Costa Rican Utility Company to Require Surge Protective Devices in Residential Constructions

As of July 15, 2026, utilites provider Instituto Costaricence de Electricidad (ICE) will require residential buildings in Costa Rica will require a Type 1 or Type 2 Surge Protective Device (SPD) be installed in accordance with NFPA 70 - NEC 2020. The adoption of NFPA 70 - NEC 2020 comes in the wake of startling statistics regarding residential fires in Costa Rica. Research from Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica found 51%-65% of all residential fires in 2024 were caused by short circuit and/or improper installation of electrical components.

ICE will require new homes be built with the required SPDs installed. Homes not currently fitted with an SPD will need to have one installed before services such as new electrical installations, meter replacements, or other improvements or modifications can be rendered.

Compliance with the new standards can be achieved in one of two ways; either by installing a Type 1 SPD on the main service entrance, or a Type 2 SPD at the load center of each dwelling. CITEL's M50 series qualifies as both Type 1 and Type 2 SPDs per the NFPA 70 - NEC 2020 standards. Available in various voltages and configurations, the M50 is ideal for installation at the main service entrance or individual dwelling load center.

With our primary distribution partner in Costa Rica ITECPRO, CITEL is poised to provide safety and peace-of-mind to residential buildings across Costa Rica.