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Commercial Surge Protection

Commercial Surge Protection

Commercial Surge Protection keeps your business safe from equipment failure. Electrical transient surges are bursts of energy which are induced upon data, communication, and power lines. They have extremely high voltages which drive huge amount of current into electrical lines for seconds. They can originate from internal or external sources into your facility.
A typical surge can deliver up to 1,000 volts via cable, wire, or line connecting your equipment with the world. Electrical items such as computers, Phones, and laptops are made to handle mere 120 volts, sudden increase in power can disturb business computers, destroy circuits, and delete data. For a commercial business this means loss, because you have to replace equipment. In worse case, entire electrical system can be destroyed.

Commercial Surge Protection system

There isn’t a particular system for protection, but you can take steps to ensure safety of your business. You can make your electrical system strong so that it is ready for random power surges and stormy seasons.

• Devices for surge protection: Surge protection devices provide line of defense for the equipment by limiting the power. These devices can handle a lot of power so installing them to protect against power surges is a         smart decision.
• Main Panel Suppressor: Many devices have their uses, but the problem can come from your main line. Panel suppressors are made to ensure that large voltage don’t enter in your building, reducing the impact on surge protection devices and business equipment. Hire a licensed electrician to install these, and make sure to inspect periodically. Install a model that has response time of 5 nanoseconds, and an alarm that indicates damage. A good suppressor will cost up to $700, which is reasonable because electrical damage can cost over $10,000.
• Invest in Insurance: If you hire a professional electricians, you will be guided against damage cause by power variations. You can have insurance to cover cost of replacement and repair if your business rely on expensive equipment. Even if you aren’t going for insurance, have powerful surge protectors to ensure your business is safe.

Choosing Commercial Surge Protection

Every device has its functions, what worked for others may not work for you. Here are some of the features that you should keep in consideration before installing Commercial Surge Protection for your business.
• UL 1449 Rating: The device should be UL certified and according to the standards recognized by underwriter’s laboratories.
• Voltages Pass: closer to 120 volts, means more protection for your business. There are some devices that can pass up to 330 volts, but make sure to install that pass close to 120 volts.
• Response time: A good device has less response time, it can be as low as Nano or Pico seconds.
• 400 Joules or more: How much energy the protector can handle? More the energy, better overall system. Make sure that your devices can handle more than 400 joule energy.
• Alarming: There should be alarming lights or indicators when they need replacement.


Stephen M, Lead Technician – Lighting Specialist

Steve brings many years of electrical experience and lighting experience. Steve is well versed in all facets of lighting including HID Lighting, LED Lghting, Energy Conservation, Bucket Trucks, Sign lighting.

Perry W, Lead Technician

Patrick B, Lead Technician

Lance N., Apprentice Electrician

Justin S, Lead Technician

Jason T, Lead Technician

Ernest Render, Journeyman Electrician

On any given day you will never see Ernest with a smile. From his infectious laugh to his ability to mold aspiring electricians Ernest has left many lasting impressions on our future generation. His patience and teaching ability are second to none.

Gary S., Lead Technician – Journeyman Electrician

We are proud to have Gary as part of our Jacksonville Electrician Team.

Daniel L, Apprentice

We are proud to have Daniel as part of our Jacksonville Electrician Team.

Evelin M, Administrative Assistant

We are proud to have Evelin as our Administrative Assistant for Empire Electric.

Michele S, Accounting

Michele has been working in the electrical trade for the last 20 years, with that it has brought her a vast range of experience in the electrical industry. In her early years she worked in the warehouse which allowed her to learn the parts and basics behind electrical work. When she transferred into the office it allowed her to be able to talk to the customers and answers their questions over the phone. She has handled everything from dispatching, accounting and management of employees. Providing top notch customer service to our customers is her number one goal. It makes her feel good to be able to be the first point of contact to our customers to help assist them over the phone then to schedule for the technicians to resolve their electrical needs. The end result is making sure our customers are completely satisfied from start to finish. On her days off, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters doing outdoor activities such as kayaking, camping and water sports. In her spare time she enjoys scrapbooking and reading. We are pleased to have Michele as part of our Jacksonville Electrician Team

Kitty JonJock, Permit Coordinator

With permitting being an integral part of construction combined with the sheer volume of permits Empire Electric Inc. pulls with the different locale’s we are pleased to have someone with the experience and expertise dedicated to handling our very important and critical permitting indenture. From coordination to scheduling Kitty can handle the most critical or sensitive permitting with ease. Kitty brings over 20 years of combined Electrical and Mechanical experience in the construction / contracting field.

Jon Brockel, Project Manager

Dave Thompson, Service Manager

Dave is a native of Jacksonville. With over 25 years of electrical experience Dave performs the daily duty of smooth running fleet of technicians. From his combined electrical experience with impeccable customer service skills and techno0logy, Dave is able to maintain a smooth running service department and handle customers hand in hand.

Jim Sullivan, Owner – Vice President

Jim Sullivan is a native of Jacksonville, Florida, he attended Englewood High School and went right into the Electrical trade out of high school in 1983. He worked in the field as an electrician’s helper and then a Lead man then obtained his electrical license in the trade in 1990. Ove the course of 32 years in the trade he has gained a vast range of electrical knowledge by working on many different projects. He transferred into the office in 1999 to become a project manager, where he took off sets of plans for commercial and military jobs. He followed each job thru that he was awarded where he managed crews and over saw the job sites. He is eager and excited to be on a new adventure with his own company to be able to build on his customer basis and continue to provide outstanding customer service. During his off time, Jim enjoys spending time with his two sons boating and camping. He received his private pilot’s license in 2001 and enjoys flying in his spare time as well. We are proud to have Jim as part of our Jacksonville Electrician Team.

Rich Speaker, Owner – President

Rich is President of Empire Electric Inc. Rich was born and raised in Buffalo, New York in where he graduated Lafayette High School and joined the United States Navy. While in the Navy, Rich began his path in the electrical trade as a Electricians Mate stationed in Philadelphia Pennsylvania and subsequently upon the Conventional Aircraft Carrier, John F. Kennedy CV67, ultimately ending in Jacksonville, FL with an Honorable Discharge.Still young and eager to fulfill his thirst for knowledge in the electrical trade, R applied as an Electricians Helper. While progressing through the ranks as Electrician Helper, Rich decided it was time to utilize his G.I. Bill that was given for his military service. Wanting to integrate Electrical and Computer networking, Rich decided to attend night school to obtain his Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer MCSE certification in 2006. After the birth of his two children, Rich decided it was time to once again further his education and knowledge of the electrical trade. In December 2010 Rich obtained his Florida State Certified Master Electrician License EC13004667 and subsequently being accepted in to the Jacksonville Master Electricians Association J.M.E.A.