Electric devices can be damaged by voltage spikes if they are not protected with a Residential Surge Protection Setup. Surge protectors, in addition to limiting the voltage delivered to an electronic device, keep unwanted voltage at a safe level by blocking or shorting any excess voltage to the ground.
Residential Surge Protection Setups re-route extra energy through a pressure-sensitive valve when the voltage exceeds a certain level. Normally, current flows through the device, but when a spike or surge occurs, the device immediately steps in and redirects the excess current.
Residential Surge Protection Setup is strongly recommended for your computer. Power surges can damage many of its components very easily because they are voltage-sensitive. There is still a chance that a power surge could pose a serious risk to these devices, even with a Residential Surge Protection Setup.
By using surge protectors, computers and other electronic devices are protected from power surges and most distant lightning strikes, but they can be damaged by direct lightning strikes.
Do whole-house surge protectors provide a reasonable level of protection? Of course they do! A surge suppressor blocks surges from entering circuits instantly, providing comprehensive lightning protection. Hard-wired electronic equipment cannot be protected by plug-in suppressors, since they are not plugged in.
Surge suppressors and surge protectors do not have lifetime warranties. According to most estimates, surge protectors usually last between three and five years. If you experience frequent brownouts and blackouts in your home, you may want to replace your surge protectors every two years.
In general, surge protectors do not consume energy. A surge protector absorbs the extra voltage and monitors the electricity flowing into the appliances.
