Countless people falsely assume that plugging a computer into their power strip is enough protection from surges of electricity. It is important, however, to protect the entire home from unexpected spikes in electricity. Power strips can only protect electronic devices which are susceptible to electrical surges, while whole house surge protectors are a means of providing safety from power surges that are so major that they will affect the electricity in an entire building.
Whole house surge protectors work by causing excess power to be forced into ground wires. Electricity flows through the wire and when a surge occurs, extra power diverts to ground, causing the flow of electricity to return to normal. Many have both alarms and lights, which are used to alert homeowners when surges in electricity have occurred in the home. This is done so that precautions can be taken. The majority of these types of devices are designed to stop surges of 40,000 or more amps. Factors that lead to these surges include downed power lines and lightning. Surge protectors wired into service panels in a home does not stop a power surge completely; they will only protect 85% of the voltage on average. Power strips are plug in protectors and can handle an additional fifteen percent, which makes its way through the barrier.
Many surge suppressors are available today on the market. Investing in systems that protect your home efficiently is important. The money spent on such a device will be much less cost than replacing appliances that were damaged by power surges. The Intermatic Whole House Surge protector is one option. Over 48,000 amps can be protected which is pretty high, and the device is simple to install. Five year warranties are included and will cost between $110 and $150. The Leviton Whole House Surge Protector is another affordable option. This device will protect over 50,000 amps. It is mostly known for responding instantly to surges. This is slightly more expensive than other models costing $170 to $200. However, it is an extremely higher level form of protection. Most homeowners often think of ways of keeping their homes safe. A surge protector that protects the entire home’s electrical system should be considered an essential device for the homeowners.
