A Complete Guide To Protecting Your Home From A Power Surge

A Complete Guide To Protecting Your Home From A Power Surge

Your life revolves around electrical devices such as television, computers, air conditioner, refrigerator, smartphones, etc. These devices, electronics and appliances are vital because they make every sphere of your life more convenient.

Therefore, you must ensure the safety of household electronics. It will maintain their efficiency and also increase the safety and security of the home. Power surge at home is one of the biggest threats to your devices because it can severely damage them.

Moreover, the repair and replacement costs of these items are costly. If you want to make sure that the wiring system and electronics items are in perfect condition, contact the best electricians Australia. They will thoroughly check your wires and are capable of repairing the damaged electronics perfectly. Apart from that, you also need to take other safety measures to protect your home from such problems.

Here is a complete guide to protecting your home from a power surge.

Causes of Power Surge

Many people link power surges with natural occurrences such as lightning. However, the manner in which power surges occur varies. The following are some of the most typical causes of power surges.

Power wires that have fallen down

When a power line is downed due to rain, wind or a fallen tree limb, electrical voltage levels can highly fluctuate before electricity is lost completely. It can result in blackouts, but it is also a common cause of power surges.

Lightning

Lightning is the most common cause of power surges. A close lightning strike can release millions of volts of electricity. It can cause electrical gadgets to explode as it surges through your home system. If you are standing near an electronic device, you can get severely injured.

Faulty wiring

Power surges are frequently caused by old, damaged wiring, rodent-chewed wiring, and incorrectly installed wiring. You may be at danger for power surges - or potentially an electrical fire - if your lights flicker when your refrigerator turns on, or you hear buzzing in your wiring. Contact reliable electricians in Australia to resolve such issues.

Demand for electricity is high

A power surge can occur when the electricity demand is very high, such as on a hot day when everyone is running their air conditioners. Power providers and utilities may find it difficult to keep up with demand. When there is a brief loss of electricity, the voltage can drop, causing damage to your devices and appliances when power is restored.

Most Common Electric Devices Damaged By a Power Surge

The following household devices usually get damaged due to the power surge.

• • Televisions
  • Computers
  • Refrigerators
  • Dishwashers
  • Ovens
  • Microwaves
  • Security systems
  • Washers/dryers
  • Any Device with a microprocessor
   

  Ways to Protect Your Home from a Power Surge

  Knowing how to prevent power surges is as significant as knowing the reasons behind the power surges at home. While certain power surges are unavoidable, you may protect your home from other factors. It is one of those things your electrician wants you to know.

  Surge protectors should be plugged into all electrical equipment

  Plugging costly televisions, computers, and appliances into a surge protector is the simplest and least expensive way to cope with power surges. While these specialised power strips won't guard against the millions of volts generated by lightning strikes, they can protect against the harm caused by the frequent lower-voltage surges that are all too typical.

  Consider a whole-home surge protection system

  A whole-house surge protection system can often pay for itself if you are looking for a way to secure your home from power surges. These heavy-duty surge protection systems, unlike individual device surge protectors, are installed on your main electrical panel and protect your entire home.

  They guide electrical surges, including enormous lightning strikes, into the ground, where they dissipate safely. Use a whole-house surge protection system to safeguard your home from external surges, as well as surge protector power strips for important devices to defend against surges created internally.

  Unplug your sensitive electronics during a storm

  While lightning strikes close enough to cause harm to your electrical devices are uncommon, the consequences can be devastating and deadly. When a storm is approaching, unplug important gadgets, such as televisions and computers.

  Surge protectors, whether whole-house or power strip, can help keep your electrical gadgets safe. However, the best defence is to disconnect. Unplugging should be at the top of your preparation list during the storm.

  Check your home's wiring

  Faulty wiring isn't just a prevalent cause of house fires, it is also a major source of power surges. Get a full-house electrical examination if you have an older home. It may reveal hazards damaged wires, weak insulation, or wires that aren't rated for today's needs.

  If you've found rodents in your house, contact professional electrical service in Australia to check the wires. Before finalising a company, take your time to find a good, reliable electrician in your area.

  Use your outlets strategically

  Plugging too many power-hungry devices into the same socket is not a good idea. They may put a strain on the electrical system. Avoid plugging too many heavy appliances into the same outlet or having surrounding outlets served by the same circuit breaker to provide your electronics some protection.

  When there is too much demand on the circuit, it might overheat the lines and generate voltage swings, which can cause havoc with equipment.

  The Bottom Line

  You cannot completely rule out the power surge in your home, but it is possible to minimise its chances by following the abovementioned methods. The key to avoiding such accidents is by ensuring that your wire system is in perfect condition.

  Doing it on your own can be very risky as it can lead to electric shocks and burns. So, you should hire experienced electricians in Australia. They will help you to protect your home.