What is a Power Surge and What Causes It?

A power surge occurs when the flow of electricity is suddenly interrupted and then restored. Large surges can instantly and permanently damage an appliance’s circuitry, sometimes even melting plastic or metal components. These major surges usually originate outside the home, such as from lightning strikes or fallen power lines.

Smaller power surges, however, typically happen inside the home when appliances are switched on and off. While often only 5 to 10 volts, these minor surges gradually wear down electronic circuits, eventually causing appliances to fail. Because they usually go undetected, the damage can accumulate over time and result in costly repairs or replacements.

What Types of Surge Protection Are There?

There are two main types of surge protection:

      1. Whole-house surge protection – Installed at the switchboard or fuse box, this type stops spikes before they enter the home, protecting the entire property and all appliances.

      2. Individual appliance protection – Plugged directly into the power supply of a device, this protects specific appliances from surges.

For complete protection and peace of mind, it’s recommended to have both whole-house and individual appliance surge protection in place.