Electrical surges can cause serious damage to expensive electronics and appliances. As someone who relies on functioning devices, preventing surges is a top priority for me. In this comprehensive guide, I will explain what causes surges, how they can damage your belongings, and most importantly—how to protect my home from their destruction.
What Causes Electrical Surges?
Electrical surges, also known as voltage spikes or transient voltages, occur when there is a sudden and unexpected increase in voltage on an electrical circuit. There are several common causes of surges:
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Lightning strikes - Direct lightning hits on power lines can cause enormous surges by introducing hundreds of extra volts into the system. Even strikes that don't directly hit lines can induce surges through electromagnetic energy.
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Faults in power lines - Damage to power lines from accidents, weather, or animals can cause surges as electricity is suddenly rerouted.
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Turning large appliances on/off - The startup current required by large motor-driven appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners can potentially cause voltage drops and spikes.
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Tree branches touching lines - Tree limbs touching power lines, especially in windy weather, can disrupt flow and lead to surges.
How Do Surges Damage Devices?
Electrical surges can be extremely damaging to electronics and appliances because they expose delicate circuitry to currents and voltages far beyond what the devices are designed to handle. Specifically, surges damage devices in two main ways:
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Spikes exceeding voltage tolerances - Voltage spikes that exceed a device's designed operating range can arc across and fry microchips and other components. For example, a 120V TV subjected to a 500V spike may sustain irreparable damage.
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Power cycling on and off - The abrupt surges and drops in electricity can cause devices to rapidly power cycle on and off. This stresses components and can lead to premature failure.
Even small surges that are not enough to fully destroy a device immediately can degrade performance or shorten its lifespan over time.
Effective Surge Protection Strategies
Protecting my sensitive belongings from harmful electrical surges is crucial. Here are some key methods I use to stop surges in their tracks before they can reach my equipment:
Whole House Surge Protectors
Installing a whole house surge protector at my electrical panel is the first line of defense. These devices act like firewalls by limiting voltage spikes coming through the main service entry lines before electricity reaches any outlets. They protect all the connected devices in the home.
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I installed a heavy duty surge protector rated for at least 40-50kA of surge absorption. This ensures enough protection for a large home.
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I make sure it includes protection modes for both Line-Ground and Line-Neutral. This covers all paths surges can take.
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For max protection, I chose a model with a staged multi-component design over simple single MOV units.
Point-of-Use Surge Protectors
I also use point-of-use surge protectors that plug into outlets on critical device circuits for redundancy. They absorb surges that may get past the panel protector:
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I deploy them near electronics like TVs, computers, and game systems. They add an extra layer of security.
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I opt for protectors with an UL 1449 3rd Edition rating to verify robust surge handling.
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I replace them every 2-3 years as their protection capabilities degrade over time.
Surge Protected Power Strips
For clustered devices like home entertainment systems, I use high quality surge protected power strips.
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They defend multiple items from surges with inexpensive, replaceable protection units. Much easier than multiple wall outlet units.
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I ensure full coverage by only plugging strip protectors directly into wall outlets, never chaining them together.
Preventative Equipment Maintenance
Lastly, I reduce my surge risk by maintaining electrical equipment properly:
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I routinely prune tree branches away from power lines on my property to avoid disruptive contact.
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I make sure wires and connectors on appliances are in good condition and undamaged.
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I address any tripped breakers or faults quickly to limit potential spikes.
Enjoy Peace of Mind!
Taking a layered approach to surge protection provides extensive defense against damaging voltage spikes. By combining whole house, point-of-use, and power strip protectors – and properly maintaining electrical systems – I keep my valued electronics safe and operational for years to come. Careful surge protection gives me great peace of mind knowing my devices are secure despite electrical threats.