Spring months in Pensacola bring not only warmer temperatures and sunny days but also the arrival of thunderstorms. Starting in March and continuing through late May, these storms come in from the gulf. This period also marks the beginning of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, characterized by lower barometric pressure. These changes in atmospheric pressure are linked to increased thunderstorm activity, which can lead to a higher risk of damaging power surges.
Power surges occur as sudden and unexpected spikes in electrical voltage. Depending on their strength and the setup of your home’s electrical system, these surges can cause significant damage. While some circuit breakers can help prevent damage by tripping during a voltage overload, there are many instances where they might not be enough to protect your circuits, appliances, and electronics.
Power surges can damage all types of devices, from refrigerators to computers. In the ideal scenario, a circuit breaker would detect the overload and trip, averting damage. However, the worst-case scenario involves your plugged-in devices potentially being ruined. To safeguard against this risk, installing whole-home surge protection is advisable.
What Is a Surge Protector?
A surge protector is crucial for protecting your home’s electrical system and valuable appliances from unexpected voltage spikes. Power surges can result from lightning strikes, fluctuations in the utility grid, or the operation of high-powered appliances like air conditioners. If not managed, these sudden surges can damage or destroy electronics, shorten appliance lifespans, and even cause electrical fires.
A licensed electrical services professional should install a surge protector to ensure proper installation. They will integrate it correctly into your home’s electrical panel for optimal protection. Typically, whole-home surge protectors are installed at the main electrical panel, where they can prevent excessive voltage from reaching your circuits and devices. This setup acts as the first line of defense, stopping dangerous power spikes before they affect your home.
Surge protectors work by safely redirecting excess electricity into the ground, thus protecting sensitive electronics like computers, televisions, and kitchen appliances. Unlike smaller surge protectors found in power strips, whole-home surge protectors safeguard all the circuits in your home, offering comprehensive protection against unexpected surges.
Investing in a professionally installed surge protector brings peace of mind. It lowers the risk of expensive repairs or replacements due to electrical damage. It’s a cost-effective way to protect your home and prolong the life of your electronics.
What Are Power Surges?
Power surges are sudden increases in electrical voltage that can damage your home’s appliances and wiring. They occur when there is a disruption in the electrical flow, causing a spike in voltage. Common causes include lightning strikes, downed power lines, faulty wiring, and large appliances cycling on and off. Even minor surges from everyday electrical use can gradually wear down electronics and shorten their lifespan.
A power surge can cause significant damage to your home. High-voltage spikes can fry circuit boards in televisions, computers, and kitchen appliances. In severe cases, surges can damage electrical panels, trip breakers, and even start electrical fires. Small, repeated surges weaken electronics over time, leading to unexpected failures.
To protect your home, installing a whole-home surge protector can block excess voltage before it reaches your circuits. This added layer of defense helps prevent costly repairs and extends the life of your electrical devices.
Different Forms of Surge Protection
Surge protectors are essential devices that help protect electronics and appliances from dangerous power surges. They come in several types, each serving a specific purpose. Here are the most common ones:
Whole-Home Surge Protectors
These are professionally installed at the electrical panel by a licensed electrician. They protect your entire home from voltage spikes caused by lightning, utility issues, or large appliances being turned on and off. With these devices, you can safeguard major systems like HVAC units, refrigerators, and other hardwired electronics from damage.
Power Strip Surge Protectors
Ideal for individual devices like computers, TVs, and gaming consoles, these protectors offer multiple outlets equipped with built-in surge suppression. They absorb excess voltage, keeping the connected devices safe.
Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)
These units provide both surge protection and battery backup. They are crucial for computers and sensitive electronics as they offer temporary power during outages, helping to prevent data loss or damage.
Point-Of-Use Surge Protectors
Designed for specific appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and HVAC systems, these protectors prevent localized surges from harming expensive equipment.
Each type of surge protector plays a vital role in protecting your home against electrical fluctuations. Using a combination of these devices will help ensure comprehensive security for your electronics and appliances.
Whole-Home Surge Protectors During Storm Season
Surge protectors are crucial for homeowners, especially in areas that experience thunderstorms and frequent lightning strikes. Severe weather can trigger power outages, lightning strikes, and voltage fluctuations, leading to dangerous power surges. These surges can damage appliances, destroy electronics, and even start an electrical fire inside your home.
A whole-home surge protector installed at the electrical panel blocks excess voltage, protecting major appliances like refrigerators and HVAC systems from damage. Surge protector power strips for computers, TVs, and sensitive electronics guard against smaller surges. Without surge protection, your devices may frequently face power spikes, which can shorten their lifespan and result in expensive replacements. Invest in surge protectors to safeguard your home, reduce potential damage, and enjoy peace of mind during storm season. If your home is old and hasn’t had an upgrade in a while, you may need to upgrade your electrical panel before adding surge protection features.
Whole-Home Surge Protectors and Generators
Having both a surge protector and a generator is crucial during blackouts caused by storms with strong winds, loud thunderous strikes, and heavy rain. These storms can knock down power lines, leading to sudden outages. When electricity is restored, power surges may occur, damaging appliances and electronics. A whole-home surge protector, installed at your electrical panel by a licensed electrician, blocks excess voltage and protects your home’s electrical system when power returns.
In addition, installing a backup generator provides electricity during outages, ensuring that essential systems like refrigerators, medical equipment, and heating or cooling units continue to operate. However, generators can also create power fluctuations, making surge protectors even more important. They help regulate the voltage, shielding your appliances from potential damage.
By using both a surge protector and a generator, you can keep your home powered safely during and after a storm, minimizing the risk of electrical damage and providing peace of mind during severe weather.
At Carnley Services, we know how inconvenient voltage surges and power outages can be. Many of our clients have told us that installing whole-home surge protection and backup systems has been the best investment they’ve made. We take pride in providing professional installation, maintenance, repair, and upgrade services across Pensacola. Our team is here to assist you with everything from electrical panel upgrades and EV charger installations to wiring replacements and circuit inspections.
To protect your home from power surges, consider investing in a whole-home surge protection and backup system. Contact Carnley Services in Pensacola today online or by calling us for more information!
