Surge Protection Device
Installation in Brechin
No Fuse Box Upgrade Needed
Don't want a full consumer unit replacement? SPD retrofit installation protects your expensive electronics from lightning strikes and power surges without the cost of a complete fuse box upgrade.
ProfessionalSPD Installation Options for Brechin Homes
Choose the level of surge protection that matches your home's needs and equipment value.
Type 2 SPD Installation
The standard choice for most Brechin homes. Fits inside your existing consumer unit to protect against indirect lightning strikes and local power surges.
- Protects Against Indirect Strikes
- Fits Existing Consumer Unit
- Quick 1-2 Hour Install
Combined Type 1+2 SPD
For rural Brechin homes with overhead power lines or existing solar panels. Protects against direct lightning strikes up to 100,000 amps.
- Direct Lightning Protection
- Required for Solar Installations
- 100kA Surge Rating
Whole-House Protection
Complete home protection with main SPD + secondary devices at sensitive equipment locations. Perfect for high-value smart homes in Angus.
- Multi-Level Protection
- Individual Circuit SPDs
- Smart Home Optimized
We Install All Major Brands...
We stock and install Hager, Wylex, Schneider Electric, and MK SPDs. All installations come with BS 7671 compliance certificates and manufacturer warranties.
I've Seen Too Many
Fried Electronics After Storms.
Working as a firefighter in Brechin, I've responded to homes after lightning strikes. The damage isn't always visible fire - it's the expensive electronics that get destroyed silently.
A £3,000 TV. A £1,500 gaming PC. Solar inverters worth £2,000. All fried because they had no surge protection. That's why I recommend SPD retrofits to every homeowner in rural Angus - especially those with overhead power lines or exposed properties.
Engineer
Fire Service
Experience
Why Your Brechin Home Needs Surge Protection
Power surges are invisible killers of expensive electronics. Here's what an SPD actually protects you from.
Lightning
Strike Protection
Angus gets 20+ lightning storms per year. Even a strike 1km away can send a surge down your power lines, destroying unprotected equipment in milliseconds.
Power
Surge Damage
SSEN grid switching, car accidents hitting poles, and industrial equipment starting up all cause voltage spikes that damage sensitive circuits.
Smart Home
Protection
Modern homes have £10k+ of electronics: Smart TVs, heat pumps, EV chargers, solar inverters. One surge can wipe them all out.
Cost vs
Replacement
SPD install: £250-£400. Replacing a fried TV, PC, router, and appliances: £5,000+. It's the cheapest insurance you'll ever buy.
SPD Retrofit vs Full Fuse Box Upgrade
Save thousands by adding surge protection to your existing consumer unit.
SPD Retrofit
Type 2 SPD Install
- Quick 1-2 hour install
- No new consumer unit needed
- Protects whole house
- BS 7671 compliant
Full Fuse Box Upgrade
Complete Consumer Unit
- Full day installation
- Complete unit replacement
- Includes SPD protection
- Modern RCBOs
Replacing Damaged Kit
Without Protection
- TV: £1,500-£3,000
- Computer: £1,000-£2,000
- Solar inverter: £2,000+
- EV charger: £800+
Insurance Excess: £250-£500The SPD often costs less than your claim excess!
WhichBrechin Homes Need SPD Protection Most?
Every property can benefit, but these situations are highest risk.
Rural Properties with Overhead Lines
Homes in Edzell, Tarfside, and Glen Esk fed by overhead cables are 10x more vulnerable to lightning-induced surges.
Homes with Solar Panels
BS 7671 requires Type 1+2 SPDs for solar installations. Your roof is a lightning magnet - protect your £2,000 inverter.
Homes with Expensive Tech
Got a gaming PC, 75" OLED TV, or home server? One surge wipes them all. An SPD is cheaper than replacing just one device.
Smart Homes & Heat Pumps
Modern Nest, Hue, and heat pump controllers are extremely surge-sensitive. Protect your £8k heat pump investment.
Lightning Risk Zones in Angus
| Area | Power Supply | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| EDZELL / TARFSIDE | Overhead Lines | VERY HIGH |
| BRECHIN (RURAL) | Mixed Overhead/Underground | HIGH |
| BRECHIN (TOWN) | Underground Mains | MEDIUM |
| MONTROSE | Underground Mains | MEDIUM |
| FORFAR | Underground Mains | LOW-MEDIUM |
Note: Even "low risk" areas experience power surges from grid switching and industrial loads.
