What We’ll Cover
Your most common surge protection questions, including what causes power surges, how a whole-home surge protector works, and why you should trust the team at 4-Star Electric for your installation.
In this blog, the expert electricians sit down to answer common questions about surge protection. From the causes of power surges to the best way to mitigate damage, keep this blog handy for everything you need to know about protecting your home’s electrical systems.
At 4-Star Electric we believe that every customer deserves trustworthy, timely and reliable electrical service, no matter the issue. From residential installations, to fast repairs and quality inspections, we’ve been Calgary’s electrical service leader since 1989.
Let’s begin!
What Are Power Surges?
A power surge is an increase in voltage significantly above the designated level in a flow of electricity. When the increase lasts three nanoseconds (billionths of a second) or more, it’s called a surge. If the surge or spike is high enough, it can inflict some heavy damage on your home’s electrical equipment, such as appliances and electronics; this is why it is necessary to have surge protection installed in your home and business.
The effect is similar to applying too much water pressure to a hose. If there is too much water pressure, a hose will burst. The same thing happens when too much electrical pressure runs through a wire, the wire “bursts.” It heats up like the filament in a light bulb and burns, but it’s the same idea. Even if increased voltage doesn’t immediately break your electronics, it will put extra strain on the components, wearing them down over time.
What Causes Surges in my Home?
Power surges occur when something boosts the electrical charge at some point in the power lines. This can increase the current flowing to your wall outlet. A number of different things can cause this to happen.
The most familiar source is lightning, though it’s the least common cause. When lightning strikes near a power line, whether it’s underground, in a building or running along poles, the electrical energy can boost electrical pressure by millions of volts. This causes an extremely large power surge that will overpower almost any surge protection.
A more common cause of power surges is the operation of high-power electrical devices, such as elevators, air conditioners, stoves, furnaces, heaters and refrigerators. These pieces of equipment require a lot of energy to turn on and off. This creates sudden, brief demands for power, which upset the steady voltage flow in the electrical system. While these surges are nowhere near the intensity of a lightning surge, they can be severe enough to damage components, immediately or gradually, and they occur regularly in most building’s electrical systems.
Other sources of power surges include faulty wiring, problems with the utility company’s equipment, and downed power lines. The power system that brings electricity to our homes or offices is very complex. There are dozens of possible points of failure, and many potential errors that can cause an uneven power flow. In today’s system of electricity distribution, power surges are an unavoidable occurrence.
How Often Does My Home Get Hit With Surges?
The average Calgary home can get hit with 8 to 20 surges, per day! But it’s important to note that most of these surges are quite small, and are like small hammers slowly chipping away at your electrical system. A lot of the time, electrical system failure isn’t a surprise.
Why Should I Install Whole-Home Surge Protection?
Our homes are more connected than ever, so it’s important to invest in the right protection to safeguard the systems that are responsible for your home comfort and safety. Over the past 37 years, 4-Star Electric has become Calgary’s local and trusted leader in quality whole-home surge protection. Here are the top reasons we recommend scheduling an installation appointment:
- Protect much larger investments in your home from permanent damage
- Extend the life of your appliances by approximately 15%
Extend the lifespan of your electrical panel up to 10 years
How Does Whole-Home Surge Protection Work?
A whole-home surge protector differs from a point of use one, by connecting directly to your electrical panel. When it detects a spike in voltage, it intercepts the flow of electricity from the breakers into the ground away from your system.
When Should I Use a Surge Protector?
It’s a good idea to use surge protectors if you have high-end electronic equipment, such as entertainment center components or computers in your home. A surge protector will generally extend the life of these devices, and there’s always a chance that a big power surge will cause severe damage.
It’s also important to note that some whole-home surge protectors are rated for up to 10 years or longer, but ultimately depend on the frequency and severity of power surges in your area.
Why Didn’t We Need Whole-Home Surge Protection In Our Homes 50 Years Ago?
Simply put, electrical demands weren’t as high 50 years ago and appliances have more electronics in them than ever before.
Why Should I Choose 4-Star Electric For Whole-Home Surge Protection?
When it comes to protecting your residential and commercial electrical systems, 4-Star Electric is the Calgary Area’s number one choice. There isn’t anything our team can’t do, plus we have some of the best guarantees and workmanship warranties in the business.
Here’s what you can expect from our team when you call us in.
Evaluation
Your personal, licensed electrician will conduct a thorough evaluation of your home’s electrical system, focusing on the main electrical panel, existing wiring and potential damage from previous surges.
They will then identify potential sources of power surges such as lightning, grid issues or large appliances. They will evaluate your home’s vulnerability to these surges, including if your home has outdated wiring.
Your electrician will then review safety and electrical codes to ensure installation compliance.
Recommendation
Your electrician will provide equipment and connection location recommendations to ensure total system coverage, and recommend additional safety measures, such as regular electrical inspections, as needed.
A detailed cost and time estimate will then be provided to help you prepare for the whole-home surge protector installation appointment.
Installation
The installation area is prepared by turning power off to the required areas via your electrical panel, and ensuring safety protocols are in place. Necessary permits are obtained beforehand, and your electrician will ensure the panel is safely accessible and ready for the installation.
Your electrician will then efficiently install the whole-home surge protector equipment onto your main electrical panel. Which will divert excess voltage away from your home’s circuits in the event of a power surge.
After installing your new equipment, they will test it to confirm it’s functioning properly and that your home’s electrical systems are protected.
Finally, your electrician will do a complete inspection to ensure quality workmanship. We’re also proud to offer industry leading repair and replacement guarantees as well as our 100% satisfaction guarantee where we will always ask for your approval prior to leaving your home. If you’re not completely satisfied with your whole-home surge protection installation, we’ll come back and make it right!
Is Whole Home Surge Protection Expensive?
A whole-home surge protector is typically more expensive than a point-of-use protector. But a whole-home surge protector can save you money in the long run.
In addition to the potential for discounts from your insurance company, a professional install can save you from regularly replacing expensive, damaged devices and appliances. A whole-home surge protector is an investment in electrical security.
Whole-home surge protection is a vital investment for any modern Calgary home, offering unparalleled peace of mind by safeguarding your electronics and extending the lifespan of your appliances. Don’t wait for a major spike to cause costly damage, protect your home’s electrical system today. Book your whole-home surge protection installation appointment online with 4-Star Electric and ensure your property is prepared for whatever the grid sends its way.