Many homeowners assume that they can just buy any power strip and that they will be protected from an electrical surge. However, a power strip and a surge protector are actually two different things. A surge protector acts like a circuit breaker—stopping a potentially damaging jolt from frying your sensitive electronic equipment and appliances that are plugged into it. Keep reading to discover the importance of surge protectors.

What Is an Electrical Surge?

Electricity moves from areas of high electrical potential energy to areas of low electric potential energy—the difference of which is referred to as a wires voltage. If the voltage increases above the norm for at least 3 nanoseconds, it causes what is called an electrical surge.

In many cases, this surge may not be damaging, but if it is high enough then it will cause wear and tear on your electronic devices. If an electrical surge is large enough, it can even destroy electrical devices and appliance.

How Does a Surge Protector Work?

The surge protector detects extra voltage and diverts it into a grounding wire. This is why all surge protectors have a “grounding pin,” which is the third prong on a plug, and all surge protectors must be plugged into a properly grounded outlet for them to work as they should.

Dispelling a Common Misconception

Many people believe that the only thing that causes electrical surges is lightning. So, if you aren’t experiencing this inclement weather, why bother, right? It’s true, lighting can and does cause electrical surges. These electrical surges are so strong though, that they can overpower a basic surge protector.

What you really want to be concerned with is your electrical appliances and devices—any of which require a lot of power in order to operate. This can include anything from your central air conditioner or electronic air cleaner to your water heater or dishwasher. In order to protect these appliances, in addition to your home, you should consider surge protection.

For more helpful advice about how to protect your HVAC equipment and other important devices and appliances in your Crown Point, IN home, contact Earl’s Heating & Air Conditioning today.