What Is a Power Surge?

Oct 6, 2021
FAQs

A power surge is a sudden and brief increase in electrical voltage that can cause damage to electronic devices, appliances, and even your home's electrical system. It can occur due to various reasons such as lightning strikes, utility grid issues, electrical faults, or faulty equipment.

How Power Surges Happen

Power surges can happen in different ways:

  • External Factors: Lightning strikes are one of the most common external causes of power surges. When lightning strikes a power line or nearby electrical infrastructure, it can send a surge of electricity into your home's electrical system.
  • Utility Grid Issues: Fluctuations in the utility grid voltage, such as during power outages or when large appliances turn on and off, can lead to power surges.
  • Electrical Faults: Internal electrical faults within your home's wiring or faulty equipment can also cause power surges. These faults can create sudden spikes in voltage that may damage connected devices.

The Effects of Power Surges

Power surges can have detrimental effects on both your electronic devices and your home's electrical system:

  • Damaged Electronics: Power surges can fry sensitive electronic components in devices like televisions, computers, refrigerators, and more. This can result in costly repairs or even complete device failure.
  • Shortened Lifespan: Even if devices do not immediately fail, repeated exposure to power surges can significantly shorten their lifespan.
  • Fire Hazard: In severe cases, power surges can generate enough heat to cause fires. Faulty wiring and power strips can overheat and spark under the stress of a surge, putting your home at risk.
  • Electrical System Damage: Power surges can damage not only your devices but also your home's electrical system. They can deteriorate wiring, overload circuits, and disrupt the functioning of safety devices such as circuit breakers and surge protectors.

Protecting Against Power Surges

To safeguard your home and devices from power surges, it is important to take preventive measures:

  • Surge Protectors: Install surge protectors at key points throughout your home, especially near sensitive electronic equipment. Surge protectors detect and divert excess voltage, safeguarding your devices.
  • Unplug During Storms: During thunderstorms or severe weather conditions, unplug valuable electronics and appliances to prevent damage from lightning-induced power surges.
  • Upgrade Wiring: If your home has outdated or damaged wiring, consider upgrading to modern, grounded wiring systems that provide improved surge protection.
  • Whole-House Surge Protectors: Consider installing a whole-house surge protection system that offers comprehensive protection for your entire electrical system.

Seeking Professional Assistance

If you have experienced a power surge or want to ensure your home is adequately protected, it's crucial to consult with a professional electrician. City Wide Electrical specializes in identifying and addressing power surge issues.

Our team of experienced electricians can assess your home's electrical system, provide expert recommendations, and install effective surge protection solutions tailored to your needs. Protecting your valuable devices and ensuring the safety of your home is our top priority.

Don't wait until a power surge causes costly damage. Contact City Wide Electrical today to schedule a consultation and secure your home against power surges.

