Surge protection is a critical aspect of electrical safety around the home. Surge protectors safeguard our appliances, entertainment electronics and anything else that plugs in from unexpected voltage fluctuations.

This article explores the essentials of helping ensure your home is prepared for unexpected voltage spikes. We'll also explore what causes electrical surges, the potential damages and surge protection devices in more detail.

Plus, we'll look at how Reliant and Allied Warranty can help you protect your home's appliances and electronics from power surges.

Hire a licensed, professional electrician if your home needs any electrical-related assessment, maintenance or repairs.

Understanding voltage spikes and surge protection

Electricity as used in residential and business settings has a designated level of flow, and a voltage spike is a sudden increase in voltage past that level. In the same way electricity can harm a person, electronic devices are harmed by too much electricity, as their components are not built to handle current past a standard level.

Surge protectors help mitigate these spikes. These devices are designed to detect excessive voltage and divert the extra electricity into the ground.

What causes power surges?

There are both internal and external sources for voltage surges.

Internally, overloaded circuits or household appliances that run on a lot of power can be the starting point. Externally, lightning strikes are the most dramatic and destructive cause of power surges. 

The impact of power surges on your home

Power surges around the house can pose multiple levels of threat, whether it’s breaking a specific plugged-in item, up to the extreme of damaging the integrity of your home's electrical infrastructure. Understanding these risks is crucial for taking appropriate preventive measures.

Here are the primary dangers associated with power surges in a home:

• Damage to electrical appliances and devices — A power surge is likeliest to damage electrical appliances and devices. Whether something small like a computer or television, or a larger appliance like a refrigerator or washing machine, all are susceptible to severe damage if they are subjected to high voltage levels.
  
  
• A smartphone plugged in for recharge can even lose data due to a power surge. Repairs and replacement of household items make for potentially heavy expenses.
  
  
• Reduced lifespan of electronics — Even if a power surge does not immediately damage or destroy electronic devices, it can reduce their lifespan. Even small surges may degrade the internal components of electronic devices if they recur, leading to premature failure.
  
  
• Risk of electrical fires — Power surges can cause overheating of electrical wiring and lead to a structural fire. This is a risk for homes with outdated wiring or overloaded circuits especially, where the infrastructure may not be equipped to handle sudden spikes in electrical energy.
  
  
• Data loss — For computers and data storage devices that are plugged in, power surges pose a risk of data loss. Unexpected surges can damage hard drives, leading to the loss or corruption of personal or business-related information.
  
  
• Compromised safety systems — Home safety systems, including smoke detectors, security systems and other monitoring devices, rely on consistent electricity. A power surge can disrupt them, leaving the home vulnerable.
  
  
• Financial cost — Beyond the cost of replacing or repairing damaged items, power surges can lead to higher insurance premiums if claims are made for surge-related damage. Additionally, the unpredictability of power surges can make budgeting for repairs and replacements trickier for homeowners.

Recognizing the signs of a power surge

The most obvious signs of a power surge are fried circuits that have ceased conducting a current or have permanently damaged appliances.

Some signs are subtler though, such as slight discoloration of power cables or electrical outlets. Minor surges often leave residue such as this kind of discoloration, but over time the damage can include the devices plugged into these outlets.

If you suspect a power surge in your home or workplace, please consult a licensed professional electrician.

Comprehensive protection strategies      

One way to mitigate the threat of power surges is by installing a whole-house surge protector.

This is surge protection integrated directly into your home’s electrical panel. This device is designed to deal with any surge entering your home before it can reach your internal wiring and compromise any structure or devices.

Hire a professional, licensed electrician for installation and maintenance.

Preventive measures against power surges

Here are a few tips that can help you minimize the threat of power surges.

Hire a professional licensed electrician for any installation, maintenance or repair procedures involving your home's electricity and wiring.

• Unplugging devices — This simple measure can prevent damage during storms or when you expect power fluctuations.
  
  
• Professional maintenance of electrical panels — Ensuring that electrical panels and individual outlets aren’t overloaded can reduce the risk of internal surges. Rely on a licensed electrician.
  
  
• Proper grounding systems — A well-grounded electrical system provides a path for excess electricity to pass along without damage to the home.
  
  
• Safety switches and surge protectors — Installing safety switches (also known as circuit breakers) in the home’s main circuitry and using surge protectors in high-use outlets around the house can shield your devices from sudden spikes.

Reliant can help provide power-surge peace of mind 

With the right approach, stopping power surges before they happen can save you not only money but also the inconvenience of replacing valuable household items.

Reliant is here to help through our alliance with Allied Warranty.

Surge Protect, provided by Allied Warranty, can help reduce the impact of repairing or replacing surge-damaged electronics or appliances.

By paying a small amount each month along with your Reliant electricity bill, you'll have coverage that can help cover the costs of an unexpected power surge.

Learn more about Reliant's surge protection plans and other home protection plans.

Importance of up-to-date electrical wiring and choosing the right surge protector

Old or faulty wiring can increase the risk of a power surge, as it’s less capable of handling current safely.

Relying on a licensed electrician to maintain wiring and ensure compliance with current electrical standards is an important safety measure whether at home or the workplace.

Selecting a surge protector

To get surge protection that fits your space, you can keep an eye on certain criteria. Again, please rely on a licensed electrician for any assessment and installation services.

Joule rating

This indicates how much energy the surge protector can absorb before failing. Higher joule ratings mean protection from higher voltages.

Response time

Surge protectors should act fast; the quicker the response time shown on the surge protector, the better. Response time is sometimes measured in mere nanoseconds.

Clamping voltage

This is the voltage at which the surge protector starts performing its role, diverting electricity to the ground. Lower clamping voltage generally means a more sensitive detector and thus better protection.

Was it a power surge?

If you suspect a power surge has occurred, consult with a professional licensed electrician. 

Look to us for whole-home protection 

Surge protection is just one facet of safeguarding your home. Your home's AC and heat, plumbing and wiring can be protected, too.

Reliant protection plans, provided by Allied Warranty, help cover a portion of repair costs in case of damage to your home's critical systems and appliances.

The Home Solutions Essentials plan bundles several coverage options into one offer at a discounted price. Or choose from plans that cover certain areas of your home, including AC/Heat Protect, Plumbing Essentials and Surge Protect.

Learn more