated units (20kA) are cheaper but provide less protection.
Lifespan is typically 5 to 10 years before the absorbing components are worn out. Most modern units have an indicator light that shows when they need replacement.
What about UPS for computers
An uninterruptable power supply (UPS) gives you 5 to 30 minutes of backup power and protects against both surges and short outages. Cost $150 to $400 for a basic home unit.
For home offices or anyone working from home, a UPS on the computer setup is good insurance. Saves work in progress when the power flickers (which happens more in Adelaide than people realise).
What we recommend
For most Adelaide homes: a quality switchboard surge protector plus quality power boards on the main electronics setup. About $500 to $800 total. Cheap protection given Adelaide's storm activity.