Archive: Jun 22, 2026, 12:00 AM
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The History of Surge Protection Devices (SPDs)
Since Benjamin Franklin invented the lightning rod, people have looked for ways to protect homes and electrical systems from lightning and power surges. Since then, many codes, standards, and practices have been created surrounding surge protection including NEC and OSHA requirements that surge protection devices be listed for purpose by a NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) certified by OSHA. When selecting surge protectors, it is important to choose products certified to ANSI/UL 1449 and listed by a NRTL such as UL, ETL, or CSA. These certifications verify the device has passed rigorous safety and performance testing.
