If you have ever experienced a power surge in your home, you know the damage they can cause in no time. Luckily, there are things you can do to protect your electrical appliances from these surges. And if you’re getting ready to hire an best electrician Christchurch wide, he or she will also be able to help you with this! Here are seven tips that will keep your electronics safe from power surges.
5 Tips to Prevent Power Surges
1) Inspect your wiring
To prevent an electrician Christchurch wide from being called out, ensure your home wiring is in a good state and that you know where your circuit breakers are. If you notice any cracks or loose wires in walls or light fixtures, get them fixed immediately. When making repairs, replace the old wire with new and ensure nothing is frayed; use approved electrical tape and not duct tape on outlets. Don’t overload outlets by plugging too many things into one receptacle—if you’re using more than one appliance, you might need more outlets. To be extra careful during severe weather, unplug all appliances before leaving home. (Plus, if there’s a power surge while your electronics are plugged in, it will damage them!)
2) Unplug electronics during lighting strikes
When a lightning bolt strikes, it surges energy into electronics and appliances. To prevent that surge of electricity, unplug your electronics. If you have multiple electronics near each other, plug them into one power strip and turn off that power strip before lighting strikes. It’s also important to note that almost any appliance (including computers) can be damaged by a surge, regardless of whether they are plugged in or not. If there is any chance you will be struck by lightning-like if you’re camping in an open field during a storm—don’t touch any electronics. Even if you think it won’t happen to you, we suggest taking no chances! Just remember: When thunder roars, go indoors!
3) Use surge protectors
There are a few key points that experts agree on when it comes to how you can prevent surges from damaging your home. First and foremost, buy a surge protector! According an electrician Christchurch-wide, The best thing you can do is plug all of your important electrical items into a surge protector. If you have old equipment, he added, Either replace them or get new ones if possible. Upgrading is far cheaper than replacing your computer or TV if they catch fire. Second, always unplug your appliances before leaving for vacation. Finally, don’t leave anything plugged in when you’re not using it—including heaters and coffee makers. They’ll draw energy even when turned off and have been known to cause fires.
4) Install a whole-home surge processor
These devices protect every electrical device in your home by putting an end to damaging surges, spikes and brownouts. A whole-home surge protector ensures that your family’s electronics, appliances and furniture remain safe during thunderstorms or power outages, whether you’re at home or not. Adding a whole-home surge protection device is one of the most important things you can do for your household’s electrical health. You’ll save money on appliance repair fees, decrease maintenance hassles and be able to relax a little when it comes time for storms and other power problems in your area.
5) Use your outlets strategically
Generally, it’s not a good idea to plug big and bulky appliances into wall outlets that don’t have power bricks, as they could cause too much strain on your wiring and potentially trip breakers. Instead, try using extension cords for most of your home’s major electrical needs; doing so will save you money in higher electrical bills (which you may be better off reinvesting in energy-efficient devices). If you need a multi-outlet plug near your living room entertainment centre, use one with built-in circuitry that will prevent power surges when connected to a device like an Xbox. And if all else fails, call an electrician Christchurch specialist for upgrades, surge protection devices & replacing damaged cabling.
