Electric surges of certain amounts are not harmful, but first, you should understand what they are. Power surges are quick increases in voltage that are sent to your house.
Your power company provides a certain amount of voltage required to have the right amount of flow. When the power company is having problems, the voltage supplied to your house changes. If the voltage changes a lot, you will experience a power surge.
Was the power surge harmful to your electronics? What are the symptoms? We hope to answer those questions and more here.
What is a Power Surge?
A power surge also called a transient voltage or a voltage spike is an electrical spike that features a brief spike in voltage that is outside of the normal range of voltage for a given circuit or device. These surges can cause permanent damage or failure to electronic devices, such as computers, microwaves, air conditioning units, and more.
To help protect against these surges, you can install a surge protector. It will help direct excess voltage to the ground and protect the circuits of your devices.
Causes of Power Surges
The most common causes of a power surge are lightning strikes, electrostatic discharge, fluctuations, shorts, or wiring issues. A lightning strike can be the most powerful and destructive surge event, causing a tremendous amount of damage to any connected electrical devices. Electrostatic discharges occur when electrical charges are created between objects such as walls, plugs, and other equipment.
Lights flickering usually occur during periods of high and low demand and can cause surges to travel along the power lines. Damage to the wiring can result from rodents and other animals gnawing on the lines and tearing insulation, which can cause a short circuit and fire. Lastly, shorts can occur when two wires are bridged and unintended electricity is directed to a place it was not intended.
How to Reduce the Risk
To reduce the risk of a power or electrical surge, it is important to take preventive measures, such as ensuring that all surge protectors, extension cords, and power strips are working properly, and replacing any damaged ones. It is also important to keep all appliances, including computers and electronic devices, away from windows and away from areas where lightning strikes often occur.
To avoid additional damage to equipment, it is important to unplug electronic items during a power surge. Lastly, make sure that the power strips and surge protectors used to protect electronic equipment are of good quality and up to date by hiring an electrician to check on them.
Take Preventive Measures to Avoid an Electrical Emergency
Power surges can create an expensive and dangerous problem. Taking the necessary steps to protect your electronics can save time, hassle, and money. Invest in power surge protectors to prevent damage to electronics and keep your home safe.
If you have electrical problems, it’s best to call a professional. They are trained to deal with any kind of electrical emergencies.
Found this interesting? Read the rest of our blog and learn more!
