Whole-House Surge Protection in Montclair, VA

Do storms knock out power in Montclair?

They have. Montclair is mostly NOVEC territory, and NOVEC's own news releases show two big events in 2012. After the storms of Friday night, June 29, 2012, NOVEC reported about 24,000 customers without service and damage from trees, poles and cross arms across its system (NOVEC release). Hurricane Sandy followed in October, and about 32,000 NOVEC customers lost power at the peak (NOVEC release).

Those releases cover the whole NOVEC system, not Montclair alone, so they do not say how many Montclair homes went dark. What they do show is that long, system-wide outages happen here. When lines come back up after repairs, the switching can send short spikes into homes.

To report an outage, the county's power outage page lists NOVEC at 703-335-0500. The NOVEC storm center has an outage map and lets you report online or by text.

What does a surge protector guard in a Montclair home?

Census data shows about 53% of Montclair homes heat with electricity (Census ACS). That means a heat pump or air handler with a circuit board, plus the usual range, washer, fridge and TVs. A device at the panel takes the first hit from a spike on the incoming line. Plug-in strips still help at the TV or computer.

A Montclair home from the 1980s may still have its first panel. A surge device needs a spot in the panel or right next to it, so we check for room. If the panel is being replaced or the service upgraded, the 2020 National Electrical Code, in force in Virginia per DHCD, asks for surge protection with the new service.

Permits, generators and the MPOA

Prince William County has no page that names surge devices. The state code in USBC 108 does not list them as exempt work, so the building official decides. Call Building Development at 703-792-6930 before the job.

Some owners want a generator after a long outage. The county's generator guide says a standby unit needs an electrical permit, plus a gas permit if it runs on natural gas or propane. The MPOA does not list generators as pre-approved in its Article 5 guidelines, so an outside unit needs a Property Improvement Request. A surge protector inside the panel does not change the outside of the house.