It’s important that Milwaukee homeowners are educated on power surges. Power surges happen when there is a massive spike in your electrical system’s current. They only last about a fraction of a second, but can cause lifelong damages to any outlets or plugged-in appliances. This is due to the power surge overloading the circuits connected to your electrical system. If an appliance can’t handle the overload, it can be damaged or even completely ruined.
Now that you understand the basics of a power surge, it’s time to learn about its common causes. Knowing the causes can help you avoid them as you maintain your electrical system. Roman Electric has created a guide below explaining 5 causes of power surges.
1. Electrical Overload
As its name suggests, electrical overloads are when you attempt to draw too much power from a single circuit. This can happen when you overuse extension cords, plug in too many appliances, or use an appliance above the circuit’s amperage levels. Electrical overloads can lead to power surges as the overwhelmed circuit may receive a massive spike in current due to the excessive power being drawn.
2. Faulty Wiring
Wiring is essential for distributing electricity. And if it is damaged or the casing is exposed, a power surge is more likely to happen. Wiring that is damaged or exposed offers little electrical resistance, meaning any conductive material can spike the wire’s current to dangerous levels. Since it can be difficult to tell your wiring’s condition without getting behind your drywall, we have detailed a few signs that can indicate the situation.
- Outlets Have Visible Burns Marks or Burning Smell
- Vibration or Buzzing Sound Coming From Outlets
- Circuit Breakers Tripping Frequently
If any of these signs apply to you, contact Roman Electric for further consultation.
3. Lightning
With your electrical system designed to channel electricity, a lightning strike can easily compromise it. When lightning does strike your electrical system, it has no choice but to accept the overwhelmingly excessive current. This creates a massive spike, therefore creating a power surge. This is why it’s recommended during severe storms to unplug any unused devices and appliances if you don’t have surge protection.
4. Power Outage/Blackout
During a storm or power grid failure, a power outage is an expected occurrence. But just because it’s expected doesn’t mean it’s not damaging. Once power is restored after an outage, the sudden jump in current can create a power surge, damaging any previously unpowered appliances.
How are you supposed to prevent power surges when there are so many different reasons they occur? Fortunately, you can equip your Milwaukee home with whole-home surge protection. As its name suggests, whole-home surge protection defends your entire home against power surges. This means whether the cause is an electrical overload, faulty wiring, lightning, or a power outage, whole-home surge protection will still act against power surges. Contact Roman Electric at 414-369-3798 for our surge protection services.
Related Links:
Homeowners: Respond to Power Outages – U.S. Department of Energy
