Electrical Surge Protectors

(HIT) - Lightning strikes to homes and nearby locations are the single most common cause of damage to computers and other sensitive home electronics equipment, but lightning isn’t the only cause of electrical surges. Electrical surges can also result when major home systems like air conditioners switch on and off or fail, or when electrical lines are damaged during storms or traffic accidents.

Unfortunately, even minor power surges can damage electronics equipment. Lighting strikes can pack an estimated 250,000 volt punch, but some household electronics equipment can be damaged by an electrical surge of just 500 volts. Sometimes this damage is immediate and terminal, while at other times it simply reduces the longevity of your electronics equipment. The best defense against this damage is a well-designed electrical surge protection system for your home.

Electrical Surge Protectors

Different types of electrical surge protectors are available to help reduce your chances of a loss in the event of a voltage spike to your home. But in order to develop a well-designed electrical surge protection system for your home, you need to understand why multiple levels of protection are recommended.

An effective electrical surge protection system begins at the site of your home’s utility meter, or at your home’s utility service entrance. Installing a lightning arrestor in these locations can help reduce the risk of damage from a high voltage, lighting-induced power surge.

Meter-based surge protectors are typically installed by your local electrical utility, while lightning arrestors installed at the service panel require the services of a qualified electrical contractor. Keep in mind that no surge protection device can guarantee absolute protection from lightning, but service-level surge protectors and lightning arrestors can provide a first line of defense.

Once you’ve protected your home at the electric meter and/or electrical service panel, additional surge protectors can be added to remove remaining excess voltage. Protection devices are available for electrical sub-panels, individual circuits, phone and cable service lines, and individual outlets. At the very least, consider installing surge protectors at each outlet in your home that serves delicate electronics equipment.

Point-of-use surge protectors are relatively inexpensive, and include specially designed wall outlets, and surge protection power strips.

Balance your investment in protection with the degree of loss you might face if a sensitive electronic device goes down. If you rely heavily on home computers or any other equipment that has a microprocessor installed, your best bet may be to provide surge protection at all levels.

Providing surge protectors at the circuit level or at individual electrical outlets is not sufficient to guard against high-energy electrical surges. To learn more, contact your electric power supplier, equipment manufacturer, or an experienced electrician. And remember, no amount of surge protection will guarantee absolute reliability. But with an understanding of the causes of power quality problems and the components needed in a well-designed protection system, you can minimize the potential for a costly loss in your home’s expensive electronics equipment.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center