What is a Power Surge? In electrical terms, Power surge or spikes are quick, short duration electrical transients in voltage, or transferred energy in an electrical circuit. These fast, short duration electrical transients in the electric potential of a circuit are commonly caused by the following:
- Lightning strikes.
- Power outages.
- Tripped circuit breakers.
- Short circuits.
- Power transitions in other large equipment on the same power line.
- Malfunctions caused by the power company.
- Electromagnetic pulses (EMP).
- Inductive spikes.
Power surge protection devices can redirect this transitory current thereby minimizing the over supply of voltage which is harmful to the electrical equipment which can deal to burnouts and malfunction. However voltage spikes can also have more simple causes like as an error in a transformer or high-voltage lines plummeting to lower-voltage lines as a result of supplier mishap or storm damage.
For sensitive devices, electronics and equipment, overmuch current can flow if this voltage spike exceeds a material’s breakdown voltage, or if it causes avalanche breakdowns in the system.
Voltage spikes, also better known as a power surge, may also be created by a quick build up or breakdown of a magnetic zone, which may bring around energy into the associated circuit. The effect of a voltage spike or power surge is to produce a corresponding gain in electrical current. For example, a general mode voltage spike may not even be detected by most protectors installed for average mode transients. Nevertheless some voltage spikes may be created by current sources or power supply. Voltage spikes may be longitudinal mode or metallic mode. Voltage would gain as needed so that a constant current will flow. A continuous voltage increase that lasts more than a minute is regarded an overvoltage.
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