How Can Surge Protectors Save Your Appliances?

Ever noticed your lights flickering during a thunderstorm? That’s a telltale sign of electrical surges, those sudden spikes in voltage that can be pretty disruptive.

Electrical surges aren’t just a minor annoyance; they can actually wreak havoc on your home’s electronics. Think of it this way: a surge can fry your appliances, damage the wiring, or even degrade the internal components of your gadgets over time. That’s where a surge protector comes into play.

What is a Surge Protector?

A surge protector is like a knight in shining armor for your electronics. It’s a simple and cost-effective device designed to absorb erratic spikes in voltage before they can zap your valuable electrical gear. Acting as a buffer, it helps keep your appliances safe from the unpredictable nature of electrical surges, ensuring they run smoothly and last longer.

The three primary types of surge protectors include power strips, wall-mounts, and whole-home units. A power strip surge protector generally has a cord that plugs into an AC outlet in your home and several additional outlets along a strip for connecting multiple devices. A wall-mount or plug-mount device functions similarly but is cordless and has a built-in plug. These “point of use” devices are distinct from a basic power strip or adapter, providing multiple outlet spaces but lacking surge protection capabilities.

How Does a Surge Protector Work?

A surge protector detects spikes in voltage and suppresses the extra power by diverting it to components such as metal oxide varistors for absorption or the ground wire for discharge. Unfortunately, a whole-home surge protector may be ineffective on powerful surges stemming from lighting, yet incidents of this magnitude are rare.

Power surges in your home may result from external or internal forces. For example, your electric utility provider might switch to the power grid. A downed power line in the neighbourhood could cause a surge when power is restored. In some cases, lighting may create a power surge that travels via electrical, phone, or internet lines to your home.

Internal surges may result from power-hungry home appliances such as air conditioners, furnaces, and power tools. Electrical overloads, which might result from using extension cords to plug multiple devices into power outlets along the same circuit, may also pose internal threats.

Benefits of Surge Protectors

Surge protectors will help prevent damage to appliances and electronics that might create a need for costly repairs or replacement expenses. Keep in mind that power surges within your home’s electrical system could also result in electrical fires that pose safety risks and create further property damage.

Some surge protectors also limit line noise, which results from electromagnetic or radio frequency interference created by other devices throughout your home’s electrical system. Line noise might be heard as static or seen as visual interference when watching a video or TV screen.

Power Surge Protector for Appliances

For the purposes of protecting multiple appliances, homeowners might consider a whole-home surge protector to avoid buying multiple strip protectors for use throughout their homes.

Data from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Canada indicates that some of the most common home appliances include refrigerators, freezers, ranges, dishwashers, microwave ovens, air conditioners, clothes washers, and dryers. Typical signs of a power surge or outage include appliances with flashing digital clocks, a burnt odour, or power outlets that need to be manually reset.

Choosing the Right Surge Protector

A surge protector's ability to handle power is rated in joules. The minimum rating is typically 200 to 400 joules, while more powerful options may exceed 2,000 joules. Unlike wall-mounted or power strip-style individual protector units, whole-home surge protectors should be installed by qualified professionals.

Consider asking an electrician for their recommendation before purchasing a whole-home device to ensure proper compatibility and optimal performance.

When to Call a Professional

If you are a homeowner who has experienced power surges, you should promptly speak with a service professional for assistance. Mr. Appliance^® is a leading provider of residential appliance repair services. Our service team will assist you with refrigerator repairs, electric dryer repairs, and help address questions such as whether small appliances are worth repairing.

One of the reasons to choose Mr. Appliance for your service needs is that our experts are extensively trained, will arrive on time, and maintain a commitment to treat you with courtesy and respect. The quality of our work is backed by The Neighbourly Done Right Promise^™ to ensure satisfaction in everything we do.

So, if you're a homeowner in need of repairs or services for your appliances, dishwashers, dryers, ice makers, trash compactors, or other similar items, don't hesitate to contact us to schedule service.

This article is intended for general guidance only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your property and your situation. Mr. Appliance is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of any advice or guidance derived from blog content. For the most accurate guidance, contact an independently owned and operated Mr. Appliance for more information and a professional on-site assessment.