Most everyone understands the dangers of an electrical power surge. A power surge is a sudden, brief increase in voltage that can damage electronic equipment. These days, our homes are full of electronic equipment, from computers to televisions to home security systems. A power surge can damage or destroy any of this equipment.
There are two main types of power surges: those caused by lightning and those caused by utility companies. Lightning is the most common cause of power surges. When lightning strikes a power line, it can create a surge of electricity that can travel through the power lines and into your home. This is why it’s so important to unplug electronics during a thunderstorm.
Utility companies can also cause power surges. When the utility company makes repairs or switches to a different power source, there can be a power surge. These power surges are usually much smaller than those caused by lightning, but they can still damage electronic equipment.
The best way to protect your home and electronics from power surges is to invest in a whole-house surge protector. A whole-house surge protector is installed at the main electrical panel and protects your entire home from power surges. If you have a home with multiple electrical panels, you should install a surge protector at each panel.
While whole-house surge protectors are the best way to protect your home, they aren’t the only option. You can also use surge protectors with individual outlets. These surge protectors can be plugged into an outlet and then have multiple electronics plugged into them.
No matter what type of surge protector you use, it’s important to remember that they aren’t 100% effective. The only way to completely protect your home and electronics from power surges is to unplug them when there is a storm or when utility companies are working on the power lines.
