As our homes become filled with all sorts of technologically advanced devices we become more and more susceptible to electrical surges delivered over power, telephone, cable TV and satellite lines.
We invest in power bars and UPS back-up systems to protect this equipment, yet everyday people loose computer, television sets, appliances and other electrically powered equipment to power surges.
The North American power grid is overloaded and power surges accompanied with brown outs are happening more frequently.
Surge protection in power bars and other devices decreases in its ability to stop a power surge every time it does so. Depending on the specific devise you are using to protect against power surges the protection capabilities can be reduced by as much as 50% with each occurrence. As an example, if the protection was a 100 percent for the first surge, it could be reduced to 50 percent on the second, 25 percent on the third, 12.5 percent on the forth and so on. Very few devices advise that they have stopped a surge and hence your ability to know when to replace any surge protection devise is basically non-existent.
Quality independent surge protection devices such as power bars are not inexpensive and in many cases using one to protect a computer, appliance or other electrically powered device is not convenient because of location or just appearance.
Trying to protect all of the electrically powered items in your home using independent surge protectors is relatively impossible and if possible, it would be extremely expensive.
What Is The Alternative?
Numerous electrical manufacturers are now making "whole house" surge protectors. These devices are mounted on the incoming legs of the power feed, after the meter, and provide surge protection for all of the electrically powered items in a home or business. They are somewhat more sophisticated then power bars and most provide an indication that they have handled a surge and if they need to be replaced. Some of the manufacturers even provide a guarantee, that if a surge gets past their device they will be liable for the replacement of all damaged items.
As well, some of the "whole house" surge protectors provide connections for incoming cable TV and telephone lines.
If you live in an area that has frequent lightening strikes, poor utility voltage levels and brown outs, you should consider adding a "whole house" surge protection system to your electrical service.
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