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What Is an Electrical Power Surge, and What Can You Do About It?


Many of us have experienced an electrical surge that either caused a shock or even damaged appliances. These surges can be problematic for home and business owners in a number of different ways by creating massive personal and financial risk. Here’s what you need to know about electrical power surges and how to protect yourself against them:

What Is a Surge?

Surges are transient waves of current, voltage, or power in an electric circuit. All electrical equipment is made to operate at a certain voltage. Minor variations are normal and can be handled by the equipment itself.  Overvoltage spikes, on the other hand, can not. These transient waves can actually damage the equipment they are flowing through. Each surge will age equipment and increase the potential for fire even more.

When Can a Surge Happen?

The most commonly known instance where electrical power surges are known to occur is thunderstorms. In fact, smaller, less noticeable surges can happen all the time. Here are a few examples of when:

  • Power outages
  • Tripped circuit breakers
  • Short circuits

How Can They Be Prevented?

Unfortunately, electrical power surges can happen at any time of the day or night. That’s why it is so important to have surge protection. The most effective way to do this is to have surge protectors installed in your home or business. These devices will work to limit the voltage supplied to a piece of electrical equipment. They do this by either blocking the wave or shorting it. This can greatly decrease the chances of having large or small power surges.
In short, electrical power surges can be dangerous, so ensure complete protection by having a licensed Calgary electrician install surge protectors in your home. Don’t wait until an emergency happens, contact the experts at 4-Star Electric Ltd. today!

Written by 4-Star Electric
