What is the primary purpose of the guidelines established by WAC for surge protector installation?

The primary purpose of the guidelines established by the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) for surge protector installation is to protect against voltage spikes. Voltage spikes, also known as power surges, can occur due to various reasons such as lightning strikes, power outages, or sudden changes in electricity usage by large appliances. These spikes can result in significant damage to electrical equipment and systems, leading to costly repairs or replacements.

By following the WAC guidelines for surge protector installation, users can effectively minimize the risks associated with these voltage spikes. The guidelines ensure that surge protection devices are correctly sized, installed, and maintained to provide adequate safeguard against transient overvoltages.

While preventing electrical fires is an important concern in electrical safety, it is not the principal focus of surge protectors. Energy efficiency and cost reduction are also valuable considerations, but their relevance lies outside the specific purpose of surge protectors, which is to provide a defense against voltage surges rather than to address efficiency or expenses directly.