Are you experiencing household power surges? Welcome to the 21st century where your Auburn, Opelika, or Montgomery, AL home is filled with more and more electrical devices. Now think for a minute about having to replace some or many of them. Sounds like an expensive proposition doesn’t it? That’s the way Dixie Electric, Plumbing & Air looks at it. It can and does happen all the time because of damaging power surges and spikes. Let’s talk about some of the leading causes and how our electricians can help.
Overloads
It can happen in every house, someone who’s guilty of plugging multiple devices into one outlet by using power strips and extension cords. This can cause power surges. It can also happen with overloaded circuits in your Auburn, Opelika, or Montgomery, AL home. This is a case where you likely need the help of a licensed electrician to calculate the load on the circuit or install a new circuit for additional outlets.
Damaged wiring
Damaged or bare wires can also cause power surges. The insulation may have been damaged when it was installed. Critters are also notorious for chewing away the insulation. An electrical safety inspection is the best way to locate the damaged wires.
Lightning
A lightning strike anywhere near a powerline can send a dangerous power surge into your home. Trust us, delicate electronic equipment does not like lightning.
Major appliances
Things like freezers, refrigerators, and air conditioners can cause power surges. Because they draw so much power the electricity can spill over into other circuits. This is when you may notice the lights briefly flickering.
Power outages
You say this doesn’t make much sense? The problem isn’t the outage, but rather when the power comes back on. The sudden burst of electricity can send excess energy into your home. If you do have a power outage, it’s a good idea to turn off as many devices as possible so they are not hit by a surge when the power comes back on.
Home safety
Power surges aren’t just an annoyance, they can also be dangerous. Surges and voltage spikes can start fires. The best solution is to have our Dixie electricians install whole-house surge protection. It’s designed to protect every circuit in the home to keep all those appliances and electronic devices safe.
Serving Alabama since 1908
Count on Dixie Electric, Plumbing & Air to protect your home and family. If you still have questions about power surges and surge protection, call us now. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
