Has 'NEPA' ever brought light and some appliances in your house got damaged? Has it happened to some one you know?. This piece explains in details what power surges are, what are the causes, and how you can prevent them.
What are power surges?
Power surges are very brief, usually lasting millionths of a second of sudden high voltage. They can vary in duration and magnitude, varying from a few hundred volts to several thousand volts.
Power surges damage appliances installed in home hence they can be very harmful. They can result from thunderstorms, intense heat, irregular or erratic power supply and also more importantly unstable distribution. Unstable distribution will increase the chances for surges to occur and the sad part of it is distribution companies can find it difficult to regulate distribution.
No matter where you live, your home experiences power surges at one time or the other. Electrical devices handle specific voltage level for which they are designed. Unfortunately, in cases where these devices are subject to higher voltages than they are designed for, damage will occur. Generally speaking the greater the voltages, and the longer the period over which they occur, the greater the chances damage will most likely occur.
To prevent these surges from occurring and possibly damage things at home, it is up to you the consumer to take steps to prevent damages.
According to the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, a lightning strike can travel through cables and wires to damage equipment more than a mile away. The lightning doesn’t have to hit a transformer or other wiring equipment directly; if it strikes a nearby object, such as a tree or a flagpole, the bolt can radiate a strong electromagnetic field that can be picked up by a home’s wiring. In both cases, that can mean a surge of power into the home that can damage anything connected to your wiring: refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner, washer, dryer, etc.
According to the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, a lightning strike can travel through cables and wires to damage equipment more than a mile away. The lightning doesn’t have to hit a transformer or other wiring equipment directly; if it strikes a nearby object, such as a tree or a flagpole, the bolt can radiate a strong electromagnetic field that can be picked up by a home’s wiring. In both cases, that can mean a surge of power into the home that can damage anything connected to your wiring: refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner, washer, dryer, etc.
Solution
Unplug devices not in use
The simplest and easiest way to deal with power surge problems is to unplug appliances not being used at any particular point in time. Usually in our homes we have the bad habit of leaving plugged in so many devices even though not being used.
There is absolutely no need leaving in power tools, washing machines or microwaves plugged in when we don’t need them. Since the refrigerators are required to always be on, we can do ourselves a lot good by reducing chances of surge occurring through the habit of switching off.
The best way to protect your appliances and other expensive electronic equipment is to unplug them when there’s a storm in your area. You can also turn the power off to them by flipping the appropriate breaker in your main power box. Realistically, however, most people aren’t going to go around their home unplugging all the electrical appliances when there’s a storm. (If nothing else, think of how many digital clocks you’d have to reset!) And that solution doesn’t work if you’re not home when the storm hits.
The best way to protect your appliances and other expensive electronic equipment is to unplug them when there’s a storm in your area. You can also turn the power off to them by flipping the appropriate breaker in your main power box. Realistically, however, most people aren’t going to go around their home unplugging all the electrical appliances when there’s a storm. (If nothing else, think of how many digital clocks you’d have to reset!) And that solution doesn’t work if you’re not home when the storm hits.
Upgrade Inadequate Wiring
If you have an older home, inadequate wiring could be the cause. Some very old Electrical systems in homes will not handle large-capacity refrigerators, entertainment systems and computer equipment.
Some visible signs of inadequate wiring are frequent blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers, or lights that flicker or dim when the refrigerator or another large appliance kicks on.
Don’t ignore these symptoms – they’re a signal that something is wrong, and the problem may become a fire hazard.
Fix Overloaded Circuit
If your home is modern, be careful the electrician you use for your house wiring, you may have a problem with an overloaded circuit. Look out for two (or more) large appliances drawing power from the same circuit, especially in the kitchen. The easier way is to have a single circuit for each appliance if possible.
Another trouble spot might be a circuit with many smaller devices, such as a family room filled with computer and entertainment equipment.
Tell your electrician to establish dedicated circuits for each large appliance, and to divide rooms with multiple devices into separate circuits.
Replace with Same Fuse Type
Always replace blown out fuse with the right and specified rating fuse. Avoid the habit of rewiring fuse with non-fuse wires. Also ensure that the right sockets and plugs are use at the right places. Use 13amp for smaller devices and 15amp for heavier power consuming devices such as pressing irons or refrigerators.
Use Surge Protectors
Although nothing is better than unplugging your appliances to disconnect them from the power grid, surge protectors can reduce the risk of damage. Utility provider recommends that its customers install two types of surge protectors:
Surge Arrester – This is a whole-house system that is installed in or near a home’s main electric service panel and offers protection against voltage surges up to 20,000 volts (such as a lightning strike).
Surge Suppressor – This surge protection device is a power strip that can handle up to 6,000 volts. A surge suppressor protects only the electrical equipment that is plugged into it.
Both types of surge protectors will also provide a defense against the power surges that sometimes occur when the electricity comes back on. (Imagine getting through a few days without electricity only to have your refrigerator’s motor burned out by a power surge when the lights come back on!) just because of simple carelessness.
Take a step today to protect your valuable devices and appliances from damage, remember a stitch in time saves nine, and prevention is cheaper and better than cure.
Replace with Same Fuse Type
Always replace blown out fuse with the right and specified rating fuse. Avoid the habit of rewiring fuse with non-fuse wires. Also ensure that the right sockets and plugs are use at the right places. Use 13amp for smaller devices and 15amp for heavier power consuming devices such as pressing irons or refrigerators.
Use Surge Protectors
Although nothing is better than unplugging your appliances to disconnect them from the power grid, surge protectors can reduce the risk of damage. Utility provider recommends that its customers install two types of surge protectors:
Surge Arrester – This is a whole-house system that is installed in or near a home’s main electric service panel and offers protection against voltage surges up to 20,000 volts (such as a lightning strike).
Surge Suppressor – This surge protection device is a power strip that can handle up to 6,000 volts. A surge suppressor protects only the electrical equipment that is plugged into it.
Both types of surge protectors will also provide a defense against the power surges that sometimes occur when the electricity comes back on. (Imagine getting through a few days without electricity only to have your refrigerator’s motor burned out by a power surge when the lights come back on!) just because of simple carelessness.
Take a step today to protect your valuable devices and appliances from damage, remember a stitch in time saves nine, and prevention is cheaper and better than cure.
wow
ReplyDelete