Our domestic lives increasingly depend on electronic appliances, whether we are cooking, washing, storing, communicating, or entertaining ourselves. We also need electronics to store our data and manage our health at home.

Furthermore, many of these appliances are quite expensive, so you want to use every possible means to protect them from damage. Power surges are incredibly helpful in this matter, as damage typically occurs from lightning strikes, power outages, and even large appliances cycling on and off. Surge protectors offer the best way to protect electronic appliances and avoid loss.

This article helps you understand power surges, identify critical appliances you must protect, and help you choose the most suitable surge protection. You can also consult a licenced electrician to advise you on surge protection.

Understanding Power Surges

Power surges are sudden but brief spikes in the voltage that reach the home’s electrical system or outlets and light fixtures. Typically, current flows constantly through a house at 120 volts and receives a current from the power grid that fluctuates from 0 to 169 volts. Anything above this is a dangerous spike.

Power surges may be internal or external. They are internal if they result from large appliances turning on and off, which results in a spike of 5-10 volts. If they are external, the spike may well exceed 169 volts. 

Lightning strikes and electromagnetic interference can also cause such power surges. Though they may last as brief as three nanoseconds, they may be strong enough to damage connected appliances. Sometimes, you may not notice the damages immediately, worsening them gradually.

When the voltage exceeds the appliance’s standard operating voltage, it causes an arc of electric current that generates heat. If the heat gets too high, the electrical circuitry may melt. If too low, the cumulative effects of the arcs shorten the appliance’s life span and compromise functionality.

An online search for “electrical contractors near me” will produce licensed electricians who will help you understand your specific surge protection needs.

Critical Appliances To Keep Under A Surge Protector

Generally, you should keep all your valued appliances under a surge protector, but this applies more to appliances that are expensive to repair or replace or have highly undesirable downtime.

Here are appliances that Arvada electricians recommend connecting under a surge protector:

1.     Computers and laptops

Computers and laptops are expensive, and the data they hold may be invaluable and difficult to replace. Some of their electrical components are also voltage-sensitive; even the normal tiny surges compromise them with time, leading to hardware malfunction and data loss.

2.     Home entertainment systems

Like computers, home entertainment systems are also costly to repair or replace when damaged. Moreover, some have memory, which may be compromised by power surge damage.

3.     Refrigerators and freezers

Power surges, even small ones, can generate sufficient heat to take out your refrigerator/freezer. The most prone parts are the compressor, the control board, and the ice maker. Damage to these parts may diminish the refrigerator/freezer’s efficiency. Refrigerator/freezer downtimes may also be costly, considering the losses if the groceries stored in them are affected.

4.     HVAC systems

HVACs typically have a lifespan of up to 20 years to keep your home comfortable. These are quite expensive to acquire so it’s vital to install the appropriate surge protectors to keep them well protected.

Power surges damage HVACs by compromising the capacitors and shorting the compressor, drastically reducing lifespan.

Since HVACs are costly installations, seek advice from electricians in the Denver area for the most effective surge protectors.

5.     Home office equipment

Surge protectors keep equipment like printers, copiers, modems, and routers safe if you work from home, saving you from costly repairs or replacements or loss of connectivity and productivity.

6.     Kitchen Appliances

Many kitchen appliances have electronic components that control the timers, temperature regulation, and automatic functions. These components are voltage-sensitive, and power surges can easily damage them.

7.     Medical equipment used by household members

All medical equipment used in the home that requires plugging in or recharging should be surge-protected. Damage to them by power surges can be catastrophic in moments where they are needed.

8.     EV chargers

EV chargers are prone to power surge damage, especially from lightning, making surge protection imperative. Surge protection not only prolongs the life of the EV charger but also saves on costly repairs.

Choosing the Right Surge Protector

Surge protectors safeguard the electrical system in your home and electronic equipment from unexpected power surges.

Within the device are Metal Oxide Varsitors (MOVs) that offer a lot of resistance as long as the voltage stays within range. When there is a spike, the MOV reduces resistance and lets the extra voltage pass through it safely to the ground wire.

Surge protectors can be installed throughout the house, which protects the entire home’s electrical system. Here are some factors to help you get the best surge protectors:

• Joule rating – A surge protector with a sufficient joule rating protects your appliances better. Generally, a 200-400j rating is suitable for low-cost electronics, 600-1000j for mid-range electronics like TVs and computers, and 1000+j for high-value electronics.
• Number and type of outlets – the more outlets the surge protector has, the more appliances you can plug into it. However, the outlets should be well-spaced to avoid overcrowding. Some plug-in surge protectors also have USB ports that extend their functionality.
• Response time – The faster the device can react to a power surge, the better. Response times are measured in nanoseconds or microseconds.
• Clamping voltage – This is the voltage that sets the surge protector off, causing it to divert electricity to the grounding wire. Generally, lower voltages indicate better protection. Clamping voltages above 400V should be considered too high.
• Indicator lights and alarms – Indicator lights and alarms tell you that the surge protector works fine and alert you that the joules rating falls.

Conclusion

By going for the correct surge protectors, you have the assurance of your appliances’ safety from all kinds of issues as well as ensuring the appliances work well for a long time and save you costly repairs, replacements, or downtimes.

Denver electricians will help evaluate and recommend the appropriate surge protection if you live in the area.