Whole-Building Surge Protection in Glendale
From hillside homes above Brand Park to condos near the Americana at Brand, Glendale properties rely on sensitive electronics, HVAC systems, EV chargers, and smart-home devices. Whole-building surge protection safeguards your investment against damaging voltage spikes from utility switching, heat-wave brownouts, and equipment cycling. Shaffer Construction, Inc. designs and installs robust, code-compliant surge protection sized to your home's load and local grid conditions. Our licensed team completes most installations in a half day, with minimal disruption and clear pricing. We verify grounding, test performance, and provide documentation for your records. Protect your Glendale home—and everything plugged into it—with professional surge protection you can trust.
Our Work
Benefits
Surge Protection for the Future
We design layered protection using UL 1449 4th Edition Type 1 or Type 2 SPDs matched to Glendale homes. Where appropriate, we specify modular SPDs with replaceable cartridges, surge counters, and remote dry contacts that can integrate with smart panels (Leviton, Schneider Wiser) or home automation. For homes with solar, batteries, or whole-house generators, we add protection at subpanels and critical feeders to keep your system scalable as you add EV chargers, heat pumps, or new electronics.
Permits and Code Compliance
Shaffer Construction handles permitting, submittals, and inspection scheduling with the City of Glendale Building and Safety Division. Our installations align with the 2022 California Electrical Code—CEC 230.67 for dwelling-unit SPDs, Article 242 for surge protection, and Article 250 for grounding and bonding. We provide clear one-line diagrams, equipment cut sheets, and panel labeling to streamline approval. On inspection day, our technician is onsite to demonstrate compliance and answer the inspector’s questions.
Proven Quality Installation
We use listed, name-brand SPDs (Eaton, Siemens, ABB/GE, Leviton) sized 50–100 kA per mode depending on exposure. Bonding conductors are copper with listed lugs; aluminum conductors receive antioxidant and correct torque per manufacturer specs. We minimize lead length and twist conductors to reduce let-through voltage, then label and document the installation. Grounding is verified and upgraded with driven rods and listed clamps as needed. Every job ends with performance tests and a clean, organized panel.
Custom Solutions for Your Home
Our assessment considers service size (100–400A), number of subpanels, presence of solar/ESS, generator transfer equipment, and EV charging. We evaluate grid exposure by location—hillside runs, condo meter rooms, or detached garages—and select SPD kA ratings accordingly. For multifamily units downtown near Brand Boulevard, we coordinate with HOAs and building engineers. The result is a tailored plan that protects critical loads while leaving room for future expansion.
What We Offer
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit in Glendale for whole-home surge protection?+
Many panel-mounted SPDs qualify for over-the-counter electrical permits in Glendale. We handle the submittal with the City’s Building and Safety Division and can often schedule inspection quickly. For condos with common meter rooms, HOA approval may be required. Expect an overall 2–3 week window to account for scheduling, even though installation typically takes a half day.
Will surge protection help during Glendale Water & Power switching or brownouts?+
Yes. SPDs clamp transient overvoltages caused by utility switching, motor cycling, and certain brownout recovery events. While SPDs do not regulate sustained low voltage, they significantly reduce damaging spikes that often occur as the grid stabilizes—especially during hot summer peaks. We also verify grounding, which is critical for effective surge diversion.
How does surge protection work with solar panels or a home battery?+
We coordinate SPDs with solar inverters, ESS, and any transfer equipment. Typically, we install a primary SPD at the service equipment and add secondary protection at solar subpanels or inverter feeds. This layered approach protects both utility and inverter sources, helping safeguard control boards and electronics common in Glendale’s solar-ready and battery-backed homes.
Are hillside homes in Chevy Chase Canyon or Glenoaks Canyon at higher risk?+
Hillside homes often have longer service masts and feeders, which can increase the impact of transient overvoltages. We compensate with appropriately rated SPDs (often 80–100 kA per mode) and ensure robust grounding in rocky soils. Proper bonding of metal piping and supplemental ground rods can meaningfully lower let-through voltage.
Will my HOA allow surge protection in a downtown Glendale condo?+
Most HOAs approve panel-mounted SPDs when installed by a licensed C‑10 contractor and inspected by the City. We provide submittals, product cut sheets, and a simple one-line diagram for review. We also coordinate access to meter rooms near Brand Boulevard and Central Avenue to minimize disruption and streamline inspection.
How long will my power be off during installation?+
Power is typically off for 60–90 minutes during the half‑day installation while we mount the SPD, connect conductors, and verify torque. We schedule at your convenience, protect your electronics with proper shutdown, and restore service promptly before testing and cleanup.
Ready to Get Started?
Contact us today for a free consultation and quote on your electrical project!
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