Electrical disturbances are understandably a common occurrence in any modern home. Among the most damaging electrical disasters are power surges, a spike in the voltage supply to a home that is, at its worst, capable of causing irreparable damage to a home. There are many potential sources of a power surge which makes it nearly impossible to avoid completely; however, homeowners can take precautions to prevent permanent damage to their electronics since they are most vulnerable in such a situation.

No matter where you live or what kind of a home you have, power surges are inevitable. Even if it’s a mild one, you have most likely already experienced a power surge as a homeowner. Surges can be of different magnitudes depending on the source. In order to make your home safe in case of a surge, you must first understand what it is and how you can best prepare for it in advance.

To help homeowners avoid excessive harm in case of this disaster, the following is a guide to help you understand power surges and how to protect your home against them. There are many sources which can help you out with this, including surge assist programs for areas that are more prone to things like thunderstorms and lightning strikes.

Causes

It’s important for every homeowner to be aware of the causes of a surge beforehand. Since some power surges originate within your home, you may be able to avoid them by adopting certain practices.

Thunderstorm

Although this cause may not be widespread, it is undoubtedly fatal. When lightning strikes are close to a power source, an intense power surge becomes much more likely to occur. Since the effects of this type of power surge are so severe, it is typically unavoidable if appliances are connected and in use. Once a surge brought on by lightning has begun to flow across the electrical grid, it cannot be stopped.

The best approach to deal with lightning strikes is to take protection measures before the storm arrives.

Remove the power cords from all large appliances, and if you can, totally shut off the main power source. This will help to ensure that the additional current cannot enter your home.

Bad Wiring

Your home wiring network is constructed in a specific way to ensure that nothing goes wrong as electricity flows through it. Defective or bare wiring is more susceptible to surges. Conductors of any kind can often result in a current spike Anyone who comes into direct contact with it could potentially suffer injury.

Blackouts

Although might not seem like a widespread issue, power surges can often be caused by prolonged blackouts in regions with frequent storms. Power can go out across a significant area due to unforeseen malfunctions in the system, which can only be looked at once the weather is calm. You may not see it coming, but in some circumstances, your power utility company might let you know. In this case, you can get ready for the disruption beforehand.

As for the power surge, it begins when the electricity supply abruptly resumes. When the power returns to homes, there is a rapid increase in the current that some of your devices may not be able to handle. It’s a good idea never to connect appliances to a source of power when it has been out for a long time.

What You Can do

The following are some things you can actively do to prepare for a power surge to keep your home safe.

Surge Protection for Your Home

The most reliable and easy-to-access option to safeguard your property from power surges may be to use surge protection. Modern electronics are more sophisticated than older models of the same gadgets, but because of their more complex circuitry, they may be more sensitive to power surges. Even if a single component is lost, it may be exceedingly challenging to restore them.

Whole-home surge protection is a service that will protect every outlet in your home against surges. The complete electrical system in your house can be shielded against power surges at all times using this technology.

Turn Off the Main Power Supply

Turning off the main power source is the quickest method for preventing a surge. As a result of this, no gadgets in your home will be actively connected at the time of the power spike. The current won’t be able to enter your home, making it safe regardless of what happens outside. This can also help in prolonging the life of your electronics and keep everyone inside safe against any accidents that may occur.

Keep an Eye on the Weather

If you notice the weather conditions worsening, your home may be at a greater risk of a surge. Staying updated with the weather is one of the ways of avoiding surge damage. By disconnecting your most expensive gadgets, you can take this opportunity to prepare for any possible risk and avoid having to go without power in the event that the voltage spike approaches your home quicker than expected. Typically, you can learn about an impending storm hours before it hits.

A Safer Home

A home needs protection against more than just burglaries and break-ins. There are many threats that aren’t manmade but can fatally harm your home. This is where homeowners needs to take precautions so that they’re always prepared.

A power surge isn’t always predictable, but you can still have certain preventative measures in place at all times. A surge can even be the result of something as simple as neglect (for example, overloading extensions), so it’s best to protect every outlet in your home in advance. This way, you keep your home safe and can avoid having to spend excessively on home repairs every time a surge occurs. Learn more about smart home for seniors.