Surge Protect Modems, Routers & Switches

Why Surge Protect Modems, Routers and Switches?

Networks are the backbone of everything technology that we use for both our home and our businesses. If these systems stop working we are without access to internet, phones, computers information, building controls, cameras and other equipment. Once these systems are down there is loss of your time or work/revenue. There are also safety concerns. The costs of downtime to the systems when it could have been averted should always be explored. We get upset when internet goes down but if electronics fails it’s just considered a cost of business. This is not true. If something fails, there is a reason and it should be investigated. If this equipment is failing and no surge protection has been installed, maybe it is time to do the obvious.  

How do I Protect Modems, Routers and Switches?

Count all network wires that leave a building and go to another building. Also protect any incoming network wires from other buildings. This includes protecting incoming cable and phone lines if they connect or carry internet into the network. It is also recommended to protect problems areas or long runs that connect network equipment that is powered from a separate breaker panel. Surge protection and proper grounding these pathways are absolutely needed for proper performance of the equipment it is feeding. The data network in a home or business is the backbone of automation systems. Every piece of equipment is connected through this network. Once damaging surge energy enters the system it can continue to any and every piece of equipment connected to the system. It is even more common with large networks to have ground loop surges during lightning events. With a correctly coordinated and grounded Transient Protection Design installed system electronic damage can be totally eliminated or greatly reduced.

How It Works

When lightning hits within a mile of your home or business several things can happen. Surge energy can enter your home on power, phone, cable and/or any unprotected copper line that enters or leaves the building. Outdoor wireless access points and IP cameras located outside are other ways surge energy can enter directly into your network system. Once this damaging surge energy gets into the network it is hard to predict where it will go and what it will damage on its way to ground. See our Transient Protection Design for Phone, Cable and Data Networks for more information on how to surge protect your business’ or home’s network from transient surges.

Another way lightning and power surges can damage your network is by creating damaging ground potentials, i.e., ground loops, within your networks power system. This frequently happens when networks are communicating with separate buildings on the property and lightning hits near the home or business. In larger homes or buildings with multiple panels different ground potentials can exist within a single structure. This sometimes happens during nearby lightning strikes when panels are on remote ends of buildings or different floors. This means that if your networks switches are powered by more than one breaker panel in the building you have the potential for ground loops. See our Transient Protection Design on Ground Loop Surge Filters for more information on how to protect your business’ or home’s network from damaging ground loops and surges.

Client Benefits

Yours home’s network is becoming more and more invaluable to the security, safety and well-being of your family. Also, it is the backbone of the system that makes sure all your equipment works properly. Every family should be confident that their systems integrator is concerned with their security and understands how to protect their investment in their home’s electrical and electronic equipment.