Power surges can cause serious damage to your home or small business. These quick, powerful spikes in voltage often go unnoticed, but can wreak havoc on your electrical systems. In this short guide, we’ll explain what power surges are and what steps to take if one occurs.
What Exactly Are Power Surges?
Under normal conditions, electricity flows through your home at a consistent rate, usually around 120 volts. However, during a power surge, that voltage suddenly and temporarily spikes above the normal range. These surges can vary greatly in severity, from minor spikes to extreme ones that cause severe damage.
Voltage spikes, sometimes called power spikes or transient voltage events, are quick, sometimes lasting only a few milliseconds. However, they send a powerful burst of energy through your wiring that your electrical systems and devices aren’t meant to handle, sometimes thousands of volts higher than normal. A power surge can cause serious damage, such as:
- Burned or fried circuit boards in electronics and appliances
- Shortened lifespan of heating and cooling equipment
- Damaged outlets and internal electrical wiring
- Electrical fires
Repeated small surges can also quietly wear down your electrical systems over time, resulting in expensive repairs later on.
What Causes Power Surges?
There are several causes of power surges, from external factors to your own wiring. Here are some of the most common that you may experience in your home or small business:
Old Wiring or Circuits
Outdated wiring can have a hard time handling modern energy demands. Frayed wires or overloaded circuits can cause internal surges that damage connected devices.
Power Grid Issues
Sometimes, your local utility company may experience a sudden change in power flow, such as during a grid switch or routine maintenance. These situations can send excess voltage through the lines into homes and small businesses.
Lightning Strikes
During storms, nearby lightning strikes can cause a huge surge in voltage through power lines. Even if lightning doesn’t hit your property directly, the effects of a strike can travel far.
Open Neutral Connections
If the neutral wire in your electrical system becomes loose or disconnected, it can cause voltage to fluctuate dramatically. If not repaired in a timely manner, it can lead to dangerous surges over time.
Common Signs of a Power Surge
You’ve likely experienced a power surge before, even if you didn’t know it at the time. Here are a few easy ways to identify them.
Flickering or Dimming Lights
A sudden dimming or flickering of lights is often the first sign that voltage levels have abruptly changed. If you notice this occurring, keep an eye out for other signs.
Tripped Circuit Breakers
Breakers tripping more frequently could mean your electrical system is trying to protect itself from surges. If you suspect your circuit breakers may be the source of the problem, testing them can help detect issues before they escalate into bigger trouble.
Burnt Smell or Scorch Marks
A faint burning smell or discolored outlets are direct signs that electricity has surged through your system. In this case, turn off the power to that area and call an electrician immediately.
Electronics Acting Up
Devices not powering on, suddenly resetting, or behaving erratically after a storm may have been affected by a power surge.
Power Surges vs Power Outages
Power surges and power outages are not the same. A power surge is a sudden increase in voltage, while a power outage is a loss of power entirely.
During a power outage, your home loses all electricity, turning off your lights and devices. A surge causes your home to experience too much power for a brief moment, but usually doesn’t result in full power loss.
Both of these events can affect your electrical systems and wear them out over time. Repairs on these systems can be costly, but Agway EnergyGuard® can help you save with covered repairs to eligible heating, cooling, and electrical systems.*
What to Do After a Power Surge
After a power surge, there are several things you should check for damage:
- Electronics: Start by disconnecting any sensitive electronics like TVs, computers, and kitchen appliances. Make sure they don’t have any visible damage, such as scorch marks or melted plugs, then test each to see if they’re still functioning properly.
- Circuit Breakers: If breakers have tripped, reset them one at a time. If they immediately trip again, stop and call a licensed electrician.
- Electrical Outlets: Inspect all light switches and electrical outlets for scorch marks, melting plastic, or burning smells. If you detect any of these issues, turn off the power to that area immediately and call an emergency electrician.
Once you’ve checked your electrical system, report the surge to your utility company. If you’re concerned about further damage to your system, an electrician can further inspect your wiring for hidden damage that may not be visible to you.
For needed repairs, reach out to your homeowner’s insurance. While some policies may cover damage from lightning strikes and power surges, coverage on electrical systems varies.
To keep yourself fully covered, consider pairing your homeowner’s insurance with Agway EnergyGuard®, which can help with covered repairs to eligible heating, cooling, and electrical systems.*
Are There Ways to Prevent Power Surges?
Though you can’t prevent every surge, there are certainly steps you can take to limit the risk of damage.
Use Surge Protectors
All electronics and small appliances should be plugged into surge protectors, which are plugged into your electrical outlets. You could also consider installing a whole-house surge protector through an electrician for broader coverage.
Use Energy-Efficient Devices
Energy-efficient appliances often come with built-in protection against power surges. Using these protected devices throughout your home or small business can greatly reduce surge-related risks.
Avoid Overloading Outlets
Plugging too many devices into one power strip can overload your outlet and cause a voltage spike. Instead, spread your devices out across multiple outlets.
Schedule Electrical Inspections
Have an electrician inspect your wiring and panels periodically, especially in older homes and buildings. They can spot early warning signs before they become bigger problems.
Keep Your Home Safe and Powered With Agway EnergyGuard
Power surges are sudden spikes in voltage that can cause serious damage to your electrical systems. While you can reduce risk with smart practices like using surge protectors, voltage spikes are sometimes unavoidable.
That’s where Agway Energy Services® can make a difference. We provide reliable gas and electricity supply to homes and small businesses, along with the added protection of Agway EnergyGuard®, our repair program that helps cover wear and tear on outlets and internal wiring*. Sign up today to protect your home or small business with EnergyGuard.
Power Surge FAQ’s
Does Agway cover against power surges?
While Agway doesn’t specifically cover damage from power surges, our Electric Line Protection Plan through EnergyGuard acts as a safeguard for normal wear and tear on interior electrical components.
How long do power surges last?
Most power surges last less than a thousandth of a second. Though short, this is more than enough time to cause lasting damage.
How common are power surges?
Minor surges are incredibly common, happening daily in most homes when large appliances like air conditioners cycle on and off. Severe surges, such as those caused by lightning strikes, are less common but more damaging.
Is my house safe after a surge?
The safety of your home depends on the severity of the surge and the condition of your existing electrical system. If your outlets, breakers, and electronics seem in normal condition after small spikes, your home is likely safe. If you notice any red flags, such as a burning smell, scorched outlets, or flickering lights, calling an electrician for an inspection is the safest choice.
*Coverage depends on commodity purchased.
