Surge Protectors: Are they worth it?

As we continue to rely more and more on technology in our daily lives, it's becoming increasingly important to protect our electronics from unexpected power surges. One of the best ways to do this is by installing a surge protector.

A power surge is a sudden and unexpected increase in the electrical voltage that flows through the wiring of your home or business. They can occur for a variety of reasons, including lightning strikes, power outages, and faults in the electrical grid.

When a power surge occurs, the excess voltage can cause damage to any electronic devices that are connected to the power source at that time. This is because electronic devices are designed to work with a specific level of voltage, and if that level is exceeded, it can cause damage to the device.

The extent of the damage that occurs to an electronic device during a power surge can vary widely. In some cases, the device may simply stop working altogether, while in other cases, the damage may be less obvious and may only become apparent over time. For example, a power surge may cause a computer to operate more slowly or to freeze up unexpectedly, which can be frustrating and time-consuming. Power surges can also damage large appliances such as washing machines and dryers rendering them useless.

In some cases, power surges can even cause fires or electrical shocks, which can be extremely dangerous. This is why it's important to protect your electronic devices with a surge protector.

When electronic devices are not protected from power surges, they are at risk of being damaged or destroyed. This can be costly, both in terms of the money required to replace or repair the device, and in terms of lost time and productivity. For businesses, the costs can be even higher, as the loss of critical equipment can impact the bottom line.

How do surges happen? Power surges can happen for a variety of reasons, including lightning strikes, power outages, and faulty wiring. A surge protector works by diverting excess voltage away from your electronic devices and into the grounding wire. This helps to protect your devices from the harmful effects of power surges. Some surge protectors even have built-in fuses that will cut off power to your devices in the event of a surge.

What is the benefit of installing a surge protector? Surge protectors that are installed by licensed electricians typically have a warranty that will cover your major appliances (check the fine details on the product you plan to have installed). Although your surge protector may get blown in a lightning storm or other power surge, and will need to be replaced, the surge protector will protect your electronics and appliances. Devices and appliances that are covered by the surge protector and are still affected by the surge are generally covered by the warranty. Please be sure to research the particular surge protector you are having installed and be sure you understand the details of what is covered. Not all surge protectors are created equal.

At the end of the day, the question is getting a surge protector worth it can be answered with Yes, absolutely. The cost of replacing a surge protector is significantly less than the cost of replacing major appliances and electronics.