Household Electrical Safety – What To Know About Whole-House Surge Protection

You might be familiar with the term “surge protection” but somewhat confused or completely oblivious of what it really is. There are a lot of truths and misconceptions about surge protection especially the ones that offer whole-house coverage. This article will be shedding light on what surge protectors really are and how they can improve electrical safety at home.

Here’s what you need to know about whole-house surge protection

Before we dive into the details of surge protectors, let’s first understand what it really is. In simple terms, surge protectors provide a barrier against electrical spikes. Sudden bursts of electricity or power surges can be devastating to any electrical appliance whether they are plugged in or hardwired into your system. Most often, people associate power surges with lightning strikes. While it is true that lightning strikes cause major power spikes, the frequency of it happening is often overstated or exaggerated. On average, power surges occur within the home. Around 60% to 80% of surges happen indoors and are triggered by appliances like HVAC systems when they cycle on and off. Other high-power equipment can also trigger the same effect. In essence, using electrical devices that draw a lot of power can cause a power surge. That’s the reason why you should consult a Columbia electrician regarding the best type of power surge protection for your home. Here’s a list of the probable causes of power surges:

• Lightning strikes
• Inductive spikes
• Power outages
• Tripped circuit breakers
• Short circuits
• Power transitions happening on the same line

Types of surge protectors There are basically two types of surge protectors. The first and most popular types are individual plug-in suppressors. These are the ones that you can find built into power strips and extension cables. While they essentially provide surge protection, the applications are limited. Whole-house surge protection, on the other hand, has wider coverage. Instead of individually hooking up electrical devices to a surge protector, whole-house applications will protect everything. This includes appliances that are hardwired onto the electrical system. This means all of your appliance circuits are protected from a central location. In general, it is best to install a whole-house surge protector instead of individual suppressors. With your entire house protected, you don’t need to bother buying a separate suppressor for new appliances. Instead, the system will automatically protect everything plugged into electrical outlets and those that are hardwired. Who can install surge protectors? The installation of individual suppressors is fairly straightforward. Instructions often come with the package. However, for whole-house surge protection, you need to hire an expert like CHS Electricians Columbia. This is to ensure that everything is working accordingly. Electrical safety must be one of the top priorities in every household. Adding such protective measures will give you peace of mind. Always bear in mind that power surges are dangerous but can be easily averted through the use of surge protectors.

Are you in need of reliable and professional electrical services? Call CHS Electricians Columbia today! You may reach us at (803) 973-7324.

CHS Electricians Columbia Columbia SC 29205 (803) 973-7324 http://electricianscolumbiasc.com

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