Anyone who lives in a place with a harsh climate knows the damage that an electrical surge can bring with it. A power surge refers to a surge in electricity caused by a lightning strike, and it can be very harmful to any appliances in a home that may be connected to power when the strike occurs.

A power surge causes a sudden spike in the voltage, which can overload any appliances in your home, and if precautions are not taken, this could have catastrophic outcomes. A power surge is not only bad for your appliances, it can even be a fire hazard; so how exactly does a power surge work, and what can you do to protect your home against it?

What Is a Power Surge?

A power surge is something that often originates from an electrical utility source, however, that’s not the only way it can occur. A transformer or any outlet near a home can also go through this, and the impact would be seen directly in your home. This sudden spike in power can occur during the switching of power grids at the source, or even simply when you turn a heavy appliance on or off, which results in the breaker flipping and your home’s electricity is cut off due to the load. Here are some things you can do to prevent too much damage from occurring during a surge.

Turn Off the Main Power Supply

One of the main precautions you need to take as soon as you find out a storm is approaching is turning off the main power supply. This will ensure that even if you accidentally forget to turn off any of the larger appliances, they won’t be at risk in case of a surge. This is the safest way to ensure that your home is as safe as possible, but it does come with a few drawbacks since you will not be able to use the internet, or access even the smaller appliances in your home.

Disconnect All Major Appliances

There are certain electronics in your home that won’t be at risk during a power surge, which is why you don’t necessarily have to turn off the main supply. You can keep using these electronics, however, you’ll have to disconnect all major appliances to protect them from any potential damage. This includes refrigerators, ACs and anything else that may be difficult to replace. This way, you can continue to use the internet or charge your phone without having to worry about any major damages occurring to your home.

Use a Surge Protector

A surge protector is a handy gadget you can use to protect your home from an electrical surge. It is essentially a power outlet in which you can plug different devices, and in cases a surge occurs, this device will direct a lot of the excess electricity away from your appliances, grounding it. This can be very helpful since you can keep most of your appliances functioning without having to worry about them malfunctioning. This is something that can help homeowners avoid some really dangerous situations.

Charge Small Appliances

A power surge can be very unpredictable. You never know how long they can last, which is why it is very important to keep all your small gadgets charged so you’re not completely cut off from the rest of the world. This can be very helpful in a situation where you’re stranded or unable to get out of the house, since you can always call for help in case anything goes wrong.

Conclusion

Any modern home is full of electrical appliances. In certain locations, one of the most major threats to any electronics that you may have in your home is a power surge. There is a reason why surge protection is considered a great investment, and it’s because a power surge can bring a lot of harm to your home and all its residents. This is why it is important to follow the previously mentioned precautions in case of a power surge since this will keep your home safe as can be in case of a disaster.