How to Eliminate Annoying Electrical Surges in Your Home Once and For All

Electrical surges can cause damage to appliances and electronics in your home. Here is how to prevent electrical surges from occurring and protect your devices.

What Causes Electrical Surges?

Electrical surges, also known as voltage spikes or power spikes, happen when there is a sudden and brief increase in voltage in an electrical circuit. There are several potential causes of power surges:

• Lightning strikes - When lightning hits nearby power lines, it can induce a surge that travels to your home's electrical system. Lightning strikes are one of the most common causes of power surges.

• Faults in power lines - Damage to power lines from storms, animals, vegetation, or equipment failure can cause surges when power is restored.

• Switching on heavy appliances - When large appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines cycle on, they create a momentary spike in voltage.

• Faulty wiring - Damaged, loose, or corroded wiring and connections can lead to localized surges as electricity fluctuates.

How Power Surges Damage Electronics

Power surges can be harmful because they can overwhelm electronics and appliances, leading to malfunctions, shorts, and permanent damage. Here's why:

• Surges put excessive stress on delicate components like computer chips, motors, and data storage devices. This can degrade performance over time.

• Voltage spikes can overheat wires and connections, melting insulation and causing fires.

• Surges outside the operating tolerance can instantly fry electronics. An extreme power surge from a lightning strike can ruin unprotected devices.

• Frequent smaller surges from appliance cycling can incrementally damage components, shortening the lifespan of appliances and electronics.

Solutions for Protecting Against Surges

Here are some of the most effective solutions for guarding your home's electrical system and devices against power surges:

Whole House Surge Protectors

A whole house surge protector is installed at your main electrical panel or meter and provides the best overall protection from surges. It protects all the circuits in your home by diverting excess voltage before it can reach outlets and devices.

• Safeguards all electronics - Full coverage for all devices in the house. No need for individual surge protectors.

• Protects from both outside surges and those created internally by large appliances.

• Models with indicators alert you if protection has been compromised so it can be replaced.

Point-of-Use Surge Protectors

Plug-in surge protectors for individual devices and outlets offer more convenient and portable protection:

• Protect electronics like computers, TVs, and gaming systems.

• Widely available and inexpensive. Can supplement whole house surge protection.

• Replace frequently as protection can wear out over time, especially after absorbing surges.

Surge-Protected Power Strips

Power strips with surge protection allow you to protect multiple devices that plug into the strip. Features to look for:

• High joule rating indicates the maximum surge that can be absorbed. Look for at least 1000 joules.

• Protection indicator light alerts when protection has worn out and the strip should be replaced.

• Right angle plugs allow large power bricks to be plugged in without blocking other outlets.

• Heavy duty braided cables resist fraying and fire hazards.

Grounding and Bonding

Properly grounding your electrical system and bonding all grounding elements provides a safe path for diverting surges. This can be handled by a licensed electrician:

• Install a ground rod to provide a path to earth ground.

• Ensure proper connection and size of ground wires.

• Bond the grounding system components so charges flow safely to ground.

How to Check for and Prevent Electrical Surges

Here are some additional tips for identifying and avoiding electrical surges around your home:

• Listen for popping sounds from outlets or electronics that can indicate surges.

• Check for discolored or warm outlets that signal faulty wiring that causes surges.

• Upgrade old or damaged wiring to prevent disturbances that lead to surges.

• Avoid overloading circuits which can stress the system and lead to fluctuations.

• Install energy efficient lighting to reduce the initial surge when switched on. Use dimmers for better control.

• Replace aging power strips and surge protectors. Their protection wears out over time.

• Unplug electronics during storms to avoid lightning strike surges.

By taking preventative measures and using quality surge protection equipment, you can safeguard your home's electrical system and expensive connected devices from the harm caused by power surges. Rest easier knowing your electronics are safe from random spikes, surges, and fluctuations.