Power surges are temporary spikes in voltage that can damage your electronics, and they have many causes. Often, it’s internal activities that cause these surges, like HVAC systems, vacuums, or refrigerators turning on or off. Other times, surges may happen because of something grid related, power restoration after an outage, or a lightning strike. To protect your devices and appliances from these voltage spikes, it’s important to invest in surge protection.
There are three main forms of surge protection you can choose to incorporate:
- Meter-Based Surge Protection – Surge protection at the meter may or may not be something your power company offers. If they do, you can have this type of surge protector installed so that it redirects over-voltage before it ever enters your home.
- Whole-House Surge Protection – Whole-house surge protectors can be installed by a trusted electrician. They are mounted on the electrical panel. These surge protection systems detect dangerous voltage spikes and redirect energy into the ground before it reaches the appliances or devices in your home.
- Power Strip Surge Protectors – This is known as point-of-use surge protection. These power strips have multiple outlets for your convenience, and they don’t require professional installation. You just plug them in. If a power surge occurs, these devices absorb excess voltage and protect the appliances or equipment plugged into them.
If you would like to learn more about your surge protection options, contact our team at Buckingham Electric Inc.