A surge is simply a brief period of higher than normal voltage. Lightning, auto accidents involving utility poles, or failed equipment can create surges sufficient to damage or destroy electric devices. 

Beyond a direct lightning strike, which is nearly impossible to provide protection against, there are three basic paths for surges:

1.  Electrical circuits

2.  Telephone lines

3.  Coaxial/cable television lines

Electrical components with connections to multiple paths are much more vulnerable. A surge entering the home on one path can go through a common point and follow the other two paths.

Proper grounding is vital in surge protection.  Every home should have at least one driven ground connected to the main distribution panel and the meter base and a maximum earth resistance of 20 ohms.  Newer homes or those with sandy soil may need multiple driven grounds.  Through your home's electrical system, this ground is connected to every electrical outlet and every permanently attached electrical device. All outlets should be of a three prong type.  If you have experienced many surges, hire a licensed electrician to inspect and if necessary, upgrade your home.

A package of five point-of-use protectors and a meter-base protector, SurgeGuard MAX provides complete protection for every electrical product in your home.  This protection is backed up by a $1,000 per-incident warranty should any electrical device or appliance in your home be damaged by a surge.  Products directly connected to a point-of-use protector or covered by the Major Appliance Protector have additional manufacturer's coverage (see warranty information below).  SurgeGuard MAX is available to Tri-County EMC electrical customers for $12.95 per month, charged to your electric bill. A minimum term of 36 months is required.

The best protection for sensitive electronics devices, especially those connected to multiple paths, is through a "point-of-use" protector. These stand-alone protectors are available in multiple configurations with protection for electrical, telephone, and coax.  Designed to stop a surge before it can cause damage, these point-of-use devices carry a lifetime warranty for both the surge suppressor and the device it is designed to protect.

Select a SurgeGuard model right for your needs.

Single Outlet Protection for Electronics
Ideal for microwaves, standalone radios or stereos, or other electronics not connected to telephone or coax.

Single Outlet Protection with Telephone
Ideal for telephones, answering machines, or fax machines.

Single Outlet Protection with Coax/Cable
Ideal for telephones, answering machines, or fax machines.

Multiple Outlet Protection with Telephone
Protection for eight electric connections and telephone.  Ideal for a computer connected to the Internet.

Multiple Outlet Protection with Telephone and Coax
Protection for eight electric connections, telephone, and coax/cable.  Ideal for home theatre systems with cable television or DSS satellite with telephone line protection.

SurgeGuard Warranty Details

All warranties provided by the manufacturer.  All coverage is for repair or replacement of damaged equipment, whichever is less.

SurgeGuard MAX
$1,000 per claim coverage for all ordinary electronic devices and appliances. Additional manufacturer's coverage as listed below for devices plugged directly into point-of-use protectors.

Major Appliance Protection
Warranty covers major household appliances located within the home.  Coverage limited to $10,000 per appliance, per occurrence and a $6,000,000 lifetime cap.

Point-of-Use Products
Warranty covers ordinary home electronics devices.  Maximum connected equipment warranty is $25,000 for Models 1, 2, and 3 (single outlet) and $6,000,000 for Models 4 and 5 (multi-outlet).