Effective ways of Protecting your house from voltage surge

Electricity is one of the primary aspects that sustain life in the 21st Century. From households to large industries, electricity serves as the primary source of power to run machinery, charge electrical devices, and many more. However, electricity can also be a hazard if left unchecked. Electrical devices connected to power outlets often face the risks of electrical burnouts during voltage surges. Therefore, in order to prevent permanent damage to your valuable electrical appliances, it is important to protect your home from voltage surges.

Voltage surges refer to an abrupt rise in the voltage-current flowing through a circuit within a very short period of time. Voltage surges cause excessive electricity to flow through the circuit into a connected device or appliance. This sudden rise in electricity levels is often beyond the capacities of the connecting devices, causing burnouts and other permanent electrical damages. 

What Is a Power Surge?

A power surge is a sudden and brief increase in the voltage of an electrical current flowing through your home's wiring. It can occur due to various reasons such as lightning strikes, power grid switching, or even the turning on and off of high-power electrical appliances. 

Power surges can cause significant damage to your home's electrical system and electronic devices, which is why it's important to take preventive measures. 

How to control high voltage at home? 

To control high voltage at home, it's essential to understand the causes of power surges. 

• One of the most common causes of power surges is lightning strikes. Installing a lightning rod on your roof can help divert the electrical current away from your home and reduce the risk of a power surge. 
• Additionally, you can install surge protectors on your electrical outlets to prevent excess voltage from reaching your electronic devices.

Power fluctuations can also cause power surges and damage your electronic devices. Now the question is how to control power fluctuation in home?

• One way to control power fluctuation in your home is by installing a voltage stabilizer. This device can regulate the voltage and ensure that your electronic devices receive a consistent and stable flow of electricity, even during fluctuations. 
• Another way to control power fluctuations is by avoiding the use of high-power appliances simultaneously, as this can cause an overload in the electrical system and lead to power surges.

How to protect electronic devices from high voltage?

Voltage surges refer to an abrupt rise in the voltage-current flowing through a circuit within a very short period of time. Voltage surges cause excessive electricity to flow through the circuit into a connected device or appliance. This sudden rise in electricity levels is often beyond the capacities of the connecting devices, causing burnouts and other permanent electrical damages.

• The best way to protect electronic devices from high voltage is by using surge protectors. These devices are designed to absorb excess voltage and prevent it from reaching your electronic devices. It's important to use high-quality surge protectors with a high joule rating to ensure that they can handle the energy surge. 
• Additionally, you can unplug your electronic devices when not in use, especially during lightning storms or when there is a high chance of power surges.

• Check your household wiring system for damages and wearing

Electrical wiring plays the most vital role in distributing electricity throughout the household. They connect the main electrical supply line with the rest of the appliances and back, allowing a smooth circulation of electricity. However, electrical cables are prone to damages, wear, and tear over time and require regular maintenance. Wires can often break, get damaged, or become loose when used for a prolonged period of time. In case of loose or faulty wires, the electrical connection can get disrupted, often leading to overloads, short circuits, or voltage surges. 

Therefore, to lower the risks of abrupt voltage surges, it is imperative to look out for old, damaged wires and replace broken wires from time to time. Using a well-insulated wire also significantly reduces the chances of electrocution and accidental fires. Faulty wires can often be detected by power fluctuations, buzzing sounds, or smoke. Anomalies like vibrations or burn marks are also indicators of faulty wiring that require replacement. 

• Installing electrical protection for household appliances

A fundamental way of protecting the sensitive electrical appliances in your house from voltage surge is by installing surge protectors. Usually, surge protectors are installed for TVs, refrigerators, and desktop computers to prevent any electrical damage. Additionally, you can also:

• Install surge stations to regulate any excess current flowing through the electrical circuits.
• Use power strips to avoid overloading of power outlets.

Using devices for circuit overload protection is also helpful in avoiding voltage surges.

• Surge protection for the entire house -

Simply installing electrical protection for sensitive household appliances cannot always ensure complete protection of your house against voltage surges. Thankfully, companies like Schneider Electric offer solutions for whole-house protection against voltage surges. Protectors that provide whole-house voltage protection are usually designed to be used as the primary breaker and are installed across the main electrical supply line to the house. The protector is installed alongside the main power distribution board and can be used to supervise and regulate the electrical flow into the house. 

In the case of an electrical spike caused by a voltage surge, the primary breaker that serves as the whole-house voltage protector is triggered. It disrupts the power in the mainline and protects the in-house wires and electrical connections from the voltage surge by redirecting any excess power to the underground wires.  

• Maintenance of worn-out circuit breakers -

Circuit breakers are often used as the primary electrical protection devices. Circuit breakers like MCBs and MCCBs are fail-safe ways of ensuring electrical protection to your devices during overloads. However, having a worn-out circuit breaker is as good as having no electrical protection at all. Faulty or worn-out circuit breakers, therefore, need to be replaced so they can work efficiently and control power surges, protecting any connected electrical devices from damage. 

You can take other steps to protect your house from voltage surges, including unplugging sensitive devices during thunderstorms and upgrading your appliances to energy-efficient models. 

How Do Power Surges Cause Damage?

Power surges can occur when there is a sudden and significant increase in the electrical current flowing through your home's wiring. This can happen due to various reasons, such as lightning strikes, power grid switching, or even faulty electrical appliances. 

