In the present world, people are very much dependent on electronic gadgets. Whether it be mobile phones, laptops, or other devices, we are obsessed with these. When it is about electronic gadgets, you must be aware of power surges. Well, you must know that power surges can cause electrical-related device damage. But you can prevent the effect of power surges.
During a power surge in the home, the voltage passing through the house will increase. If your electrical devices are unprotected, then they can burn out. In addition, the excess current produces more heat than the appliances can tackle.
However, you can use wiring devices by Unica in your home and office to prevent the risk of power surges.
What Is A Power Surge?
The power surges are an unexpected increase in voltage that races through the electrical circuits in your home. Almost in every home, the standard voltage is 120 volts, increasing up to 169 volts by a power surge.
Leading experts point out that in the event your home witnesses a power surge, you should never try to check it out for yourself. In other words, serious areas like power surges should never be DIY exercises. Make sure you are contacting contractors like a Master Electrical Service electrical contractor in Ogden, UT, or an electrician wherever you are based, for such problems.
During a power surge, the voltage increases excessively at one go. This rapidly increased voltage pushes too much electricity through the electrical devices connected to the main electric power. Power surge affects the devices that remain even turned off.
How Do Power Surges Cause Damage?
The voltage boost caused by a power surge results in an arc of electrical current within the electrical devices. The arc produces heat within the device that causes damage to its circuit boards and other components.
Smaller power surges may happen, too, when you turn on your HVAC. Thus, it damages your appliances gradually.
What Causes A Power Surge?
Power surges at your home may cause significant damage to electronics, devices, and you can plug them into any outlet. You may notice a severe surge that may cause substantial destruction. But we can recognize the small surges that last for the microsecond or less. To prevent this harmful effect, you need to reach the roots first.
Well, most people blame lightning strikes for the power surges. But the reason may vary. Some common reasons behind power surges are;
1. Downed Power Lines
When a storm happens, the wild swings in electrical voltage levels occur before the power goes out properly. It can cause power outages and power surges as well.
2. Bad Wiring
Cracked and frayed wiring can be the reason behind power surges. Therefore you must install good quality wiring to protect your home against a power surge.
3. High Power Demand
The demand for electricity gets very high during summer. In such a time, when we run all the devices like air coolers, air conditioners, refrigerators, it may cause a power surge.
4. High-Powered Electrical Devices
High-powered machines or appliances may cause energy spikes and power surges. It occurs when you switch the devices on, and the electronics draw a colossal amount of power to activate. The extra power travels through the circuit, and it overpowers the appliances within the same circuit.
Well, besides lightning, these are the common causes behind power surges.
4 Ways To Safeguard Your House Against Power Surge
The unexpected increase of power or voltage of an electric circuit may degrade, damage, or destroy the sensitive electronic devices. On Average, every home experiences almost 20 power surges every day.
Half of these power surges are internal that is caused by switching on and off the appliances. It alters the flow of electricity in your home. Every appliance, from a hairdryer to an HVAC system, creates surges all the time. The other causes are external.
However, some power surges are impossible to prevent. Still some power surges you can avoid by following some tips.
Let’s have a look at the four ways that may protect your house from a power surge.
1. Plug The Electronic Devices In Surge Protectors
The primary and easiest way to prevent a power surge is to plugin the electrical devices and appliances into the power surges protectors. While during a power surge, millions of volts come from the lightning strikes, the surge protector protects against the built-up damage. It also protects the electrical devices against the frequent lower-voltage surges that are all quite common.
2. Unplug The Essential Appliances And Sensitive Electronics During A Storm
Prevention is always better than cure. And to save your electronic devices, you need to maintain the precaution. When lightning strikes during a storm, it is enough to damage your electrical devices. The effects are dangerous and devastating.
Therefore, you must unplug all the electronic devices and appliances during a storm. However, a power strip power surges protector can keep the electrical devices the same. Still, it will be best if you unplug the machines.
3. Install a whole-home surge protection system
If you want to safeguard your home against power surges, a whole-home Hager surge protection system is the best way to do so. Unlike surge protectors, you need to install heavy-duty surge protection systems on the main electrical panel.
This surge protection system directly transfers the lighting into the ground, where it scatters harmlessly. Thus it is capable of protecting the entire house against a power surge. You can use a whole-home surge protection system and surge protector power strips for the best safety for the best protection.
4. Use The Outlets Wisely
To prevent the risk of power surges, avoid plugging so many power-hungry devices into the same outlet. Too many devices on the same outlet may overload the electrical system.
But you may protect your devices by avoiding too many large appliances in the nearby or same outlets served by the same circuit breaker. Too much pressure on the circuit can overheat the lines. Thus it causes fluctuations in voltage and harms your devices.
Conclusion
Almost every house experiences a power surge at some point. It may cause slight to significant damage to the electrical devices and appliances. But by following the mentioned tips, you may prevent harm to your electronics. Besides, by stopping power surges at home, you can save the considerable repair costs of the electrical devices.
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