What is an SPD and What does it do?

It is a device that protects the electrical installation, and connected devices, within a property, i.e the consumer unit, all wiring and sockets, lights etc, from an electrical ‘surge’ known as transient over voltages.

What can cause these ‘surges’?

A surge, or over voltage, can be caused by lightning strikes, a broken power line or damage to main cables such as may occur when road works or main drainage works are being carried out.

Why do I need an SPD?   I have not heard it mentioned before.

Whilst it has always been a requirement for some types of buildings and electrical installation it is now deemed to be prudent for all installations and has been included in the latest electrical guidelines ‘The 18^th Edition Amendment’ that came into force in 28^th March 2022.

There are several reasons for this:

• Today’s weather patterns are changing with more stormy weather affecting many areas now. This heightens the risk of lightning strikes.
• Most households these days have a large amount of electronic equipment, laptops, games consoles, mobile phones, media boxes. All of these could be damaged, and data lost, as a result of an electrical power surge.
• Many people are working from home now and the trend is for it to continue, with the use of company equipment becoming more at risk of damage and data loss.
• It may well be, or become, part of your household insurance to have Surge Protection in place.