Where many people’s homes experience a power surge here and there, these surges can potentially damage electrical equipment among other concerns. To shut down the electrical currents in that area the circuit breaker is triggered when there is a power surge generally. You can prevent hazards and damage if you are more equipped to recognize the power surges. Today, we at Burley Electrical Services would like to elaborate on power surge fundamentals.
How are Power Surges Created?
A power surge occurs when there’s an unexpected interruption to the flow of electricity through the grid or when a device that is supposed to draw electricity puts it back into the system instead. To accommodate certain appliances, there are homes are equipped with 240 volts to accommodate that are efficient, however, especially in older homes, the primary voltage in the U.S. is 120 volts. A power surge can be produced if these devices are plugged into an outlet without proper protection, which will most likely lead to the device sustaining damage other potential hazards. These quick spikes of electrical currents can develop in less than a thousandth of a second, as the voltage varies. The electrical devices manufactured at varying degrees of quality only adds more variables to how the electrical currents respond to the voltage as the voltage and the electric currents can be a complex concept. Below are the most common sources, though there is a host of contributing factors that can cause a power surge.
1) When the high-powered electrical devices are switched on or if power spikes a high-energy component like a motor, it is activated. Throughout the home, this event can impact other electrical outlets. Refrigerators, air conditioners, or space heaters among other common devices are the culprit.
2) The surges can become a risk down the track in the event there is a damaged circuit breaker since they are designed to protect your home from power surges.
3) Wiring that is faulty or bad.
4) A power surge can occur when tree limbs grow into the line, sway by the wind, or break off.
5) A power surge can be due to wildlife tampering with electrical equipment, like transformers, that often electrocute them in the process.
6) Following a power outage that is restored, power surges can stem from the flow of electricity flooding your appliances at once. It is recommended that you unplug all the devices and appliances and plug them back in once the power is restored if you experience a blackout.
7) Power surges can be caused by a lightning strike at the right point. To help you avoid this random act of nature, lightning rod installation is recommended.
How to Prevent a Power Surge in Your House
With a certified electrician repairing the electrical systems that are not conditioned to handle a power surge, the majority of these issues can be resolved. Repeated power surges will degrade the quality of the device. These surges can cause severe damage to your appliances. A power surge can lead to electrical fires which can ultimately consume a home to less likely occurrences. The warning signs of excessive power surges are noticed when your circuit breaker or safety switch is frequently tripped. Keeping the devices not regularly used unplugged until you need them as well as using surge protectors, quality safety switches, and service provider protection can keep your home and electronics safer by minimizing power surges.
Electrical Repairs, Wiring & More in Imperial Point, Pompano Beach, Plantation, Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, Davie, Lighthouse Point, Parkland, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Call Burley Electrical Services today for an electrical system inspection and our licensed electrical contractors will assess the electrical system’s quality and present optimal solutions to increase your safety and minimize the surges in the event your home suffers from frequent power surges.
