What Is a Power Surge?

A power surge is a sudden spike in voltage that can last only a fraction of a second, but can cause significant damage to electronic equipment. Common causes of power surges include:

• Lightning strikes
• Vehicle accidents involving utility poles
• Animals contacting power lines
• Large appliances cycling on and off
• Faulty wiring in the home
• Poor grounding systems

While some surges are powerful enough to destroy equipment instantly, many are smaller and go unnoticed. Over time, surges wear down electronic components and microprocessors, leading to equipment failures.

Why Protection Matters

Electronics are more advanced than ever, but also more sensitive. A split-second voltage change can:

• Damage circuit boards and microchips
• Corrupt stored data
• Reduce the life of appliances
• Cause costly repairs
• Lead to equipment failure

Most homes contain thousands of dollars’ worth of electronic devices. Even equipment that is turned off can be damaged by a voltage surge.

The Best Defense: Two Levels of Protection

Experts recommend a two-stage approach to surge protection. Using both whole-house and point-of-use protection provides the best defense against surges.

Whole-House Protection

South River EMC offers the Strike Guard whole-house protector, a high-energy surge suppressor installed directly at your meter base. Benefits include:

• Protecting your home’s electric system
• Helping stop damaging surges before they enter your home
• Providing protection for major appliances and electronics

Plug-In Surge Protection

For added security, plug-in surge suppressors are recommended for electronics such as:

• Computers
• Televisions
• Gaming systems
• Home office equipment

These devices provide an additional layer of protection against surges.

Professional Installation You Can Trust

All Strike Guard equipment is installed by trained South River EMC employees. Before installation, technicians will:

• Inspect your home’s grounding and verify adequacy
• Ensure surge protection equipment is properly installed

Protect Your Investment Today

Electric utilities have equipment in place to reduce the impact of power surges, but not every surge can be prevented. That’s why protecting your home is one of the smartest investments you can make.

South River EMC has a solution to fit your needs, contact us to learn more about Strike Guard surge protection or scan the QR code.