A power surge is a sudden influx of electricity in your home’s electrical system. For that reason, a power surge is often referred to as a voltage spike. Your circuit breakers in your electrical panel monitor the amperage running through your home, but it will not stop a sudden spike in the voltage. Every electronic device and appliance is designed to handle a specific amount of electricity. So, a sudden spike can cause damage and, in some cases, completely fry them. Many homeowners who are hit with a power surge have to replace appliances like TVs, refrigerators, computers, and ovens. Even slight power surges can result in the following:

• Reduce the lifespan of devices
• Impact on the performance of electronics
• Completely destroy appliances

If you want to protect your home from power surges, you need to have an understanding of what causes a power surge to occur. It can differ. Heavy-duty devices can cause minor power surges in your home. Devices that require a lot of power can suddenly cause a spike in voltage as power as their motors or compressors turn on. This increased electrical demand can cause too much electricity to come to that area of the home. Other common causes of power surges include:

• Cut, fallen, or otherwise disrupted power lines
• Issues with your electrical wiring
• Problems related to powerlines, transformers, and other equipment managed by your utility company
• In rare cases, lightning strikes can cause severe power surges, which can overpower power strip surge protectors