A power surge can damage and even destroy any device plugged-in inside your home. A lot of homeowners are under the false assumption that surge protection is simply a matter of plugging a device into a multi-outlet surge suppressor that you can pick up at the local store. The reality is true surge protection must be hard-wired into your main electrical panel by a licensed electrician.
If you want to protect devices and appliances plugged into outlets everywhere in your home, like the home office or your media entertainment room, the only way to do it with certainty is with a whole house surge protector installation.
What is a Power Surge?
A power surge is a sudden increase in voltage that substantially exceeds the standard 120 volts. When a power surge happens, the wiring inside your device or appliance overheats and starts to burn. Modern homes have an abundance of important and expensive electronics and appliances, including computers, TVs, phones, stereos, and more that can all benefit from surge protection. Many electronic devices have circuitry and microchips that are especially sensitive to voltage fluctuations.
What Causes a Power Surge?
One of the most common reasons for power surges is the operation of heavy-duty electrical devices. Refrigerators, air conditioners, and clothes dryers are just some of the large appliances that require a lot of electricity to switch motors and compressors on and off. When these appliances create heavy demand for electricity it can disrupt the steady flow of voltage in your electrical system.
The following can also cause a power surge:
• Faulty electrical wiring
• Downed power lines
• Lightning
What is a Surge Protector?
When you hear the words “surge protector,” you probably picture a power strip with several devices plugged into it. Surge protectors work by passing the electrical current from the electrical outlet to the devices plugged into the strip. A surge or spike above the designated level causes the surge protector to automatically redirect the “extra” electricity into metal oxide varistors (MOVs) inside the power strip. Household power strips offer limited protection for devices and usually must be replaced after one power surge.
How Does a Whole House Surge Protector Work?
Whole house surge protectors work in much the same way, but they are built to withstand many power surges over the course of many years. They also protect all the appliances and devices receiving power from the electrical panel it’s wired to. Whole house surge protectors are a smart way to keep all your sensitive electronics and valuable appliances safe from electrical surge damage.
Schedule Your Whole House Surge Protection Installation
Wolfe Electric is an Omaha and Lincoln-based electric company with the knowledge, experience, and expertise to protect your home or business from power surges.