Surge protectors are a critical part of safeguarding your home in the event of a power surge. In this post, we’ll explain how they work and why they’re critical to keeping your home and your family safe.
WHAT CAUSES POWER SURGES?
Power surges can happen in a couple of different ways. They’re typically caused by either a lightning strike or damage to a nearby power line. In either case, your home will experience an immediate and excessive surge of power. A surge protector works by diverting that excess power away from your outlets and appliances and to your home’s grounding path.
KEY TERMS
To understand the specifics, you need to understand two of the key terms used by electricians: Amperage and Voltage. Amperage measures the total amount of electrons moving through a current, while voltage measures the overall pressure that causes those electrons to flow.
SURGE PROTECTION EXAMPLE
If a wire has too much voltage or electric pressure, it will overheat and melt or catch fire. The surge protector constantly monitors the voltage, and when it detects a surge, it immediately reroutes it, preventing excess electricity from damaging your home. Devices used for managing the pressure include metal oxide varistors (MOV) and gas discharge arrestors. These allow your home to continue getting the proper supply of energy to operate while channeling the rest to grounding wires.
SURGE PROTECTION OPTIONS
There are three basic types of surge protectors for your home, and homeowners can utilize one, two, or all three for maximum protection.
- Whole-home protectors installed between the power lines and your home
- Whole-home protectors are installed between your power meter and breaker box.
- Point-of-use protectors are installed at individual wall outlets.
The trifecta of protectors will help guard your home against excessive surges that can’t be suppressed by an individual whole-home unit and also guard against in-home surges that can occur when appliances turn off.
WORTH THE CALL
Older homes with older wiring could often use new or upgraded surge protectors. The rerouting mechanism and the wiring need to be ready for an unexpected surge. The Bosworth Company has a fully licensed team of electricians who can assist you with surge protectors or other electrical needs. Make an appointment online or call us today at (432) 570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.