Surges in a home’s electrical system can cause damage to sensitive devices like computers, TVs, lights, refrigerators, and other devices. The damage can be even more severe if the devices are smart appliances with delicate electronics. That is why homeowners and renters should protect their investments with surge protection and check with their insurance provider to cover their electronics with a protection plan.

The cause of electrical surges can come from many places. Most power surges come from within the home. Any time a motor load starts up, it draws a surge of energy that affects the entire home. Examples of motor loads are air conditioning compressors, washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, and well pumps.

Surges can also come from acts of nature like storms. Whether it’s a lightning strike or tree limbs are blown onto the power lines, storms can unpredictably cause havoc with the power grid. Sometimes the surge comes from the utility provider as they are servicing the lines. We are constantly maintaining the quality of our grid to provide a reliable source of energy. And, sometimes a reckless driver makes contact with a power pole, forcing us to shut off the power to repair the damage and then re-energize, creating a surge. Regardless of the cause, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to make sure their electronics are protected.

Protection can range from a simple power strip (offering around 280 Joules of protection for as little as $10) to whole-home devices (offering millions of Joules of protection for as little as $100 on up). Power strips are placed in between the electronics to be protected and the wall outlet and are typically installed by the homeowner. Whole-home protection is installed in or near the main electrical panel by an electrician.

The amount of protection provided is listed on the surge protection device. The protection ranges vary and are typically listed in Joules (watts times seconds) or Kiloamperes (kA).

Keep in mind, the more a protective device works, the faster it wears out. Most surge protectors have an indicator light that signals when the device is no longer providing protection. Make sure to monitor those devices and replace them when needed.

You can also find our video on surge protection on our YouTube channel.