Electrical disasters are a common occurrence in most modern homes due to their dependency on the electrical system. As with anything that is utilized so frequently every single day, malfunctions are quite likely to occur. Your home’s electrical system is sensitive to a lot of dangers, and under extreme circumstances, may even result in a fatal accident.

A power surge is a well-known electrical disaster that has multiple potential sources. These sources can be both internal and external. To protect your home against this disaster, the first step would be to learn about the sources; this will help you get a better idea of how the problem can be avoided and which precautions must be taken. 

While services like the Surge Assist 6000 Max may be able to help curb some of these damages, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for the worst. The following are some of the most commonly occurring sources of power surges to help you understand the mechanisms and deal with the problem more effectively.

Overloading Outlets

A common mistake homeowners often tend to make is overcrowding the power outlets in their homes. Plugging too many appliances into a single source causes the outlet to give out a lot more power than it should. There is a voltage limit for every power outlet, and once this limit is exceeded, a power surge becomes much more likely to occur. 

Overloading an extension can also have a similar impact, and is also one of the most widely occurring electrical disasters. The most ideal solution would be never to plug in too many appliances to a single power source, but in case there’s an emergency and you need to plug in multiple heavy appliances, make sure to never leave them unattended.

Blackouts

One major reason for a power surge is a prolonged power outage, says BobVila. When a city-wide blackout occurs, the effect of electricity returning to your home’s electrical system can be quite overwhelming. When the power finally comes back in such a large area, the sudden flow of electricity through the wires once again can easily result in a deadly surge. This is why it’s always best to shield your appliances in case of a blackout by disconnecting them until the power is back on.

Obstructions

Power surges can have both internal and external sources. Obstructions in the power lines are quite a common reason for surges, and homeowners often have no control over this. For example, if a bird or any other heavy object finds its way to the power lines that supply your home with electricity, a malfunction of great magnitude is very likely to occur. The high voltage produced will then enter your home.

Similarly, a tree could fall on the wires during a storm and cause a high current to flow to your appliances. When the winds outside begin to get unseasonably strong, it’s a good idea to prepare yourself for such damages and take the required precautions to keep your appliances from getting permanently damaged.

Lightning Strikes

The most intense surges are often caused by sources that are out of a homeowner’s control, and a lightning strike is one of the best examples of this (see why here). A lightning strike can be fatal under the right circumstances. This kind of power surge is capable of destroying your home due to its large magnitude, and can even result in a fire. 

Lightning can strike a power source near your home or a tree, or even affect an underground electrical system. This causes the excess current to flow into your home and results in disastrous (and often irreversible) consequences. It’s always best to make sure that the electrical supply to your home is cut off when something like this happens. One of the best precautions a homeowner can take against this problem is getting whole-home surge protection due to its thoroughness and reliability.

Taking the Necessary Precautions

As a homeowner, it’s quite likely that you’ve already faced power surges multiple times. This disaster has varying intensities. While they are often the cause of neglect, some sources are out of a homeowner’s control. 

A power surge should never be taken lightly. If the surge is of a larger magnitude, you may even lose your home in the worst-case scenario. If you can afford it, getting whole-home surge protection is always a good idea. You can even get individual surge protectors or upgrade your gadgets to their smart versions, making them much more resilient to such harm.