Modern appliances are one of the best things about today’s technology, because they make daily chores so simple and easy to carry out. After all, can you imagine if you still had to wash all your family’s laundry by hand?
Despite how wonderful appliances are, however, there are still things that all homeowners should be aware of regarding these handy devices, namely how they can contribute to potentially dangerous internal power surges.
Today we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about appliances and power surges, as well as signs and symptoms to watch for, and things you can do to prevent hazards and damage in your Port St. Lucie, FL home.
Appliances and Your Electrical System: Internal Surges
You’ve probably heard of power surges before, and have likely even experienced one or two that were strong enough to be noticeable. A power surge happens when the electrical current in your house spikes. This is often caused by external forces like lightning, but there are also internal power surges that can be caused by appliances.
Here's how it works: when a high-powered appliance comes on, it draws a great deal of power very quickly, and this causes a surge. There are many appliances that can cause this type of internal surge, including:
- Hair dryers
- Air conditioners
- Power tools
- Space heaters
- Refrigerators
Fires and the Other Dangers of Power Surges
The major problem with power surges is that they can cause a great deal of damage, particularly because they can melt plastic parts, melt metal, and cause fires.
Fortunately, most of the major damage caused by surges happens with external surges, which tend to be much stronger than internal ones. Nonetheless, internal surges can still cause problems, including damaging or destroying your appliances.
For one thing, anything that contains a microprocessor—such as a computer or television—is susceptible to major damage from even just a minor power fluctuation, so many of your gadgets and devices are at risk. Furthermore, repeated surges can degrade the circuitry of your appliances and the circuitry throughout your home.
Symptoms to Watch For
There are many things that can cause electrical problems in your house, and regular power surges are one of them. The good news is that there are many symptoms that can alert you to electrical problems, including:
- Frequent shocks when you touch an appliance or light fixture
- Frequent circuit breaker trips
- Flickering lights or hot light fixtures
- Burning smell coming from switches or outlets
- Warm receptacles or electrical cords
- Large or frequent sparking
The Smart Way to Protect Your Home and Family
Although electrical problems can be damaging and even dangerous, there are ways you can protect your family and your home.
One of the simplest solutions to protect your appliances, your home, and your wiring is a whole-home surge protector, which will guard against external surges and prevent the internal ones that can cause damage over time.
Depending on the age of your home, you may also want to consider a panel upgrade to modernize your home’s electrical capabilities. Electricity and household appliances are some of the best things about modern living, but these systems and devices still require maintenance and attention, and there are things you can do to ensure you get the longest life possible from them.
Appliances that cause regular internal surges can damage the appliances themselves, especially if they are smart devices with microprocessors. External surges can cause major damage and even fires, but surge protection devices will keep your home and family safe from these consequences.