In our modern world, we would be lost without the technologies we have come to rely on for everyday tasks. From smartphones to TVs, computers to security systems, today’s homes are filled with a wide range of sensitive electronic devices. Sensitive electronics improve our lives by maintaining our comfort and increasing our productivity, so protecting them from electrical issues is critical. What many homeowners fail to realize is just how vulnerable these systems are to sudden spikes in electricity. These sudden voltage spikes can damage or even destroy your household appliances and electronics if they’re not adequately protected. And in New England communities like Northborough, the threat of power surges is an ongoing risk due to seasonal storms, aging infrastructure, and fluctuating power demands.
Below, we’ll explore the most reliable defense against these power surges: surge protectors. First, understanding what power surges are, the types that occur, and the potential damage they can cause will highlight the importance of surge protectors. We’ll learn how surge protectors work to safeguard your home, the different options available, their benefits, and how to get one installed to protect your electrical investments. Let’s get started.
An Invisible Threat: What are Power Surges?
Power surges are spontaneous, brief increases in the flow of electrical current through a home’s wiring. Power surges exceed the standard 120-volt voltage usually supplied to a home in the United States. Designed to operate at a consistent voltage, sensitive electronics can easily be overwhelmed and damaged when the regular voltage level spikes. Sometimes damage may not be immediately evident, and it may instead shorten the lifespan of the device or appliance. And while utility companies strive to deliver stable power, surges are inevitable.
Power surges can be generated both inside and outside the home. Here’s the difference:
- Internal Surges: Originating inside the home, internal surges account for close to 80% of all power surges. Internal surges occur when a large appliance cycles on or off, briefly sending a voltage spike throughout the electrical system. They are more common in houses with aging or faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, and when too many devices share the same outlet.
- External Surges: Coming from outside the home, external surges originate from outside sources, such as lightning, downed power lines, or issues with the power grid. When power fails and is suddenly restored, it can create a “surge” as electricity rushes back into the system
The most common causes of power surges include:
- Lightning strikes
- Utility grid switching during maintenance or outages.
- Downed power lines.
- Large appliances cycling off and on.
- Outdated wiring or electrical panels.
When these power surges occur, and your home is unprotected, they can affect nearly every electrical system in the house. The damage that can occur includes:
- Completely fried electronics, such as TVs, computers, routers, and smart devices.
- Damage to control boards and other components of large appliances and HVAC units.
- Wire insulation and connections can be damaged after repeated surges, increasing the risk of fire.
- Lost or corrupted digital data that has been stored on computers and servers.
Power surges do not have to be obvious to cause damage. Even small surges, repeated over time, can slowly degrade devices without homeowners realizing it until they fail unexpectedly. So what can you do to protect your investments?
Surge Protectors: A Home’s Guardian
Protecting homes from damaging power surges is more important than ever, given our growing reliance on electrical devices and appliances for everyday living. Surge protectors were developed to detect excess voltage in the electrical system and divert it away from connected equipment. Acting as a protective barrier, surge protectors absorb the excess energy so your devices don’t have to.
How Surge Protectors Work
Working nonstop, surge protectors continuously monitor voltage. When a spike is detected, these guardians respond immediately by diverting extra energy before it can flow throughout the entire home. Happening in fractions of a second, here’s how they do it:
- Continuous monitoring while energy is flowing through the system at a standard voltage rate.
- When a spike happens, the device’s voltage-sensitive resistors, or MOVs, are activated. They transfer the extra energy to the ground wire by switching from a high-resistance state to a low-resistance state, which directs the extra voltage to the ground wire.
- The ground wire then redirects the energy, preventing the electrical surge from reaching your appliances and devices.
Surge protectors play a silent yet invaluable role in protecting electrical devices from power spikes. However, surge protectors won’t last forever and need to be replaced from time to time.
Types of Surge Protectors
When considering surge protectors for your home, it’s important to note that not all are created equal. Each house has unique needs, and homeowners may have preferences regarding the level of protection. Here are several types of home surge protectors available:
- Plug-In Protectors: Commonly used for computers, TVs, and small electronics, plug-in surge protectors are the most common and affordable. They look just like a power strip with multiple outlets, but with built-in surge protection. These surge protectors are practical and helpful, but they do not protect hardwired systems; they only protect those that are plugged into them.
- Whole-Home Protectors: Installed into your home’s electrical panel by an electrical contractor, whole-home surge protectors provide complete protection for all circuits in the house. They are more durable and provide long-term protection, making them a desirable choice for many homeowners, particularly those who live in areas prone to power outages.
- Point-of-Use Protectors: Point-of-use surge protectors are another common type used by homeowners. They are installed directly into a wall outlet, offering localized protection. These surge protectors only protect the equipment plugged into the outlet where they’re installed.
For surge protectors purchased and installed by the homeowner, verify that they are certified (UL 1449) to ensure they meet safety standards. For whole-home surge protector installation, working with a licensed electrical contractor in Northborough provides the peace of mind that the job will be done right.
The Benefits of Surge Protectors
Protecting your home appliances and devices should be a no-brainer. Investing in surge protection offers several benefits:
- Equipment Life: Protecting your devices and appliances in the home from voltage spikes, surge protectors help your electronics last longer and minimize the need for premature replacements.
- Cost Savings: By extending the life of appliances and devices and protecting them from power surge damage, homeowners can realize financial savings through reduced repair and replacement costs.
- Increased Safety: By containing voltage surges, surge protectors minimize the risk of fire. Some surge protectors even include additional features, such as overload protection.
The peace of mind homeowners have with surge protectors, knowing their home is safe and protected against unpredictable events, makes them a wise addition to any Northborough home. A whole-home surge protector installation is a practical upgrade for any home with modern electronics, electric vehicle chargers, or smart-home systems.
How Surge Protectors Are Installed
Installed directly into the main electrical panel, whole-home surge protectors involve working with high-voltage components, making professional installation by a licensed electrical contractor non-negotiable. Here’s a quick run-down of how they’ll do it:
- A professional electrician will first assess the home’s electrical system and panel capacity. They will also evaluate the value of your appliances and the risks of local power surges.
- Next, they’ll recommend the best option for your home’s unique needs.
- Now, they’re ready to install the device into your main panel, ensuring it’s properly grounded and compliant with local codes.
- Last, surge protectors should be professionally inspected at least once a year.
Working with an electrical contractor in Northborough who is familiar with local codes and regional conditions assures homeowners that the system has been installed safely and functions as it should.
Surge Protectors: A Simple Upgrade for Lasting Protection
Although power surges are an unavoidable part of life, their impact can be reduced. Surge protectors, especially whole-home protectors, are an essential piece of defense, protecting everything from phones to HVAC units. With a better understanding of how and why power surges occur and how surge protection works, homeowners can begin choosing the right surge protector for their homes. With the help of a professional electrical contractor, whole-home surge protector installation can help defend against electrical threats, keeping your home safe and powered reliably, and ensuring you get the most life out of every appliance and electronic device you own.