Warning: Surge Damage is Invisible Until It's Too Late
Most surge damage doesn't cause visible sparks or smoke. Instead, it slowly degrades circuits over repeated small surges until your expensive equipment suddenly dies.
By the time you notice, the damage is done - and insurance won't cover it because there's no evidence of a single "event". An SPD is the only prevention.
SimpleSPD Retrofit Process
From your call to protected - usually completed in one quick visit.
Fuse Box Assessment
Send us a photo of your consumer unit. We check if it has a spare way for the SPD module and confirm compatibility.
Choose SPD Type
We recommend the right protection level: Type 2 for town properties, Type 1+2 for rural homes or solar installations.
Quick Installation
We isolate your supply, fit the SPD module into your existing consumer unit, and connect the earth. Takes 1-2 hours total.
Testing & Certificate
We test the installation with our Fluke meters, provide a Minor Works Certificate, and show you the visual indicator that proves it's working.
Approved SPD Brands We Install
All SPDs are BS EN 61643-11 certified and come with manufacturer warranties. We only use Type-tested devices approved for UK mains supply.
SPD Retrofit FAQs
? What is an SPD?
A Surge Protection Device (SPD) is a component fitted inside your fuse box that diverts dangerous voltage spikes to earth, protecting your wiring and connected equipment from damage.
? Do I need to upgrade my whole fuse box?
No. Most modern consumer units (installed after 2008) have a spare slot where we can retrofit an SPD module. If yours is older or has no space, we can install a small separate enclosure beside your existing board.
? How much does SPD installation cost in Brechin?
Type 2 SPD retrofits typically cost £250-£350 including parts, labour, and certification. Type 1+2 combined units for solar homes are £350-£450. Compare this to thousands in damaged electronics.
? Will it protect everything in my home?
Yes. A main SPD at your consumer unit protects all circuits in your property. For ultra-sensitive equipment (like studio gear or server rooms), we can add secondary SPDs at specific sockets for extra protection.
? How long does installation take?
Most SPD retrofits take 1-2 hours. We isolate your supply, fit the module, connect earth and neutral, test the installation, and issue a Minor Works Certificate. You'll have power back quickly.
? Do I need an SPD if I have a modern fuse box?
Yes. Even brand-new consumer units don't automatically protect against surges - they protect against overloads and earth faults. SPDs are a separate layer of protection that's now recommended by BS 7671.
? What's the difference between Type 1 and Type 2?
Type 2 SPDs protect against indirect lightning (the most common threat) and are standard for most homes. Type 1 is required for solar installations or properties with overhead supply lines as they face direct strike risk.
? Will my home insurance cover surge damage?
Sometimes, but usually only if you can prove a single lightning strike event. Cumulative damage from repeated small surges is rarely covered. Prevention with an SPD is far more reliable than making a claim.
? Does an SPD wear out?
SPDs have a visual indicator (usually a green window) that shows they're working. After a major surge event, the indicator may change colour, telling you the SPD sacrificed itself to save your equipment - and needs replacing.
? Is it a legal requirement?
For new builds and solar installations, yes - BS 7671:2018 (18th Edition) requires SPDs. For existing homes, it's not legally mandatory but is strongly recommended, especially in high-risk rural areas.
? Can I install an SPD myself?
No. Working inside a consumer unit requires the supply to be isolated (dangerous without proper training), and the installation must be certified to comply with Building Regulations Part P.
? Will it stop my power during a storm?
No. SPDs work invisibly in the background. During a surge, they divert the excess voltage to earth in microseconds - you won't notice anything except that your equipment stays safe.
? Do surge protector plug sockets work instead?
Plug-in surge strips offer limited protection for the devices plugged into them, but they don't protect your wiring or appliances on other circuits. A whole-house SPD at the consumer unit is far superior.
? How do I know if I've had surge damage before?
Signs include: electronics that randomly restart or crash, WiFi routers that need frequent reboots, appliances that died suddenly with no obvious cause, or circuit boards with burn marks.
? Can you install SPDs in old Wylex fuse boxes?
It depends. If your fuse box has rewireable fuses or very old cartridge fuses, it's usually safer (and required) to upgrade to a modern consumer unit with RCD protection and an integrated SPD.
Protect Your Home From Surges
Don't wait for the next storm to fry your expensive electronics.
Get professional SPD installation from Brechin's local experts.
Most installations completed within 48 hours of your call