Summer is the season of thunderstorms in North Dakota. Although lightning creates an impressive light show in the sky, it can do some significant damage if it strikes your home—especially if you don’t have a surge protector. Read on to learn more about the importance of whole-home surge protection and how JDP Electric can help.
What is a power surge?
We all know that water and electricity don’t mix, but did you know that electricity and water behave in a similar way? Just like water moves from an area of high pressure to one of low pressure, electricity moves from an area of high potential energy to areas with low electrical energy—such as from one end of a wire to the other.
The difference in potential energy is referred to as voltage and if the voltage gets too high, the electrical energy will surge through the wire. Grounding pins—the third prong on an electrical plug—are designed to redistribute excess power and reduce the risk of a surge.
Why are power surges a problem?
Excess electrical energy surging through a wire creates heat, which can cause an electrical fire. Power surges can also cause significant damage to sensitive electronic devices. The average American household has more than ten electronic devices, including smartphones, computers, televisions, gaming consoles, and other high-tech items which can be costly to replace in the event of a power surge.
The Importance of Whole-Home Surge Protection
Many homeowners rely on power-bar-style surge protectors for their larger electronics, such as their television or computer. But did you know that these types of surge protectors wear out over time? And some of them aren’t even surge protectors at all! Whole-home surge protection covers all of your outlets, so you can plug your electronic devices in wherever you want.
Lightning storms are a common source of potential power surges, but the reality is they can happen at any time—including when your refrigerator or air conditioner turn on. Whole-home surge protection ensures that your electronic devices are protected from wear and tear, and your home is safe.
At JDP Electric, we provide professional electrical services for industrial, commercial, and residential properties. Visit our website or call 701-232-1991 to get in touch and learn more about the services we offer!