Power surges are quite common, especially in areas with harsh weather conditions like thunderstorms. A power surge can occur randomly and is capable of harming the appliances in your home. The sudden spike in voltage can short your home’s circuit and damage certain appliances beyond repair, and if you have a smart home with a lot of expensive electronic gadgets, this could result in a huge loss.
Every home has devices that are meant to prevent it in case of an unforeseen accident, such as smoke detectors for fires. Similarly, for a power surge, you can use certain methods and gadgets to either minimize their impact or prevent from home from getting hit by it to begin with. The excess electrical energy can be kept away from all your valuable appliances, which results in a much safer home.
The following is some basic information on an electric surge, and what you can do in case it happens.
What is a power surge and how is it caused?
A power surge occurs when an electrical system is somehow supplied with sudden excessive voltage, which also travels into homes and all the electrical appliances being operated there. Power surges are usually associated with lightning and thunderstorms because lightning strikes occurring near power lines are sometimes what creates this surge in electricity.
Fortunately, this occurrence is very rare. Lightning rarely strikes somewhere close enough to cause a power surge, but there are other reasons for it as well. Surges can be caused when you switch on a heavy appliance, which requires a lot of electricity to function. When these are turned on, a lot of electricity runs through the system all of a sudden. These are not as damaging, but you should still try to prevent any minor damages that may be caused.
Turn off the main power supply
The best way to remain safe in a power surge is to turn off the main power supply so that no electricity is running through the system. Most of the time, you will get a notification on your phone telling you when an issue like this might occur. However, unforeseen accidents do happen.
As soon as you notice any fluctuations in the voltage, turn the main supply off immediately to make sure your appliances are all safe. The only drawback to this is that homeowners will not be able to work with any electrical appliances until the risk is over, which could take a lot of time.
Have a first-aid kid ready
If the surge occurs due to a lightning strike, you may be trapped at home until the weather calms down. In situations where you cannot get help from outside, it is best to have anything you may need ready to use at home. A first-aid kit is one of the most important things to prepare for any situation that may occur at home. You could get hurt either by an appliance going haywire or by tripping on something in the dark; either way, being prepared might save you a lot of trouble in this situation.
Keep your home ventilated
Staying trapped inside a house can get suffocating, which may end up being bad for your health. It is important to make sure that you have good ventilation during a prolonged power outage, since you have no access to electricity for an indefinite period of time. Ventilation in your home will result in a much better environment, making it more comfortable for you to spend that time inside.
Charge all portable devices
Keeping in mind that you may not have access to most means of communication during a power outage, having your phone with you might be helpful. Have a power bank prepared for times like this, so that all your portable devices are ready to be used whenever required.
This will also help keep you entertained; you can always pass the time watching something or listening to music, or even scrolling through social media during the tedious wait. Portable devices also include any internet devices you may have, since they could come in handy in case the signals are bad and you are unable to use data.
Disconnect larger appliances
If you turn off the main power supply, you will be cut off from all electrical appliances in your home. This can be avoided if you disconnect only the major appliances, those which are at a higher risk of being damaged during a power surge. This can be done if you know about the surge in advance, which is either possible through notifications regarding an issue in the electrical system, or by keeping an eye on the weather forecast for an upcoming thunderstorm. This way, you will still be able to access the internet and will have basic appliances functioning in your home even during a power surge.
Conclusion
You may not be able to prevent a power surge, but you can certainly prevent damage from being caused to your home because of it. Your outlets, appliances and the lives of everyone in your home can be safer by following these precautions, because a power surge can be quite dangerous in certain situations. In some cases, if the voltage is too high, you may even have to deal with a fire inside your home; this is especially dangerous if the weather conditions are bad and you cannot call for help.
