Umair Gaines
A sudden burst of electricity is known as a power surge, which is a transient wave of current, voltage, or power in an electric circuit. Surges are generally brief overvoltage spikes that can damage or degrade electronic equipment. They can be caused by switching electrical loads on and off, lightning, or utility-initiated grid and capacitor bank switching.
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What You'll Learn
Surges are transient waves of current, voltage or power in an electric circuit
A sudden burst of electricity can be referred to as a power surge. Surges are transient waves of current, voltage or power in an electric circuit. They are brief overvoltage spikes or disturbances on a power waveform that can damage, degrade or destroy electronic equipment.
Power surges can be classified into two categories based on their origin: internal and external surges. Internal surges originate within a facility, building, or electrical system, and can be caused by magnetic and inductive coupling from devices like elevators, copy machines, computers, AC units, and refrigerators. They can also be caused by switching surges, which occur when heavy loads are switched on and off, creating a magnetic field that induces a voltage in a second wire. Internal surges make up 60-80% of power surges and can be powerful enough to damage electrical and electronic equipment.
External surges, on the other hand, come from outside a home or facility and usually carry higher voltages than internal surges. The most common external cause of voltage surges is lightning. This can be either a direct strike on a facility's electrical system or, more commonly, lightning striking nearby power lines, causing a short-term spike in electrical activity for surrounding properties. Other external sources of surges include utility-initiated grid and capacitor bank switching, where the utility company may need to temporarily interrupt the flow of power to customers to clear a fault in the system.
Surges are generally measured in microseconds, and they can reach amplitudes of tens of thousands of volts. They can cause serious damage to electrical systems and equipment, so it is important to use surge protection devices to mitigate the risks associated with power surges.
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Surges can be caused by switching electrical loads on and off
A sudden burst of electricity, or a power surge, can be caused by a variety of factors, one of which is the switching on and off of electrical loads. Power surges occur when there is a spike in voltage, which can cause an arc of electrical current, leading to potential damage to electronic devices and appliances. Voltage surges are typically caused by the switching off of heavy electrical loads. Inductive loads produce a back EMF to counter the sudden loss of voltage, resulting in a surge.
Switching surges can occur when an induction motor or a power system, transformer, or power cables are switched on or off. This phenomenon is observed in inductive circuits, where the flux may increase at the instant of switching, causing excessive saturation of the magnetic core and a disproportionate rise in the induced e.m.f. If the magnetic core already has residual flux, the surge voltage intensifies.
Line energization can also create large switching surges, particularly at the remote end of the line. This can happen with very long lines without shunt reactor compensation or lines with a standing charge from auto-reclose conditions. Current chopping during shunt reactor, transformer, and motor switching can also lead to overvoltages.
Additionally, faulty wiring is another potential internal cause of power surges. Damaged or exposed electrical wires can increase the likelihood of power surges. Signs of faulty wiring may include burn marks on outlets, a burning smell from wiring or outlets, buzzing sounds from outlets, and frequently tripping circuit breakers.
To protect against power surges, individuals can use point-of-use surge protection devices, special wall outlets, or whole-house surge protectors. These measures can effectively safeguard electrical devices and appliances from most power surges.
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Surges can be caused by lightning
A sudden burst of electricity is known as a power surge. According to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), a power surge is a "sudden and unwanted increase in voltage that can damage, degrade, or destroy sensitive electronic equipment in a home or business".
Lightning is one of the two main sources of electrical surges, the other being overvoltage generated by equipment. When lightning strikes near a power line, the electrical energy can increase electrical pressure by millions of volts.
Lightning strikes can cause power surges in two ways. Firstly, lightning can directly strike a power line and cause a massive surge of electricity to travel through the line, damaging any appliances or electrical equipment connected to it. Secondly, lightning can strike a nearby structure or tree, causing a power surge that travels into the house and damages appliances. This is known as an indirect lightning strike.
While lightning surges are the most familiar source of power surges, they are one of the least common causes. Most surges are created within a facility when large appliances such as air conditioners are turned on and off, creating a brief demand for power that upsets the steady voltage flow in the electrical system.
Lightning strikes can also cause damage to electrical wiring, although this is rare. Age, faulty installation, and animal infestations can contribute to a higher risk of wiring being affected by lightning strikes. If the wiring overheats, it can lead to electrical failure or even fire.
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Surges can be positive or negative polarity
A sudden burst of electricity is often referred to as a power surge. In general, a surge is a transient wave of current, voltage, or power in an electric circuit. They are brief overvoltage spikes or disturbances on a power waveform that can damage, degrade, or destroy electronic equipment.
A surge can be either positive or negative polarity. They can be additive or subtractive from the normal voltage waveform and are often oscillatory and decaying over time. Surges are generally measured in microseconds.
Sources of surges include lightning, utility grid switching, and internal sources such as devices that switch power on and off. For example, a simple thermostat switch operating a heating element or a switch-mode power supply found on many devices.
Switching surges are not always immediately recognized or disruptive, but they occur frequently. Transformers can also cause inrush currents, or switch-on surges, which are maximal instantaneous input currents drawn by an electrical device when first turned on. These can be up to 60 times the normal current and can be mitigated by inrush current limiters such as Negative-Temperature-Coefficient (NTC) thermistors.
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Surges can damage electrical equipment
A sudden burst of electricity, or a power surge, is when the flow of electricity is interrupted and then started again, or when electricity is sent flowing back into the system. These surges can be small or large and can result in reduced performance or possible damage to plugged-in devices.
Power surges can originate from the electric utility company during power grid switching. They can also be caused by lightning, a tree limb touching a power line, or a small animal getting into a transformer. More than half of household power surges are internal and are caused by the use of appliances with motors, such as refrigerators and air conditioners. These smaller devices can also cause internal power surges, such as hair dryers and power tools.
During a power surge, the voltage exceeds the peak voltage of 169 volts. This spike in voltage can cause an arc of electrical current within an appliance, and the heat generated can damage electronic circuit boards and other electrical components. Even small, repeated power surges can slowly cause damage to devices, shortening their lifespan.
To protect against power surges, you can purchase a surge protector. These devices protect electrical appliances from voltage spikes in alternating current circuits. When selecting a point-of-use surge protector, look for one that indicates whether it has failed and is no longer protecting your equipment, such as an indicator light or an audible alarm. However, keep in mind that surge protectors have a limited lifespan and may need to be replaced periodically, especially in areas with high surge activity.
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Frequently asked questions
A sudden burst of electricity is called a surge or transient.
Surges can be caused by the switching on and off of certain electrical loads, lightning, or utility-initiated grid and capacitor bank switching.
Surges can be damaging to electrical systems and connected loads. They can also be disruptive and damaging to equipment over time.
You can protect against surges by using surge protection devices, such as surge protective devices (SPDs) or uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs).
