If your home area experiences frequent rain and lightning strikes, chances are that your plug-in electronics, such as computers, TVs, fridges and entertainment systems, are at great risk because of power surges. A small power surge can destroy many electronic devices in your home. The surest way of protecting these devices is to use a surge protector, which absorbs the excess voltage spike. A surge protector not only safeguards your electronic devices but also protects electrical circuits. Talk to your local electrician for help with the installation of surge protection devices to protect your investments and make your home safe. Here are some things that homeowners must know about power surge protection.
What Causes Power Surges?
There are several reasons why power surges might occur in your home. First, the excessive voltage in power lines, known as overvoltage, coupled with lightning strikes may increase the voltage in the power lines. Your home is restricted to a certain amount of voltage that home appliances can handle. Spikes in voltage can cause power surges, leading to issues in the entire system. Second, improper wiring using low-quality wires is also a contributor to power surges. Poor wiring also includes the use of low-quality devices such as circuit breakers and fuses. Third, the use of many electrical appliances which draw excessive power can also compromise your home.
Install Surge Protection Devices
Surge protection devices are the best option for protecting your electrical system against power surges. There are various types of surge protectors for your home, depending on the source of the surge. Point-of-use protectors are incorporated in extension cables and can shunt small electrical surges that occur internally, especially from connected electronic devices. Furthermore, most surge protection devices are connected to in-home switch boxes where homeowners can easily access them. However, a plug-in surge protector does not cover appliances with circuit boards. A whole-house protector takes care of all the devices and wiring in your home. A certified electrician is best suited to install the surge protector as opposed to a DIY enthusiast because of the associated risks.
Upgrade Your Home Wiring System
Homes that were built decades ago probably have inadequate wiring that cannot withstand the needs for modern electrical appliances. Therefore, how do you know that your electrical wiring needs upgrading? Signs of dimming or flickering lights can be a great pointer to deficiencies in your cabling. Also, watch out for tripped circuit breakers and frequency of blown fuses. When these signs become frequent, then you might have a wiring problem on your hand. Call an electrical contractor to troubleshoot the problem before it becomes a fire hazard. An upgrade may entail replacing the entire wiring system, circuit breakers, and other fixtures with new ones that can withstand power overload.
