The short answer
Surge protection limits brief voltage spikes before they reach your appliances. There are two main types: plug-in surge protection boards, which you can buy and use yourself, and a surge protection device (SPD) fitted in your switchboard, which helps protect the whole installation and must be installed by a licensed electrician. For most homes the best result is both: a switchboard SPD as the first line, and good plug-in boards on the things you care most about, such as the TV, computer and modem. Surge protection is not the same as a safety switch, and it won't stop every kind of damage, so think of it as reducing risk rather than removing it.
What a surge is
A surge is a short spike in voltage, usually lasting a tiny fraction of a second. Surges can come from outside the property, such as lightning activity or switching on the network, or from inside it, for example when large motors start and stop. Most are small and go unnoticed. Bigger ones can damage electronics straight away, or wear them out slowly over time.
The things most at risk are the ones full of electronics: TVs, computers, modems, smart appliances, inverter air conditioners, garage door motors, pool equipment, irrigation and pump controllers, and EV chargers. Plain old kettles and heaters are much more robust.
Option 1: Plug-in surge protection boards
These are power boards with built-in surge protection. They're appliances, so they plug into a power point and anyone can use them. No electrician needed.
Good for:
- the TV, sound system and gaming console
- the computer, modem and NBN equipment
- anything expensive or hard to replace in one spot
Things to keep in mind:
- They only protect what's plugged into them, not the rest of the house.
- Don't daisy-chain power boards or overload them.
- If a board is damaged, scorched or feels hot, stop using it and replace it.
- In a workplace, power boards are electrical equipment that may need regular inspection and testing. See test and tag.
Option 2: A surge protection device at the switchboard
An SPD in the switchboard sits at the point where power enters your installation and is designed to divert surge energy before it travels through the circuits. It protects everything in the house to a degree, including hardwired equipment you can't plug into a surge board, like the aircon, oven, hot water controls and smoke alarms.
Fitting one is electrical wiring work. In NSW you need a licensed electrician for any electrical wiring work, no matter how small, and the electrician must test the work and lodge a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW). Since 1 July 2026, CCEWs are lodged through the Building Commission NSW eCert portal, and you get a copy by email.
What Nelson looks at before fitting one:
- Is there room on the board? Older boards are often full, or still on ceramic fuses. If there's no room, a switchboard upgrade may make sense at the same time.
- What's the board made of? Old black "pitch" backing boards made before 1987 may contain asbestos. That changes how the work is done. See asbestos switchboards in NSW.
- What are you protecting? A farm shed full of pump controllers is a different job to a unit with a TV and laptop.
There's no published price for an SPD on its own, because it depends on your board. Call or send the job through for a written quote. If your board needs replacing anyway, you can get a switchboard estimate online.
Surge protection vs safety switches vs circuit breakers
People often mix these up. They do different jobs:
| Device | What it does |
|---|---|
| Safety switch (RCD) | Cuts power quickly when it detects current leaking to earth, such as through a person. Protects against electric shock. |
| Circuit breaker | Protects a circuit's wiring from overload and short circuits. |
| Surge protection device | Limits short voltage spikes to help protect equipment. |
| RCBO | A safety switch and circuit breaker combined in one device, for one circuit. |
A safety switch won't protect your TV from a surge, and a surge protector won't protect you from a shock. If your home still has no safety switches, that's the higher priority for your family's safety. See safety switches.
What surge protection won't do
Be realistic about it:
- It reduces risk; it doesn't guarantee nothing will ever be damaged.
- It doesn't replace good earthing and a sound switchboard. An SPD on a tired old board is a half fix.
- It doesn't protect against a power outage. If you need to ride through outages, that's a separate conversation.
After a storm or outage
If equipment has stopped working after a storm or an outage:
- Check the switchboard for a tripped safety switch or breaker. Reset it once.
- If it trips again straight away, leave it off and call an electrician.
- If something smells burnt, unplug it and don't use it.
- Check the smoke alarms still work.
Our guide to power outages in Wagga covers the full checklist, including when to call Essential Energy on 13 20 80.
Is it worth it?
It's a judgement call that depends on what you've got plugged in. If you've got an inverter split system, an EV charger, a home office, or a shed full of controllers and chargers, it's worth a conversation. Nelson can look at your board when he's there for other work and tell you whether it fits and what it'll cost. Travel is free within 17 km of Wagga.
Common questions
Do I need an electrician to install surge protection?
For a plug-in surge protection board, no: it's an appliance. For a surge protection device in your switchboard, yes. That's electrical wiring work, which needs a licensed electrician in NSW and a CCEW once it's tested.
Does a safety switch protect against power surges?
No. A safety switch (RCD) detects current leaking to earth and cuts the power to protect people from electric shock. Surge protection is a separate device that limits voltage spikes to protect equipment.
Can surge protection be added to an old switchboard?
Sometimes. It depends on whether there's room and what condition the board is in. Boards with ceramic fuses or a black pitch backing board usually need a closer look first, and an upgrade may be the better option.
Will surge protection protect against lightning?
It helps reduce the risk from surges, but no device guarantees protection from everything. Think of it as one layer, alongside a sound switchboard and good plug-in boards for sensitive gear.
How much does surge protection cost in Wagga?
There's no fixed price because it depends on your switchboard. Call Nelson on 0416 085 416 or send the job through for a written quote before any work starts.