Atlanta Surge Protection

Surge Protection Experts Serving the Atlanta Metro 

Surge protection is an important part of safeguarding your electrical devices and systems from unexpected spikes in voltage, commonly known as power surges. These surges can be caused by various factors, and when one occurs, it can deliver a massive burst of electricity that has the potential to damage or permanently destroy your sensitive electronic equipment. Effective surge protection methods, such as surge protectors and whole-house surge protection systems, work by intercepting excessive voltage and redirecting it to the ground, thereby preventing it from reaching and harming connected devices.

Our team at R.S. Andrews can help keep your home safe from power surges! Our professionals have extensive experience installing and maintaining Atlanta surge protection systems, and we can tailor our solutions to suit the unique needs of your home. Enjoy peace of mind with our 100% satisfaction guarantee! 

Let us help protect your home’s electronics! Call (470) 264-8128 or contact us online to get started.

What Causes Power Surges?

External influences, such as weather-related events, and internal sources, including various appliance-related activities, are common contributors to power surges. Regardless of the source, the impact of these surges can be devastating, underscoring the importance of understanding the various causes to reduce the risks and protect your electronic equipment effectively.

Power surges are often caused by:

• Electrical storms. When lightning strikes near power lines, it can generate a massive spike in electrical energy, which then travels through the electrical grid and into homes. Even if your home isn't struck directly by lightning, the induced voltage from a nearby strike can still cause a significant surge. 
• Grid problems. When power is suddenly restored after an outage, the sudden influx of electrical energy can create a spike in voltage that overwhelms home electrical systems. Additionally, variations in voltage levels during normal grid operation, often caused by high demand or equipment malfunctions, can lead to transient surges. 
• Faulty or worn wiring. Over time, electrical wiring can deteriorate due to age, physical damage, or improper installation. This degradation can result in exposed wires or weakened connections, which may lead to sudden discharges of electricity. These erratic electrical flows can create localized surges within the home, posing a threat to connected devices and appliances.
• In-home operation. Certain types of high-energy devices and appliances within the home can cause power surges due to their operational characteristics. Appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines require a substantial amount of electrical power to start up. When these devices power on or off, they can create a sudden, transient spike in voltage that affects the entire electrical system. Additionally, devices with faulty or fluctuating power supplies, such as older computers or entertainment systems, can introduce irregular electrical loads that may lead to localized surges.

What Happens If My Home Doesn’t Have a Surge Protector?

Not having a surge protector in your home can expose your electrical systems and devices to significant risks. Our Atlanta surge protection solutions are designed to help your home avoid both immediate and long-term consequences. 

One of the most direct and devastating impacts of an unprotected power surge is the potential destruction of your electronic equipment. Devices like computers, televisions, kitchen appliances, and other sensitive electronics can be irreparably damaged by a sudden voltage spike. This not only leads to the inconvenience of having vital household items rendered inoperable but also results in costly replacements or repairs. In many cases, the financial burden of replacing multiple damaged devices can far outweigh the initial investment in appropriate surge protection.

Beyond the immediate damage to electronic devices, power surges can also cause extensive harm to your home's electrical infrastructure. Repeated surges can degrade the quality of electrical wiring, leading to increased wear and tear over time. This deterioration can create unsafe conditions, such as exposed wires and faulty connections, which heighten the risk of electrical fires. Additionally, the consistent strain on your electrical system can result in frequent circuit breaker trips, reduced efficiency, and potentially hazardous electrical faults. The overall reliability and safety of your home's electrical network can be severely compromised, necessitating repairs or complete rewiring to restore it to a safe and functional state.

Another significant consequence of not having surge protection is the potential disruption to your daily life. Power surges can cause temporary outages, result in data loss on unsaved work or digital files, and disrupt the functionality of essential household systems, such as heating, cooling, and security. The downtime and inconvenience associated with these events can be particularly problematic if you or anyone in your family works from home.

Types of Surge Protection

Our team at R.S. Andrews typically installs two major types of surge protection systems. If you are not sure what your home needs, our Atlanta surge protection experts can review your setup and recommend the appropriate solution.

Whole-house surge protectors are comprehensive protective devices installed at your home’s main electrical panel to safeguard its entire electrical system from power surges. Whole-house surge protectors are most effective in providing a primary defense against large-scale surges caused by external factors. They are particularly beneficial in areas prone to electrical storms or in homes connected to aging or less reliable power grids. If your home has a high concentration of valuable or sensitive electronics, including smart home systems, HVAC units, and major appliances, whole-house surge protectors can offer essential protection.

Point-of-use protectors are devices designed to shield individual electronic devices and appliances from power surges by being directly plugged into the electrical outlets they use. Unlike whole-house surge protection systems, point-of-use protectors focus on protecting specific items from voltage spikes. Common examples include surge protector power strips and single-outlet surge protectors that are often employed for critical or expensive electronics like computers, televisions, and home entertainment systems.

Point-of-use protectors are particularly effective in scenarios where specific, high-value electronics need dedicated protection. They are ideal for devices that are susceptible to damage from even minor surges and for locations where whole-house surge protectors may not be installed or sufficient. They are also useful if you are renting and may not be able to install a permanent whole-house system.

Our team is ready to meet all your electrical needs! Schedule an appointment by calling (470) 264-8128 or contacting us online today.