Wiktor Wise
Power surges are abnormally high voltages that last for a short period of time. They are usually caused by an interruption in the flow of electricity, an increased delivery of power, or a sudden increase in voltage. Power surges can cause significant damage to electrical systems and appliances, including data loss in computers and permanent damage to electronic devices. They can originate from inside or outside a facility, with lightning strikes being one of the most common and damaging sources. To protect against power surges, people can invest in surge protectors or whole-house surge protection to safeguard their valuable equipment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A transient wave of current, voltage or power in an electric circuit |
| Typical Voltage Levels | 110-220 volts for household appliances and electronics in most countries |
| US Voltage Levels | 120 volts on average |
| Minimum Surge | 1 volt over the threshold |
| Maximum Surge | Thousands of volts |
| Sources | Electrical overload, faulty wiring, lightning strikes, restoration of power after an outage, capacitor bank building, load switching, equipment faults |
| Impact | Can damage or destroy electronic equipment, shorten lifespan of devices, clear stored data |
| Protection | Surge protectors, whole-house surge protection |
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What You'll Learn
Power surges can damage electrical systems and appliances
Power surges are abnormally high voltages lasting for a short period of time. They are usually caused by lightning strikes, electrical overload, faulty wiring, or the restoration of power after a power outage. These surges can enter a home through several pathways, such as cable TV or telephone lines, and damage electrical systems and appliances.
During a power surge, the voltage exceeds the peak voltage of 169 volts, which is the threshold maximum for most appliances and electronics in the United States. This spike in voltage can overload and short out the circuitry of plugged-in devices, causing them to malfunction or fail. Power surges can also degrade devices over time, shortening their lifespan, clearing stored data, or causing other types of harm.
Appliances, lights, and HVAC systems are all vulnerable to power surges. Computers, in particular, are susceptible to damage as they are not designed to shut down without running through a shutdown process. An abrupt shutdown can cause file corruption, which may prevent the computer from working properly and require a system restore.
To protect against power surges, it is recommended to use surge protectors for your appliances and gadgets. These devices block excess voltage from reaching your electronics during a power surge. Point-of-use surge protection devices (SPDs) and service entrance surge protection devices are commonly used to safeguard electrical equipment. SPDs divert the excess voltage to the ground, while service entrance surge protection devices reduce the power surge to a lower level before it reaches the electrical system.
In areas prone to lightning storms, such as Florida, it is advisable to implement multiple layers of surge protection. Unplugging devices during severe storms and using whole-house surge protectors can also help prevent damage to electrical systems and appliances.
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Surge protectors can safeguard electrical devices
An electrical or power surge is a transient wave of voltage, current or power in an electrical circuit. It is an intense, short-duration voltage increase that travels through electrical wiring or other cables that transmit power or data. Power surges can occur in three main ways: when there is an interruption in the flow of electricity followed by a short; when an increased delivery of power is interrupted and electricity is sent flowing back into the system; or when a sudden increase of voltage is sent through a power system from internal or external forces.
Surges can be caused by electrical overload, faulty wiring, lightning strikes, and the restoration of power after a power outage or blackout. They can also be caused by the switching on and off of certain electrical loads, such as large appliances, which can create magnetic fields that induce voltage in other wires.
Surge protectors are devices that can be used to safeguard electrical devices from power surges. They work by limiting the voltage supplied to an electric device, either by blocking or diverting to the ground any unwanted voltages above a safe threshold. They are designed to protect against very short-term and high-intensity voltage spikes and surges.
A standard surge protector passes the electrical current from the outlet to several electrical and electronic devices plugged into the power strip. If the voltage from the outlet surges or spikes, the surge protector diverts the extra electricity into the outlet's grounding wire. This is typically done through a component called a metal oxide varistor (MOV), which forms a connection between the power and grounding lines. MOVs have three parts: a piece of metal oxide material in the middle, joined to the power and grounding line by two semiconductors. When voltage is too high, an MOV can conduct a lot of current to eliminate the extra voltage, acting as a pressure-sensitive valve.
Surge protectors are recommended for any device that would be expensive to replace, such as computers, televisions, gaming systems, and even smaller items like phone chargers. They are especially important for devices containing microprocessors, as the damage from a power surge can be immediate and catastrophic. Surge protectors can also help prevent data loss. It is important to note that not all power strips are surge protectors, and older power strips offer little to no protection from power surges.
