DIY guideBreaker panel

Check the whole-house surge protector is still live

Read the surge protector's lights at the panel. Green means it's protecting; a dark light means it took a hit and an electrician replaces it.

6 steps

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Look on or beside the panel for a small box with lights, or a breaker-sized one with a light behind the panel's door.
Open only the panel's outer door. The cover behind it stays on.
Green means it's protecting. Check each light: some have one, some two or three.
A dark or red light means it took a surge and no longer protects. The power still works, so nobody notices.
Check it after a storm or a power cut, and whenever you test the smoke alarms.
It doesn't replace plug-in surge strips for computers and TVs. Keep those, and replace any that show a fault light.
A dark or red light, a burnt smell or a buzzing box: ask Handyman for an electrician to replace it. Don't open it.

Handyman says: Light's out? I'll find an electrician.

Free for every home. Handyman asks a few questions, then books a pro it trusts.