Have Added Protection for Specific Devices. How to Prevent Power Surge Damage. . The first thing most people think about is lightning. A more common cause of power surges is the operation of high-power electrical devices, such as elevators, air conditioners and refrigerators. Both can be destructive to electronics in your home, as the surge in voltage generates heat capable of damaging electronic components. A power surge is a sudden fluctuation in the current entering your home. Being proactive and protecting your home before a power surge occurs is the best way to prevent damage to electronic devices and appliances. Surges on these lines can do just as much damage as surges over power lines. The difference between a power strip and a surge protector is surge protectors absorbs any excess energy running through them. Wall outlets normally supply power called 120 volts AC power. Whole-house surge protectors are installed at the main electrical service panel, where the circuit breakers or fuses are located. The voltage oscillates from 0 to a peak voltage of 169 volts. In the United States, most homes use electrical power in the form of 120 volt, 60 hertz, single phase, alternating current.However, the voltage is not delivered at a constant 120 volts. What Can Surges Do? Preventing power surges in your home requires some foresight and preparation. Luckily, lightning is one of the rarest causes of power surges. Additionally, consider a surge protection device which goes in the electric panel where the circuit breakers or fuses are located. Here are some tips to help homeowners prevent power surges: 1. Rely on Mendel to keep your electrical in tiptop shape and keep your air conditioner running. While nearby lightning strikes can cause powerful and damaging power surges, they are also quite rare. From your laptop charger to the television, there’s … That electrical boost runs through the power line and into your house, and BOOM! If the utility company is not at fault then the main electrical panel of the home will need to be tested by a qualified licensed electrical contractor who will determine the problem and make the necessary repairs. Home electronic devices aren’t built to tolerate that much power, which is why power surges can be damaging and dangerous. Home electronic devices aren’t built to tolerate that much power, which is why power surges can be damaging and dangerous. A power surge can be devastating to these electronics because it can burn out sensitive components and render them useless in the blink of an eye. Wiring is essential for distributing electricity. The first thing you should do to protect your home from a power surge is to invest in a whole home arrester as soon as possible. Individual “Plug-In” Surge Suppressors — to stop small, internal power surges. Today’s homes are filled with sophisticated and sensitive electronic equipment, from HDTVs to computers. Simply put, power surges are an issue because they can be damaging or dangerous. So a Siemens panel should have a Siemens surge protector. With alternating current, the voltage rises and falls in a predetermined rhythm. Surge protectors are basically power strips. Here are a few things you can do to protect against power surges: Install surge protection at the end of expensive appliances and electronic devices Unplug appliances and devices not in use Some indications of a power surge include: Tripper circuit breaker or safety switch; Sudden resetting or power loss of devices Why Power Surges Happen and How to Prevent Them, When a surge travels into your home’s electrical current, the voltage supplied spikes, beyond the safe limit. All rights reserved. When these appliances request this power, they can inadvertently create a spike. A power surge is a very fast, very intense power spike in your home’s electrical current. There is often a surge when the electricity comes back on. Choosing the Right Kind of Surge Protector But it’s important to keep in mind that not all surge protectors are created equal, and no surge protector lasts forever. Here are some steps you can take to keep your home and sensitive electronics safe: Power surges can cause serious damage to your electronic devices, but there are steps you can take to protect your home. For more information on power surges, check out the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s. Guarding Against All Power Surges Requires Two Levels Of Defense: A Whole-House Surge Suppressor(s) — to stop external power spikes. A power surge is anything the goes well over 120 volts. Using surge protection adapters and power strips can be an effective way of safeguarding your most sensitive devices from the everyday surges that occur within your home. Another big way to prevent surges is to just not have anything plugged in, who would’ve thought! Faulty Wiring. And yes, a power outage often ends with a power surge. Unplugging your sensitive electronics during an electrical storm … of volts. Unplug electronics during a storm. Â, Most people associate power surges with lightning, and they are one cause. 2. When too much electricity flows through an appliance at once, the appliance could overheat, break down, or even catch fire. The following is a quick look at power surges, and how best to prevent […] A power surge happens so fast there’s usually not much you can do to prevent it from happening, at least the first time. It’s a common sight in many homes to see a power strip that has several cords in it. Mikediamondservices.com has a Shopper Approved rating of 4.6/5 based on 3078 ratings and reviews. They are very brief, usually lasting millionths of a second. © 2020 Mendel Plumbing and Heating. Look around any room in your home and you’re bound to find at least one or two devices or cords plugged into an outlet for no reason. The easiest and best way a homeowner can protect against power surges is to use a surge protector. When lightning strikes near a power line, its energy discharge can boost the line’s electrical pressure by millions of volts. _____ help prevent power surges. A severe enough surge could even start a fire! Surges can damage or destroy plugged-in electrical devices. Even a small, quick change can be extraordinarily damaging to electronics of all kinds including your air conditioner. How surge protectors work . That quick blast of current fries appliances, circuits, and anything else that is in its path and not protected. How to Protect Your Home from Power Surges. Most people associate power surges with lightning, and they are one cause. The suppressor will channel the extra electricity during the power surge and prevent it from getting into your main system. Until the problem is resolved make sure to unplug any electronic devices in the home. Surge Protection Levels. Unplug Devices. Power surges usually last only a fraction of a second, but they can cause intense damage to the electrical equipment in your home. Instead, the power will escape, forming an arc of electricity with the device. Finally, sometimes your electrical company accidentally creates surges during maintenance or operation. Take a look around your home, and you'll likely find dozens of idle items plugged in. All surge protectors are not created equal. Start with surge protectors, both large and small. And if it is damaged or the casing is … These whole-home surge protectors act as a gateway for electrical current and prevent sudden surges. Most appliances and electronics used in the United States are designed to be powered by this form of generated electric… The