Whole House Surge Protection
Although major power surges like lightning strikes are rare, most appliances create minor surges daily (such as those from the motors in refrigerators and air conditioners). These small surges don't cause immediate damage, but they can degrade the performance of your devices over time.
The best way to protect against these surges is with a whole-house surge protector installed at the electrical panel. By electrician west palm beach. They can also install a new electrical panel or upgrade your existing one. The cost of a new meter base is generally less than it would be to replace the entire panel.
Protects Against Internal Surges
As our lives become increasingly reliant on technology and appliances, the risk of damaging surges increases. A power surge that destroys a television, computer, home office or wired security system is not only inconvenient, but it can also cost you dearly in replacement and repair costs. Whole House Surge Protection protects your devices, appliances and electrical equipment from internal and external surges.
The majority of power surges originate internally, rather than from weather-related issues or events that occur on the grid. They can come from a variety of sources, including switching, overloading, and malfunctioning appliances. These surges can damage circuit boards and cause them to fail, shortening the lifespan of your electronics, appliances, and other equipment.
Most surges are small, and they can be caused by things like loose wires, appliance cycling (turning on and off), static electricity, and switching loads on the circuit board. A surge protector is designed to combat these mini-surges and prevent them from damaging and destroying your expensive appliances, devices and equipment.
If you’re looking for the most comprehensive level of surge protection, then look no further than a Type 1 whole-house surge suppression device. These are externally mounted before the main breaker panel and require professional installation. They are typically more expensive than point-of-use surge suppressors, but they provide the best protection against external and internal surges.
These units are typically rated at 30kA upward and are ideal for protecting appliances and electrical fittings during major storms or other surge-prone events. They will amplify low-level surges and absorb high-level ones to reduce the overall damage.
When it comes to point-of-use surge protection, "plug-in" models are available in a wide range of sizes and prices. They can vary from $70 units that are the size of a computer mouse to $350 models that can protect the entire home theater. Most models feature LED displays that show a surge event or failure status, while some can even communicate with smart home systems to alert you of surge events. Aside from preventing surges, these devices can help you cut down on your electric bill by keeping your electronics and appliances running efficiently.
Prevents Damage to Your Appliances
Power surges can damage appliances in your home, shorten their lifespan, and even cause them to stop working. Whole House Surge Protection prevents these events by protecting your electrical wiring and appliances from experiencing surges in electricity. A professional electrician can install this surge suppression system in your home, which will tame and redirect excess voltage from internal circuits to the ground wire in less than a nanosecond. You can also opt for plug-in surge protectors to protect specific electronic devices.
Power surges are often attributed to lightning storms and other external issues like power grid fluctuations or downed utility lines. While these are certainly common causes, the majority of surges come from inside your Cincinnati home. Typically, these are small spikes in voltage caused by everyday activities, such as switching on and off appliances and running electric motors, that erode sensitive electronics over time and shorten their lifespan.
A lot of homeowners think that a simple power strip or surge protector will be sufficient to protect their electronic devices and valuables from damaging power surges. However, this is not the case. Unless you are familiar with the technical details of how these surge suppressors work, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to install one in your home correctly and safely.
These devices, which resemble large gray boxes that sit on the wall by your electrical panel, are designed to detect electrical anomalies. Once they do, they automatically divert excess voltage to the ground wire, preventing it from reaching your devices and causing them damage. Unlike power strips that allow you to plug in and out your electronics, these surge protection devices are permanently installed in your electrical panel.
You can also opt for plug-in surge protection for certain electronic devices in your home, such as your computer or your home entertainment system. These surge suppressors are a great solution for individuals that frequently use electronics and appliances such as air conditioning units or washing machines. However, the best solution to keep your expensive electronics and appliances safe is a combination of both a whole-house surge protector and individual plug-in surge protection.
Reduces Risk of House Fires
A power surge doesn’t just damage electrical wiring and appliances; it can wipe out vital data that resides on your smart devices. This includes precious family photos and important digital paperwork you can’t afford to lose. A good technician may be able to recover the information from your device’s memory, but it isn’t always possible. This is why whole-house surge protection is a wise investment for any homeowner.
Whole House Surge Protection prevents all of the surges in your home’s internal wiring, telecommunications systems, and external sources such as lightning strikes and downed power lines. Many homeowners believe they can adequately protect their electronic devices by using a power strip or plug-in surge suppressor, but the truth is these types of surge protectors don’t offer complete protection.
One surge is enough to shorten the life of a refrigerator, washing machine, or even a high-end computer. Whole-house surge protection offers long-term defense and reduces the risk of costly repairs or replacements.
Most people associate surges with lightning strikes, but the truth is that most spikes in electricity are small. Heavy appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners create minor surges daily that don’t cause instantaneous damage but can degrade their overall performance and shorten their lifespan. Whole-house surge protection shields these expensive investments and reduces the risk of premature death.
When you’re choosing a surge suppressor, look for a label that says "UL 1449 (3rd Edition)" or something similar. This is an indication that the surge suppressor has been tested and rated by UL, the independent testing organization that sets safety standards for consumer electronics. You can also look for a model that has been designated as a transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS).
Many types of surge protectors require modification to electrical wiring, which should only be performed by a licensed electrician. You can avoid this by having a surge protection professional from McCarrick Electric evaluate your home’s current wiring and determine whether it needs to be upgraded before installing whole-house surge protection.
Saves Money
Today’s appliances and devices rely more on sensitive circuitry, and one power surge can permanently damage them or reduce their lifespans. That’s why whole house surge protection is an excellent investment. Without one, you could be out thousands of dollars in appliances and electronics, and even more on costly repairs.
While some people believe that using power strips to protect their electronic devices is sufficient, the truth is they only offer minimal protection. Power surges can come from many sources, including lightning, utility work, or downed power lines. They can also be the result of internal events, such as an overloaded breaker or faulty wiring.
Whole home surge protectors intercept excess voltage before it reaches the home, protecting against external and internal surges. They’re a great way to avoid expensive equipment repair or replacement costs and to protect your family’s safety.
In addition to whole-house surge protection, you can also install point-of-use surge protectors between each of your outlets and the devices they’re connected to. These types of surge protectors can help save energy by reducing the amount of electricity that devices consume when they’re turned off or at low-power modes. This waste is known as vampire power and can drain your electric bill by up to $3 billion a year.
Most power surges are short (referred to as transient), and while they don’t typically cause major damage, they can degrade the performance and shorten the lifespan of your appliances and electronics over time. A whole-house surge protector acts as a superior line of defense against these power fluctuations, so it’s a smart choice for homes with an elaborate home entertainment system or other expensive electronics.
Whole-home surge protection protects against the most common causes of power surges, such as lightning strikes, overloaded breaker panels, and downed power lines. However, power surges can also originate inside your home, such as when a device sends a surge through a shared circuit. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a professional install a layered surge suppression system, which includes a surge protector installed at your breaker panel and one or more outlet installations.
Although major power surges like lightning strikes are rare, most appliances create minor surges daily (such as those from the motors in refrigerators and air conditioners). These small surges don't cause immediate damage, but they can degrade the performance of your devices over time. The best way to protect against these surges is with a…