Installing Whole House Surge Protectors in Madison, WI
Don’t Leave Your Home Vulnerable to Power Surges
Imagine suddenly needing to replace every electronic device and appliance plugged into your home’s electrical system. Unfortunately, this is a reality for many unlucky homeowners. When a power surge strikes your home, it can overheat valuable electronics rendering them unusable. Fortunately, Mr. Electric of Madison installs whole house surge protectors in Madison and Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Learn more about the benefits of installing a whole house surge protector.
Understanding Power Surges
A power surge occurs when the voltage running through your home suddenly increases. Often called a voltage spike, power surges can range from minor spikes of approximately 10 volts to massive spikes caused by lighting. Power surges are often confused with electrical overload. While the breakers in your electrical panel will protect your home from electrical overload (increases in amperage), they cannot stop a power surge (spikes in voltage). Mr. Electric of Madison can install a house surge protection device into your electrical panel to prevent a power surge from affecting the devices in your home.
How Do Power Surges Happen
Now that we understand what a power surge is let’s explore the causes of power surges. There are a few common instances that cause power surges. The source of the power surge will dictate how severe the damage caused by it is. Regardless of the severity of a power surge, the only way to protect yourself against it is by installing a whole-house surge protector. The most common causes of power surges include the following:
- A sudden demand for power from a device or appliance, such as an air conditioner, refrigerator, or laundry appliance
- Downed power lines
- Problems with electrical wiring
- Issues with power lines, transformers, and other equipment owned by your utility company
- Lightning strikes are somewhat uncommon occurrences, but when they happen, the power surges are disastrous
What Does a Surge Protector Do?
A surge protector for your house provides comprehensive protection from potential power surges. Mr. Electric of Madison installs these permanent units into your electrical panel, just like your circuit breakers. The surge protector will constantly monitor the voltage of power flowing into your home. If the voltage should spike, it will redirect the flow of electricity within less than a nanosecond. This effectively prevents the excess electricity from reaching your devices such as TVs, computers, refrigerators, or other valuable appliances.
Will a Power Strip Surge Suppressor Protect Me?
Many homeowners wonder whether they can just use a power strip with a surge suppressor to protect themselves. While this does offer limited surge protection, it is not a substitute for a whole house surge protector. Power strips like these use a metal oxide varistor (MOV) to monitor for spikes in voltage. You cannot install these power strips in your entire home. So, they leave large electronics, like freezers, ovens, refrigerators, and laundry appliances, vulnerable. These small surge suppressors also have a tendency to fail when there is a massive surge in voltage, sometimes letting the extra electricity pass through.
Schedule a Whole House Surge Protector Appointment!
If you don’t have a whole house surge protector, Mr. Electric of Madison is here to help you protect your home’s electronics. A surge protector pays for itself if it only prevents a single catastrophic power surge. Our services are available to residents of Madison, Sun Prairie, and the surrounding areas. We make the process of installing a surge protector as simple as possible. We always meet with you ahead of time and explain the pricing to you in a clear and transparent manner. Schedule your whole house surge protector appointment now!