Protect your EV charger with a Surge Protection Device (SPD)

What is a Surge Protection Device (SPD)

A Surge Protection Device (SPD) helps protect your home and electrical equipment from power surges — sudden spikes in voltage caused by events like lightning activity, faults on the electricity network, or switching/restoration events after an outage.

Surges can be over in a fraction of a second, but that can still be long enough to damage sensitive electronics.

Why add an SPD?

Adding an SPD is a simple, cost-effective way to reduce the risk of surge-related damage. It:

• Protects your charger (and potentially your vehicle) from electrical damage caused by transient overvoltage events
• Reduces the likelihood of nuisance faults and costly call-outs linked to surge damage
• Supports a safe, standards-aligned installation, especially for modern homes full of sensitive electronics

In many domestic installs, surge protection is fitted at the consumer unit (fuse box), where it can divert excess voltage safely to earth.

Why it matters for EV chargers

Home charge points are frequently installed outside, and they contain sensitive circuitry. That combination can make surge protection particularly sensible as part of an overall protection approach for your home’s electrical system.

The legal context

UK wiring regulations require surge protection to be considered. The latest update to the 2018 British Standard for electrical installations (including EV chargers) is BS 7671:2018 +A2:2022

As the standard explains, protection should be provided where the consequences could be serious (injury, loss of life, or significant financial/data loss), and in other cases protection should be provided unless the owner declares it’s not required and accepts the risk.

A quick note on warranties and home insurance

Surge protection can also be relevant from a paperwork point of view. If you choose to opt out, it’s worth checking the terms of any product warranty and the wording of any home insurance policy — some policies or warranty terms may set conditions around electrical protection, or may limit cover for certain components or types of damage.

(We can’t advise on individual insurance policies — but a quick read of the small print now can save frustration later.)

How this works with your order

At checkout, you can add an SPD to your EV charger order. Selecting it means:

• Your charger installation includes surge protection
• You’re taking a proactive step to safeguard your charger and nearby electronics
• You’re reducing the risk of unexpected repair/replacement costs linked to voltage spikes

If you choose not to add it, your charger and electronics may be at higher risk from power surges — and it’s sensible to make that decision knowingly (including checking any warranty/insurance terms that may apply)

• Your charger installation includes surge protection
• Your equipment is safeguarded from voltage spikes
• You’re taking a proactive step to protect your home and vehicle

Key takeaway

An SPD is a small addition that can make a big difference. For peace of mind — and to reduce the risk of surge-related damage — we strongly recommend adding surge protection to your EV charger installation.