Installation of Central Iowa Surge Protectors | Mr. Electric

The most common potential causes of power surges include:

• Downed power lines.
• Operation of heavy-duty electrical devices.
• Faulty electric wiring.
• Issues with your utility company's power equipment.

Although it's rare, lightning can also cause power surges. A lightning strike increases the surrounding electrical pressure by millions of volts, which can overwhelm basic power strips.

Surge protectors are devices that automatically redirect extra electricity away from any connected electronics or appliances to prevent damage to your devices. When power surges go above a designated level, the surge protector will pass the extra electric current into a metal oxide varistor (MOV) instead of allowing it to flow into your devices as usual.

While you might picture a power strip with multiple devices plugged into it, these surge protectors only offer limited protection and often need to be replaced after a power surge happens. A whole house surge protector is more effective for guarding your devices against power surges.