Why Are Surge Protectors Important?

Lightning, excessive electrical loads, and power line issues in Weatherford, TX, can cause a power surge to occur. Unfortunately, even a small surge can damage delicate electronic equipment. Because of this, many homeowners use whole-house surge protectors to prevent electrical damage during sudden power surges. 

What Is a Surge Protector?

A surge protector is a device that stops electronic equipment from becoming damaged during a sudden spike in power. While spikes can be caused by lightning strikes or wiring issues, they can also occur when you turn a large appliance on and off. 

Why Are Surge Protectors Important?

The major reason why surge protectors are important is because they protect your appliances and electrical systems. When a sudden spike occurs, surge protectors stop it from damaging circuits, wiring, and outlets. They can prevent appliances from overloading outlets. Because they can prevent electrical overloads and sparks, surge protectors can also reduce the odds of a house fire. 

By investing in a surge protector, you can enjoy several benefits.

Surge Protection Affordability

If you don’t have surge protection, your appliances can become damaged. High-end devices are expensive to replace, so you’ll likely save money by buying a surge protector that can prevent damage from happening.

They’re Exceptionally Convenient

Modern surge protectors don’t have to be used with just three-pronged outlets. Instead, many surge protectors can now be used with USB cables as well. This makes them exceptionally convenient for use with mobile phones and other devices.

Your Electronics Need Surge Protection

Surge protection is a necessity for your devices. Otherwise, a lightning storm could damage your expensive electronics. Over time, power spikes can significantly shorten the lifespan of electronic devices.

Surge Protectors Prevent Fires

When your devices and electrical wires are overloaded, it can lead to sparks and electrical fires. With a surge protector, you can prevent fires and other electrical hazards.

You Can Decrease Downtime

Whether you work from home or run a business, you don’t want to spend a lot of time offline. Surge protectors help you avoid downtime.

The Difference Between a Power Strip and a Surge Protector

While a power strip and a surge protector have a similar purpose, there are a few key differences between these two devices. A power strip is a long strip that contains many different outlets. On one side of the power strip, a cord connects to the wall. With a power strip, you can use a single wall outlet to plug in multiple devices.

While a power strip is intended to give you more outlets to plug into, these power strips can only handle a certain number of watts. If you plug in too many devices, this can cause the power strip to overheat and fail. In serious cases, this can even lead to an electrical fire.

Meanwhile, a surge protector is an electrical socket that can prevent power surges from harming your home. They contain a unique circuit that redirects electrical surges into the ground. This prevents the extra electricity from damaging your devices and appliances.

Many surge protectors resemble power strips in their appearance. The main difference is how they function. Additionally, a surge protector will always include a joule rating on the package.

It’s important to remember that surge protectors and power surges aren’t the same thing. Only surge protectors can protect your devices from sudden electricity spikes. 

Do You Need a Surge Protector in Your Home?

Surge protectors are a good way for homeowners to protect their devices from power surges. Even though you can’t see it, electricity levels are always fluctuating. Your system must adjust every time you flip a switch or turn an appliance on. By getting a surge protector, you can protect the integrity of your devices from these surges.

How Whole-House Surge Protectors Work

Rather than buy individual surge protectors for each room or outlet, you can invest in whole-house surge protectors. This type of device is installed by an electrician on your home’s electrical panel. It performs the same basic function as standard surge protectors, but it can protect your entire home.

Whole-home surge protectors can vary in how much power they can handle. For example, top-of-the-line units can handle 40,000 amps or more. This means the surge protector can protect your devices if the electricity spike is below 40,000 amps. 

To put this in perspective, a typical lightning strike consists of 5,000 to 30,000 amps. However, it’s worth pointing out that a lightning strike can still cause significant damage to surge protectors that have any rating level. 

There are no surge protectors that can protect against 100% of the electrical surges that can happen. However, the best surge protectors will do an excellent job of preventing major surges that may result in damage. 

How to Maintain Your Surge Protector

Your surge protector can only do its job if it is kept in good condition. Like the rest of your electrical system, you need to perform routine maintenance to keep it running properly. 

For the best results, you should only use a surge protector indoors in a dry area. Also, you should never exceed the surge protector’s electrical rating. Additionally, never plug a surge protector into an extension cord. 

If you have children and pets, it is important to keep them away from the surge protector. As a safety precaution, you should never cover the cord with any other materials. Likewise, you should never use surge protectors near water sources, like aquariums. 

Surge protectors work best in a temperature-controlled location. Additionally, they need to be fully uncoiled before they are used. 

What to Look for in a Surge Protector

If you are uncertain about what type of surge protector to get, one of our electricians can help. At Lightfoot Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical, we know which brands and styles work best. In general, you should consider the following qualities when you are looking for the right surge protector:

• Electrical rating for your home
• Cost
• Whole-house surge protection or not
• The number of outlets
• Response time to power surges
• The location 
• Which devices are plugged in

If a storm or major power surge occurs, it is important to replace your surge protector with a new one as soon as possible. A bad storm can reduce your device’s effectiveness and capacity. In addition, it is important to replace your surge protector every two years if you haven’t done so recently. These devices wear down over time, so they eventually need to be replaced for optimal protection. 

Learn More About Getting Surge Protectors Installed

Since 1983, Lightfoot Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical has helped Weatherford residents figure out the best surge protection options for their homes. Whether you want a whole-house surge protector or emergency plumbing, our team can help. We have experience providing plumbing, electrical, heating, and air conditioning services to residents in the area. 

To find out more information about how we can help, reach out to Lightfoot Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical today.