Electrical surges are more than just a nuisance—they can cause significant damage to your home’s electrical system and expensive electronics. A sudden surge in electrical power, whether due to lightning, power outages, or faulty appliances, can fry circuits, burn out appliances, and even lead to electrical fires. At Sparks Electrical Contracting, we understand how important it is to protect your home and the valuable electronics inside it.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into what electrical surges are, why they’re dangerous, and how you can protect your Barrie home from their devastating effects.
What Is an Electrical Surge?
An electrical surge, or power surge, occurs when there is a sudden spike in voltage in your electrical system. These spikes can last for just a fraction of a second but have the potential to cause permanent damage to your home’s wiring and electronics.
Common causes of electrical surges include:
Lightning Strikes: A lightning bolt can send a massive amount of electrical energy through power lines and into your home’s electrical system.
Utility Company Issues: A malfunction in the power grid or sudden fluctuations in voltage can lead to surges.
Large Appliances Turning On/Off: Appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners, and HVAC units can cause surges when they turn on or off, especially if they are malfunctioning or improperly wired.
Faulty Wiring or Outdated Electrical Equipment: Old or faulty wiring in your electrical system can contribute to surges, especially if the system cannot handle modern energy demands.
Why Are Electrical Surges Dangerous?
Electrical surges can cause a range of issues for your home and appliances:
1. Damage to Electronics
Surges can destroy sensitive electronics like televisions, computers, gaming systems, and other appliances. Even small surges, which might not seem like a big deal at the time, can gradually damage circuits inside electronics, leading to early failure. In some cases, it only takes a millisecond for a surge to wipe out your electronics completely.
2. Risk of Fire
A surge that damages wiring can cause overheating, which increases the risk of an electrical fire. Surges can weaken wiring, blow fuses, and trip circuit breakers, but if the damage is severe enough, it can result in a dangerous fire hazard.
3. Appliance Damage
Appliances like refrigerators, washers, dryers, and microwaves are expensive investments. A power surge can cause a significant loss in performance or even completely destroy these appliances. In many cases, repairs or replacements can be costly and inconvenient.
4. Power Outages
While power outages themselves are not caused by surges, a surge can occur when power is restored after an outage. This sudden influx of power can cause problems for your electrical system and equipment if you're not properly protected.
How to Protect Your Home from Electrical Surges
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to protect your home from the damaging effects of electrical surges.
1. Install a Whole-Home Surge Protector
A whole-home surge protector is one of the best ways to safeguard your entire home against electrical surges. Installed directly at your electrical panel, this device protects all of the electrical systems and appliances in your home. It works by diverting excess voltage to the ground, preventing it from entering your home’s circuits.
Whole-home surge protectors offer the highest level of protection, covering everything from lights and outlets to major appliances and home electronics. While they can require a bit more upfront investment, they are incredibly effective at providing peace of mind and long-term protection.
2. Use Point-of-Use Surge Protectors
For extra protection, consider using point-of-use surge protectors for sensitive electronics and appliances. These are the surge protector strips you plug into an outlet and connect individual devices to.
They are especially important for high-end electronics like computers, TVs, and home entertainment systems. While these don’t offer the same level of
protection as a whole-home surge protector, they are an easy and inexpensive addition to your home.
3. Unplug Electronics During Storms
During electrical storms, unplugging your electronics is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect them from lightning strikes. If you know a storm is coming or if your area is prone to lightning, it’s worth taking the time to disconnect devices like televisions, computers, or even your microwave.
This is especially important for devices connected to cable or satellite lines, as surges can travel through these connections as well.
4. Keep Your Electrical System Up-to-Date
An outdated or improperly installed electrical system is more vulnerable to surges and other electrical issues. Regular electrical inspections by a licensed professional like those at Sparks Electrical Contracting can help identify weak spots in your wiring, old panels, or other areas where a surge might cause issues.
If your home is still using an old electrical panel, older wiring systems, or appliances that are prone to power fluctuations, upgrading your system will provide more robust protection and overall efficiency.
5. Install Surge-Protected Outlets
For added protection in specific areas of your home (like the kitchen or home office), you can install surge-protected outlets. These outlets are designed to block surges from reaching your appliances and devices. Surge-protected outlets are a great addition to areas where you have high-value electronics that need extra protection.
Why Choose Sparks Electrical Contracting?
At Sparks Electrical Contracting, we’re committed to helping homeowners in Barrie protect their homes from electrical hazards, including power surges. Our experienced electricians can evaluate your current electrical system, install a whole-home surge protector, and provide recommendations for improving the overall safety and efficiency of your wiring.
Ready to protect your home from the dangers of electrical surges?
Call Sparks Electrical Contracting for an expert consultation. Let us help you secure your home’s electrical system and prevent the damage surges can cause.
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