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Whole-Home Surge Protection · Florida
A whole-home surge protective device (SPD) mounts at the panel and limits voltage spikes before they reach your circuits. The current National Electrical Code requires one for new and replaced services in dwellings; it works best paired with plug-in protectors for electronics.
Florida has some of the highest lightning activity in the country, and hurricane season makes surge protection and generators routine.
Across the Southeast, homes deal with heat, humidity, frequent thunderstorms and hurricane season near the coast. Permit offices, utilities and housing stock differ by city, which affects how whole-home surge protection is planned and scheduled. These local guides cover the Florida cities where we have written specific notes.
Florida has some of the highest lightning activity in the country, and Miami homes regularly see surge damage to AC systems, pool equipment and electronics. A whole-home surge protective device at the main panel, combined with plug-in protection for sensitive devices, is the standard approach.
Utility: Florida Power & Light (FPL)
The Tampa Bay area is often called the lightning capital of the United States, and surge damage to AC equipment, pool controls and electronics is a frequent call after summer storms. A whole-home surge protective device at the panel, plus plug-in protection for sensitive devices, is the standard approach.
Utility: Tampa Electric (TECO)
Central Florida's almost daily summer thunderstorms bring heavy lightning, and Orlando homeowners often call after a surge takes out an AC control board, pool automation system, smart thermostat or television. A whole-home surge protective device at the main panel, combined with plug-in protection for electronics, is the standard approach.
Utility: OUC in the city (city-owned); Duke Energy in much of the metro
Northeast Florida's daily summer thunderstorms bring frequent lightning, and surges regularly damage AC systems, pool pumps, garage door openers and electronics. A whole-home surge protective device at the main panel, combined with plug-in protection for sensitive electronics, is the common approach.
Utility: JEA (city-owned)
The Tampa Bay area, including St. Petersburg, has some of the most frequent lightning in the country, and surges regularly damage AC equipment, pool controls and electronics. A whole-home surge protective device at the panel, combined with plug-in protection for sensitive devices, is the standard approach.
Utility: Duke Energy Florida
South Florida's daily summer thunderstorms bring frequent lightning, and surges regularly damage AC systems, pool equipment, dock and boat-lift controls and electronics in Fort Lauderdale. A whole-home surge protective device at the main panel, combined with plug-in protection for electronics, is the standard approach.
Utility: Florida Power & Light (FPL)
1. Check grounding
Grounding electrode and bonding are inspected.
2. Install the SPD
The device is mounted on a breaker or lugs with short leads.
3. Verify
Indicator lights and connections are checked.
Electricians set their own prices; local permit fees and utility requirements add to these factors.
Permits come from the city or county where the home is. For example: Miami: Permits come from the City of Miami or, in unincorporated areas, Miami-Dade County; other cities in the county have their own building departments. Tampa: Inside city limits, electrical permits come from the City of Tampa's Construction Services Division; unincorporated areas are permitted by Hillsborough County, and Temple Terrace and Plant City run their own. Orlando: Inside city limits, electrical permits come from the City of Orlando's Permitting Services; unincorporated areas are permitted by Orange County, and Winter Park and other cities run their own. Jacksonville: Jacksonville and Duval County share a consolidated government, and electrical permits come from the City of Jacksonville's Building Inspection Division. Saint Petersburg: Electrical permits in St. Petersburg come from the city's building and permitting office; other Pinellas County cities and unincorporated areas have their own. Fort Lauderdale: Electrical permits in Fort Lauderdale come from the city's Development Services Department; other Broward cities have their own.
Miami: Florida Power & Light (FPL). Tampa: Tampa Electric (TECO). Orlando: OUC in the city (city-owned); Duke Energy in much of the metro. Jacksonville: JEA (city-owned). Saint Petersburg: Duke Energy Florida. Fort Lauderdale: Florida Power & Light (FPL).
No. It handles large surges at the panel; point-of-use protectors handle smaller ones near sensitive electronics.
Call now, or send a request and a licensed electrician who serves your ZIP code will contact you.
