What Causes Power Surges?

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Most homes in Wisconsin rely on electricity for everything from refrigerators to televisions. Since electricity is such an integral part of life, most of us don't realize how much we rely on it until a power surge knocks out the power or kills our appliances. 

What causes power surges? Port Washington's experienced electrician, Professional Services, explains the most common causes of power surges below. The team also shares what you can do to protect your home from these inevitable power surges.

Power Surge: Definition

A surge of power occurs with an interrupted flow of electricity. Something stops the flow and then quickly resumes it, sending a sudden surge of electrical power through the system. When this happens, appliances and electronics receive this burst of power, which exceeds the typical voltage from a standard outlet, and that’s where the problems start.

Power surges can be minor or major. For example, small surges happen daily without anybody noticing them. Most electrical outlets get about 120 volts, which can shift from 0 to 169 volts, but energy experts consider anything above that level as a power surge.

What happens when there’s a surge of this kind inside your home? Immediately, the surge could create heat damage or an electrical arc. Since the power level is beyond what wired appliances or devices can handle, the electricity could also destroy their components.

Common Causes of Power Surges

What causes power surges? These three events cause this problem in varying degrees:

• Electrical overloads
• Faulty wiring
• Lightning

An Electrical Overload Might Be of Your Own Making

When a surge develops from a single electrical circuit, the extra power will generate a voltage spike that could cause an electrical short. 

You're most likely to have an electrical overload if you plug too many appliances into an extension cord. It’s common and usually happens when too many electronic devices run on the same circuit.

Faulty Wiring Can’t Do Its Job Properly

Frayed wiring, outdated electrical systems, and other electrical complications can lead to internal power surges. Unfortunately, most people don't realize there’s bad wiring when the wires run behind walls or aren't noticeable. You can tell if your home needs electrical repair or new wiring if you notice these troubling signs:

• Burn marks around outlets
• Buzzing noises from outlets and switches
• Constant circuit breaker tripping

Lightning is Beyond Your Control but There Are Solutions

A serious external power surge comes from lightning strikes that hit local power lines and cause problems in any connected buildings. Lightning carries an overwhelming charge and will do serious damage if you don't have surge protection on your outlets. In this case, you can expect the event to instantly fry electronic devices and appliances.

If lightning affects the power grid, your home could also experience a power surge when the electricity comes back on for your area.

Warning Signs of a Possible Power Surge

While power surges may seem sudden and unpredictable, you can take heed of warnings if you know what to look for. 

For example, here are the most common signs of an impending electrical surge:

• Discoloration or scorch marks around wires, switches, and outlets
• A sharp, burnt order around outlets
• Buzzing sounds near outlets and lights
• Flickering or dimming lights
• Warm-to-the-touch outlets

Tips on Preventing Power Surges

Something as small as a ten-volt fluctuation is enough to disrupt some electronic devices, including computers, microwaves, and televisions. A major power surge could fry circuits and melt internal appliance components at home. In fact, even a minor surge could cause electronic rust that degrades circuitry.

As such, consider these tips to prevent damage from power surges inside your home:

• Unplug electronic devices or appliances like power tools or a toaster
• Upgrade your home's wiring (especially if your home was built before the 1980s)
• Contact a qualified electrician to repair circuit overloads
• Invest in surge protectors for major appliances and important gadgets
• Don't overuse extension cords

Protect Your Electrical System and Home With Professional Services!

What causes power surges? Now that you know, you might want to get in touch with trusted professionals to keep your electrical system in excellent condition. The Professional Services team offers unmatched electric panel repairs, installations, replacements, and maintenance in Port Washington, Wisconsin, so why not give us a call?

Whether you’re facing bad electrical work or power surges, the experts have a reliable solution—call (262) 218-2636 for an appointment with Professional Services today!