Wiring a House: Lightning and Surge Protection

In the past, the only way to ensure that appliances were safe from damaging electrical surges was to unplug them. BAck then, most people had only two major appliances: a stove and a washing machine. Not too long after came electric dryers and television sets. Today, unplugging appliances is no longer practical. Our appliances are integral with the house, but they are also very fragile. Operating at only a few volts, they can't survive a battle with lightning or any other surge source. Enter the newest step in home evolution -- surge protection.

In this excerpt from Wiring a House, author Rex Cauldwell explains how to add point-of entry protection (at the main panel or subpanel) and point of use protection (where the equipment is used) to safeguard your household appliances, telephone wiring, and water pump.