Electrical Tips

When you think about electrical malfunctions, you probably picture sparks flying or fires starting. Those are certainly possible scenarios, but they’re also well-known. If people see sparks or fire, they generally know that’s a bad sign and respond by calling their electrical company. But another common hazard is a bit more subtle: the electrical surge. Potentially dangerous and costly, it can damage electronics and even your home’s electrical system. That’s why surge protection is an important thing to read up on. Luckily, you’re in the right place.

Today we want to discuss how to keep your home and your tech safe with residential surge protection and surge protection devices.

1. Understand What Causes Power Surges

You can’t fully understand power surges without knowing what causes them. Let’s start with an easy example: lightning strikes. These events infuse your system with enough energy to power a small town, and all that energy being delivered to a single structure is bound to cause problems if you don’t have proper mitigation devices.

But lightning strikes are just the “exciting” cause. In reality, more routine events can cause surges as well. Things like utility grid fluctuations, power line switching, and large appliances cycling on and off can contribute.

Then there are the minor surges. These may not even trip a breaker and you probably don’t notice them, but they can slowly wear down the performance and lifespan of your devices.

2. Use High-Quality Surge Protection Devices

Power strips are wonderful devices! They give you more outlets for all your devices. After all, even some beds need to be plugged in these days. But if you’re simply adding outlets with no grounding to an already-overloaded circuit, you’re likely damaging your devices over time.

While it’s nice to have more outlets, it’s worth noting that not all power strips are surge protectors, and not all surge protectors are created equal. When shopping for devices, keep an eye out for products that are rated to absorb and redirect excess voltage.

Here’s what you should prioritize:

• Joule rating: The amount of energy the device can withstand before failing (a higher rating is better)

• Response time: How quickly the device activates during a surge

• Indicator lights: Allow you to easily tell whether the device is functioning properly or not

When you invest in quality surge protection devices, you can prevent expensive damage to TVs, gaming consoles, computers, and more.

3. Install Whole-Home Surge Protection

Want to take your surge protection efforts even further? Plug-in devices can work very well, but whole-home residential surge protection really enhances protection. It stops surges at the source: your electrical panel. Such hardwired solutions provide protection for your everyday devices, but also bigger appliances that a power strip can’t reach 

Whole-home protection is quite valuable in covering HVAC systems, fridges and freezers, laundry appliances, dishwashers, home office equipment, and smart home devices; in essence, it provides peace of mind that even the biggest devices in your home will be safe from surges.

4. Unplug Electronics During Severe Storms

Not every solution for protecting from surges is a high-tech one. Take the “unplugging” method, for example. We know it’s not reasonable to tell you to unplug all your devices when they aren’t in use, but it’s a valuable step to take if a storm is looming.

In such cases, make sure you unplug valuable electronics like:

• Televisions
• Computers
• Gaming systems
• Networking equipment
• Home theater gear

This is an increasingly important step to take these days, as many devices (especially computers and game systems) are increasing in price. Taking some time to unplug your valuable devices could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

5. Schedule Regular Electrical Inspections

Does your home have outdated wiring? What about aging panels or, worse yet, improperly installed equipment? If your answer to any of these questions is “yes,” you have increased surge risk. Are you not sure what the answers even are? All the more reason to schedule regular inspections with a trusted electrician and ensure your electrical system is up to current standards (pun not intended). The inspections we offer can help determine whether your home would benefit from whole-home protection or surge protection devices.

Your Electrical System’s Safety Depends on Proper Surge Protection

Surge damage isn’t something you’ll find in a disaster movie. It can happen quietly, and sometimes over long periods of time. When you understand surge protection and the damage surges can cause, you can use that understanding to prolong the life of your electronics and your electrical system itself. The expenses this can save you in the long run are massive.

Want to stay on top of your electrical system’s health and keep it in top shape? Get in touch with Holtzople Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical Services. We know a thing or ten about residential surge protection, and we’re ready to put our expertise to use to make sure your system is covered. Get in touch with us today!