What is a power surge? Tutorial SA1 The purpose of this tutorial is to increase consumer awareness about the unavoidable power surges that can damage, degrade or destroy sensitive electronic equipment, such as appliances, home office equipment, home theater equipment and other sensitive electronic devices in the home.

What are they? Where do they come from? What damage do they cause? Power Surges What are they? Where do they come from? What damage do they cause? To understand the problem, and what is at risk in your home, you must first gain an understanding of What a power surge is, What causes power surges and What damage they do to electrical and electronic equipment.

What is a Power Surge? Power surges are abnormally high voltage spikes riding on the AC Power A power surge is the most common of a number of conditions that affect the quality of the power you receive from the utility Electrical equipment in your home is designed to operate with minor variations in their standard operating voltage Even the smallest power surge can damage nearly all equipment in the home What is a Power Surge? Power surges are abnormally high voltage spikes riding on the AC Power delivered to your home by the Electric Utility. There are a number of conditions that affect the quality of the power you receive from the utility, including sags, swells, brownouts, momentary outages and sustained overvoltages. Power surges are by far the most common of these conditions. Every piece of electrical equipment in your home is designed to operate at a specified nominal voltage such as 120 Volts AC or 240 Volts AC. Most equipment is designed to handle minor variations in their standard nominal operating voltage; however, even the smallest power surges can be very damaging to nearly all equipment

What Causes Power Surges? Lightning Electric Utilities Internal loads and wiring 70% originate inside the home What causes power surges? Power surges that originate outside the home are referred to as “externally generated surges”. Those that originate inside the home are referred to as “internally generated surges”. Externally generated surges are the most destructive and account for 30% of the disturbances seen in a typical home. The most obvious, and dramatic, external source is lightning. Lightning induced power surges are the least common source but, by far, the most destructive. The most common source of externally generated power surges is the electric utility. Normal load switching activities by the utility and in-rush current from “power blinks” create power surges large enough to damage or weaken appliances and electronic equipment causing them to wear out over time. Internally generated power surges come from a number of sources and account for 70% of the disturbances seen in a typical home. Compressors found in air conditioners and refrigerators; Pumps and motors turning off and on; and even printers and copiers create smaller, lower level power surges and electrical line noise. Power surges originating from the electric utility or inside the home occur in all parts of the country. Even if you do not experience regular lightning activity in your area, your unprotected equipment is at risk on a daily basis.

What Damage Do Power Surges Cause? Disruption Mis-operation of equipment Frequently experienced Degradation Shortened life of equipment Frequently unknown Destruction Pitting, burning Immediately obvious There are 3 ways to classify the damage power surges can cause. The first type of damage is mis-operation or disruption of functions. The computer locks up or shuts down, the DVD turns on but doesn’t function properly, the washing machine shuts down before the end of the cycle. Most people do not associate these problems with power surges but this is usually the source of the problem. Over time, these spikes in voltage wear equipment down and disrupt their operation. The second type of damage power surges can cause is the shortened lifespan of electrical and electronic equipment. This type of damage is also called “electronic rust”. Smaller, repeated power surges slowly damage your appliances and electronic equipment to the point that it mysteriously stops working. Even motors used in washing machines, refrigerators and A/C units are susceptible to “electronic rust”. The most noticeable, and dramatic, is destruction or physical damage you can see or smell. Large power surges originating outside the home can burn up sensitive microprocessor circuits. The result is obvious to everyone. A TV, computer or other equipment ceases to turn on. In extreme cases the result is a smoking piece of equipment or even a fire.

What is a power surge? Summarized Power surges are momentary, abnormally high voltage spikes riding on the AC Power Power surges are caused by lightning, the electric utility and equipment found inside your home Power surges can disrupt, degrade or destroy any electrical or electronic equipment connected to the AC Power system. Particularly vulnerable are appliances, home theater systems and home office equipment There is a cost effective solution to protect your investments! Whole Home Surge Protection by Let’s Summarize what we have learned. Power surges are momentary, abnormally high voltage spikes riding on the AC Power Power surges are caused by lightning, the electric utility and equipment found inside your home Power surges can disrupt, degrade or destroy any electrical or electronic equipment connected to the AC Power system. Particularly vulnerable are appliances, home theater systems and home office equipment There is a cost effective solution to protect your investments! Whole House Surge Protection by Surgeassure!