Surge Protection: Safeguarding Your Electronics with Sparky’s Electric

Have you ever wondered what surge protection is and what causes it? Surprisingly, almost 80 percent of electrical surges stem from motorized appliances switching on and off. In the United States, an average home experiences around 2000 of these surges each year. These surges, which involve an increase in current or power within your electrical system, can wreak havoc on your electronics if your system is unprotected. The high current is then transported through the wiring in your home, heating up your electrical equipment and leading to failure over time. Eventually, your equipment may cease to function altogether.

Now, protecting your electronics from external forces like utility surges or lightning strikes is only part of the equation. A significant percentage of dangerous surges actually originate from within your own home. Appliances such as washers, dryers, furnaces, air conditioners, garage door openers, and electric tools are just a few examples of items that pose a risk to your sensitive electronics.

So, what can you do to safeguard your home and electronics? The best approach is to implement a cascading system, which involves a two-stage approach. All cables entering your home, including power, coax, and phone lines, should be equipped with two-stage surge suppression. This starts with a whole house “surge protection device” (SPD) installed on your main panel, as well as on the incoming cable and phone lines. These devices are designed to lower the surge to a manageable level that can be handled by secondary surge protection devices. The next step is to install secondary SPDs at the point of use, which can take the form of surge strips or surge receptacles.

At Sparky’s Electric, we understand the importance of protecting your electronics. That’s why we offer a range of solutions tailored to your specific needs. Whether you have a home or a business, we can provide good, better, and best options based on the type of electronics you own. Don’t wait until it’s too late and become a victim of a catastrophic surge event. Remember, most damage occurs gradually over time. Our estimates are completely free, so why not give us a call today to schedule an appointment? Let us help you keep your electronics safe and secure.