What is the difference between a power strip and a whole house surge protector?

A surge-protected power strip only protects devices plugged into it. A whole house surge protector is installed at the main electrical panel and protects every circuit simultaneously including HVAC, hardwired appliances, and EV chargers. Both have a role - the panel device handles large events, the strip handles daily small surges on sensitive electronics.

Where do most power surges come from in Arlington TX homes?

About 80 percent of power surge damage comes from internal surges generated by large appliances cycling inside the home - HVAC compressors, refrigerators, EV chargers. The remaining 20 percent comes from external sources like lightning and Oncor utility switching surges. A panel-mounted whole house surge protector handles both.

How do I know if my whole house surge protector is still working?

Check the indicator LED on the device. Green or 'Protected' means the device has remaining capacity. Red or no light means it was depleted by a surge and is no longer protecting your home. Check this light once a year. Call Bolt Electric at (817) 754-5700 if you need help locating it.

What joule rating do I need for a whole house surge protector in Arlington TX?

Minimum 1,000 joules for basic protection. 2,000 to 3,000 joules for most Arlington TX homes. 3,000+ joules for homes with EV chargers, home automation, or significant electronics. Higher joule ratings mean more surge absorption capacity before the device is sacrificed.

Should I install surge protection when I upgrade my electrical panel in Arlington TX?

Yes. A panel upgrade is the most efficient time to add surge protection - the panel is already open. Bolt Electric includes the surge protection option in every panel upgrade quote. It adds minimal time to the job.

Generator Transfer Switch Installation Arlington TX

Generator Transfer Switch Installation in Arlington TX

You bought a portable generator after the last outage. Now it is sitting in the garage and you are running extension cords through the house. A transfer switch fixes that permanently.

📞 Call (817) 754-5700 Get Free Estimate

🔋 Manual Transfer Switch⚡ Automatic Transfer Switch📝 City of Arlington Permits✅ Licensed & Permitted

You bought a portable generator after the last outage. Now it is sitting in the garage and you are running extension cords through the house. A transfer switch fixes that permanently.

A transfer switch connects your generator directly to your home panel. You plug in, flip the switch, and selected circuits in the house run off the generator. No extension cords. No open windows. No carbon monoxide risk from running the generator in the garage. Bolt Electric installs both types throughout Arlington TX. Call (817) 754-5700.

📞 (817) 754-5700

Transfer switch installation in Arlington TX. Manual and automatic. Licensed and permitted.

Call Bolt Electric

Manual vs Automatic

Manual vs Automatic Transfer Switch — Which One Do You Need?

Manual Transfer Switch

Best for portable generator owners. When the power goes out, you start the generator, plug the generator cord into an outdoor inlet box, then flip the transfer switch to move selected circuits from utility power to generator power. Takes about 5 minutes. Covers the circuits you choose — typically lights, the refrigerator, a few outlets, and the HVAC.

Cost is lower than an automatic switch. Works with any portable generator with a matching outlet.

Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS)

Required for standby generators. Detects the Oncor outage automatically, starts the generator, transfers power to the home — all within 20 seconds. You do not do anything. Whole home coverage. This is the switch installed with every Generac and Kohler standby generator we install in Arlington TX.

What to Expect

What the Installation Involves

›Site assessment — we confirm generator output, panel capacity, and circuits to be covered
›Outdoor generator inlet box installed (manual) or ATS mounted near panel (automatic)
›Selected circuits moved from main panel to transfer switch
›City of Arlington permit pulled before work starts
›Test run with your generator before we leave

Transfer switch installation is a permitted electrical job in Arlington TX. Work done without a permit is a liability at home sale and can void your homeowner insurance. We pull the permit on every job.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Texas law requires a licensed electrician for all panel work. Transfer switch installation involves opening the main panel and moving circuits. Unpermitted work creates problems at home sale and can void insurance.

Depends on your generator output and the circuits you want to cover. A 6,000-watt portable generator typically covers 6 to 8 circuits — lights, refrigerator, furnace, a few outlets. A 22 kW standby generator can cover the whole home. We assess this on the site visit.

Most manual transfer switch installations take 3 to 5 hours. Automatic transfer switch installation for a standby generator takes 4 to 6 hours as part of the full generator installation.

Get a Transfer Switch Installed in Arlington TX

Running extension cords through the house every outage is not a permanent solution. A transfer switch connects your generator to your panel correctly — safely, permitted, and done once.

We serve Arlington TX, South Arlington, Pantego, Dalworthington Gardens, and surrounding communities.

(817) 754-5700

📞 Call Now Get Free Estimate

✅ Licensed & Insured 📝 City of Arlington Permits ⚡ Generac & Kohler 💰 Firm Price Before We Start

📞 Call Now Free Estimate