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If you’ve never considered what a power surge can do to your home electrical system and the electronics and appliances connected to it, keep reading. As your Orlando home electrician, in this blog, we will discuss the options available to you to protect your property.

 

When you need the expertise of an Orlando home electrician, Bright Future Electric has the licensed contractors for you. We’ll answer your questions about surge protection options, and if you’re ready to schedule your next service, contact us today.

 

What Is A Power Surge?

An electrical power surge typically lasts just a few milliseconds, but that’s all it needs to carry tens of thousands of volts of electricity into your home. These surges overload and short out the circuits of electronics and appliances that are plugged into your electrical system. 

 

The worst power surges are caused by lightning strikes, but these types of surges are not very common and are usually not the cause of most surge-related electrical damage.

 

So what kind of power surges are putting your property at risk? The most common causes of a power surge are:

  • Downed electrical lines
  • Power grid switching at your utility company
  • Large appliances powering on and off

 

Although these scenarios are not as dramatic as a power surge from a lightning strike, they can slowly degrade your home electronics over time.

 

I Use A Power Strip – Is That Enough?

Many homeowners plug their desktop computers, flat-screen TVs, sound systems, and other costly devices into power strips, believing that they areOrlando Home Electrician adequately protected from power surges. Unfortunately, most power strips do not provide surge protection unless they explicitly say they do, and even then it may not be sufficient.

 

Your Surge Protection Options From An Orlando Home Electrician 

At Bright Future Electric, we recommend and install whole-home surge protectors. These devices come in a few different categories that we will highlight below.

 

Type One

Type one devices are installed outside your home where the electrical supply from the utility company meets your main breaker. This surge protection device prevents unsafe levels of electricity from entering your home.

 

Type Two

These surge protection devices can be installed directly inside your main breaker panel or beside it. They can protect specific circuits or all of the circuits within your panel. 

 

Type one and type two surge protection devices often provide similar levels of protection, but it’s good to follow the advice of an Orlando home electrician to find the right option for your home. 

 

Can I Install My Own Whole-Home Surge Protection Device?

While some surge protectors can be installed by homeowners, it’s important to remember that you are working with very high voltages and installing devices that you may not know much about. Working with a licensed Orlando home electrician provides you with the peace of mind that your electrical needs are being taken care of by highly experienced professionals who have worked with whole-home surge protectors for years. 

Don’t wait to ensure that your home and all of your electronics are protected from power surges. Contact Bright Future Electric today to learn more about how we can help.