We all love electricity, but like everything in life, too much of it can be a bad thing. Power surges are a frequent but frustrating reality of life in modern homes. These sudden bursts of energy can wreak havoc on your electrical appliances as well as your home’s wiring, leading to some serious consequences. So how can you protect your home and yourself from power surges? This article will provide some helpful tips.
What Is a Power Surge?
A power surge is pretty much what it sounds like – an unexpected rise in power through an electrical circuit. It can last for just one or two seconds, or can continue for several minutes.
Power surges can cause a range of damages, from minor inconveniences to more serious problems that require expensive repairs. For example, a power surge can damage electronics such as TVs, computers, and appliances. It can also cause lights to flicker or blow out altogether. In either of these cases, life is disrupted at the drop of a dime.
It’s also worth highlighting the more devastating consequences of power surges; a large enough surge can spark an electrical fire, placing your home and loved ones in serious danger.
What Causes a Power Surge?
A power surge occurs when the electrical current in an electric circuit exceeds its regular level. This excess of energy can be caused by a variety of sources.
Common causes of power surges include lightning strikes, downed power lines, and overloaded circuits. Lightning is the most common cause of power surges, as it sends an immense amount of electrical current through a circuit in a short period of time. Internally, a home may also experience power surges during peak demand periods when the system is overloaded with electrical current, or when a large appliance turns off and back on again.
Signs of Power Surges Every Homeowner Should Know
Knowing the signs of power surges can help you identify this threat and take action to protect your home. Common indicators include lights flickering or dimming, appliances randomly turning off, and unusual noises from electronics. If your home is frequently experiencing these issues, it may be a sign of a power surge. In such cases, call a licensed electrician to assess the situation and recommend a solution.
Protecting Yourself Against Electrical Surges
The best way to protect yourself, your home, and your family from the unexpected implications of a power surge is to invest in proper prevention measures. While there’s no way to predict when voltage spikes will occur – or eliminate their chances of happening altogether – taking preventative measures can help protect your home when a power surge does strike.
To that end, installing a whole-home surge protector is the best way of keeping your home and family safe from power surges. Whole-home surge protectors are installed directly in your circuit breaker panel, and shield your entire home from voltage spikes. This will help prevent electrical damage and reduce the risk of an electrical fire.
Power surges are a very real danger in today’s homes. But they aren’t insurmountable. Taking the time to not only understand the dangers of a power surge in your home, but also taking the necessary steps to protect your home from them, will help keep your family safe and secure.