What Are Power Surges and How to Prevent Them

What Is a Power Surge?

A power surge is a sudden spike in voltage that exceeds your home’s standard electrical flow. In other words, a power surge happens when too much electricity flows through your wires.

Electrical systems are designed to handle a steady voltage. When that balance becomes disrupted, your system can have too much voltage (power surge), a total lack of power (outage), or insufficient voltage (brownout).

Power surges can be large and sudden, creating noticeable breaker trips, flickering lights, or appliance damage. Some small, frequent surges can go unnoticed. Either type can damage appliances, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and anything else plugged in.

Common Signs of Power Surges

If you don’t know what to look for, you could miss telltale signs of power surges. Flickering lights, for example, could be attributed to a loose bulb. However, if multiple lights flicker even after changing the bulbs, it’s probably a surge.

Other common signs of power surges in homes include:

• Lights that dim when you turn on appliances.
• Electronics shutting down unexpectedly.
• Frequently having to reset tripped breakers.
• Hearing buzzing from outlets or switches.
• Unexplained burnt smells from outlets or your electrical panel.

Common Causes of Power Surges

Some power surges are truly out of your control, caused by external factors. These surges happen once following triggers such as:

• Lightning strikes in your area
• Utility grid switching
• When power is restored after an outage

Internal electrical issues in your home often cause repeated minor surges that can shorten the lifespan of your electronics. They’re often caused by:

• Large appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners, or washers and dryers, turning on and off.
• Overloaded circuits
• Faulty wiring or old electrical panels
• Loose electrical connections

How to Prevent Power Surges in Your Home

Certain precautions can prevent power surges and also protect your expensive, sensitive electronics from damage.

• Plug high-value electronics into surge protectors: Basic power strips can provide extra outlets, but they don’t offer any protection. When shopping, confirm that you’ve chosen a power strip with surge protection. Ensure high-value systems like HVAC equipment and major appliances have surge protection.
• Avoid overloading outlets: Never daisy-chain extension cords, and try to space out how many devices you plug into each circuit. Overloaded outlets are more likely to cause surges.
• Update outdated wiring or panels: Older electrical systems aren’t meant to handle the constant load modern appliances require.
• Invest in whole-home surge protection: Whole-home surge protectors stop surges at your electrical panel, diverting voltage spikes through a ground wire.

When to Call an Electrician for a Power Surge

A single power surge or two probably isn’t much of a concern. However, recurring surges can damage your electronic devices and appliances. They also pose a serious fire risk if ignored.

Certain signs indicate it’s time to have a professional evaluate your electrical system, including:

• Persistent light flickering in several rooms.
• Repeated breaker trips.
• Warm or discolored outlets.
• Outlets that spark when you plug something in.
• Burning smells
• Buzzing sounds
• Sudden electrical issues after a recent lightning strike.

A licensed electrician inspects your home’s wiring for signs of issues. They use advanced tools to test your voltage levels and can inform you if your home is a good candidate for whole-home surge protection.