Why Your Home Need Surge Diverters: Protect Your Electrical System from Voltage Spikes

Grini Gunayan
Dec 6, 2025
3 min read

The Sunshine Coast’s humid, storm-prone climate makes local homes especially vulnerable to electrical surges. Lightning strikes, grid fluctuations, and internal power spikes can instantly damage your appliances — or slowly shorten their lifespan without you even noticing.

Living here in the Sunshine Coast is more particularly susceptible to electrical surges because of the region's humid, storm-prone weather. When voltage spikes happen which are either caused by lightning strikes, fluctuations in the power grid, or internal house issues, these can result in damage to appliances or unknowingly it slowly lessens the lifespan.

What Is a Surge Diverter?

A surge protection device (SPD), commonly called a surge diverter, brings the supreme protection of your home’s electrical system. It is being installed in the switchboard and helps redirect safely the excess voltage into the earth while preventing any damage in the circuits, wiring or the electronics at home.

Why Power Surges a Significant Risk on the Sunshine Coast

Being prone to power surges, as homeowners in Sunshine Coast these factors should be considered:

Intense Lightning Activity

Sunshine Coast records some of Queensland's highest levels of lightning strikes

Frequent Summer Storms

Due to seasonal weather patterns, these lead to voltage-fluctuating storm conditions.

Grid Instability

Fluctuations within the main electrical power grid.

Increase Electrical Load Demand

The high usage of solar installations, EV chargers and having multiple AC systems at home has caused a heavy burden and fluctuations on the electrical system.

The occurrence of voltage spikes or surges can originate from several sources:

Nearby lightning strikes
Energex grid switching
Trouble on local lines
Large appliances cycling on and off
Solar inverters feeding energy back into the grid

Even if it’s just a minor surge it can cause damage to your properties in the long run, while major surges can instantly ruin the electrical appliances of your home.

How a Surge Diverter Protects Your Home

As surge diverter operates in less than a millisecond, it offers significant protection with these key functions during the voltage spike:

Spike Detection

Identifies the occurrence of sudden, excess voltage immediately

Surge Redirection

The powerful surge will safely divert away from your home's circuits and direct it harmlessly into the earth.

Shield Appliances

All connected appliances and circuits will be safeguarded from damage by diverting the energy.

Appropriate installation includes protection for the whole electrical system which is essential especially for storm-prone areas like the Sunshine Coast.

All GPOs (General Power Outlets) and lighting circuits
Solar systems
EV (Electric Vehicle) charging stations
Home offices
Internet and networking equipment

Types of Surge Protection Devices

Generally, there are three main types of surge protection devices (SPDs):

Type 1 – Protection from Lightning & Major Voltage Surges

This is best for homes with overhead supply or with high lightning risk

Type 2 – Entire Electrical Home Protection

Installed in the main switchboard and designed to protect the circuits and appliances at home

Type 3 – Plug-in Protection (For Specific Devices)

Offers supplemental protection for certain devices like computers, TVs, and sensitive other equipment.

Here in Sunshine Coast, Type 2 (Whole-Home Protection) is recommended for most of the properties. Type 1 protection may also be required for properties having specific location and proximity to overhead lines.

Signs You Need Surge Protection

Consider the following signs that might be necessary for you to have a surge diverter installation. This is a low-cost upgrade that will prevent high-value losses in the future.

Living in a storm-active area that has increased exposure to lightning strikes.
Has newly installed high-tech equipment such as solar panels or an EV charger.
The appliances at home frequently fail or flicker.
Your home’s switchboard is over 10 years old and needs to be upgraded.
Your home depends on smart technology with smart devices that need extra protection.
You want to achieve peace of mind by gaining insurance-grade protection for your home.