Protect Your Equipment From Power Spikes

Surge protection installation for Buffalo homes and businesses.

Power surges happen without warning and can damage or destroy appliances, electronics, and HVAC systems in seconds. Lightning strikes, utility grid fluctuations, and even large motors cycling on and off can send voltage spikes through your Buffalo home's wiring. If you've replaced a furnace control board, a refrigerator compressor, or a television after a storm, a surge likely caused the failure.

Torchia Electric installs whole-home surge protection systems that connect directly to your electrical panel and block voltage spikes before they reach your devices. The system diverts excess voltage to the ground wire, protecting everything on your home's circuits. This service is especially valuable for Buffalo properties with older electrical infrastructure where wiring and grounding may not offer adequate protection on their own.

Contact Torchia Electric to schedule a surge protection consultation and safeguard your home's electrical equipment.

How whole-home surge protection is installed

The surge protection device is mounted at or near your electrical panel and wired directly into the main service feed. Torchia Electric connects the device to your panel's bus bars and grounds it to your home's grounding system, which is critical for the surge protector to function properly. Installation typically takes a few hours and does not require a full panel replacement, though homes with outdated panels may benefit from upgrading both systems at once.

After installation, your home's appliances and electronics are protected from external and internal surges, meaning voltage spikes from the utility grid or from equipment inside your home are blocked before they cause damage. You won't see any visible difference in how your electrical system operates, but your equipment is shielded from the sudden failures that often follow storms or power outages in the Buffalo area.

This service does not replace the need for point-of-use surge protectors for sensitive electronics like computers or home theater systems, but it provides a first line of defense at the source. Torchia Electric tests the grounding system during installation to confirm it meets code and can handle surge events. Homes with older wiring or insufficient grounding may require updates before the surge protector is installed.

What homeowners ask about surge protection

Common questions focus on how surge protection works, whether it's necessary for newer homes, and how it compares to plug-in surge strips.

What causes power surges in Buffalo homes?
Lightning strikes, utility grid switching, downed power lines, and large appliances like air conditioners cycling on and off can all create voltage spikes. Buffalo's older electrical infrastructure and frequent storms make surges a regular risk.
How is whole-home surge protection different from power strips?
Whole-home systems protect your entire electrical panel and everything connected to it, while plug-in strips only protect devices plugged into that specific outlet. Torchia Electric installs the whole-home system directly at the panel for broader coverage.
Can surge protection be added to an existing panel?
Yes, surge protectors are installed without replacing your panel as long as the panel is in good condition and properly grounded. Homes with outdated panels may combine this service with a panel upgrade for better protection.
Will I know if a surge is blocked?
Most surge protectors include an indicator light that shows the device is functioning. If a large surge occurs, the light may change or go out, signaling that the protector absorbed the spike and may need replacement.
Why is grounding important for surge protection?
The surge protector diverts excess voltage to the ground wire, so your home's grounding system must be intact and up to code. Torchia Electric checks grounding during installation and makes any necessary repairs to ensure the system works correctly.

Surge protection is one of the most practical upgrades for Buffalo homes, particularly those with aging electrical systems or expensive appliances and electronics. Torchia Electric installs whole-home surge protectors that guard against both external and internal voltage spikes, reducing the risk of sudden equipment failure. Reach out to schedule your surge protection installation.