How Whole House Surge Protectors Keep Things Safe
Electricity truly keeps us connected, but even the tiniest power surge can damage every appliance you have plugged in. While this is rare, protecting your property from power surges is much easier than you may think. Installing a whole home power surge protection system goes above and beyond more limited strip protectors to offer the greatest peace of mind.
Risks of Power Surges
The typical wall outlet at businesses, schools, and homes provides 120 volts of alternating current (AC) to power your devices. The key word here is alternating, meaning that because the electron flow constantly changes direction, there are fluctuations between 0 and as much as 169 volts.
Your appliances rated for 120V plugs can handle these perfectly fine. This issue occurs when the plug receives a voltage surge, sometimes from nearby lightning or electrical issues in the region, that exceeds the upper 169-volt limit. While rare, even the slightest surge can cause extensive damage to your appliances and home.
Why Install a Whole Home Surge Protector
Whole home surge protectors are one of the most effective ways to not only protect against these power surges but extend that protector to your entire abode.
You may already be familiar with power strip surge protectors that plug into your wall and offer protection to the plugged-in appliances. While these are useful, the market is saturated with fakes that offer no actual protection and have limited coverage.
Whole house surge protectors are installed at your main electrical panel and act as the first line of defense against power surges, ideally protecting everything within your home. While they’re an investment, they can save you from extensive costs that come along with broken appliances and a ruined electrical system.
When to Replace an Old Surge Protector
To get the most out of your surge protector, you want to make sure it’s running in top shape. This means replacing it before parts often fail, usually around 3 to 5 years after initial installation or after a major surge event.
Like power strip variants, many whole-home surge protectors have LED status lights that are easy to check. If you notice this light is off or flickering, there is visible damage to the unit or surrounding area, frequent tripping, or power fluctuations in the home, it may be time for a replacement.
You can also have your electrician perform an annual whole-home inspection to detect issues early on and replace or repair them before they become problems.
About Atlas Home Service
Since 2011, Atlas Home Services has strived to provide only the best customer service to Alexandria and the surrounding parishes. From heating and cooling to electrical maintenance and repairs, their 5-star rated technicians have extensive knowledge to get things up and running exactly as you need them to. Call them today for power surge protection in Alexandria, LA!
