Here’s What You Need to do in Case of a Power Surge
In places with harsh weather conditions such as frequent thunderstorms, it’s quite easy for electricity-related disasters to occur. When this happens, a lot of your appliances may get damaged, at times to a point where they may have to be replaced entirely. A power surge can be a really frustrating event and it is not much you can do to prevent it. This is why it is important for every homeowner to be prepared for such a disaster at all times so that even if an unforeseen surge occurs, they can protect their home from any harm.
Most homes are composed mainly of electrical appliances and devices, such as video doorbells that work with Alexa. This means that a lot of power outlets are constantly in use, making a power surge even more dangerous than usual. A home that depends heavily on electrical appliances to properly function is bound to be left handicapped if that technology is taken away from it, and appliances that get damaged during a power surge are often difficult to replace. This is why you should keep the following tips in mind, in order to avoid a disaster in case of a power surge.
What is a Power Surge?
At any given point, there is an electric current running through circuit(s) within a home. There are situations where the source of this current can be compromised, and there is a sudden spike in its value. Since most appliances and such require a specific amount of voltage and cannot take any more, this ends up seriously damaging them, in case the current manages to reach these appliances.
While lightning strikes may be the rarest cause of electrical surges, they are also the deadliest. Never let larger appliances in your home experience the amount of power that could come from a lightning strike occurring near a power line, so that both you and your home are safe from harm.
Turn Off the Main Power Supply
The easiest way to protect your home from getting damaged by a power surge is by simply cutting off the main power supply, so your home isn’t being supplied with any electricity at all. When this connection is cut, your home will be completely free of risk during a surge – however, this will also mean that you will have no access to any power for as long at the problem persists, which can be very unpredictable. You will not be able to access the internet, use any small appliances, or even charge any of your portable devices. This may leave you completely cut off from the outside world, which can be dangerous in certain situations, especially if you need to call for help at some point.
Invest in Surge Protectors
Surge protectors are one of the most convenient ways to protect your appliances during a surge. These are kind of like a second power outlet, where you can plug in any appliances that you wish to protect from a power surge. They act as a gateway between excessive voltage and your appliances, meaning that when a power surge occurs, this device will direct excess electricity away from your device and ground it. This way, none of it will get into your home’s circuits, keeping them safe. While this is a pretty safe option, protection isn’t guaranteed with surge protectors. You should still keep all of your larger appliances unplugged and completely out of harm’s way until the problem passes.
Tend to the Larger Appliances First
While you should focus on your entire home, a good idea would be to start with larger appliances. This includes things like air conditioners, refrigerators, and anything else that you think would be difficult to replace in case of permanent damage. Make sure that none of these appliances are plugged in; this way, you will have a certain level of peace of mind, and there is a good chance you won’t have to turn off your main power supply and be completely cut off from electricity for a long period of time. You can keep your smaller appliances in use, as well as anything else that you need, so the wait for calmer weather becomes more bearable.
Be Prepared for an Extended Outage
A good way to be prepared for a power surge in advance is to keep everything you will need ready before it actually occurs. While you cannot ensure this always, it is always good to keep an eye on the weather forecast, so you know when a power surge could potentially occur. Keep sources of entertainment, a first-aid kit, and anything else you may need with you, so you don’t have to panic when you no longer have access to electricity. You can even keep something like an icebox with you to store food, so it doesn’t go bad.
Conclusion
A power surge can occur at any time, but it is most common during weather conditions like thunderstorms. This electrical disaster mainly affects your home’s larger appliances, such as your refrigerator or thermostat, since they consume more electricity and are used throughout the day. If you don’t want them to get damaged to the extent that they have to be replaced, it is important to take precautions that will keep any damage from occurring to your belongings in the first place.
