For an incident that occurs very often, a power surge is relatively unknown to most people. As a result, they don’t know how to protect themselves from it. When the voltage racing through the electrical circuits in your home increases dramatically, it can harm your electrical system and destroy your appliances and gadgets. Here are some of the best ways to avoid costly damage to your technology during a power surge:
Understand the Causes
You’d be surprised to know that a home experiences more or less 20 power surges every day. Switching appliances on and off is an example of a simple everyday action that creates power surges by altering the flow of electricity across your house. Bigger power surges, meanwhile, are caused by downed power lines, lightning strikes, and bad wiring.
Any of these can cause the voltage to jump to hundreds or even thousands of volts and spark a charge. Understanding how a power surge can happen will help prevent damage to your appliances.
Use Surge Protectors
One of the simplest and most affordable ways you can protect your technology and home from power surges is to use surge protectors. Plug computers, televisions, and other appliances into these specialized power strips so you can keep them from getting destroyed by lower-voltage surges.
Surge protectors can also help with surges from switching appliances on and off. It’s important to note, however, that these devices can’t handle millions of volts that come from lightning strikes.
Unplug Sensitive Appliances During a Storm
As a precaution, unplug major devices such as appliances, televisions, and computers during a storm, when a lightning strike might occur. If they are plugged during calamities like hurricanes, the effects can be devastating and dangerous. Include unplugging devices in your hurricane checklist to protect your home from power surges.
Check Your Home’s Wiring
Faulty wiring is one of the main causes of power surges. If your home is old, there’s a big chance that your electrical system has issues, like old cloth-wrapped wires, brittle insulation, or outdated wires. To make sure your system is in good condition and avoid malfunction, like sparking discharge, get a full-house electrical inspection.
Use Outlets Strategically
Another simple way to avoid accidents caused by power surges is to not plug too many devices into one outlet. If you do, you could overload your circuit board, overheat the lines, and cause fluctuations in voltage, which can destroy your devices. Protect your technology by distributing your appliances strategically between the outlets instead of plugging them into just one.
Hire a Trusted Electrical Contractor Today
If you’re looking for trusted and highly trained residential electricians in La Crosse, WI, turn to us at Kish & Sons Electric. We are ready to tackle any project and will walk you through the process step-by-step. You can also rely on us during electrical emergencies. Contact us today for a free estimate.
