At some point, every household will experience a power surge. These surges have the potential to damage your electrical devices, appliances, the electrical system, and even be a safety hazard. Generally, a safety measure that is in place for when power surges occur is the circuit breaker which will trip. It will shut down the power to the surged area to protect your assets and keep you safe. There are additionally safety measure you can take and if you are able to recognize a power surge, you can be more equipped to take additional preventative steps to reduce the surges or protect your system when they do occur. We at Simon Electric would like to take the opportunity to expound on power surges.
What are Power Surges in My House?
Power surges occur because there’s an unexpected interruption to the flow of electricity through the grid or a device that is drawing in electricity puts it back into the system instead. Although some homes are equipped with 240 volts to accommodate certain appliances, U.S. homes use 120 volts as the primary voltage. A power surge can be produced if these devices are plugged into an outlet without proper protection. The power surge will lead to damaging the device or appliance and potentially produce other hazards.
Voltage Surge Causes
These quick spikes of electrical currents can be created in less than a thousandth of a second and the voltage varies. The surges are caused by a number of factors; the common sources are as follows:
1) A power surge can be the cause of tree limbs growing into the line, breaking off into the line, or swaying in the wind, interrupting the line.
2) A power surge, and often electrocution is produced from wildlife tampering with electrical equipment.
3) A flooding of electricity flowing through the system and into appliances causes a power surge due to a power outage and sudden restoration of the power. To prevent a power surge during a blackout, unplug all major appliances and devices and once the power is restored, plug them back in.
4) A power surge is often the result of lightning striking at just the right location. To reduce the surges from lightning, install a lightening rod.
5) Circuit breakers, as mentioned, are designed to protect your electrical system during a power surge where it will trip and immediately shut the power off. If the circuit breaker is damaged or malfunctioning, the surges can be difficult to track.
6) Wiring that is faulty or in poor condition.
7) When a major appliance or high-energy component, such as a motor, is flipped on the power spikes, causing a surge. These not only damage the outlets but will damage the appliance or device. Such devices/appliances include space heaters, refrigerators, or air conditioners.
Warning Signs of Power Surge Electrical Problems
Warning signs of too many power surges include noticing the circuit breaker tripping frequently, or your appliances or devices losing power, failing, or breaking down. To reduce power surges, invest in safety switches, surge protectors, and simply keeping the devices you are not using regularly unplugged until you need them.
Residential Electrician, Commercial Electrical Contractor & More in Delray Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter & Boca Raton & Palm Beach County Florida
A certified electrician repairing the electrical systems that are not conditioned to handle a power surge and making accommodations for your electrical needs can significantly reduce power surges from occurring. As mentioned, these surges will degrade the quality of your devices and appliances, cause irreparable damage and in more rare circumstances produce electrical fires. Should you notice excessive power surges or simply want to protect your electrical system, devices, appliances, and increase safety for your home, call Simon Electric for upgrades and installations to better accommodate your electrical needs.
