How to Protect Your Appliances from a Power Surge

7 May, 2018
Power surge on a switch board

Power surges tend to happen after an outage. When the lights come back on, it can damage your appliances that are plugged in directly to the outlet. Here is how you can protect your appliances from a power surge:

Service-Panel Surge Protectors

Given the limited ability individual surge protectors have to fully protect your appliances and electronics, you may want to consider having an electrician install a service entrance or breaker box to protect all home appliances and electronic devices. There are also snap-in protectors that take two breaker spaces. Bear in mind that the snap-in protector usually fits only in the service entrance or breaker box from the same manufacturer. Sometimes, it must match the exact model and time period of the breaker box itself.

Furthermore, the front panel on the service entrance must be removed to install a snap-in protector. The main breaker to the house must be turned off before this is done. It is safest to hire a licensed professional to address any service-panel protectors you want installed. Additional types of surge protectors are designed for wiring directly into the service entrance or panel. Others are intended for direct wiring next to the panel. A licensed professional is your best option for handling that type of work. Some city codes do not allow the homeowner to do any service box wiring of any type, so a professional is required to install or modify any wiring related to the service entrance or box.

Surge Protector Installed at the Meter Socket

Some cities or municipalities all a special adapter containing a surge protector to be installed outside your home between the meter and the socket. This must be performed by a professional and requires the power company’s co-operation if they allow this type of device at all.

Surge Suppressors

Telephone, cable, and satellite wiring should have the same grounding point. When possible, have a professional electrician install surge suppressors at the point of highest exposure, where the power enters your home. Surge suppressors can provide a good defense against lightning surges, power grid switching, brownouts or blackouts, severe weather problems, and power system failures.

Occasionally, you can have an additional defense against power surges by installing a surge suppressor at the service panel. In larger homes, it may be necessary to install more than one surge suppressor, especially when cable, antennas, power and telephone lines and wires are installed at opposite ends of the house. This often results in one or more lines not being grounded properly. A professional from an electric services company can determine when this occurs and can correct the issue before it becomes a major problem.

Unplug Electrical Units

Not only does an unplugged electrical device prevent its potential contribution to power surges, but it also saves electricity consumption and can lower your utility bill. An easy way to accomplish this is to plug your devices into a power strip and simply switch the power strip off at night when you are leaving the house or any other period of time when those devices will not be in use. If your power strip has most or all of its slots filled with plugs, consider what equipment or devices are fully charged and no longer need to stay plugged into the power strip. Do not be afraid to unplug most electronic devices. Too often it seems easier to leave your mobile phone plugged in for fear it might power down. Put it in battery save mode and unplug the charger from the outlet or power strip.

Many people assume that a charger with no device connected consumes no power. This is incorrect thinking. Electricity still flows through that unit ready to instantly begin charging any device as soon as its attached. Some chargers heat up whether they are in use or not. This is highly dangerous, as your electronic devices normally are not intended to produce heat, and because the heated device causes heat to build up in the outlet, resulting in a meltdown, a house fire or both.

Upgrade Outdated or Inadequate Wiring

In underpowered homes running the microwave and the toaster together from the same outlet will cause a power surge and a tripped circuit breaker. Cyclical devices such as refrigerators and air conditioners are known to cause power surges when both cycle on at the same time. Both examples above are more than capable of causing a house fire.

Lightning causes power surges. While power strips may help mitigate damage from many power surges, they are no competition for a lightning bolt nearby. Hi-Lite Electric has the professionals to assess your home’s safety. You can call us at 416-800-5523 or contact us here.



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Riaz Jilani
Riaz Jilani
2024-06-05
I had another electrician which not giving me time and then I search on google and found Hi Lite with good reviews so I decided to try them. I send massage on their website and after 30 minutes I got call from them they booked me different time which was not suitable for me. I requested them and they change according to my convenient.electrician came on time complete the job also advised me some unseen problems also fixed perfectly and my satisfaction . First time I really impressed I recommend them they are trouble free and with good reputation
Michael Butler
Michael Butler
2024-05-10
Stove wasn't working. Stove people said it was an electrical issue. Steven came over, showed me what was wrong. Now I know more about electricity. 5/5 would electricity again.
Heather D
Heather D
2024-05-10
Excellent service. Matt came out after hours to resolve an emergency situation where an outlet in our garage caught on fire. He was here within the hour and completed the work efficiently. In addition he communicated clearly all the necessary steps needed. We will definitely be calling him back for additional assistance in the future if the need arises.
Amrik Bhogal
Amrik Bhogal
2024-04-29
Excellent service! We had a problem with some receptacles in a couple of rooms in our house. Tried the usual resetting the breakers and GFI plugs, but to no avail. Called Hi-Lite Electric based on a recommendation from a friend. Matthew from Hi-Lite come over, diagnosed and fixed the problem quickly and efficiently. He was very knowledgeable and kept me in the loop as what he was doing. His estimate was very accurate. I would highly recommend HiLite
Roy Thompson
Roy Thompson
2024-04-29
Matthew and Steven did a fantastic job added two lights in my bedroom, prior to that their was no lights in my bedrooms. i would highly recommend them.
Izabella Hansen
Izabella Hansen
2024-04-23
Had a great experience with Matthew, a licensed electrician. He explained everything I needed thoroughly. Worked efficiently, was professional and curteous. I highly recommend this family run company.
Jo Persad
Jo Persad
2024-04-19
Excellent service. We had a problem with our house wiring and Matthew diagnosed and fixed the problem quickly and efficiently. He was very polite and pleasant and informative. We would highly recommend HiLite.
James Danakas
James Danakas
2024-03-27
The service we received from Matthew and Luciano was excellent and our problem was solved in a timely matter. Great customer service! Highly recommend!
Corrado Di Rosa
Corrado Di Rosa
2024-03-26
Excellent customer experience! Matthew is always on point with his recommendations and makes sure the issue is solved. Highly recommend Hi-Lite.
Funk Roberts
Funk Roberts
2024-03-18
I recently had the pleasure of having Matt from HiLite Electrical come over to replace my smoke alarm, and I couldn't be more satisfied with the service provided. From the moment Matt arrived, it was clear he was not only highly skilled but also incredibly personable and professional. His attention to detail was impeccable, ensuring that the job was done efficiently and effectively. What truly set Matt apart was his commitment to going above and beyond. He was punctual, arriving right on time, which is a rarity these days. But more importantly, he took the time to explain the process, what the problem was, and why we couldn't get the unit from the foundation in the first place. He was also amazing to talk about in general (especially fitness, training and combat sports, relationships, and other things), and ensured everything was working perfectly before he considered his job done. I highly recommend Hi-Lite Electrical to anyone in need of electrical services. Their team, from speaking with Ang on the phone to set up the appointment (Happy Angela Day..that's an inside joke) to Matt getting it done, Hi-Lite exemplifies the kind of professionalism and expertise that is all too rare. Trust me, if you want a hassle-free, high-quality service, look no further than Hi-Lite Electrical. A big thank you to Ang and Matt for not just meeting, but exceeding my expectations! Super Happy Customer! Funk Roberts

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