What are they?
A power surge is a sudden increase in voltage that can have a variety of causes. Power surges vary in intensity based on how much the voltage increases.
One way that a power surge can happen is when the flow of electricity is interrupted momentarily. The return of normal flow after the interruption will result in a power surge as the voltage briefly increases. An example of when this could happen is power returning after a blackout.
Another way that a power surge can happen is when voltage is added to the circuit. Lightning strikes are a good example of this as the added electricity will increase the voltage.
It is worth noting that a power surge and electrical overload are not the same things. Where power surges are an increase in voltage, an electrical overload occurs when current increases beyond what a circuit is designed for. Although they are different, an electrical overload can cause a power surge
What effect can a power surge have on electrical devices?
Although power surges only occur for thousandths of a second, they can cause significant damage in that time. The amount of damage done by a power surge will depend on its intensity, but even small power surges can cause permanent damage that can accumulate over time. Modern electrical devices contain many components that are designed to operate within a specific voltage range. Usually, this range will be 10v, so any voltage fluctuation of more than 10v can cause damage. High-intensity power surges are capable of melting plastic and frying components. This can render the device unusable, and even if it doesn't, the damage done can make the device a safety risk without you even knowing.
How do you prevent a power surge?
For the reasons listed above, it's important to do what you can to prevent power surges from happening and to mitigate the damage that they can cause.
As discussed above, electrical overloads can lead to power surges. This means that one of the ways to prevent a power spike is to ensure that you don't cause an overload. Most of the time, an overload will be caused by drawing too much power on the same circuit. This commonly happens when multiple power-hungry appliances are plugged into the same power board. To prevent this, simply avoid plugging too many things into a power board and ensure that any power-hungry appliances get power from a separate outlet. Appliances with motors that use a lot of power on start-up are especially prone to overloading circuits.
The second way to prevent a power surge is to ensure that your home doesn't have any electrical faults. Any signs of faulty wiring or electrical components should be checked as soon as possible by a trained professional.
Thirdly, every electrical device runs using voltage within a specific range. In Australia, almost all electrical devices are designed to fit the mains voltage of around 240V. Some countries, however, run their electrical mains at a completely different voltage. If you are using an electrical device from overseas, you must ensure that the device is being supplied with the correct voltage to prevent a power surge. If the voltage is different for the device, you need to use a voltage converter when operating the device.
Finally, some devices are designed specifically to prevent power surges from causing damage. Surge protectors limit voltage by absorbing any excess, mitigating any power surges that do occur. Even these can get worn down though, so your surge protector must be in good condition.
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