---
title: "What Is Whole-house surge protector? Electrical Glossary"
description: "A whole-house surge protector is a surge protective device installed at the electrical panel to guard every circuit in the home."
url: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/whole-house-surge-protector
publisher: Daniel Electric
phone: +1-817-481-8606
quote: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/contact
---

Safety devices

# Whole-house surge protector

A whole-house surge protector is a surge protective device installed at the electrical panel to guard every circuit in the home.

Leviton describes whole-house units as made for in-panel installation, to protect the entire home. A Leviton summary of the NEC says the 2020 edition added Article 230.67, which requires services that supply dwelling units to have a surge protective device, Type 1 or Type 2. Code editions change, so check which edition your city enforces.

A panel unit works with a [point-of-use surge protector](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/point-of-use-surge-protector), not instead of it. It connects at the [electrical panel](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/electrical-panel), so a licensed electrician must install it. See [whole-house surge protector installation](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/whole-house-surge-protector).

[Daniel Electric can helpWhole-house surge protector installation](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/whole-house-surge-protector)

## Related terms

-   [Surge protective device](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/surge-protective-device)
-   [Type 1 SPD](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/type-1-spd)
-   [Type 2 SPD](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/type-2-spd)
-   [Point-of-use surge protector](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/point-of-use-surge-protector)

## Sources

1.  [Leviton: NEC Code Requirements For Surge](https://leviton.com/products/commercial/surge-protection/nec-code-requirements-for-surge)
2.  [Leviton: Whole House Surge Protection](https://leviton.com/products/commercial/surge-protection/whole-home-surge-protection)

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## Need an electrician in Southlake?

Call and tell us what is going on. A photo of the panel label or the problem helps us come prepared. Quotes on new installations are free.

[Call (817) 481-8606](tel:+1-817-481-8606)[Get a quote](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/contact)

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