Electricity is one of the essential elements in your property that can cause considerable damage when mishandled. There are various forms of electrical power disturbances that might affect your property once in a while. The common ones include voltage dips, electromagnetic and radio frequency interference, and power surges. Power surges are generally the most common and unfortunately the most destructive. These are abnormally high voltages lasting for a short time and range from minor to severe.
Most people see little need for emergency electrical contractors in Salt Lake City when faced with an electrical surge. Even appliances that have been switched off might at times be affected by a power surge. Power surges also cause significant damage to your electric outlets and electronics or start dangerous fires. Being proactive and informed about the common causes of power surges allows you to save your electronics and protect your property. Here are the common causes of power surges:
Overloaded Circuits and Outlets
If the space behind your electronics is riddled with a web of tangled electrical wires, this might mean that your outlet is overloaded. Plugging too many wires into one socket leads to electrical fires and power surges. This is because the circuit in your room will be trying to power too many machines. This, in turn, causes a spike since there is too much power being drawn.
Exposed or Damaged Wiring
Pests in your home will not only introduce various diseases but can also chew on your wiring. The common pests that do this are squirrels and mice. Exposed or damaged wires will result in power surges since the current flowing in them is not directed as it should. You might smell smoke when the wires burn or melt with the abnormal voltage flow.
Lightning Strikes
Lightning near your power lines might cause an extra spike that results in a significantly increased voltage. This explains why computers, lamps, and cable boxes stand are often destroyed by power surges caused by lightning. In severe storms, it might be best to unplug and power down your costly equipment. Alternatively, you can have lightning arrestors installed in your building to direct the lightning to the ground if your area often has severe storms.
High-power Electrical Devices
Most properties feature several high-energy appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and elevators. These can generate energy spikes that in turn cause power spikes since they draw considerable amounts of electricity. This electricity will flow through your circuit and overpower the other appliances in its path. In these cases, it is common to see flickering light bulbs.
Some of the issues mentioned above seem easy enough to fix with a screwdriver and guidance from a YouTube tutorial. Handling electrical wires nonetheless puts you at risk of electrocution and your property at risk of damage by an electric fire. Therefore, any issues should be left to electricians with the right protective gear and know-how. You can also protect your property from future power surges using a two-tiered approach. Here, one surge protection device will be installed on an electrical panel or electrical service entrance and another at the point-of-use of your electronics.
