Posted on: December 7, 2016
By: Alan O'Neill
Posted in: Electrician
A surge protection is a sudden voltage spike that travels through your home’s electrical wiring, possibly damaging electronic appliances or causing other problems. Three of the main sources of power surges are large appliances turning on and off, power grid switching originating at the utility company, and electrical storms. Voltage spikes run through your home’s wiring and unprotected appliances at a level beyond their operating capacity. Repeated power surges can damage electronic equipment to the point it may fail.
The surge protector detects extra voltage and diverts it into a grounding wire. This is why all surge protectors have a “grounding pin,” which is the third prong on a plug, and all surge protectors must be plugged into a properly grounded outlet for them to work as they should.
Do you ever stop and think about how much you need your garage door opener? Probably not. Like most folks, you just naturally expect this handy little device to keep doing its job. But when something goes wrong — especially as you’re rushing to get to work or coming home late at night — you could be facing a lot of hassle and unnecessary expense. If your garage door opener starts working erratically or not at all, it may have been affected by an electrical power surge. What causes this problem and what can you do about it?
What is a Power Surge?
A power surge (also referred to as a “voltage spike”) is a sudden increase in the amount of potential energy in your electric lines. It may result from a number of different causes: heavy demand from your appliances, a short circuit, faulty wiring or grounding in your home, problems with the local electric company’s system, a power outage, or an electrical storm. Whatever the source, this overload of electric power has the potential to seriously harm sensitive electronic equipment such as your computer, security alarm system, or garage door opener.
Safeguard Your Home’s Electrical System
Fortunately, you may be able to prevent or divert a substantial power surge before it does major damage. Especially if you live in an older building constructed prior to 1960, have your home’s electrical system inspected. Verify that it is properly grounded and, in general, measures up to today’s standards of safety. Check the plugs and cords of your appliances periodically for any signs of looseness, wear, or fraying. Either insert individual outlet surge suppressors where needed (including in the outlet meant to service your garage door opener) or have an electrician upgrade your home’s main circuit panel by installing a whole house surge protector. These devices work to ensure that even if there is a power spike in your system, any electric voltage above a predetermined safe amount will be blocked. Check with the manufacturer of your garage door opening system to see whether a specific type of protector is required for your model. Read more…
Electrical surges in the home can be downright scary. Regardless of what causes the surge, it can damage electronic equipment and even spark fires. Surge protection is one of the best means of managing power spikes and ensuring the safety of your Algonquin, IL home, family, and possessions. Call us at 713-766-3605 for your home service and repair needs.
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