Every day, our homes hum with the activity of numerous appliances, from the essentials like our washer and dryers, to our beloved entertainment devices. But how often do we stop and consider the safety of these items? In today’s blog we're highlighting every appliance that needs the safeguarding of a surge suppressor and why it's not just a choice, but a necessity.
What is a Surge Suppressor?
Surge suppressors are devices designed to protect your electronics from unexpected increases in voltage, called voltage spikes, that can cause irreversible damage.
A voltage spike is a sudden increase in voltage significantly above the designated level in a flow of electricity, which can be caused by things like lightning strikes, power outages, or malfunctions in the power grid.
Surge suppressors aren’t just a flimsy shield; they're a smart investment that prolongs the life and performance of your appliances.
What Happens to my Appliances During an Electrical Surge?
When an electrical surge occurs it causes the flow of electricity to spike and arc. This arc generates high amounts of heat that is damaging to various electrical components and circuit boards.
Installing a surge suppressor will help mitigate the damage to any appliance that is attached to it.
How Does A Surge Suppressor Work?
Surge suppressors work by monitoring the voltage in the electricity flowing through your electronics. In the event of a surge, they quickly divert the excess voltage away from your appliances down through a grounding wire, preventing damage.
The effectiveness of a surge suppressor is determined by its joule rating, response time, and the quality of its components.
Joule Rating
A joule rating indicates how much energy a surge suppressor can absorb before failing. A higher joule rating means the surge suppressor can handle more energy and provides a higher level of protection.
Response Time
All surge suppressors have a response time, which is the time they take to react to the surge. The faster the response time, the better the protection. Typically, a good surge suppressor has a response time of less than one nanosecond. That’s really fast!
Want further information on how a surge suppressor operates? Give our knowledgeable electricians a call today! We’ll walk you through the various models available and how each of them work to safeguard your appliances.
Types of Surge Suppressors
There are many different types and models of surge suppressors available today, but here are the two common types:
Whole-Home Surge Suppressor
Whole-Home surge suppressors are installed in your home's electrical breaker box and provide surge protection for your entire home. They can be designed to protect against large surges, such as those caused by lightning strikes or major electrical events.
Whole-house suppressors safeguard all the appliances and electronic systems in your home by intercepting surges before they enter internal wiring. They are especially beneficial for hard-wired appliances like HVAC systems or built-in appliances.
Point-of-Use Surge Suppressors
These are the more familiar power strip-style surge suppressors that you plug into a wall outlet. They typically have multiple outlets and are used to protect specific devices or a group of devices in a specific area of your home.
Point-of-use suppressors are convenient and versatile. They can be used to protect sensitive electronics like computers, televisions, and gaming systems.
It's important to note that these two types of surge suppressors work best in conjunction, so it’s never a bad idea to have both installed. Call the experienced electricians at 4-Star Electric today to schedule your surge suppressor installation!
What are the Benefits of a Surge Suppressor?
Here are a few ways you’ll benefit from the installation of a surge suppressor in your home:
- Prolonging Device Lifespan - By preventing electrical stress on appliances, surge suppressors help extend the lifespan of these devices.
- Preventing Data Loss - Essential for computers and other data storage devices, surge suppressors prevent potential data loss caused by electrical surges.
- Cost-Effective - They are a relatively inexpensive way to protect expensive electronics from damage, and they are widely available online and at most office supply, or home improvement stores.
- Reducing Repair and Replacement Costs - By safeguarding appliances, surge suppressors reduce the likelihood of costly repairs or replacements.
- Multiple Device Protection - Many models come with multiple outlets, allowing the protection of several devices simultaneously, and include USB ports for charging, and network and phone line protection.
- Indicator Lights - They often feature indicator lights to show the status of protection, helping users know when the surge suppressor is working properly or needs replacing.
- Ease of Use - Surge suppressors are user-friendly and require no advanced electrical knowledge or skills to operate.
