A power surge is an unexpected increase in voltage or current, and it can occur from a variety of sources. Regardless of the cause, power surges can damage electronic devices and equipment in your home. Let’s take a look at common causes of power surges and how you can protect your sensitive electronics.
One of the most common causes of a power surge is lightning. When lightning strikes at or near a power line, the excess energy is channeled off the electrical system through a multitude of parallel paths. KEC installs many arresters on the power system to create a path for this excess energy to be dissipated. Unfortunately, the parallel paths include interconnected systems at homes, businesses and other service locations.
Faulty wiring in a home can also cause power surges. Damaged or exposed wires can cause spikes in voltage, creating a potentially dangerous situation. If you notice signs of faulty wiring, like visible burns on outlets, buzzing sounds from outlets or frequently tripped circuit breakers, your home may be due for electrical wiring repairs and updates. Contact a licensed electrician if you are experiencing these issues.
Electrical surges and power fluctuations can also occur during and after an outage event. As power is restored and the system returns to normal operation, these temporary changes may affect sensitive electronics and equipment.
There are two ways you can take precautions to protect electronics in your home. Point-of-use surge protection devices, like power strips, can protect electronics during most surges. But remember, not all power strips include surge protection, so read the packaging label carefully before you buy, and don’t overload the power strip with too many devices. You can also install specialized electrical outlets that offer additional surge protection.
Another option is a whole-home surge protector, which can help protect electronics and appliances from surges that originate outside the home and travel through the electric system. These devices are typically installed at the home’s service panel by a licensed electrician.
Whole-home surge protection can help protect electronics and appliances from power surges and should always be installed by a licensed electrician.
KEC encourages members to provide protective equipment as required by the National Electric Code or other applicable code(s). For all three-phase motor installations, members are responsible for installing protection equipment against loss of phase conditions.
Contact KEC at kec@kec.com or 208.765.1200 if you have questions.