Surge Protection

Beyond power surges related to regional outages, another common reason for power surges is the operation of heavy-duty electrical devices. Refrigerators, air conditioners, and clothes dryers are just a few large appliances that require a significant amount of electricity to switch motors and compressors on and off. Devices that have heating elements, such as toaster ovens, electric kettles, and coffee makers, can also cause power surges on some circuits.

Toggling high-power electrical equipment and devices can create heavy demands for electricity that can disrupt the constant flow of voltage in the electrical system.

The following can cause power surges:

• Faulty electrical wiring is prone to several issues, including inconsistent delivery of power.
• Problems with the utility company’s lines, transformers, or other components can lead to power issues.
• Lightning can cause power surges. This is rare, though it does happen more often in areas with frequent thunderstorms. Lightning may increase electrical pressure in wiring by millions of volts, overwhelming even the best power strip style surge protector.
• High winds that accompany thunderstorms can down power lines and destroy transformers. When power is restored, it can lead to a sudden rush of energy that can break your devices.

When you hear the words “surge protector,” you probably picture a power strip with several devices plugged into it. Household power strips do help protect against power surges, but they offer limited protection for devices and usually must be replaced after one power surge.