Consider Investing in a Whole Home Surge Protector

A power surge is an event that takes mere milliseconds to occur and can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage. It is when a higher amount of electricity than required, recommended, or expected is pushed through an electrical circuit. The purpose of a surge protector is to redirect or absorb this extra electrical energy to prevent damage to whatever is plugged into it.

Why are Power Surges Dangerous?

The three main causes of power surges are lightning, downed power lines, and quick shifts in electrical flow due to usage. Lightning is sometimes the cause of such a surge in voltage. Still, the most common cause is damage to power lines or small changes in the flow of electricity when someone turns on a high voltage appliance such as a microwave or air conditioner.

Though these are not explosive events that accompany a lightning storm, the damage can be just as incapacitating for a computer or any other fragile electrical equipment. Here are a few of the reasons power surges are dangerous:

• They can cause injury.
• They can cause structural damage to the home.
• They can start fires.
• They can destroy electronics that happen to be on that circuit, including microwaves, TVs, computers, printers, and more.

Why Every Home Needs a Whole House Surge Protector

While installing a whole house surge protector may seem overboard when there are so many plug-in options available, those power strips easily found in big box stores may not protect a home's appliances from a truly powerful surge. If lightning from a mile away can cause a power surge of thousands of volts, a glorified extension cord will not protect anything.

Many surge protectors absorb or redirect the small fluctuations in voltage back through the ground wire, but they cannot handle a surge of that magnitude. Whole house surge protectors benefit a household in the following ways:

• One and Done: This product is attached directly to the electrical box and thus can protect the whole house with one product. Though also, having the classic plug-in surge protector gives computers and the like extra protection.

• Better Protection: The average whole home surge protector can handle a minimum of 40,000 amps of electricity. Power strips tend to protect against around 400 joules.

• Alarms: Whole home surge protectors often have lights or sounds that indicate a surge has happened. This helps a homeowner better understand when something might need to be replaced.

Indicators that a Surge Protector Should Be Replaced

Whole house surge protectors have a tough job and need to be replaced every two to five years. However, the cost of a whole house surge protector replacement or surge protector repair is much less than replacing a houseful of electronics. Here are a few signs that the surge protector may need to be replaced:

• It is hot.
• There is a burning smell.
• It is more than five years old.
• A large power surge has recently hit it.

About Snappy Electric, Plumbing, Heating, & Air

Snappy Electric, Plumbing, Heating, & Air is a local family-owned and operated company that provides its neighbors in Marietta, GA, and the surrounding areas with fast, high-quality service. They offer upfront pricing, 24/7 emergency service, and payment flexibility. Call them today for whole-house surge protection services in Marietta, GA.