When this happens, it can cause a massive spike in the voltage that can quickly damage your electronic devices, appliances, and even your home's electrical system. Here are some ways how to control high voltage at home, how to control power fluctuation at home, and how to protect electronic devices from high voltage.

1. Invest in Surge Protectors

One of the easiest ways to protect your electronic devices from power surges is to use surge protectors. These devices work by diverting the excess voltage to the ground, thereby preventing it from reaching your electronics. 

Surge protectors are relatively inexpensive and can be used for multiple devices at once. Be sure to choose a surge protector with a high enough joule rating to handle the amount of energy that may surge through your home's electrical system.

2. Unplug Your Electronics

Another way to protect your electronic devices is to unplug them when they are not in use. This is especially important during lightning storms or when there is a high chance of power surges. Unplugging your electronics eliminates the risk of damage caused by voltage spikes.

3. Use Voltage Stabilizers

Voltage stabilizers are devices that can help regulate the voltage in your home, thus preventing power surges from occurring. These devices work by stabilizing the voltage fluctuations in your home's electrical system, ensuring that your electronic devices are not exposed to sudden surges.

4. Hire a Professional Electrician

If you're concerned about power surges in your home, it's best to consult a professional electrician. They can help you identify the cause of the surges and recommend appropriate measures to protect your home and electronics. They may also suggest installing a whole-house surge protection system that can protect your home's entire electrical system from power surges.

What Are the Signs a Power Surge Has Happened? 

Power surges can cause significant damage to your home's electrical system and electronic devices. It's essential to know the signs indicating a power surge to take preventive measures and protect your home and devices. Here are the most common signs:

1. Sudden Shutdown

A sudden shutdown of your electronic devices, such as your computer, TV, or gaming console, can be a clear indication of a power surge. Power surges occur when the voltage in the electrical system rises suddenly and exceeds the normal range. 

This excess voltage can overload your electronic devices, causing them to shut down abruptly to prevent further damage. Sudden shutdowns can be frustrating and can potentially cause data loss, so it's important to take preventive measures to protect your devices.

2. Flickering Lights

If you notice your lights flickering or dimming momentarily, it could be a sign of a power surge. Power surges can cause fluctuations in the voltage, which can affect the lighting in your home. 

This is especially noticeable when you have multiple lights on the same circuit, and they all flicker simultaneously. Although flickering lights may not cause any significant damage to your devices, they can be an early warning sign of a potential power surge.

3. Burnt Smell

A burnt smell coming from your electronic devices or electrical outlets can be a sign of a power surge. Excess voltage can cause electrical components to overheat, leading to a burnt smell. 

If you notice a burnt smell coming from your devices or outlets, it's essential to turn off the power and unplug your devices immediately. Continuing to use devices that emit a burnt smell can lead to further damage and potential safety hazards.

4. Malfunctioning Devices

If your electronic devices are not functioning correctly, it could be due to a power surge. Power surges can cause damage to the internal components of your devices, leading to malfunctions and errors. 

For instance, you may experience slow performance, freezes, or crashes on your computer, or your TV may display distorted images or have sound issues. If you notice any unusual behavior in your devices, it's crucial to get them checked by a professional to diagnose and repair the damage.

5. Tripped Circuit Breaker

A tripped circuit breaker is a common sign of a power surge. Circuit breakers are designed to trip when a power surge can cause an overload of current. 

A tripped circuit breaker can affect one or multiple circuits in your home, leading to a sudden loss of power or partial power. If you notice a tripped circuit breaker, it's important to identify the source of the problem and take preventive measures to avoid further surges.

What Should You Do After a Power Surge? 

Power surges can cause damage to your electronic devices and electrical system, leading to inconvenience and potential safety hazards. 

If you experience a power surge, it's important to take the necessary steps to minimize the damage and prevent further surges. Here are the steps you should take after a power surge:

1. Check Your Devices

After a power surge, check all your electronic devices for any visible signs of damage. Look for cracks, burn marks, or melted plastic, as these are clear indications of damage. If you notice any visible damage, it's essential to turn off the power and unplug the device immediately. Continuing to use damaged devices can cause further damage or potential safety hazards.

2. Reset Your Circuit Breakers

If your circuit breakers trip during a power surge, you need to reset them. Locate the circuit breaker box in your home and flip the tripped switch back to the "on" position. However, if the breaker trips repeatedly, it could indicate a more significant electrical problem that requires professional attention.

3. Check Your Electrical Outlets

Check all your electrical outlets for any visible signs of damage. Look for burn marks, discoloration, or melting around the outlet. If you notice any signs of damage, it's important to turn off the power and avoid using the outlet until it's repaired or replaced.

4. Test Your Devices

Test your electronic devices to ensure they are functioning correctly after a power surge. Plug in and turn on each device to check for any performance issues or malfunctions. If you notice any unusual behavior or malfunctions, it's essential to get them checked by a professional to diagnose and repair the damage.

5. Consider Surge Protectors

If you experience frequent power surges, consider installing surge protectors in your home. Surge protectors can help protect your electronic devices from power surges by diverting excess voltage away from your devices. This can help prevent damage to your devices and minimize the inconvenience caused by power surges.

6. Contact an Electrician

If you experience frequent power surges or notice any signs of damage to your electrical system, it's essential to contact an electrician. A professional electrician can diagnose the problem and provide a solution to prevent further surges and potential safety hazards.