You need to understand what a power surge is to protect your valuable devices against a power surge. A power surge can occur when your voltage suddenly increases, substantially exceeding an outlet’s standard 120 volts. During a power surge, the wiring inside your devices will overheat and start burning. With so much technology available today, some devices you put at risk when connected to your electrical system include televisions, stereos, computers, phones, microwaves, and many other important and expensive electronic devices you rely on daily. Many of your electronic devices feature microchips or circuitry, making them especially sensitive to voltage fluctuations. Mr. Electric of Central Iowa’s whole-home surge protector installations are the best way to protect your valued devices. Even the slightest power surge can do the following:

• Put a strain on your devices
• Compromise their performance
• Destroy them

Now that you know what power surges are, understanding what causes power surges is the next step to protecting your devices. One of the most common reasons power surges occur is because of the normal operation of heavy-duty electrical devices. Some of these devices require a significant amount of electricity to switch on and off their compressors or motors, including air conditioners, refrigerators, and clothes dryers. These high-powered appliances create high electricity demands and disrupt the constant flow of voltage to your home’s electrical system. The following are common potential power surge causes:

• Downed power lines
• Faulty electric wiring
• Issues with utility company’s lines, transformers, and other equipment
• Although rare, lightning sometimes causes power surges. This phenomenon increases electrical pressure by millions of volts and overwhelms even the most effective power strip surge protector.

Most homeowners typically picture a power strip with multiple devices plugged into it when thinking of surge protectors in their homes. A surge protector works by passing electric current from an electrical outlet to any devices plugged into the power strip. The surge protector will automatically redirect any extra electricity into a part of the power strip called metal oxide varistors (MOVs) whenever a surge or spike above a designated level happens. Household power strips you buy online or at a retail location offer limited protection for your devices, and they most often need replacement after any power surges happen. Installing a whole house surge protector is the best thing you can do to protect your investments.