Can Power Surges Be Avoided At All

Can Power Surges Be Avoided At All

Call it a ‘side effect’ of electricity, but power surges are something of a usual occurrence that have no solution to them at all. So when you ask how to fix power surge in house, there are of course ways for homeowners to protect their homes and electronic devices from any damage that occurs because of surges.

What exactly is a power surge though? The sudden spike in voltage that last a few seconds is one way to describe power surges. But when referring to these ‘spikes,’ we’re talking about electrical voltage – so even these few seconds could be detrimental to any electronic device connected to a power source.

Are Power Surges Preventable

As we mentioned, power surges are what comes with having electricity, so are they really preventable? Not really. Although we cannot stop power surges from occurring, there are ways to protect your homes and any electronic device connected to a power source from the damage they can bring forth. The extent of the damage really depends on the intensity of the surge.

Here’s how you can manage protection against surges:

Surge Protectors

Much like a typical power cord or a multi-plug, a surge protector may look the same but does much more. Surge Protectors come with built in circuit breakers that are meant to ground any excess voltage, instead of letting it pass through onto any appliance or electronic device connected.

There are some surge protectors that are connected to a home’s main circuit breaker as well. But regardless of which one homeowners opt for, the lifespan of a surge protector depends on the intensity and number of times it has endured power surges. In areas that are prone to factors that result in surges, people would have to change their surge protectors on the frequent, when in other places they could last 2 to 3 years as well.

Unplug Devices

Since there is no permanent stopping to power surges, and obviously no knowing prior to when they occur, one solution is to unplug any electronic appliance or device whenever it is not in use. For instance, you would be familiar with your parents unplugging the TV or the microwave during a thunderstorm, similarly such a habit on a regular basis regardless of the weather condition can go a long way.

What Is the Cause behind a Power Surge?

There is not one, but multiple factors that can trigger a power surge – natural and unnatural causes in fact. It is crucial for homeowners to understand the reasoning behind these occurrences so that they may take the best course of action for their home, given which factors are common for them.

  1. Lightning

The first and most obvious factor to trigger a power surge in any given scenario is lightning. A single lightning strike carries millions of volts of electricity within it that finds its way into wires and cables, whether they are underground or on poles. And these then find their way into our homes. So in a couple of seconds, chances are that a surge triggered by lightning can instantly damage any device that is connected to a power source. That is why we mentioned unplugging devices when not in use.

  1. Faulty Wiring

Wiring within the structure of our homes can overtime wear out and in turn become faulty. The damaged wiring has a lesser electrical resistance which can mean that any source that serves as a conductor can trigger a power surge.

But, how do you know when the wiring within the walls is faulty or damaged? Well, a burning odor is the first indication, so are burn marks around a power outlet. An audible buzzing sound from a power outlet is also a telltale factor.

  1. Power Breakdowns

During power breakdowns and blackouts, people wait for the moment the electricity comes back on. But the thing about the power being restored is that when it is let back into the grid, there is a massive influx of electricity. This influx of course reaches our homes so when the power comes back on, do not be surprised if the lights are extra bright, or the air conditioner jumpstarted on its own. That is a power surge occurring.

  1. Overloaded Power Outlets

Every electronic appliance and device requires a different level of voltage in order to power on. When people plug multiple devices into a single power source, it can result in a misbalance if the voltage levels vary by quite a big difference. That is why you would find that hotels sometimes install their own hairdryers in the bathrooms and label power outlets with the maximum voltage it can endure. It is because such a scenario can trigger a surge that could potentially become hazardous.

To Come to the Point

So to answer the burning question as stated in our title itself, whether power surges can be avoided at all, well no they cannot. They are something of a natural occurrence you can say, so the only thing that homeowners can do is take protective measures to protect their devices and appliances. The damage caused by power surges can range from anything minimal to rendering the device useless – and that too within seconds of occurring.

Caroline Frazier

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