Electrical surge safety should be at the top of the priority list if you are concerned about your home’s electrical system. Electrical surges might strike at any given time and cause extreme damage to your collection of electronics and appliances. To prevent this level of damage, you must learn about and then implement adequate surge protection measures. One such essential piece of the protective package is a whole-house surge protector. With these devices, all-around protection is given by redirecting the strong voltage away from your house’s electrical system. Apart from whole-house protection, point-of-use surge protectors are intended to give pinpoint protection of chosen items. With this aim for electrical surge safety through acquiring whole-house and point-of-use protection, you should be properly armed to defend your home from the erratic impact of power surges. Surge protection is one of the most important factors to ensure that you provide your electrical environment safe and secure.

Foxwood Electric can help you with the necessary surge protection solutions to ensure your electrical environment is safe and secure.

Understanding Electrical Surges

Electrical surges are sudden voltage spikes that can travel through your electrical system. Lightning strikes, power outages, and other issues with the power grid represent just a few reasons for the impulses. They may last only a fraction of a second, but they can cause severe damage to your home’s electrical systems and attached devices.

Proper installation of some effective surge protection measures will help save your house from these unplanned spiky surges. Here’s how you can save your house from electrical surges and keep your electrical system safe.

1. Install Whole-House Surge Protectors

Another effective method of home protection from electrical surges is the installation of whole-house surge protectors. A whole house surge protector is installed at your house’s electrical panel to provide total protection for your electrical system.

Whole-house Surge protectors divert all excess voltage into the grounding, thereby efficiently preventing all surges from affecting the wiring found within your home and, consequently, sensitive appliances and electronic equipment. It is because of this efficiency of surge protectors that most can conduct monstrous surges emanating from lightning strokes and, thus, form an integral part of critical electrical surge safety elements.

Tip: Opt for a whole-house surge protector with a high joule rating. The more joules, the higher the level of protection the device offers.

2. Utilize Point-of-Use Surge Protectors

In addition to using whole-house surge protectors, you can also prevent individual devices and appliances by making use of point-of-use surge protectors. Actually, these surge protectors are used in computing equipment, televisions, and other expensive electronic equipment.

Point-of-use surge protectors connect directly to the electrical wiring in your home; they can have multiple outlets connected to a central unit. They ward off minor surges and will just give you that extra bit of protection over your appliances.

Tip: Insist on installing UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certified point-of-use surge protectors. This would mean that a product has been tested for safety and efficiency, so the risk of failure and damage is reduced.

3. Periodic Inspection and Maintenance of Your Surge Protectors

Surge protectors, whether whole-house or point-of-use, must be checked and serviced to remain in good working order. Obviously, surge protectors lose their effectiveness and wear out with time.

Whole-house surge protectors should be inspected by your licensed electrician during your regular electrical checks. Point-of-use surge protectors have a term for usefulness that will usually be lessened in effectiveness over time and should be replaced every 5-10 years.

Tip: Most whole-house surge protectors have indicator lights that will indicate if they are still working. It is wise to check on these lights from time to time.

4. Unplug Appliances in Case of Storm

Unplugging all your appliances during stormy weather is a good precautionary measure. In cases where lightning strikes, this will hit with a massive surge, which even the best in-line or whole-house surge protectors might fail to prevent.

Keep sensitive electronics, such as computers, televisions, and other appliances, unplugged as much as you can. This will limit the damage that a power surge can cause and prevent you from having big bills for repairs and replacing things.

Tip: Invest some money in good power strips that have built-in surge protectors for appliances and electronic equipment that you cannot shut down easily, such as refrigerators or life-supporting medical equipment.

5. Fix Faulty Wires

Outdated and faulty wiring can create electrical surges and other electrical hazards. Any fault with the wiring at home, like frayed wires, too frequent circuit breaker trips, or flickering lights, should be corrected right away.

A licensed electrician can inspect your wiring and replace or upgrade the wiring according to the assessment made. Proper wiring allows for good functionality of your surge protectors, providing an electrical system with stability in your home.

Tip: Get your home inspected annually by a professional to diagnose potential problems in the electrical system before it becomes a full-blown crisis.

Why Surge Protection Is a Must

Proper surge protection is an integral part of keeping your household electrical system safe and efficient. This can be done by establishing the entire house at once, point-of-use, and most importantly, following best practices in Electrical Surge Safety to effectively protect your expensive electronics and appliances against electrical surges.

Conclusion

Protecting your home from electrical surges becomes a must in maintaining the safety and longevity of your electrical system and devices. With effective surge-protective measures, like whole-house surge protectors and point-of-use surge protectors, costly damage will be prevented in your house. Your home will remain safe and secure. Add more to your electrical surge safety with inspections and maintenance and best practices during the storm. Take proactive measures today and safeguard your home while being at peace knowing that your electrical system is well protected.

If you have any questions or just need help with surge protection solutions, don’t hesitate to call a professional electrician. If you have any questions or just need help with surge protection solutions, don’t hesitate to call a professional electrician. Let Foxwood Electric ensure your home is safe from the tide of damage and harm it may face due to a power surge.