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A power surge is what occurs when there is an increase in voltage in the amount of electricity that is flowing into a building or a home. The voltage is regarding as exceeding well over 220 volts, the standard amount of electricity used to create a sufficient amount of power. When power surges occur, they can cause an extreme amount of damage to electronics, air conditioning units, heating systems, and other appliances by sending thousands or tens of thousands of jolts of electricity into the electrical wiring installed in a building or home. These volts are more than powerful enough to cash computer hard drives, completely destroy circuit boards, and ruin other electrical systems.

Power surges are often known to occur when the flow of electricity into a home or building becomes interrupted and then starts back up again. However, every power surge is unique. The impact that a power surge has is very dependent on the reason the power surge happened in the first place.

Lightning is one of the external factors behind some of the most powerful power surges if given certain atmospheric conditions. Power surges caused by lightning are regarded as some of the most feared types of power surges, but they are also the rarest. If lightning strikes within just one mile of your home or building, it can send up to 200,000 amps of electricity into the wiring. Big storms are another external factor that can also lead to malfunctions in power lines which can also cause power shortages. Because voltage is known to fluctuate, intermittent surges can occur before the power goes completely out.

There are also less serious reasons for why a power surge might happen. These common internal fluctuations might manifest themselves as a light flickering off and on, or you might not even notice anything occurring at all. The use of too many high-powered appliances at one time such as air conditioners, space heaters, and refrigerators can also be the source of power surges in your home. High-powered appliances such as these require a significant amount of electricity to ensure that they are operating smoothly. However, smaller electric devices such as hair dryers can also be behind a power surge occurring in your home. These small power surges might not be powerful enough to cause a circuit breaker to malfunction, but over time they can cause significant damage to expensive appliances and might even lead to their permanent failure.

One of the most important steps you can take to protect your home and other buildings from power surges is to invest in surge protectors. Surge protectors direct excess voltage into ground wire when they detect a higher amount of voltage than usual flowing them. They are then able to restore the normal amount of electricity.

Another measure of prevention against internal power surges is to make sure to unplug every electronic device that you aren’t currently using. There’s no reason to keep appliances like toasters or blow dryers plugged into electricity when they’re not being used.

For extra protection, you can purchase a whole house surge protection system. Whole house surge protectors prove especially useful during lightning-related power surges. These systems act as a wall against excess voltage that manages to get by power strips and work as a protective barrier for all of the electrical devices and appliances in your home. This is an extra measure for those looking to further ensure that their families are protected against the potential effects of power surges.

Making sure your appliances and other electronic devices are protected by the use of surge protectors is the crucial first step in taking care of the wiring in your home or building. Be sure to purchase power strips with a substantial amount of surge protection embedded to help fight against potential internal fluctuations.

You’ve probably heard the term “dirty power”. It can cause strange occurrences, or sudden failures, in appliances and electronics around your home or business. The definition of dirty power varies from region, but here it refers to voltage and frequency out of tolerance.

Standard US and Canada wiring use 60Hz and voltage range from 110V to 120V. The 110V option is outdated and no longer supplied by utility companies, and the 115V is on its way to becoming outdated as well. When utility companies provide the 120V, the acceptable variance is plus or minus 6V. If it strays any farther, the power can be considered ‘dirty’; and the same goes for frequencies above or below 60Hz. Continuous dirty power can be disruptive, expensive, and potentially dangerous.

Not only can appliances and electronics misbehave, they can suddenly fail because the equipment is not meant to handle electrical currents outside of its designed operating specifications. In rare cases, some internal power regulators get hot enough to melt the circuitry, resulting in catastrophic failure and even can cause fires.

According to data from 2015, power quality issues are costing us about $15 billion annually. Unsurprisingly, 80% of those issues originate on the customer’s side of the electric meter. Residents and homeowners can take steps to identify and correct these issues. If corrected, you’ll not only avoid costly disruptions, but it will also improve energy efficiency and reduce utility costs.

Common safety problems include:

Circuit breakers/fuse are tripping often and need constant attention

Lights dim in a room when big appliances like A/C or the refrigerator turn on

Hear a sparking sound when flipping a switch

Smell something burning

Lights are flickering for no apparent reason

The power strip is overloaded or better yet, two power strips running off one socket

3 prong plug will not fit in your 2 prong sockets

Running extension cords on a regular basis

Other convenience opportunities include:

Add recessed lights to an existing room

Protect expensive computer or TV and stereo equipment with their own circuit

Wish those speakers wires or network cables could be hidden behind the walls

Want to replace your old 2 prong plugs with modern 3 prong plugs

Want to add a dimmer switch or a new ceiling fan

The type of outlets that are commonly questioned is how should outlets be installed In the kitchen. It is very important that the rules below are followed mainly for safety.

In kitchens and dining areas, a receptacle outlet shall be installed at each counter space wider than 12″. Countertop receptacles shall be installed so that no point along the wall line is more than 24″ measured horizontally from a receptacle outlet in that space and should be supplied with at least two 20 amp branch circuits, for small appliances. Peninsular bars and islands 12″ or wider shall have at least one receptacle. Fixed appliances (e.g. refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, garbage disposal) shall have their own dedicated circuit. All 15 and 20 amp receptacles installed within 6 feet of a kitchen sink or wet bar require GFCI protection. No receptacle shall be installed face up on a sink counter top. Kitchen outlets should be installed with extreme care.

An electrical sub panel can vary in size and purpose. A 100 amp circuit is the minimum in most states, although with all the new electronic devices (computers, printers and TVs), air conditioning and electric heat, we suggest 200 amps especially for new homes. The extra amperage does not cost much more yet it provides overhead for future additions (especially important if planning to finish a basement or add an addition to the home).

A new panel is not a job for an unlicensed person to attempt. In most cases, it involves replacing everything from the service loop (the wire that extends from the top of the electric meter to the utility tie-in) up to and including the main electrical panel and connections. In addition, most municipalities require permits to be pulled. Fortunately, we are highly experienced in all things electrical sub panels. Be sure to contact us to get in touch!