5 Reasons Why You Need a Surge Protector at Home
A power surge can hit your home with barely a moment's notice, effectively taking out all your electronic devices and appliances. It can even spark electrical fires. That’s why you need a surge protector; something to safeguard your valuable equipment from sudden power spikes.
Surge protectors redirect excess voltage and stop it from reaching connected devices. Without one, your home’s electrical appliances are at risk of costly repairs or replacements. Investing in a power board with added surge protection capabilities, or a whole house surge protector, is a smart way to keep all your devices safe.
What Causes Electrical Surges to Happen?
Before we take a look at five reasons why you need a surge protector in your home, let’s look at how electrical surges occur in the first place.
A power surge happens when your home receives a sudden increase in voltage. This incoming voltage increase takes things well above safe levels and puts electronic devices at risk. Electrical surges can come from:
- Lightning strikes – A single lightning strike near your home can send a surge through power lines and damage connected devices.
- Downed power lines – Fallen power lines caused by storms or accidents can cause voltage spikes.
- Faulty wiring – Old or damaged wiring can trigger power surges, affecting power outlets and appliances.
- High-powered appliances – Devices like air conditioners and refrigerators can create sudden surges when they cycle on and off.
- Grid switching and outages – Supply changes from your electricity provider or a power outage can cause sudden spikes in voltage.
Now you see why you need a surge protector to keep your valuable equipment safe.
How Do Surge Protectors Work?
A surge protector identifies excess voltage in your electrical system and redirects it away from connected devices to stop damage to electronic equipment in its tracks. They come in a variety of options, including a:
- power board with surge protection
- plug in surge protector
- whole house surge protector
All three options typically use a metal oxide varistor (MOV) which absorbs sudden electricity spikes and allows only a safe amount to pass through. When a power surge occurs, the MOV reacts instantly and sends only the excess voltage to the grounding wire instead of your electrical appliances. The whole house surge protector provides greater safety by protecting everything at the main electrical panel and reducing the risk of electrical fires.
Let’s now look at 5 practical reasons why you need a surge protector in your home.
1. It Protects Expensive Electronic Equipment
A power surge might happen in a split second, but the havoc it wreaks on expensive electronic equipment can be permanent. We’re talking about appliances and devices you use daily, like:
- televisions
- computers
- gaming consoles
- home theatre systems
Each of these is susceptible to damage by voltage spikes if you don’t have some form of surge protection in place. Even lower voltage surges can wear down internal components over time and shorten the life of your electronic devices.
A surge protector absorbs these sudden spikes and keeps all your devices safe. Whether you use a surge protector/power board combo or a whole house surge protector, having the right level of surge protection prevents costly repairs and replacements.
2. It Reduces the Risk of Electrical Fires
A power surge doesn’t just damage electronic devices; it can also create a serious fire hazard.
Excess voltage flowing through your home’s wiring can cause electrical outlets, power points and internal components to overheat. Over time, this heat can break down insulation, causing it to spark and ignite nearby materials, leading to electrical fires.
A surge protector reduces incidents of overheating by channelling sudden spikes in electricity away from your home’s wiring. Installing a whole house surge protector at the switchboard or using power strips with built-in surge protection lowers fire risks and safeguards your home.
3. It Extends the Lifespan of Your Electronic Devices
Power surges that might be minor in their severity but are nevertheless constant in their frequency can wear down the internal components of your electronic devices.
Every sudden surge of power weakens circuits inside TVs, computers and electrical appliances and potentially reduces their efficiency and lifespan. A surge protector works by blocking these voltage spikes so your valuable equipment isn’t constantly exposed to excess energy. Lower clamping voltage models provide better protection, reducing the strain on connected devices.
No matter what type of surge protection device you use, investing in protection of some form keeps all your devices running smoothly for longer.
4. It Provides Better Protection for Home Appliances
For much of this article, we’ve explored why you need a surge protector for your entertainment-based devices. However, your essential large home appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines are not immune to power surges. In fact, in many cases they are the most vulnerable.
Whitegoods and other major household appliances need a steady voltage to work efficiently. However, sudden spikes in electricity can damage their internal components. A surge protector stops excess voltage from reaching your electrical appliances and leaving you with costly repairs or replacements.
A whole house surge protector installed at the electrical switchboard delivers greater protection for all your appliances at home. Investing in surge protection devices extends the life of these essential household items.
5. Extra Features for Added Safety and Convenience
It’s worth noting that not all surge protectors are the same. Many come with added features that enhance general safety and convenience while also protecting for your electrical appliances and devices. When choosing the right surge protector, consider the following:
- Indicator lights – These will tell you if your surge protection device is still working.
- Multiple plugs – It will enable you to connect all your devices safely.
- Lower clamping voltage – This provides maximum protection by absorbing excess voltage supplied to your home more effectively.
- USB ports – Provides direct charging for phones and tablets.
- Response time – Ensures the surge protector works as quickly as possible when a power surge occurs.
These extra features make surge protection devices a smart and essential investment for any home.
What To Do in the Event of a Power Surge
A power surge typically happens suddenly, so knowing what to do can help protect your electronic devices and prevent further damage. If your home has a sudden surge, do this:
- Unplug devices – Disconnect your equipment to prevent further damage.
- Check surge protectors – Look for indicator lights to see if your surge protector is working.
- Reset circuit breakers – If a surge trips your main switchboard, reset it safely.
- Inspect for damage – Check power boards, power points and appliances for signs of overheating.
- Call an electrician – If you think wiring is faulty or experience frequent voltage spikes, call a licensed electrician ASAP to arrange an electrical safety check.
Act fast after a power surge to keep your home and electronic equipment as safe as possible.
Get the Right Surge Protection for Your Home
A power surge happens instantly, but the damage it causes can last a lot longer.
Without surge protection devices, your electronic devices, appliances and even your home’s wiring are at risk. No matter which surge protection device you choose, the right one will offer better protection for all your devices. Surge protection is an essential investment that keeps your home safe and your equipment running smoothly.
Please note: Thanks for reading our blog “5 Reasons Why You Need a Surge Protector at Home”. This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.
