Improving Product Longevity with Effective Surge Protection

In today’s world, where electronic devices are integral to our daily lives, ensuring their longevity is more important than ever. One of the most effective ways to enhance the lifespan of your electronic products is by implementing robust surge protection. Surges, often caused by lightning strikes, power outages, or sudden changes in electrical load, can severely damage or even destroy sensitive electronic components. 

Understanding Electrical Surges

Electrical surges are brief spikes in voltage that can occur in any electrical system. These surges can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Lightning Strikes: Direct strikes or nearby lightning can induce high-voltage surges.
• Power Outages: Sudden power restoration can cause voltage spikes.
• Internal Surges: Switching on or off high-power electrical devices, such as air conditioners or refrigerators, can create surges within your home or business.

The Impact of Surges on Electronics

Electronic devices, especially those with microprocessors, are highly sensitive to voltage fluctuations. Surges can cause:

• Immediate Damage: A high-voltage surge can instantly burn out circuits and components.
• Degraded Performance: Repeated small surges can gradually deteriorate components, leading to erratic behavior and shortened lifespan.
• Data Loss: In the case of computers and data storage devices, surges can result in data corruption or loss.

Benefits of Effective Surge Protection

Implementing effective surge protection provides multiple benefits:

• Extended Device Lifespan: Protecting your devices from voltage spikes ensures they operate within their designed parameters, reducing wear and tear.
• Improved Reliability: Surge protection minimizes the risk of unexpected failures, enhancing the overall reliability of your electronic systems.
• Cost Savings: By preventing damage, surge protection reduces repair and replacement costs, offering significant long-term savings.
• Safety: Proper surge protection can prevent electrical fires and other safety hazards associated with surge damage.

Types of Surge Protective Devices (SPDs):

• Overview: SPDs are installed at key points in your electrical system to divert excess voltage away from sensitive devices.
• Types:
  • Type 1: This is installed at the main service entrance to protect against external surges (e.g., lightning). If you need to purchase one, we recommend our EPA Hard Wired Surge Suppressor; additional details can be found here.
  • Type 2: Installed at sub-panels or distribution boards for additional protection.
  • Type 3: Point-of-use protectors, such as power strips, that protect individual devices.

Tips for Implementing Surge Protection

1. Assess Your Needs: Evaluate the types of devices you need to protect and the potential sources of surges in your environment. This will help you determine the appropriate level and type of protection required.

2. Install SPDs at Critical Points: Ensure that SPDs are installed at the main service entrance and sub-panels to provide layered protection against surges.

3. Use Point-of-Use Protectors: For sensitive devices like computers, home entertainment systems, and appliances, use high-quality point-of-use surge protectors to provide an additional layer of protection.

4. Maintain and Replace: Regularly inspect your surge protection devices and replace them if they show signs of wear or after a significant surge event. Most surge protectors have a limited lifespan and need periodic replacement to remain effective.

5. Consider Professional Installation: For comprehensive surge protection, consider having a licensed electrician install whole-house surge protectors and other critical SPDs. Professional installation ensures that devices are correctly installed and compliant with safety standards.

Check out all of our surge protection gear at https://www.pemfg.com/shop/ .