Do you know what surge protection is all about? If not, then you need to give yourself a crash course about it right now. If you have electrical sockets and appliances, you need to understand how power surges can compromise them.
What are power surges?
The electrical sockets in your home provide a steady supply of electricity. This is what electrical appliances need to function. A power surge or spike is a sudden increase in the voltage of electricity. It usually lasts mere seconds but it is enough to cause damage. There are many reasons why this happens. It can be caused by a lightning storm, power outages, faulty wiring, or by surges coming from the electric utility company (in other words, a malfunction). There are also instances when it is caused by high-powered electrical items that are rapidly turned off and on.
When this happens, the power surge can damage electronics that are getting power from the outlet. Sometimes, the damage is too great that it can no longer be repaired. If you want to avoid this, you need to think about getting a reliable surge protection.
About surge protectors
The problem with the common electrical outlets is that it is not equipped to block power surges and spikes. This is why you need a surge protector as a barrier. This is usually sold as a power strip but it can also come as a single-outlet. There are also surge protectors that can be used when you travel.
So how exactly can it provide surge protection for your electrical appliances and devices?
A surge protector will divert the high spikes and surges of energy coming out of the outlet. The high voltage is diverted to a protective component that can be found within the surge protector itself. That is how the surge protection happens. With the power surge diverted, the electrical appliance and device are protected from damage. It can also avoid sparks that can cause a fire. Since the voltage of electricity is always regulated, it will increase the life of the appliance and device. That will help you save money in the long run.
What you have to remember is that a power strip is not necessarily a surge protector. Some of them are merely there to give you additional outlets. This is why you need to be specific about what you need when you buy a surge protector.
When buying surge protection
Experts will tell you that one level of surge protection is not enough. If you really want to be safe from power surges, you need to set up 2 lines of defense. First of all, you need a heavy-duty surge protection right where the main service panel is. This will protect you from very large surges that usually come from the power grid or as a result of power outages. These usually require a professional installation.
The second line of defense is in the form of several surge suppressors at every power outlet all over your home. This is something that you can buy and install yourself. The individual surge suppressors in every outlet will be another layer of protection for your electrical appliances and devices. The heavy-duty surge protection in the main service panel will only cut the huge surges into smaller ones. These will be enough for the individual surge suppressors to block. These will also serve you well in case of surges inside your home – which can be caused by faulty wiring.
When deciding on the best surge protection to use in your home or small business, it is important to go for a reputable company or brand. They may be a bit more expensive but you are assured of the quality of the surge protector. That means there is a lesser chance that it will fail in its task
