Shielding From Surges

Q: With storm and hurricane season here, I want to make sure I’m as prepared as possible. You’ve written about backup power options and how to navigate flooding. What other topics should I be aware of?

A: This time of year can bring a whole host of weather-related health and safety concerns. Losing power is a big one, certainly, but inclement weather can disable our appliances and devices even if it doesn’t cause our electricity to go out.

During a storm last summer, lightning struck near a friend’s home. Her electricity flickered and remained on, but the strike caused a power surge — a sudden and unexpected spike in voltage that travels along electric wires and cables — that knocked out her cooling system, smart thermostat and IT devices used in a home-based business.

Fortunately, the cooling system wasn’t damaged beyond repair, and my friend got it working again thanks in part to a knowledgeable HVAC professional. But thousands of dollars’ worth of IT equipment wasn’t so lucky and needed to be replaced. As you noted, we’ve covered technologies like generators and battery storage for getting through outages, but how do we plan for and minimize risks associated with power surges?

The solution is probably something you’re already familiar with: surge protectors. Surge protectors can help keep outside jumps in power from coming into the home (e.g., from lighting) and reduce the impact of the cycling of large internal loads (e.g., washing machines, ovens, heat pumps, well pumps, electric vehicle chargers) on smaller indoor electrical devices.

Surge protection comes in a few forms. A primary distinction is between point-of-use surge protection and whole-home surge protection.

Point-of-use surge protection typically looks like a power strip, and you plug items you want safeguarded into the available outlets. (Note: Not all power strips come with surge protection.) Over time (likely within three to five years) or after a significant surge event, point-of-use surge protection must be replaced to ensure effectiveness, but it’s a relatively inexpensive way to shield smaller electronics.

Whole-home surge protection is designed to protect your entire electrical system. Because it offers more substantial, long-lasting defense, this type of protection costs more and requires the assistance of a qualified electrician. It’s also now required by the National Electrical Code for new homes or for replacing existing service equipment. Whole-home surge protection is typically installed at the electric panel or meter.

If you want to learn more about surge protection, contact your electric co-op, which also may offer relevant rebates or incentives. If you’re exploring point-of-use options, we encourage you to focus your search on models rated by UL or ETL, which are independent testing organizations that provide product safety certification.

One additional note is that this article refers to power surges caused by nearby lightning strikes. No level of protection can withstand a direct hit. Although this situation is quite rare, you may want to consider unplugging especially critical devices — the best way to protect them — if you think it’s a possibility.

This article was originally published in Carolina Country magazine.