Surge protection for homes on Brisbane’s northside
A power surge is a short spike in voltage on your wiring. Storms are the big one, but surges also come from faults on the network and from big appliances switching on and off. A surge can wreck a TV, computer, modem, fridge, air con board or pool controller in a split second, and most of what’s in a modern home has electronics in it.
A surge protection device (SPD) fitted at your switchboard sends excess voltage safely to earth before it reaches the rest of the house. We fit them on new switchboards and add them to existing boards across Brisbane’s northside and Moreton Bay.
Call 1800 230 400 or request a quote online.
Why it matters in storm season
Storm season in South East Queensland runs roughly from October to March. Lightning striking near power or phone lines, trees bringing lines down, and the network switching back on after an outage can all send a surge into your home. It doesn’t take a direct hit on your house to cause damage.
Think about what’s plugged in right now: TVs, computers, the NBN modem, a smart fridge, split system and ducted air con, a pool pump controller, solar inverter, an EV charger. Replacing even one of those costs more than protecting the whole house.
How surge protection works
At the switchboard
A surge protection device sits in your switchboard and protects every circuit in the house at once. When it detects a voltage spike, it diverts the excess to earth. It doesn’t replace your safety switches, which protect people from shock. It protects your equipment.
At the power point
Surge-protected power boards add a second layer for sensitive gear like TVs and computers. They work best alongside protection at the switchboard, not instead of it.
No surge protector can guarantee protection from a direct lightning strike on your house. What it does is greatly reduce the risk from the far more common surges that come in through the power lines.
When to add surge protection
- Switchboard upgrade: the cheapest time to add it, because we’re already working on the board. See switchboard and meter box upgrades.
- New air con, EV charger or solar: protect the investment while we’re there.
- After storm damage: if a storm has already taken out appliances, get protection fitted before the next one. See electrical fault finding.
- Home office: if you work from home, losing your computer and modem means losing work, not just gear.
If your switchboard is old, cramped or still has ceramic fuses, there may not be room to add a surge protector safely. We’ll tell you whether it can go on your existing board or whether the board needs replacing first.
Surge protection FAQs
Do surge protectors wear out?
Yes. Each surge they absorb uses up some of their capacity. Most switchboard units have an indicator that shows when they need replacing. We’ll show you where it is.
Will a surge protector stop my safety switch tripping in a storm?
No. They do different jobs. A safety switch trips when it detects current leaking to earth, which often happens when storm water gets into outdoor fittings. See safety switches.
Should I still unplug things in a big storm?
Unplugging is the only certain protection, so it’s still a good habit for expensive electronics when a severe storm is coming.
Can I install a surge protector in my switchboard myself?
No. In Queensland, switchboard work must be done by a licensed electrician.