Mayeso Sadick
The article motivated me to safeguard my electronics and home from power surges.
Nov 1, 2023
Martyn Hurley
I appreciate the warning about the potential damage power surges can cause. Will be more vigilant from now on.
Oct 24, 2023
Saul Melgar
The article definitely opened my eyes to the importance of protecting against power surges.
Oct 19, 2023
Kerry Gann
⚡ Stay prepared and protect your devices from power surges! Safety first! ?
Oct 4, 2023
Cesar Proano
Power surges are a real concern that I'll be taking more seriously from now on.
Sep 8, 2023
Shibam Nandi
This article made me realize how important it is to take measures to protect against power surges.
Jul 26, 2023
Candis Harbison
Never thought power surges could be caused by lightning strikes. That's something to watch out for.
Jul 25, 2023
Giovanna Castillo
I had a power surge recently and my TV stopped working. It's good to know what causes them now.
Jul 16, 2023
Kevin Goddard
I didn't realize faulty equipment could cause power surges. Definitely something to keep an eye on.
Jul 13, 2023
Laury Croter
It's important to have surge protectors for expensive electronics to prevent damage from power surges.
Jun 20, 2023
Marie Kolodz
After reading this, I'll definitely be better prepared for potential power surges.
May 29, 2023
Steve Richards
This article has made me realize the importance of protecting against power surges. Thank you.
May 15, 2023
Scott Karandrews
Reading this article was a reality check. I'll definitely be more mindful of power surges from now on.
May 3, 2023
Shawn Krosnick
I had no idea power surges could result from electrical faults. This was an eye-opener.
Apr 30, 2023
Ian Corson
I've experienced power surges but never understood the severity. It's great to be informed.
Apr 19, 2023
Maree Hoare
This article has made me reconsider how vulnerable my devices are to power surges.
Apr 8, 2023
Yu-Hsun Ho
I'll be sure to share this article with my friends and family. Everyone needs to know about power surge risks.
Mar 14, 2023
Bill Jones
I had no idea power surges could originate from so many different sources. Thank you for the clarity.
Mar 11, 2023
Andrei Raileanu
Power surges can be more damaging than I realized. Time to be proactive.
Feb 26, 2023
Ryan Johnson
It's surprising how vulnerable our electronics and appliances are to power surges. Time to take precautions.
Feb 24, 2023
Mia Noren
I never considered the implications of power surges until now. It's time to take action.
Feb 23, 2023
Latrice McGinnis
I'll be keeping an eye out for signs of power surges at home from now on. Thank you for the warning.
Feb 16, 2023
Marcus Cheng
It's time to take power surges more seriously. Thank you for the wake-up call.
Feb 4, 2023
Cindy Cleaver
I had no idea power surges could have such widespread impact. It's a reminder to be cautious.
Jan 23, 2023
Lauren Burnett
Power surges are something I hadn't given much thought to. This article changed that.
Jan 21, 2023
Kishore Rajgopal
Power surges happen more often than we realize. It's great to have this awareness now.
Jan 7, 2023
Jeff
Power surges are no joke! Thanks for the detailed explanation.
Dec 7, 2022
Veerle Damen
I always thought power surges were rare, but now I see how common they can be. Time to take precautions.
Nov 30, 2022
Unknown
Knowing the potential risks of power surges, I'll be sure to invest in surge protectors.
Nov 21, 2022
Armando Osuna
I live in an area prone to lightning strikes, so it's good to be aware of the risks and how to protect my devices.
Nov 11, 2022
Tammy Wong
I never took power surges seriously before, but now I'll be more proactive.
Nov 6, 2022
Smith John
This article has made me more aware of power surge risks. I'll be ensuring my home is protected.
Oct 21, 2022
Eiren Stewart
I'm motivated to research surge protectors now. Thank you for this valuable information.
Sep 28, 2022
Heather
I didn't realize power surges could be so damaging. It's time to take precautions.
Sep 11, 2022
Bill Jackson
Power surges aren't worth the risk. I'll be better prepared after reading this.
Sep 8, 2022
Veda Narayanan
I never considered a power surge could damage my home's electrical system. It's something to be cautious about.
Aug 19, 2022
Mike Morey
The diversity of causes for power surges is surprising. I'll definitely be more cautious.
Aug 17, 2022
Jordan Holliday
This article was a valuable lesson on the risks of power surges. Thank you.
Aug 11, 2022
Tony Barth
I never thought power surges could cause so much damage. Time to be proactive.
Aug 8, 2022
Christine Bader
It's concerning to think that a power surge could affect not just our devices, but also our home's wiring.
Jul 8, 2022
Michael O'Hara
Understanding power surges better will help us protect our homes and electronics. Thank you for the enlightenment.
Jul 7, 2022
Chris Hatch
Power surges aren't just a minor inconvenience - they can cause significant damage. Thank you for the information.
Jun 27, 2022
Cathy Berkley
I'll be sharing this article with my neighbors. Power surge awareness is so important.
Jun 15, 2022
Vivencio Elangos
After reading this, I feel more equipped to protect against potential power surges.
Jun 12, 2022
Jim Tassone
I'm going to invest in surge protectors for my home after reading this. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Jun 10, 2022
Steffen Berner
I'll be vigilant about power surges after learning about their potential risks.
Jun 8, 2022
Stella Liu
Power surges are more dangerous than I realized. Thanks for the heads-up.
Mar 30, 2022
Foad Assaleh
I never realized the various causes of power surges. This was an eye-opening read.
Mar 29, 2022
Craig Lauer
I'm grateful for the detailed explanation of power surges. It's a reminder to be cautious.
Mar 26, 2022
Tracey Fine
Power surge protection should be a priority. This article makes that clear.
Mar 14, 2022
Morgan Berney
The article was an informative reminder of the need to protect against power surges.
Feb 26, 2022
Jeremy Lipzinski
I've experienced power surges after storms, and it's frustrating to deal with the aftermath.
Feb 20, 2022
Brent Randolph
The article conveyed the seriousness of power surges effectively. Time to safeguard my home.
Feb 12, 2022
Magdalena Rosa
I never knew power surges could cause so much damage. Thanks for the helpful information!
Jan 23, 2022
Z Z
The article's insights on power surges have definitely made me more cautious.
Jan 9, 2022
Alan Fey
It's unsettling to think of the potential damage power surges can cause. It's definitely time to take action.
Dec 27, 2021
Les Williams
The article was a wake-up call about the potential risks of power surges. Time to take action.
Dec 26, 2021
Dennis
I'm grateful for this article. I had little understanding of power surges before.
Dec 9, 2021
Rishabh
The potential consequences of power surges are alarming. It's time to be proactive.
Dec 5, 2021
Tony Bailey
This article explained power surges in a clear and concise way. Very informative.
Dec 4, 2021
Nick
I wish I had known about power surges earlier. Thank you for shedding light on this topic.
Nov 27, 2021
Rob Clay
I'll be looking into surge protectors ASAP. No more taking chances with power surges.
Nov 26, 2021
Henry Ceballos
This article was a much-needed reminder to be vigilant about power surges. Thank you.
Nov 26, 2021
Antonio Gonzalez
Power surges are a real threat. It's time to take them more seriously.
Oct 29, 2021
Sandro Arbulu
The article's insights have made me more conscious of the potential for power surges.
Oct 27, 2021
Tim Froud
The more we understand about power surges, the better prepared we can be. Thank you for the helpful explanation.
Oct 16, 2021
Risto Kivisilta
I appreciate how the article explained the different reasons for power surges in a simple manner.
Oct 15, 2021
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