Imagine that all your electronic devices have minds of their own.

How will they behave?

The fridge has mood swings, the TV is resetting itself for no reason, and maybe your air conditioner starts flashing mysterious codes.

If you notice these issues in your house, your devices are likely victims of a power surge.

Let’s consider the root of the problems before making any assumptions. The power surges are a bigger problem than most Aussies believe.

What are power surges?

The simple meaning of power surge is an increase in the supply of electricity through the wiring in your house causing a sudden spike in voltage level.

Imagine a normal flow turns into a flood. Most of the devices are not designed to manage that.

Why does it matter to you?

Australia is shifting to renewable energy, plus the old infrastructure makes the power grid more complex than ever.

The power surges are not just normal inconveniences but a cancer to your savings that eats up all your money.

What are the major reasons behind power surges?

Lightning and storms: The weather in Australia is like kangaroos – indifferent, unpredictable and dangerous, especially during storms.

Grid and transmission issues: While the country is taking big leaps towards renewable energy, the power grids are suffering. Upgradation and maintenance work on power grids can unintentionally cause voltage spikes.

Overloaded circuits: Too many devices plugged into the same extension cord can cause voltage spikes and heavy damage to the devices. If you find yourself making the same mistake, please consider addressing it today.

Faulty wiring: Old wiring systems in old homes are common in Australian suburbs. Old wiring is highly vulnerable to full-blown disaster even at the slightest of voltage fluctuations.

Sudden power restoration: The common reason for a power surge is the restoration of electricity after an outage. The quick restoration could be a devastating increase in power supply to your home.

The hidden cost of power surges – more than you think

Replacing expensive appliances such as air conditioners, fridges, TVs, and microwaves is just the beginning.

Indirect expenses: What happens when your refrigerator breaks down? You lose a week’s worth of groceries. Have you ever encountered a halt at work due to a malfunctioning computer? These indirect expenses piled up with every power surge.

Insurance Nightmares: Proving damage from power surges is difficult, particularly due to the complexity of insurance documents. It will take a lot of effort and energy; it is not worth your time.

Stress and safety risks: The constant worry of a power surge damaging your expensive device keeps you on edge. It induces stress and anxiety, and you are always at risk of an electrical fire due to damaged wiring at your home.

Detect the damage early —a quick guide

Finding out these signs can save a lot of time and effort:

Weird device Behaviour: flickers on screens, random system resets, and error codes are the early signs your devices give you before getting damaged.

Physical damage: Any sign of a burn, melted or bulged component, or blown fuses are common signs of physical damage. Any such sign is a call for emergency.

Constant tripping of breakers: In case of frequent tripping of your breakers circuit, you must thoroughly check your power systems at home. This may be an indicator that something is wrong.

Simultaneous device failures: When many or all devices fail at once, it is the sign of a power surge.

Practical ways to protect your home (and your wallet)

Here are some proactive steps to avoid power surges:

Whole home surge protectors: The portable power point, or main switchboard protectors, are some common home surge protectors. You can hire some experts to install and prevent costly damages.

Servo Stabilizers: One of the most effective ways to deal with power surges is to install a servo stabilizer. This machine is excellent at regulating power surges and supplying constant voltage input to your devices. Investing in a servo stabilizer will protect your devices from any voltage fluctuations and increase their durability.

Unplug During Storms: It is an old-school but effective way of avoiding damage to your highly sensitive devices from lightning strikes.

Regular Inspections: Keep your home under check regularly, especially the old wiring. You may notice any wear, tear, cracks, or cuts in the wiring system and repair them to prevent accidents.

Avoid Circuit Overload: You must spread out your devices in multiple outlets. Get separate circuit boards for heavy-duty devices like fridges or washing machines.

Quality surged-protected power boards: Investing in quality power boards is better than spending heavily on repair and replacement of your expensive devices.

Conclusion

A power surge is more than just an inconvenience.

It is an invader of your wiring system. With awareness, preventive measures and regular inspections you can avoid any damage caused by voltage fluctuation.