![]() ![]() During the visual inspection, ensure that the plug is fully engaged in their respective outlets. Do visually inspect all surge protectors or power strips on a regular basis to ensure that they are not damaged or showing signs of degradation.On the underside of the casing, there should be the manufacturer’s name and the name of the testing lab where the unit was tested. The UL or ETL label must never be removed from the unit. Do use surge protectors or power strips that are UL (Underwriters Laboratory) or ETL (Electrical Testing Laboratories) approved.They aren’t designed to maintain a load for extended periods of time and can overheat if used too frequently. These units will trip the breaker if the power strip is overloaded or shorted to prevent overheating. Do use surge protectors or power strips that have an internal circuit breaker.Do only use power strips for light-load appliances (including computers, lamps, clocks).Every year, thousands of home fires result from surge protectors, power strips, and electrical cords.Īt Mister Sparky, we don’t want to see you caught up in an electrical emergency, so we’ve compiled a short list of surge protector safety tips: Surge Protection Do’s and Don’ts While these can work in many situations, many make the mistake of relying on surge protectors power strip too much. Many homeowners find themselves regularly swapping plugs or using devices like a power strip or surge protector. ![]() A whole-home surge protection system can shunt most of the impact to protect everything else in the home. Appliances send power surges through the electrical lines to the breaker panel. Whole-home surge protection can be built into your home’s breaker panel. These surges build up over the years, degrading the performance of electronics and harming the electrical systems in your home. Generators and appliances such as air conditioning units and washing machines introduce small surges into a home’s electrical lines. With the increasing use of technology and electronics, 80 percent of the electrical surges in a home are generated by people. While not fully comprehensive, this may get you the best bang for the buck.įor more information on having a whole home surge protector installed, contact us online or give us a call at 51.Today, homes are more in need of whole-home surge protection than ever before. In closing, with the number of electronic devices and their value, consider adding at least a single whole house device and perhaps adding a GFCI receptacle or two for the most expensive items. Also, consider the frequency of electrical events in your area. More is better to a point however, if the cost of the protection exceeds the value of protected items, you may be going overboard with protection. For most whole home surge protectors, a rated surge protector of 2000 Joules (unit of energy) or higher is desirable. This is a question of risk versus return. Our electricians at Efficient AC, Electric & Plumbing are skilled in GFCI outlet installation. These will often trip during lightning events and help arrest the damage potential. While these are not specifically surge protectors, adding a GFCI outlet to a device can help. GFCI circuits can also protect devices plugged into the GFCI outlet. They can be used in conjunction with whole house protection and offer some protection against strikes not traveling through main wiring. Local devices, frequently built into inexpensive power strips, can further protect expensive electronic equipment. They help cover appliances that are built into the property. They are reasonably effective for surges, but not strikes. They are consumable, and as such, they can be damaged and will take the damage away from the equipment they protect. Whole house surge protectors are installed in or at the electrical panel and offer protection for all circuits. Each can cover incoming power, cable and other data lines. While there are classifications of device, the most simple classifications break devices into two installation locations: whole house or local. Near direct strikes, which follow alternate paths to the equipment, are not, unless the surge protector is in line with the flow of energy. True surges from the source through the device will generally be covered. Surge protectors are not a 100% guarantee against electrical events, although some devices offer limited warranties, financially speaking. A few questions come up with these needs: Do surge protectors really work?Īnswer: Sometimes. Electrical events, such as surges and strikes, can do irreparable damage to all types of equipment. For many machines and devices, the electronic components are the most expensive and most difficult to replace. With advancements in electronics and the cost of the circuits, whole house surge protectors have become more common in recent years. ![]()
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