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Everything That You Need to Know About Home Surge Protectors

by | May 22, 2023

Our homes are filled with a wide range of electronic devices. These devices are essential to our daily lives and provide us with convenience and entertainment. However, they are also susceptible to power surges, which can cause damage to our devices and even pose a risk of fire. This is where home surge protectors come in. Now, this may be your first time hearing about this. To give you more information on this useful device, we thought it would be useful to put together a brief discussion about them. If this is something that you’re interested in learning more about, here’s everything you need to know about home surge protectors.

What is a Home Surge Protector?

A home surge protector is a device that is designed to protect your electronic devices from power surges. Power surges are sudden spikes in voltage that can occur in the power supply, and they can damage or even destroy your electronic devices. A surge protector works by diverting the excess voltage away from your devices and into the ground. This prevents the excess voltage from reaching your devices and causing damage.

What Are the Different Types of Home Surge Protectors?

There are two main types of home surge protectors: point-of-use surge protectors and whole-house surge protectors.

Point-of-use surge protectors are devices that are plugged directly into the wall outlet and provide surge protection for a single device or a group of devices that are plugged into a power strip. These types of surge protectors are ideal for protecting individual devices like computers, televisions, or gaming consoles.

Whole-house surge protectors are installed at the main electrical panel of your home and provide surge protection for the entire house. These types of surge protectors are ideal for protecting larger appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners, and washing machines.

How Do Home Surge Protectors Work?

Home surge protectors work by redirecting excess voltage away from your devices and into the ground. They do this by using a metal oxide varistor (MOV), which is a component that can absorb excess voltage. When a surge occurs, the MOV diverts the excess voltage away from your devices and into the ground. This protects your devices from the excess voltage and prevents damage.

What Are the Benefits of Home Surge Protectors?

There are several benefits to using home surge protectors. The most obvious benefit is that they protect your electronic devices from power surges. This can save you money in the long run by preventing the need for costly repairs or replacements of your devices. Additionally, surge protectors can also help prevent electrical fires by diverting excess voltage away from your devices.

Another benefit of home surge protectors is that they provide peace of mind. With a surge protector in place, you can rest easy knowing that your electronic devices are protected from power surges. This can be especially important if you live in an area that is prone to power outages or electrical storms.

What Are the Factors to Consider When Choosing a Home Surge Protector?

When choosing a home surge protector, there are several factors to consider. These include:

Joule Rating: The joule rating of a surge protector refers to its ability to absorb excess voltage. The higher the joule rating, the better the surge protector will be at protecting your devices.

Clamping Voltage: The clamping voltage of a surge protector refers to the voltage level at which it will begin to divert excess voltage away from your devices. The lower the clamping voltage, the better the surge protector will be at protecting your devices.

Number of Outlets: The number of outlets on a surge protector will determine how many devices you can plug in at once. Make sure to choose a surge protector with enough outlets for your needs.

Conclusion

We hope this article proves to be useful when it comes to helping you gain a better understanding of what home surge protectors are. By investing in a home surge protector, you can protect your devices from power surges and enjoy peace of mind knowing that they are safe from harm.

Do you need help with home surge protectors? Laswell Electric Company, Inc. has been offering expert electrical work since 1995. We have the qualifications and experience to handle the electrical needs of industrial, commercial, and residential properties. Our electric company in Louisville, KY, is an expert in installing and servicing electrical systems. Contact us for your generator installation!

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