Here at Mr. Electric, we understand the role these devices play and how they work. In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about surge protective devices to help you understand why they are an indispensable part of your electrical safety. You can count on us when you need professional electrical service in your home or business.

What Is The Purpose Of Surge Protective Devices?

These devices protect your electronics, appliances, and other connected devices from power surges. They work by diverting excess voltage to the ground to protect connected devices from potential damage. In other words, they allow only acceptable current levels to reach connected devices.

How Surge Protective Devices Work?

Surge protective devices are equipped with a component known as a metal oxide varistor. This component acts as a voltage clamp to dissipate excess energy whenever the voltage exceeds a certain threshold. It diverts the excess voltage to the grounding wire through the electrical outlet. This is why it’s recommended to replace two-prong outlets in your property because they lack a grounding wire. If you still have two-prong outlets in your home, reach out to licensed electricians for upgrades.

Understanding Power Surges

To fully understand the importance of surge protectors, we need to understand what power surges are and what causes them. A power surge, as the name suggests, is a sudden increase in electrical voltage caused by power outages, outdated wiring, faulty electrical equipment, and lightning strikes.

A power surge pushes voltage levels far beyond what electrical equipment is designed to handle. For example, a computer operates on a stable voltage of around 120, but a sudden surge can send voltage skyrocketing in several hundreds or even thousands of volts. This sudden spike can damage connected devices and cost you thousands of dollars on repairs and replacements.