- Enhanced Safetyand Peace of Mind - Surge suppressors minimize the risk of fire hazards associated with electrical overloads.
Safeguarding Kitchen Appliances
The kitchen is often called the heart of the home, because it’s where we spend so much of our daily lives gathering with friends and family, preparing food, and doing other household chores.
We also have a lot of expensive and hard to repair appliances in the kitchen, meaning it’s one of the most important places to have a surge suppressor installed.
Surge suppressors can protect:
- Refrigerator and Freezer - These appliances have electronic control systems that can be sensitive to power surges. A surge can damage the compressor, control panels, or other components causing them to malfunction and putting your food and health at risk.
- Microwave - Microwaves have electronic systems for timing and control. A power surge can damage these components, leading to costly repairs, even becoming a fire hazard.
- Dishwasher - A surge can disrupt the functionality of your dishwasher. It can also be a fire hazard when water is combined with arcing electricity.
- Electric Oven and Stove - Electric ovens and stoves, especially those with digital controls and induction cooktops, can be easily damaged by voltage spikes, resulting in costly repairs.
- Blender, Toaster and Other Small Appliances - While not as expensive as other appliances, the cost of repeatedly replacing damaged small appliances can add up.
Safeguarding Your Heating & Cooling
Surge suppressors are integral to safeguarding one of the most important components of your home - your HVAC system.
Preserving System Integrity - HVAC systems contain sophisticated circuitry and components for temperature control and efficiency. A power surge can damage these components, leading to system malfunction or failure and higher repair costs.
Preventing Downtime - In extreme climates, a non-functional HVAC system can be more than an inconvenience; it can be a health hazard. Surge protectors help to ensure that these systems remain operational, especially during critical weather conditions, and ensure maintained air quality.
Maintaining Energy Efficiency & Longevity - Using a surge suppressor helps maintain the efficiency of the system, which saves on energy costs. Consistent exposure to power fluctuations can also gradually degrade the components of heating and cooling systems. Surge protectors can extend the life expectancy of these systems by preventing such wear and tear.
Insurance Coverage - Some insurance policies might not cover damage to HVAC systems caused by electrical surges. Using surge protectors can provide an additional layer of protection and peace of mind.
Safeguarding Laundry Appliances
Surge suppressors are also essential for safeguarding laundry appliances from the potential damage caused by electrical surges.
They protect the electronic components, extend the lifespan of your washer and dryer, prevent costly repairs, and enhance overall safety. Power surges can cause overheating or short circuits, becoming a fire hazard. By using a surge protector, you add an additional layer of safety to your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to install a surge suppressor?
The cost for surge suppressor installation from 4-Star Electric will greatly depend on the type of suppressor you choose, and the complexity of the installation process. Give us a call today for your no obligation quote.
How long does it take to install a surge suppressor?
Point-of-use surge suppressors can be installed within a few minutes after one of our technicians ensures that it’s compatible with your wall outlets. Whole-home surge suppressors take about 2-3 hours, depending on the complexity of the job.
Are there any guarantees on surge suppressor installation services?
At 4-Star Electric, we are totally committed to your satisfaction. Our mission is to make sure you are satisfied with our work and our service. Once the agreed-upon electrical service has been completed, we will always ask for your approval before payment.
We do not accept payment until you are 100% satisfied with our work.
We do our very best to exceed your expectations from start to finish every time!
Get Expert Advice From 4-Star Electric
Call the knowledgeable team at 4-Star Electric to install either your whole home or point-of-use surge suppressor today.
We have experience with all major makes and models, and can walk you through the best electrical surge protection options for you and your home.
At 4-Star Electric, we’re Calgary’s electrical service leader. We ensure every customer finds trustworthy, timely, and reliable service, no matter what issue they’re experiencing.
We work within your schedule and offer services for both residential homes and commercial businesses. When you choose us, you’re treated like family.
Get the service you deserve today!
