Homes today have more precision electrical equipment in them than ever before. In fact, you probably have multiple devices connected to your home’s power supply at any time, right? And there are likely many power charging stations handling your portable devices. Are you adequately protecting them?
This is important for you to know. A voltage spike can cause irreparable damage to electrical equipment, devices, and appliances, and power strips strategically placed around your home are not enough protection. Keep reading to learn more, and when you’re looking for electricians in Waterloo, IA, look no further than our team!
What Does a Power Surge Mean for You Home?
Also known as a voltage spike, a power surge is when there is a sudden increase in voltage through your electrical system. This spike is capable of literally melting wires, blowing fuses, and tripping circuit breakers.
For many homeowners, the understanding of a power surge is that it only happens if it is storming outside—like if there is a lightning bolt. This can certainly cause a power surge, but it’s not the only cause of a power surge.
In fact, many power surges actually come from inside the house! When a powerful electrical appliance is turned on (like your air conditioning system) it may cause an imbalance in the electrical current, creating a surge. For instance, have you ever noticed the lights in your home flicker when the AC or the compressor in the refrigerator kicks on? This is the result of a power surge.
A Power Strip is Not Comprehensive Protection
Power strips are a safe alternative to older, “octopus” plugs that were used to allow for more appliances to plug into a single outlet. A power strip contains its own circuit breakers, so in cases of a voltage surge, the strip itself will shut off power to prevent damage to the appliances plugged into it.
We do recommend that you use power strips around your living space for wherever you have important equipment plugged in. But these power strips are only your first, and very basic, line of defense against power surges, and they’re not that powerful.
The best kind of surge protection you can get for your home is whole-house surge protection. One of our professional electricians can install this into the electrical panel of your home. This panel is where the electricity from the grid enters the home and divides it into individual circuits. A surge protector on the panel itself sends excess voltage down into the ground instead of back into your electrical system.
This process prevents the voltage spike from reaching the rest of your home, and it’s capable of handling extreme surges from storms and power plant problems too.
We want you to be able to make an informed decision when it comes to protecting your home and your family. If you have any questions about surge protection, please don’t hesitate to contact our team.
At Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc., your comfort is our promise! To set up an appointment, give us a call at the number above, email customerservice@daltonphc.com or schedule an appointment online.