Voltage protectors explained
Draft for review. This guide is placeholder wording that the shop has not yet approved. It will be updated before launch.
Power in many areas goes too high, too low or comes back with a spike. This can damage fridges, TVs and other electronics.
Types
- Voltage protector (also called an AVS or fridge guard): switches an appliance off when the voltage is too high or too low, and waits a short time before switching it back on. The delay protects fridge and freezer compressors.
- Surge protector: absorbs short voltage spikes. Many extension leads include one.
- Whole-house protector: fitted by an electrician near the consumer unit and rated in amps (for example 40A or 63A). It protects every circuit.
Choosing one
- Check the amp rating is higher than the total current the protected appliances use.
- For a single fridge or TV, a plug-in protector is usually enough.
- For several appliances or a whole house, ask an electrician about a whole-house unit.
This is general information. Have a licensed electrician fit and check whole-house protection. Also see our guide to choosing cable sizes.