Power surges are an often-overlooked electrical hazard that can cause extensive damage to your home’s electrical system and the expensive devices plugged into it. When a surge occurs, the voltage in your electrical circuits spikes far above the normal level, potentially frying anything connected to your outlets. However, with the right precautions—like using surge protectors—you can safeguard your valuable electronics and avoid costly repairs or replacements.
At Kish & Sons Electric, we provide expert residential electrical services to help protect your home and keep your electrical systems running smoothly. In this blog, we’ll discuss what types of items should always be plugged into a surge protector, explain why power surges happen, and offer tips on how to protect your home.
Understanding Power Surges
First, let’s explore what causes power surges. Power surges can occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from minor fluctuations caused by turning appliances on and off to more significant events like lightning strikes or downed power lines. Even smaller surges that happen regularly—up to 20 times a day—can gradually wear down your electronics over time, shortening their lifespan.
Large power surges, such as those caused by lightning strikes or utility company issues, can cause a massive spike in voltage, instantly damaging anything connected to the circuit. While it’s challenging to protect against such extreme surges, surge protectors are your first line of defense against everyday surges that can cause gradual damage. Kish & Sons Electric specializes in electrical services that can help prevent these issues, including full-home surge protection solutions.
Why Surge Protectors Matter
Surge protectors act as a barrier between your devices and harmful power surges. These devices divert excess electricity away from your appliances, preventing voltage spikes from reaching your electronics. While a surge protector may not stop a massive surge like those caused by lightning, it can safeguard your equipment from the more common, lower-voltage surges that occur daily.
Not all surge protectors are created equal, so it’s essential to choose one that matches the needs of your devices. Surge protectors with a higher joule rating (which measures the amount of energy they can absorb) offer more protection. If you’re unsure which surge protectors are best for your home, Kish & Sons Electric offers residential electrical services that include expert advice on surge protection for your specific needs.
1. Computers and Laptops
Your computer is one of the most critical pieces of technology to protect. Whether you’re working, gaming, or simply browsing, a sudden power surge can wipe out your hard drive, destroy your data, and render your machine useless. Considering the cost of replacing a computer and the potential loss of valuable files, always plug your desktop or laptop into a surge protector.
For added safety, consider using an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) that combines surge protection with battery backup. A UPS can provide power for a short time during an outage, giving you the chance to save your work and safely shut down your computer. Kish & Sons Electric’s team of residential electricians can help you assess your home office setup to ensure it’s properly protected.
2. Televisions and Home Theater Systems
Modern televisions and home theater systems are more advanced and expensive than ever, with some models costing thousands of dollars. Unfortunately, these devices are also vulnerable to power surges. A surge can easily damage the internal circuitry of your TV or audio system, leaving you with a hefty repair bill.
Plugging your TV, soundbar, gaming consoles, and streaming devices into a surge protector can prevent this damage. Make sure the surge protector you choose has enough outlets to accommodate all the components of your entertainment system. If you’re setting up a new home theater system, Kish & Sons Electric offers residential electrical services that include outlet installation and surge protection to safeguard your investment.
3. Kitchen Appliances
Large kitchen appliances like refrigerators, microwaves, and ovens are essential to your daily life, and they often have sensitive electronic controls that can be damaged by a power surge. Protecting these appliances from surges can help extend their lifespan and avoid costly repairs or replacements.
While not every kitchen appliance needs to be plugged into a surge protector, items with digital displays or electronic controls should be. For example, microwaves, dishwashers, and refrigerators can all benefit from surge protection. Kish & Sons Electric can assist you in evaluating which of your appliances would benefit from this added layer of protection.
4. Gaming Consoles and Smart Home Devices
Gaming consoles are a significant investment, and a power surge can cause extensive damage, leading to lost game progress and potentially expensive repairs. Whether you own a PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, it’s crucial to plug your console into a surge protector to avoid these risks.
Additionally, as smart home devices become more common, it’s essential to protect them from power surges as well. Devices like smart thermostats, security cameras, smart speakers, and other Internet of Things (IoT) gadgets are often running 24/7, making them particularly vulnerable to power surges. Using a surge protector for your smart home devices ensures they stay functional and connected. If you need help setting up or protecting your smart home devices, Kish & Sons Electric’s team of residential electricians can provide guidance.
5. Home Office Equipment
If you work from home, protecting your office equipment should be a top priority. Printers, scanners, external hard drives, and other essential devices can all be damaged by power surges. Protecting them with surge protectors ensures you can continue working without interruption, even if a power surge occurs.
For business owners who rely on computers and other office equipment, the cost of a power surge can be devastating. Replacing equipment and dealing with lost data can lead to significant downtime. Investing in surge protectors for your home office can help mitigate these risks and keep your business running smoothly. Kish & Sons Electric’s residential electrical services can help you design a safe and efficient home office setup.
6. Modems and Routers
Your internet connection is vital for both work and entertainment, so protecting your modem and router from power surges is essential. A surge can not only damage the hardware but also disrupt your internet connection, leading to downtime. Using a surge protector for these devices ensures that your home stays connected.
Final Tips for Surge Protection
In addition to using surge protectors, here are a few more tips to protect your home from power surges:
- Unplug Devices During a Storm: Lightning strikes can cause massive power surges, so it’s a good idea to unplug sensitive electronics during a storm, especially if you don’t have whole-home surge protection installed.
- Check Your Home’s Wiring: Faulty wiring can increase the likelihood of power surges. If your home is older or you’re experiencing frequent electrical issues, consider getting a professional electrical inspection. Kish & Sons Electric’s residential electricians can assess your home’s wiring to ensure it’s safe and up to code.
- Don’t Overload Outlets: Plugging too many devices into a single outlet can lead to overheating and increase the risk of power surges. Distribute your devices across multiple outlets to avoid overloading your circuits.
Protecting your home from power surges is crucial to keeping your electronics safe and functioning properly. By using surge protectors for essential devices like computers, televisions, kitchen appliances, and more, you can prevent costly damage and extend the life of your equipment. If you have any questions about surge protection or need expert electrical services, we’re here to help. Contact Kish & Sons, your friend in the business, for expert advice and professional service from trusted residential electricians.
