Power Quality / Equipment Protection
Power Quality Issues
Please contact us at (208) 612-8430 if you experience any problems with your electric service, including frequent blips, brief outages or loss of power to part of the home or business that is not related to a tripped breaker.
Protecting Your Home from Power Disturbances
Homes and businesses experience electrical disturbances such as voltage surges, sags, swells and electrical interference, or “noise.” These disturbances can damage appliances, heating and cooling systems, computers, televisions and other sensitive electronics.
Plugging sensitive equipment into a high-quality surge suppressor is an affordable way to reduce the risk of damage and may help extend the life of your equipment.
Where Do Power Surges Come From?
Most voltage surges begin inside a home or building when electrical equipment cycles on and off. Surges can also be caused by lightning, animals, traffic accidents, power-system switching, equipment failures and other outside events.
A large surge may damage equipment immediately, while smaller, recurring surges can cause gradual damage over time.
Choosing a Surge Suppressor
Not every power strip provides surge protection. Look for a surge suppressor with:
- Listing to the applicable UL 1449 standard
- A rating of at least 500 joules
- Enough outlets and space for your equipment and adapters
- A status light showing that surge protection is functioning
- EMI and RFI protection
- A manufacturer’s warranty for the suppressor and connected equipment
For televisions, computers, modems and similar equipment, consider a model that also protects coaxial, Ethernet or telephone connections.
A surge suppressor must be plugged into a properly grounded, three-prong outlet. Contact a licensed electrician if your home has two-prong or improperly grounded outlets.
What Can’t a Surge Suppressor Protect Against?
Surge suppressors cannot protect against every electrical event, including:
- Power outages and power sags
- Sustained overvoltage events
- Direct or nearby lightning strikes
Surge protection reduces risk but does not guarantee that equipment will not be damaged.
When Should It Be Replaced?
Surge suppressors wear out over time. Replace yours if the protection-status light is no longer working or if the device is discolored, overheats, melts or shows other signs of damage. Follow the manufacturer’s replacement recommendations.
Whole-Building Surge Protection
A surge protective device installed at the electrical service panel can help protect your home or business from outside surges and prevent a surge on one circuit from affecting other circuits.
For additional protection, use panel-level protection together with point-of-use surge suppressors. Contact a licensed electrician to evaluate or install whole-building surge protection.
Experiencing Power-Quality Problems?
Contact Idaho Falls Power at (208) 612-8430 if you experience frequent power blips, brief outages or loss of power to part of your home or business that is not related to a tripped breaker.
