What Are the Signs of a Power Surge?

What Are the Signs of a Power Surge?

Power surges can cause serious damage to your home and electrical appliances. But how do you spot the signs of a power surge, and is it possible to prevent these spikes from happening in the first place? Here’s what you should know. What are the signs of a power surge? Find out below.

What Is a Power Surge?

Think of a power surge as a sudden “spike” in the electrical voltage passing through a PowerPoint. When there’s more electricity passing through than a PowerPoint can handle safely, it’s a power surge.

These surges usually last a very short period of time – sometimes less than a second.

Are Power Surges Dangerous?

Yes. While you might not notice a power surge, there’s a chance the spike damaged your appliances or your electricity supply.

• Small, frequent spikes can ruin your appliances over time and make them unsafe to use.
• Damaged wires or sockets may cause electrical fires.
• There’s also a risk of electric shock or serious physical injury.

If you suspect there’s been a power surge, contact an electrician for an inspection.

What Causes a Power Surge?

Well, power surges originate from either somewhere inside the home or an external source.

Outside the Home

• Wildlife damage to power lines or substations
• Storms, e.g., lightning strikes
• Tree growth or debris

Internal Causes

• Overloaded circuit boards
• Faulty sockets or electrical devices
• Old wiring that can’t handle the volume of electricity passing through it

This isn’t an exhaustive list, though. Power surges have multiple causes, and the root problem can sometimes be hard to detect.

How Do I Spot a Power Surge?

The quicker you can detect a power surge, the faster you can fix the problem. So, here’s a rundown of the most common warning signs to look out for.

• Blown or tripped fuses
• Devices that don’t work when you turn on another appliance
• Burning rubber smells around sockets and wiring
• Inconsistent wireless connection (yes, really) – it could be a sign there’s something wrong with the socket

Can I Prevent Power Surges?

Sometimes, but not always. It really depends on what caused the surge in the first place. Here’s what you can do, though, to keep your home as safe as possible.

• Use high-quality, authentic electrical appliances.
• Never tamper with sockets or circuit boards around the home.
• Don’t run too many appliances at the same time.
• Pull out plugs from the wall when you’re not using the device.
• Repair has worn, faulty, or old wiring as soon as possible.

You can also use power surge protection devices around, e.g., your phone line. And, if there’s a blackout, turn appliances on one at a time: don’t overload the supply!

Power Surge Protection

If you’ve experienced a power surge, don’t worry. Simply contact a qualified electrician for help. However, prevention is always better than cure, so don’t forget to try our power surge protection tips around the home.

And remember, never try to repair or diagnose an electrical fault unless you’re qualified – you risk severe injury, fire, or property damage.