Causes of Electrical Surges
Many homeowners think lightning is the main reason for installing surge protection. Storms are a factor, but most surges come from more routine causes. Everyday activities in your own home can trigger them. Large appliances, like air conditioners and refrigerators, create small surges when they cycle on and off. Faulty wiring or overloaded circuits can cause irregular voltage flow. Utility grid trouble, downed power lines, and issues with nearby transformers are also common sources. Utility-related surges can happen without warning, especially during high-demand seasons. The local climate can also contribute to unexpected electrical fluctuations. Because surges happen so frequently, it makes sense to have a system that works constantly in the background. A professional power surge protector installation in Fresno can take care of both external and internal sources.
How Surges Damage Appliances and Electronics
A major event can destroy an appliance in seconds, but smaller spikes will still gradually wear down the internal components of your devices. Circuit boards, microchips, and wiring insulation are sensitive to voltage changes. Small deviations can create heat and stress inside the equipment, which weakens parts until they eventually fail. For example, your refrigerator may keep running after a surge, but the compressor or electronic control board could have taken a hit. Months later, the unit will stop working, and the cause will be traced back to repeated surges. Computers, smart TVs, and home automation systems are especially vulnerable. Data loss, connectivity issues, and complete failure can result from voltage spikes. A reliable surge protection installation in Fresno creates a barrier that stops these gradual breakdowns.
The Difference Between Power Strips and True Surge Protection
Most power strips only provide extra outlets and little to no surge suppression. Models with built-in surge features have limited capacity and protect only the devices plugged directly into them. True surge protection starts at the electrical panel. A whole house surge protector installation shields every outlet in the home, including those powering large appliances that cannot be plugged into a strip. Panel-mounted protection devices are rated to handle much larger surges than outlet-based products. They are designed for long-term performance and can be replaced or serviced by a qualified electrician when needed. Power strips can still have a role in protecting smaller electronics, but they should be seen as secondary, not the primary defense.