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Lightning strikes are a common cause of electrical surges
A power surge is an abnormally high voltage lasting for a short period of time. It is a transient wave of voltage, current, or power in an electrical circuit. Power surges can occur in three main ways: when there is an interruption in the flow of electricity followed by a short; when an increased delivery of power is interrupted and electricity is sent back into the system; or when a sudden increase in voltage is sent through a power system from internal or external forces.
Lightning strikes can cause damage in two ways: a direct strike or a surge via inductive coupling. A direct strike occurs when lightning hits the electrical system directly, and a surge via inductive coupling happens when the magnetic field created by a strike induces a voltage in a long cable system. This is similar to how a car antenna couples a radio station's signal into a car stereo. While the surge generated by inductive coupling may be relatively small, it can still be large enough to damage the small electronic components at the ends of the connecting cable.
The damage caused by lightning strikes can be instantaneous and catastrophic due to the immense amount of energy released. It is not uncommon for property owners to discover lightning-damaged equipment weeks after a storm during the repair process, as the damage can be extensive. Lightning strikes can also cause fires in electrical systems as the lightning seeks to ground itself through the conductive wiring.
To protect against electrical surges caused by lightning strikes, a surge protector can be used. While a surge protector does not prevent or suppress the surge, it diverts the surge to the ground, safeguarding consumer electronics from high voltage. However, it is important to note that a surge protector does not protect against damage from a direct lightning strike.
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Power surges can originate from inside or outside a home
A power surge is an abnormally high voltage lasting for a short period of time. It is a transient wave of voltage, current, or power in an electrical circuit. Power surges can occur in three main ways: when there is an interruption in the flow of electricity followed by a short; when an increased delivery of power is interrupted and electricity is sent flowing back into the system; or when a sudden increase in voltage is sent through a power system from internal or external forces.
Internal power surges are more common, happening dozens of times a day. They usually occur when devices with motors start up or shut off, diverting electricity to and from other appliances. Air conditioners and refrigerators are the main household items that cause surges, but smaller appliances such as hair dryers and power tools can also cause problems. In older homes, inadequate wiring could be the cause of power surges. Homes built before the 1980s may not have electrical systems designed to handle large-capacity refrigerators, entertainment systems, and computer equipment. In newer homes, overloaded circuits may be the problem.
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Electrical overload can cause power surges
A power surge is an abnormally high voltage lasting for a short period of time. It is a transient wave of voltage, current, or power in an electrical circuit. Power surges can occur in three main ways: when there is an interruption in the flow of electricity followed by a short; when an increased delivery of power is interrupted when electricity is sent flowing back into the system; or when a sudden increase in voltage is sent through a power system from internal or external forces.
Electrical overloads can cause power surges. This happens when too much power is drawn from a single circuit, which can occur from overusing extension cords and plugging in too many devices into the same circuit. Large appliances such as air conditioners should not share the same socket with other appliances. Overloaded circuits may receive a massive spike in current due to the excessive power being drawn, leading to a power surge.
The risk of electrical overload causing a power surge is heightened when wiring is damaged or exposed, as this offers little electrical resistance. Consequently, any conductive material can spike the wire's current to dangerous levels.
To prevent internal power surges caused by electrical overloads, ensure that your devices are not overloading circuits and that your wiring is up to code. Additionally, you can use point-of-use surge protection devices and special wall outlets that offer additional surge protection to safeguard your electrical devices and appliances.
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Frequently asked questions
An electrical surge, also known as a power surge, is a transient wave of voltage, current, or power in an electrical circuit.
Electrical surges can be caused by internal or external factors. Internal factors include electrical overloads, faulty wiring, and the switching on and off of high-powered electrical appliances. External factors include lightning strikes, changes in the power grid, and tree limbs or small animals interfering with power lines.
You can protect your devices from electrical surges by using surge protectors, which divert the excess voltage to the ground. Surge protectors come in the form of power strips, surge-protected plugs, or automatic voltage guards.
Electrical surges can cause immediate damage to your electrical system and appliances, such as data loss in computers or permanent damage to electronic devices. Smaller surges may go unnoticed but can gradually reduce the performance of your electronics over time.
A power surge refers to an abnormally high voltage lasting for a short period, typically less than a half-cycle of the regular voltage waveform. A voltage spike is a sudden increase in voltage that can occur during a power surge, leading to potential damage to electronic equipment.
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