These days, most homeowners in Beckley, WV, know that it’s a good idea to protect their devices with surge protectors. However, many people don’t exactly know why they’re doing it. Some even assume that every power strip they own features a surge protector. That’s a big deal because surge protectors can be a lifesaver in the event of an electrical surge. Devices with microprocessors are vulnerable to serious damage from overvoltages. Today, almost every electrical device you own is on that list. So, to clear up any confusion, here is what surge protectors are and exactly how they work. We’ll also cover how to choose the right one.
Power Surges and How They Happen
A power surge refers to any situation when the voltage traveling through your home’s power lines significantly exceeds 120 volts. Technically, a surge refers to overvoltages that last longer than three nanoseconds that reach above 169 volts. Any shorter than that, and you’d call it a power spike. It’s important to realize, however, that even a short power spike can be enough to damage electronic equipment. Worse still, power surges and spikes happen more often than you might think.
Power surges can happen for a variety of reasons. For example, you may experience a power surge after a blackout after your utility company restores power. Or, you could experience one if there’s a nearby downed power line. Lightning strikes are another common cause of power surges. The reasons don’t end there, though. Power surges can even result from conditions inside your home. A tripped circuit breaker in your home can cause a power surge. So can a fault in your home’s wiring. Even large appliances starting up in your home can cause power surges.
It is worth pointing out that electronics don’t only suffer damage from large power surges. Even slight damage from smaller surges can lead to premature failure. So, if the electronics in your home seem to break down sooner than they should, power surges could be why.
What Is a Surge Protector?
Put simply, a surge protector is a device that sits between your home’s incoming power supply and a protected device. The technical name for a surge protector is a transient voltage surge suppressor. In most homes, they’re most commonly plugged into outlets you use to power sensitive equipment. This may include televisions, computers, and audio equipment. The typical surge protector features multiple outlets, so you can extend protection to multiple devices at once. Unfortunately, this is why people often confuse them with power strips. A power strip is just a multi-outlet extension cord with no additional protection.
How To Tell a Surge Protector From a Power Strip
The good news is that it’s easy to tell the difference between a surge protector and a power strip. A surge protector will have a rating printed on it telling you how big a surge it can handle. The rating will tell you how many Joules of energy the surge protector can absorb to protect your devices. A Joule is a measure of energy released over time. One watt of electricity is equivalent to one Joule over a single second. So, the higher the Joule rating on your surge protector, the bigger the power surge it can suppress. If you don’t see a Joule rating listed anywhere, you can’t safely assume it’s a power strip. A surge protector should also list its clamp-down voltage, which measures its sensitivity. This lets you know how high the voltage must be before the surge protector springs into action.
How Do Surge Protectors Work?
Surge protectors rely on one of two types of underlying technology. Both provide the same kind of protection but do it differently. One is metal oxide varistors (MOVs). They act as electricity absorbers that catch excess voltage up to their specified rating and redirect it to the ground.
The other type of technology a surge protector may rely on is a gas discharge arrestor (GDR). These ingenious devices contain gasses that don’t conduct electricity well. However, the gasses used will ionize if you apply sufficient voltage. This turns them into excellent conductors that can reroute excess voltage. When the excess voltage disappears, the gas returns to being a poor conductor.
Choosing the Right Surge Protector
Since surge protectors have different Joule ratings, it’s important to choose the right one for your needs. The following are some guidelines for doing that.
500 to 1,000-Joule Surge Protectors
Although not common, surge protectors rated between 500 and 1000 Joules exist. However, they only offer the bare minimum protection from serious power surges. That makes them suitable for protecting low-priority devices or devices with little voltage sensitivity. For example, you might use one to protect a lamp but not your television.
1,000 to 2,000-Joule Surge Protectors
Surge protectors rated between 1,000 and 2,000 Joules work well for office equipment and small electronics. This includes things like laptops, printers, and cell phones. They also work well for power tools if you use them in your garage or other workspaces. However, you will want an even more powerful surge protector for any computerized device that stores critical data.
2,000 to 3,000-Joule Surge Protectors
Surge protectors rated for up to 3,000 Joules are ideal for protecting sensitive electronics. They’re what you’d want protecting your televisions, gaming consoles, and home theater equipment. Basically, you’ll want them protecting anything you can’t afford to lose in a power surge. While powerful surge protectors like these cost a bit more, they’re worth it for these applications.
Whole Home Surge Protectors
It’s also worth noting that you can install a whole-home surge protector on your home’s electrical panel. They work just like portable units, except that they’re hardwired into your home’s electrical infrastructure. They are also capable of stopping power surges from high-voltage sources like lightning strikes. However, even a whole-home surge protector doesn’t obviate the use of portable models. They’re best used in concert to create layered protection against surges from multiple origins. If you’d like to know more, contact Childers Air Plumbing & Electric, and one of our experts will discuss it with you.
Your Trusted Local Home Services Company
Childers Air Plumbing & Electric is the place to turn for surge protection in Beckley. Our expert electricians can help you choose the right whole-home surge protector for your needs. Then, they’ll install it for you to get you the protection you want. They’ll even consult with you about what other surge protection measures you should take. We also offer complete electrical services, HVAC services, and plumbing, too. That means we’re the only name you need to know to keep your home’s major infrastructure running well. We’ve served the local area since 1951 and have a long list of five-star reviews from local homeowners just like you.
So, if you need surge protection here in Beckley, contact our experts at Childers Air Plumbing & Electric today!
