Why It’s Important to Use Surge Protectors
Electrical professionals strongly recommend the use of surge protectors by owners of residential and business properties alike. There are two main options for surge protectors: whole-home and outlet or strip surge protection. Both have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, and both are designed to protect your home and devices from power surges.
Let’s take a closer look at surge protector uses and why they are beneficial to have in your home.
Extra protection for electronic devices
Today’s homes and businesses use more electronic devices than ever before. This means there is a much greater reliance on electricity to power and charge those devices.
If a power surge were to happen while you have these devices plugged in to an outlet, it could cause irreversible damage to them. This is why it’s important to have either a whole-home or single-outlet surge protector.
Surge protectors absorb the increased power that occurs in a surge rather than transferring it to any device you have plugged in. This means you don’t have to worry about overloading your electronics, which could cost you quite a bit of money to replace if they sustain significant electrical damage.
Your electronics are crucial to your everyday life and represent a significant financial investment on your part, so use surge protectors to keep them in good condition and maximize their lifespan.
Extra protection for your entire electrical system
Surge protectors don’t just exist to protect individual outlets or devices—there are also whole-building varieties that can protect the entire electrical system against potential power surges.
Unexpected power surges can cause some significant damage to a building’s electrical system, potentially causing irreversible damage to fuses or circuits. These power surges could be a result of lightning strikes, power outages or other emergency events. With a whole-building surge protector in place, it will absorb that jolt of electricity and prevent the damage it could cause to the building and its electrical system—not to mention all of the appliances and electronics plugged in throughout the building.
Unlike strip or outlet surge protectors which are easy to install yourself (just plug them in), you will need a professional electrician to install a whole-building surge protector for you. These surge protectors are not easy to install and must be properly integrated with your home’s electrical system. Never attempt to DIY such a job, as you could damage your home’s electrical system or put yourself at risk of serious injury. If you do a shoddy job, you could also increase the risk of electrical fires in your home.
Want to learn more about the benefits of surge protection and the various surge protectors you can find on the market? Our team at JB Electric LLC would be pleased to answer any questions you have about the uses of surge protectors and how we can assist you with installation to protect your property. Get in touch with us today, and we will be happy to discuss your electrical needs at your home or business.
Categorised in: Electrical Safety