ABR Electric Cuts Through the Noise, Advises Homeowners to Prioritize VPR and TMOV in Surge Protection
ABR Electric says that focusing on a low VPR and ensuring the presence of TMOV technology, homeowners can select a reliable surge protector, concluding that putting any protection in is better than having nothing at all.
McKinney, Texas, United States, 9th Dec 2025 – Homeowners faced with the confusing technical specifications of whole-house surge protectors often rely on misleading marketing. ABR Electric, a trusted Collin County electrical contractor, is advising consumers to ignore the “pages and pages of information” and focus on two non-negotiable specifications: the Voltage Protection Rating (VPR) and the device’s thermal technology.
The advice comes from James Adams, Master Electrician and owner of ABR Electric, who emphasizes that when choosing protection against dangerous power surges—from grid fluctuations or Texas lightning—the difference between a single-use defense and continuous protection lies in these two details.
James Adams on VPR: The Measure Homeowners Can Trust
“When you look at all the fine print, the number that actually matters is the VPR, or Voltage Protection Rating. The lower that number is, the less voltage these bad boys will let into your system during a surge. It’s a measurable number versus somebody’s claims. If you see a lot of high numbers, you know you’re not getting the best clamp-down protection.”
The Critical Difference: MOV vs. TMOV Technology
Adams stresses that most surge protectors today use Metallic Oxide Varistors (MOVs), but their construction determines their long-term effectiveness. The key distinction is between standard MOVs and Thermally Protected MOVs (TMOVs):
- Standard MOVs (The “One-Shot Deal”): “When these things get hit right at your house by a big surge, the MOVs, if the hit’s big enough, they self-sacrifice. They burn up… and save your house. So, they’re one-shot deals. Next surge, you’re done. You’re cooked.”
- TMOVs (The Continuous Defense): “The T stands for thermally protected. That was the biggest difference. These don’t self-sacrifice. They continue to protect.“
For ABR Electric, selecting devices with advanced thermal protection ensures that a homeowner’s system remains secure even after absorbing a significant initial surge, providing superior peace of mind.
Final Advice for Homeowners
Adams advises consumers to perform their own research and not rely on advice from unqualified sources:
James Adams on Proactivity:
“Don’t go ask the guy in the aisle at Home Depot. Do the research yourself. At the end of the day, if you put anything in, you’re better off than before when you had nothing. Do the research. Look at the VPR. That’s a great place to start. Surge amps helps as well. Final thing was warranty.”
ABR Electric encourages McKinney-area residents to prioritize professional installation to ensure the selected device—whether a Square D or another high-quality brand—is wired correctly to achieve its lowest possible VPR and maximum protection.
About ABR Electric
ABR Electric is a veteran-owned and licensed Master Electrician contractor serving Collin County, including McKinney and Plano. Specializing in essential home safety upgrades, ABR Electric provides expert installation of whole-house surge protection, electrical panel upgrades, and EV charging solutions, focusing on transparent, code-compliant work.
Contact: James Adams Master Electrician, Owner ABR Electric 214-690-1941
Company Details
Organization: ABR Electric Square D
Contact Person: James Adams
Website: https://squared-by-schneiderelectric.pages.dev/
Email: Send Email
Address: HWY380
City: McKinney
State: Texas
Country: United States
Release Id: 09122538761