***PSA for the upcoming Nor’easter/Blizzard***
IF YOU DO LOSE POWER, TURN OFF ALL CIRCUIT BREAKERS OR UNPLUG ANY ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT UNTIL POWER IS RESTORED
This past week, the tri-state area was hit with quite possibly, its most devastating storm ever. Hurricane Sandy swept through the east coast over a two day period leaving a disaster in her tracks that many people are still feeling almost a week later. CNN reported there were over 7.5 million power outages during Hurricane Sandy’s two day stay.
Power is being restored area by area and they are saying some may be without it all the way to Thanksgiving. As the clean-ups continue and residents get electricity back in their homes, we strongly urge folks to remember these facts and take these simple precautions that could save your electronic equipment from being compromised or even destroyed. Power surges are an all too common thing that result in hundreds and thousands of dollars lost due to equipment loss.
What’s a power surge?
The power in your home outlets is 120 volt AC power. Lightning, windstorms, car pole accidents, equipment failure, short-circuits and downed power lines can cause the voltage to exceed normal voltage. These spikes in voltage are called ‘surges’. Even a surge lasting a fraction of a second can cause damage to your electronics and appliances.
What kinds of power surges are there?
Power surges can enter your home through electric power connections, telephone connections, cable connections, antennas and certain equipment within the home.
What can I do to protect my electronics and appliances?
The easiest way to avoid power surge problems is to unplug devices that aren’t being used or simply turn off all of your circuit breakers in the home if you are without power at the moment. The most common solution while you have power, is to buy surge protectors or suppressors to help protect your home. These devices generally divert the power surge to the ground in order to keep it from affecting electronics and appliances, but are never 100% guaranteed.
For the full Q&A from Cowlitz PUD about power surges and surge protectors, click here.