Skip to main content

Surge Protection in Málaga

Protect your home and electronic equipment from voltage spikes. Mandatory for new installations under the new REBT 2026 regulations. Quick and affordable installation.

What are Power Surges?

A power surge (or voltage spike) is a sudden increase in voltage that exceeds the normal 230V supply. It lasts only a fraction of a second but can cause serious damage to anything plugged in.

Common causes include:

  • Lightning strikes — even nearby ones can induce surges in the power lines
  • Grid switching by the electricity company
  • Industrial equipment starting or stopping nearby
  • Power restoration after a blackout
  • Faults in the electricity distribution network

The damage is often immediate and irreversible: fried circuit boards, blown power supplies, corrupted hard drives. Modern electronics are particularly vulnerable because they contain sensitive microprocessors and circuits.

Types of Protection

Type 1 (Lightning)

Protects against direct or nearby lightning strikes. Required when the building has a lightning conductor or is in an area with a high density of lightning strikes. Installed at the main switchboard before the meter.

Type 2 (Grid Surges)

The most common type for homes and businesses. Protects against surges originating from the electricity grid — switching transients, indirect lightning and power restoration spikes. Installed in your consumer unit (cuadro eléctrico).

Type 3 (Sensitive Equipment)

Additional point-of-use protection for particularly sensitive or valuable equipment — computers, home cinema systems, medical devices. Typically plug-in devices installed at the socket. Used as a complement to Type 2, not as a replacement.

Mandatory under REBT 2026

New Regulation, Affordable Protection

The new Spanish electrical regulations (REBT 2026) make surge protection mandatory for all new installations and significant modifications. This reflects the growing reliance on sensitive electronic equipment in modern homes.

The good news? A Type 2 surge protector is an affordable investment, typically costing between €100 and €200 installed. Compare that to the cost of replacing a TV (€500-2,000), a computer (€800-2,000) or a solar inverter (€1,000-2,000).

Read more about the new regulations: New REBT 2026: What changes for electrical installations in Spain

Especially Important in Málaga

Autumn Storms and Grid Instability

Málaga's autumn storms can be intense, with frequent lightning. While direct strikes on residential buildings are uncommon, surges induced in power lines by nearby lightning are a real and regular risk.

In rural and semi-rural areas of Málaga province, the electricity grid can also be less stable, with more frequent voltage fluctuations and power cuts. Surge protection is particularly advisable in these areas.

Essential for Solar and EV

If you have solar panels, the inverter is the most expensive and sensitive component of your system. A single surge can destroy it, costing €1,000-2,000 to replace.

Similarly, EV chargers contain sensitive electronics that are vulnerable to voltage spikes. Protecting these investments with a €100-200 surge protector is simply common sense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Need this service?

Contact us for a free quote with no obligation