What is a Power Surge?
WHAT CAN CAUSE A POWER SURGE?
Power surges can be caused by a number of different things:
Lightning
Operating high power electrical devices
Faulty wiring
Problems with power lines, generators, and at your power supplier
From our list, a strike of lightning is the least common cause of electrical power surges, but it is the most intense and damaging. The best protection against a lightning power strike is to unplug any electrical devices and appliances you have during a storm.
For buildings that have larger, high powered electrical devices, such as refrigerators, air conditioners or elevators, their operation can cause surges in power, particularly when switched on and off. As they require a lot of energy, this simple action can cause sudden, brief demands for power and result in severe damage.
Problems at your electrical power supplier or distribution company can range and there are many potential points for failure that could cause an uneven power flow. Unfortunately, within electrical distribution power surges are an unavoidable occurrence.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE A POWER SURGE?
If you suspect your home has had a power surge whilst you were away, then you can troubleshoot by checking for these 3 key indicators:
Flashing electrical devices – if your devices are flashing and they don’t typically do this, there’s a high chance you’ve experienced a power surge.
Plugged in equipment not working – if equipment is plugged in and does not work, there might be a chance that it’s stopped working due to a power surge.
Burnt electrical smell – does the area around your devices, equipment or appliance smell burnt? This could be because of the high voltage spike caused by a power surge.
HOW TO STOP A POWER SURGE?
Whilst electrical power surges are often out of our control if they are caused by lightning, or our power company, there are a few steps we can take during a power cut. This can include reporting the issue, calling an emergency electrician, or even checking a live power cut map in your local area for London, East Anglia and South East England.
Some steps you can take to prevent a power surge include: inspecting your wiring, unplugging electronics during a storm, and using surge protectors.