Understanding the risks of a power surge in house electrical systems

by Kevin Kelleher 12/18/2023

Image text: Home safety guide power surges at home

A power surge in house electrical systems can cause damage both to your home and electronic devices. While power surges are not always possible to prevent, there are plenty of ways to limit the chance of damage in your home.

To help you learn more about power surges and your electrical system, here are some of the basics:

How do power surges cause damage?

Power surges happen when there is a sudden interruption and spike in electricity flowing to your home's electrical system. This can happen for a number of reasons, including lighting strikes and faulty power lines.

A power surge can cause damage by overloading the circuit breakers in your home. It can also damage electrical appliances plugged into the wall outlets. In some cases, a power surge can even cause sparks or fire. Power surge damage can be expensive to fix, as an electrical overload can affect multiple devices at once.

How to prevent power surges

A good method to safeguard your equipment is to unplug it when not in use. Many electrical devices have built-in surge protectors to mitigate the effects of a sudden burst of power. For everything else, you can use a power strip or wall outlet surge protector for extra safety.

Infographic: Power surges at home

You can also prevent damage from power surges by ensuring your home's electrical wiring is up to spec. Faulty wiring in the home poses a major risk, even without voltage spikes from an electrical surge. If you think you might have electrical issues in your home, consult a licensed electrician for advice and a professional safety inspection.

About the Author
Author

Kevin Kelleher

The thing that sets me aside from other agents is my experience, I started out a young man in construction learning everything from anyone that could teach me so before long I had my own company as a remodeling contractor then specialized in historical renovations by the end I had the pleasure of working on great jobs with great clients for 30 years. For the past 12 years, I have been enjoying the process of assisting my faithful clients with real estate transactions my knowledge of houses has given my clients a huge advantage when viewing properties and what is needed when selling. I have always enjoyed working with people and helping them in probably the largest investment they will make. I hope you will give me the chance to show you that honesty and hard work does pay off in the end whether you're buying or selling.