Let’s be real. It’s impossible to make it through the day without using an electronic device or appliance. Today, we rely heavily on technology and it’s not just for work purposes but for everyday use as well.
You might be watching the TV at home when all of a sudden the lights begin to flicker and the TV shuts off out of nowhere. In fact, you may even hear a popping sound. You may not think much of it, but this was actually an electronic power surge.
That’s why it’s very important to ensure that all your electronic appliances and devices are well protected from a potential power surge. Every home that has electronics will experience power surges now and them.
Power surge incidents happen unexpectedly, and if you’re least prepared for them, you’ll be bearing a lot of losses. If you haven’t invested in surge protection, it’s high time that you do. Without it, you’re putting your electronic devices and appliances at risk and also risk losing all valuable data stored in your devices.
There’s absolutely no one who wants to be in a position where because of a string surge they have to replace a heavy appliance that was never in their budget, to begin with. What is a power surge, the damage it causes, its causes, and how you can protect your electronics from one, this article will touch on these points and shed some light.
What is a Power Surge?
What is meant by a power surge? To put it simply, a power surge, is also commonly known as a voltage surge, is a spike in voltage in a very brief manner. However, the magnitude of the surge varies from small-scale surges to large-scale ones.
This varying fluctuation in voltage is exactly what makes some of these surges undetectable, while others can be rather catastrophic.
How Does a Power Surge Damage Electronics?
In the U.S., most power outlets operate through a 120-volt system. That said, this doesn’t mean that a constant flow of 120-volts is continuously running within your home. Basically, what actually happens is that an alternating current that rises and drops from 0 to 169 volts in a set rhythm.
The majority of appliances and electronics in the U.S. are unable to handle voltage that spikes above 169 volts. This rise in voltage creates heat that damaged the electrical components in your appliances and devices.
You might be unaware of when there’s a small power surge. However, even the bare minimal fluctuation of voltage makes an impact on your electronics by shortening its life, until when at one point it mysteriously stops working.
Common Cause of Power Surges
You might be wondering what actually causes a power surge. Therefore, let’s shed some light on the most common causes of a power surge.
Internal Source within the House
Almost 80% of power surges occur due to internal sources within a house, making this the most common cause for a power surge. When electronics devices with compressors and motors are turned on and off, they tend to interrupt the flow of voltage to and from your other electronics.
This circuit overload usually happens with power tools, HVAC units, air conditioners, hairdryers, and large appliances. In fact, small-scale power surges happen on a regular basis, causing your product to damage slowly or electronics rust.
Outdated Electrical Systems
Another common cause that results in an internally -causes power surge is an outdated electrical system and old and faulty wiring, which is very common in older homes that are still running on traditional wiring.
Most homes built before the ’80s have cheaper aluminum wiring as compared to copper wiring being done today. Now we know that outdated aluminum connections will eventually loosen and cause a power surge.
Lightning Strikes
Million cloud-to-ground lighting strikes are detected every year all over the world. Lightning strikes can easily cause large-scale power surges that have the potential of ruining any electronic plugged-in within an instance. The excess flow of current enters your home via your satellite dish, cable TV, electrical services lines, and telephone.
Car Accidents, Fallen Tree Limbs, and Wildlife
Car accidents and tree limbs that pull down power lines result in a power outage. Similarly, wildlife, such as birds, squirrels, can also cause interference with your electrical equipment by going into the transformers.
Conclusion
Well, we just shared all information you need for power surges. But how do you protect your electronics from power surges? You should invest in point-of-entry or whole house surge protectors if you haven’t done so already!
These devices will be installed in your main electrical panels and provide protection to your electronics during a surge. We hope you now have a better understanding of power surges!