Protecting Your New Holiday Electronics from Power Surges
You have put in the work to afford some nice gifts this holiday season and have them unwrapped: a new TV, a smart home hub or gaming console. But do you know what would befall all that costly electronics in the event of a power surge? Are you sure your home is up to the task of seeing to their protection?
We at Henninger Electric are accustomed to such questions after the holidays are done and dusted. In our time serving the Cedar Valley, going back to 1995, we have seen how a happy season can be made an expensive one by a single surge. Call (319) 419-7930 to go over what can be done.
The Risks to Your Electronics
There is more electronics in the house during the holidays than at any other point in the year. You have the new televisions and laptops, tablets, kitchen gadgets and the like. They are all drawing power and have sensitive innards, and they are not as robust as the devices of a generation past.
Then there are the surges. While a lightning bolt in the vicinity is a large and obvious threat, most are unassuming and originate in the home from a big appliance turning on or off. These small spikes will over time erode the components of your equipment. The trouble is, one does not get much of a warning before the device has given up.
What to Expect from a Surge
In a matter of seconds a surge will put a jump in the voltage. That is all it takes to damage the circuitry; with a bigger surge the harm is self evident.
Some of the usual culprits in a home include:
- Lightning near the power lines
- A refrigerator or air conditioner coming on
- Faulty or old wiring
- The utility grid outside
- An outage ending and power being restored
- Older circuits put under strain by space heaters or holiday lights
Do Not Rely on a Power Strip
It is a common belief among families that the inexpensive strip behind the entertainment center is sufficient. For the most part, a basic power strip will not stand up to a serious surge, though it may deflect a minor one.
A better way is to take a layered approach to your defense, beginning where the power comes into the house.
Whole-Home Protection
With a whole-home unit put in at the electrical panel you have a first line of defense against the larger surges so they do not make it to your outlets. It is a blanket for the entire house rather than just what is plugged into a particular strip. This will cover:
- Home theater and television
- All manner of computers and tablets
- Streaming and gaming
- Electronic controls on your kitchen appliances
- Security systems and thermostats
- Washers, dryers and the rest of your major appliances
You are not left to remember which outlet to use for every new present; the system is at work in the background.
Putting Layers Together
While whole-home protection is for the heavy hitting surges, a quality protector at the outlet will catch the smaller ones from within. For something of value like a gaming system or new television the logic is sound. It is a modest outlay when you consider the price of a replacement.
An Electrician’s Eye
If you have been adding to your collection of electronics or the home is of a certain age, an electrician should probably have a look. Overloaded circuits and wiring that has seen better days only invite trouble.
Our licensed and insured team has an A+ with the BBB and was “Best of the Best” according to the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. We put a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee on our work for homes and businesses in the Cedar Valley, from Waverly and Independence to Cedar Falls and Waterloo.
Make Sure Your Investment Is Protected
Your electronics should have more than a hope of getting by. To discuss surge protection with us at Henninger Electric, give us a ring at (319) 419-7930. We are here Monday to Friday between 7:00am and 5:00pm to provide a free estimate and put your mind at ease for the long term.
