If you currently have surge protectors in your home or are considering adding them, you might be wondering if they really work, just how effective they are, and what their limits are. We’ll explore the world of surge protectors, let you know if they really work, and see if they are actually helpful to have in your home.
WHAT IS A SURGE PROTECTOR?
A surge protector is a device that functions to protect electronic equipment and everyone in your home from unwanted power surges, also known as spikes. It is typically large with multiple outlets, and it plugs into a socket. The device is designed to absorb and redistribute excess electricity when a surge occurs. When a surge goes through wires, the surge protector captures the excess electricity and prevents it from reaching your devices by releasing it through the ground wire.
SURGE PROTECTOR LIMITATIONS
Surge protectors do indeed work, but like any other device, they do have their limits. Just how effective they are for you can depend on factors like their joule rating, their clamping voltage rating, how many spikes they have already absorbed, and whether lightning strikes.
JOULE RATING
Your surge protectors have a joule rating, which tells you how much energy dissipation your device has. A joule is a unit of energy, and the higher the joule rating, the more energy your surge protector can absorb. The amount of surge protection you will need depends on the types of electronics and appliances you are trying to keep safe.
Only small devices that do not carry important data should be used with any surge protector with a joule rating lower than 1,000. This means items like table lamps and blenders. A surge protector with a rating between 1,000 and 2,000 joules is suitable for small electronics. This includes items like cell phones, printers, and routers. A surge protector in this range is also good for protecting simple power tools. Expensive devices and computers that hold sensitive information should connect with surge protectors with a rating between 2,000 and 3,000 joules. This group includes gaming consoles and home theater equipment as well as business computers with financial documents.
ABSORBED SPIKES
Surge protectors wear down after absorbing too many power spikes. Those with a low joule rating can even stop working after a single spike. Typically, surge protectors have an LED light that shows if they are still functioning properly. If this light is off, it is time to replace the device.
CLAMPING VOLTAGE
Even if your surge protector has a high joule rating, its ability to protect you is very limited if it has too high a clamping voltage. Clamping voltage is the amount of voltage required for the surge protector to kick in. While a high joule rating is preferred, a low number for the clamping voltage is also important. A low clamping voltage number means that your devices are protected during even minor power surges. If your clamping number is too high, a lot of electrical damage can occur to your devices before a surge protector kicks in and does its job. Typical surge protectors have a clamping voltage of 330 volts. It’s wise to avoid purchasing any electronics that have a higher voltage than this.
LIGHTNING
Surge protectors cannot completely protect the electronics in your home from being damaged by a lightning strike. The electricity from lightning is too powerful to be completely stopped by any system. A single bolt of lightning can have over a billion volts. Even a dedicated lightning protection system cannot divert all of that electricity successfully. You will get some protection in a lightning storm, but you should unplug all of your devices during one just to be safe.
WHY HAVING SURGE PROTECTORS IS IMPORTANT
If surge protectors are not completely effective 100% of the time, is it still worth having them? Here are the reasons why you should still have surge protectors in your home.
PREVENTING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS
When there is a power spike, it presents a real threat to the safety of your electrical equipment and home. There is the potential for wires to burst as well as for your electrical equipment to get overloaded and stop working. Even if your equipment does not completely break down from a surge, it can put a severe strain on it, leading to problems with it in the long run.
PROTECTS YOUR INVESTMENTS
You work hard for the things that you have, and by utilizing surge protectors, you are better protecting the equipment and appliances that you have invested your money in.
PREVENTS FIRES
An electrical disaster from not having surge protection could lead to a devastating fire in your home. This happens when an electrical system cannot keep up with the demand for power from a device. It can lead to a wire bursting into flames. For the health and safety of your household, having surge protectors in your home can be crucial.
PEACE OF MIND
While surge protectors cannot offer 100% protection, as long as you are informed about the right kinds to get for the devices in your home and stay on top of replacing them when they are not working anymore, they do offer a great deal of protection that you would not have otherwise. The amount of peace of mind this brings is massive when compared to the small amount of money that it costs to upgrade your home electrical system with surge protection.
SPEAK TO A PROFESSIONAL ABOUT SURGE PROTECTION FOR YOUR HOME
If you are in Marietta, GA, or the surrounding area, we would love to speak to you about safeguarding your home and electrical system with surge protectors. At Garrett Mechanical, we are a full-service HVAC, plumbing, and electrical company that goes above and beyond to provide our customers with exemplary service. When you trust us with the needs of your home, you get access to certified HVAC technicians, plumbers, and electricians. You also benefit from rapid response times, honest pricing, and high-quality replacement parts when you need them.
Should you ever need an electrical repair due to a power surge or any other electrical problem, we are ready to provide you with professional and prompt service. We offer round-the-clock emergency service, so you can trust that when things go wrong, you will not be stuck waiting for a solution while an issue gets worse. Our team puts our all into everything that we do whether it is an installation, a repair, or routine maintenance. That kind of commitment to quality holds true throughout all of the heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical services that we provide. You will no longer need separate contacts for an HVAC technician, an electrician, and a plumber. Our team can be your go-to for it all.
If you live in the Marietta area, experience the Garrett Mechanical difference — give us a call or fill out our online form today!