easiest and best way a homeowner can protect against power surges is to use a surge protector. These “switching surges” aren’t as severe as lightning surges, but they can still do damage. If you’re looking to prevent a surge from occurring, here are some things to keep in mind. Even if you have a whole-house … When devices are not in use, it’s best to unplug them to avoid damage in the event of a power surge. The easiest way to avoid power surge problems is to unplug devices that aren't being used. They’re a bit more expensive than plugging surge protectors into all of your outlets and hoping for the best. A surge protector exists to protect working computers, computer peripherals and devices from power surges emanating from a primary power source. Most people immediately think about their computer when the topic of power surges arises. That electrical boost runs through the power line and into your house, and BOOM! Most home appliances and devices use around this much power, though the actual voltage level fluctuates between 0-169 volts. Replace Old Wiring Electronic devices often have surge diverters fitted internally, but it is better to get rid of spikes at the source of supply. Â. The following are some tips on how to … Use a UPS/surge protector. The best protection is to unplug your computer. Power surges can take a huge toll on modern day appliances, destroying sensitive and expensive equipment without a moment’s warning. While modern electrical grids have become very good at supplying power evenly and safely, power surges are still common. So, if you have electronics, appliances or gadgets that you want to protect, make sure you get yourself some surge protection. Call or Click 24/7 Plumbing & Drain CleaningCall to Learn More About Career Opportunities. When lightning strikes near a power line, its energy discharge can boost the line’s electrical pressure by. A surge protector significantly reduces the risk, but it’s still a possibility. Power surges are just another reality of owning a home. a) Surge suppressor b) Spike protector c) UPS system d) High-grade multi-meter e) None of the above They contain one input to be plugged into the wall, and several outlets to plug other devices into. If you’re concerned that your AC unit may be causing frequent voltage spikes in your home, contact Mendel Plumbing and Heating to see if there’s anything we can do to help – 630-377-3608.. A power surge is a brief rise in Voltage which can destroy electrical appliances, especially computers and TV’s. Purchasing a quality surge protector, also called a surge suppressor or surge diverter, can help protect your home from damage caused by power surges. If you need help with any electrical problem, fully licensed electrical contracting professionals. Filed Under: Electrical Services Tagged With: electrical danger, electrical problems, electrical services, electricity, energy, home safety, power, power surge, power surges, shocking hazard. Protect specific electronic devices that are at-risk and sensitive. Here’s a quick primer on everything you should know about power surges, and what you can do to stop them. For more information on power surges, check out the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s informational booklet. Ensure the surge protector you purchase is made for your brand panel. They contain one input to be plugged into the wall, and several outlets to plug other devices into. Call a pro to determine if a ground fault is why your circuit breaker keeps tripping. The standard US voltage for homes and office premises is 120 volts. Avoid deploying unprotected power strips, which do nothing to protect … If you need help with any electrical problem, give Mike Diamond a call today. During a surge, the protector redirects excess voltage toward the grounding wire to neutralize it. This uncontained arc generates heat, which could melt or erode appliance components. Our fully licensed electrical contracting professionals have the experience and know-how necessarily to fix any electrical issues you might be having. Of course, you should reach out to a licensed electrician if you are not handy. A surge protector diverts voltage spikes safely to the ground rather than letting it enter the sensitive circuits of your appliances or equipment. When it comes to things like lightning strikes or a power surge caused by an external source, there's not much you can do to prevent the power surge, but it is possible to protect your home from internal and external power surges. Air conditioning units can switch on and off suddenly several times during the day, so property owners should be aware of what they can do to prevent power surges in their homes. Surge protectors are basically power strips. In extreme cases, they can even cause house fires! Don’t Pack Out a Power Strip. Most surges are a bit more mundane. If too much power surges into your house, a surge protection system will send the additional current to … Prevent Power Surges With A Whole House Surge Protector By Blake Daniel, Franchisee of Mr. Electric of West Fort Worth Whether it’s due to thunderstorms in the spring, ice storms in the winter, or blazing heat and power distribution regulation in the summer, the electricity supplied to your home can be unstable at times. In simple terms, an electrical power surge is a spike in voltage either coming into your Columbus, OH home or created within the home's electrical system. The suppressor will channel the extra electricity during the power surge and prevent it from getting into your main system. Power surges (also referred to as "voltage surges" or "transient voltages") Power surges are generally considered to be the most destructive of the four types of electrical power disturbances. have the experience and know-how necessarily to fix any electrical issues you might be having. When a surge travels into your home’s electrical current, the voltage supplied spikes way beyond the safe limit. It’s basically a house surge protector. Although power surges often are caused by strong electrical storms, damage to power lines or other external factors, more than half of all power surges in the home are caused by devices inside the home. ; Without surge protectors, the only way to protect your: HVAC System, Appliances & Electronics is to disconnect power to them. Power surges can come from a number of sources, but the most common is from lightning strikes. At one end, you have your basic $5 surge protector power strip, which will offer very little protection. When this happens, it’s highly likely that your plugged in devices will receive this surge of power than can … In fact, there is a tremendous range in both performance and price of protection systems. Every homeowner should know at least the basics about power surges, so they know how to prevent them. Power surges are spikes in voltage. Service-panel surge protectors work the same way, but they fit directly onto your circuit breaker. Advertisement. Even with a whole-house surge protector, it is crucial … This typically happens when a device — even one as small as a hair dryer — suddenly stops drawing power and causes a brief increase in voltage throughout the home. High-powered home appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators require a lot of power to switch on. In a lightning storm, you should never rely on your surge protector to save your computer. Unplugging Unused Devices. Modern homes have more electronic devices plugged in now than ever before. 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