A power surge is a sudden spike in the power entering your home. When this happens, your electric appliances and electronic devices are at risk. A power surge can cause damage that results in expensive repairs and replacements of these items. You can safeguard your home from these voltage spikes with our surge protection systems in Phoenix, AZ.
Understanding Power Surges
A power surge is a quick increase in voltage that travels through your wiring. It can be from an outside source, such as lightning, or from inside your home when large appliances turn on and off.
The average home has a standard electrical voltage of 120 volts. Damage can happen when that voltage exceeds 120 volts, but it doesn’t take long. A voltage increase that lasts at least three nanoseconds is a power surge. If it doesn’t, it’s a power spike.
Downed power lines, power outages, grid malfunctions and even the return of power can cause a power surge. Depending on where you live, you could deal with these situations often. Places with thunderstorms, grid brownouts and wildfires are especially at risk.
The Damage a Power Surge May Cause
The additional voltage created by the power surge creates heat that can damage or destroy the circuit board and other essential parts inside your electronics. The damage can happen suddenly or over a longer period. Since so many devices in a modern home have computer components, this can affect a wide range of items, including things like smart home appliances.
What Is a Power Surge Protection System?
A whole-house power surge protection system protects your electrical systems and electronics. When there’s a surge, it will limit the amount and direct it away from your home to keep your expensive devices and appliances such as TVs, computers, and washing machines safe.
Power surge systems are not just for home use. Industrial settings and offices can also benefit from this protection. They also eliminate downtime due to a power surge, which makes your electrical system more reliable, eliminates hassles, and saves you money.
How They Work
A surge protection system will suppress that higher voltage so it cannot damage your belongings. The metal oxide varistors are internal parts that absorb the additional voltage. The system then diverts the extra voltage through a ground wire, keeping it from reaching your devices. Some models feature a diagnostic LED that lets you know about possible wiring issues after a power surge.
Surge protection systems will also eliminate line noise, which you see as snow on your screen or hear as static from the audio on your electronics. Line noise comes from running more than one large item on one single electrical system. It can happen by simply turning on a fluorescent light or running a large appliance. It won’t damage your electronics, but it can be annoying.
Don’t confuse a power surge protection system with a power surge strip. A power strip with surge protection only protects the items you plug directly into it. Power surge strips offer a small amount of protection during minor spikes. A whole-house surge protection system can handle the larger power surges.
Do You Need a Surge Protection System?
While power surge protection is an excellent option for safeguarding any home or business, there are certain situations where you don’t want to go without one. If you have several expensive electronics, you know they aren’t cheap to repair or replace. You may be storing essential data on these devices, too. A power surge may destroy your computers, or they can wipe out all of your data storage.
Think about the reliability of the electricity in your area. If you have frequent power fluctuations, you want a surge protection system. You’ll know if your power fluctuates because you notice things like flickering lights or the items you plug in, like gaming systems and TVs, which often shut down without warning. A surge protection system will minimize the damage this may cause to those items. Remember that if you live in an area with frequent lightning, you’re also at a higher risk for power surges.
The Benefits of a Surge Protection System
By having us install a surge protection system in your home or business, you’ll be able to enjoy several benefits.
- Prevent electrical issues
- Protect electronics
- Prevent fires
- Peace of mind
A power surge can damage electronics, burst wires, and even start fires. When your electrical system can’t handle the power surge, it could result in a fire. The higher the voltage, the greater the risk. Once we install your whole-house surge protection system, you can relax. You no longer have to worry about your home, electronic devices, or appliances as long as you stay within the capabilities of each circuit in your home.
How Long Will a Surge Protection System Last?
The average surge protection system will last three to five years, depending on how often and how many power surges you’re experiencing. Repetitive surges take their toll on your system. It eventually won’t be able to keep protecting your electronics.
Most surge protection systems have an automatic shut-off. If they stop working, they cut power to your outlets. This lets you know it is time for a replacement, but you can count on us to help determine when you’ll need a new installation.
The Installation Process
Our team begins by discussing your options for a surge protection system. Together, we can find the perfect one for your needs. We will also check the state of your electrical panel and wiring. In some cases, you may need an updated electrical panel, for example.
On installation day, we start by turning off your power. We’ll install your surge protection system between the main electric panel and the meter. The system requires a double breaker. If your circuit breaker panel lacks one, we may need to replace it. It’s also possible to hard wire your surge protection system into the panel to eliminate the need for a double breaker. Once we mount and wire your system, we connect it to your panel’s round wire. The entire installation process should only take a few hours.
We offer several other electrical services besides our surge protection system installations. Our team does all types of electrical repair and wiring services. This includes adding outlets and switches, installing whole-house generators, and setting you up with an EV charging station.
We are also your home comfort provider. We do heating and cooling repairs, installations, and maintenance services but don’t stop there. Count on us for indoor air quality with our air handlers and UV sanitizers, and if you have a plumbing issue, we do everything from drain cleaning to installing water softeners. We can even help you find the perfect traditional or tankless water heater for your home.
Call Christian Brothers Air Conditioning Plumbing Electrical in Phoenix today for more information on whole-home surge protection.
