Key takeaway: A power surge is a sudden voltage spike that can damage sensitive home electronics and appliances. Surges are caused by lightning, utility grid switching, power restoration, or internal high-draw equipment. Signs include damaged devices, unexpected resets, flickering lights, and burning smells. Protect your home using plug-in surge protectors, unplugging sensitive gear during storms, and installing whole-home surge protection with a licensed electrician.
On this page:
What is a power surge?
What causes power surges?
What are the signs of a power surge?
How can you prevent power surge damage?
What is whole-home surge protection?
When to call an electrician
Frequently asked questions
A power surge is a sudden increase in electrical voltage that can damage electronics, appliances, and other equipment in your home. Surges can result from lightning, utility problems, power restoration, or electrical equipment inside your home. Learn how to recognize the signs of a power surge, understand what causes them, and protect your home with the right surge protection.
What is a power surge?
A power surge is a brief increase in electrical voltage above the level your home's electrical system and connected devices are designed to handle. Although a surge may last only a fraction of a second, the excess voltage can damage sensitive electronic components.
Power surges can affect more than computers and televisions. Modern homes contain electronic components in refrigerators, HVAC systems, smart home devices, security systems, gaming consoles, and other appliances.
Some surges cause immediate damage, while smaller surges can gradually weaken electronic components and shorten their lifespan.
What causes power surges?
Power surges can originate outside or inside your home. Common causes include:
Lightning
Lightning can introduce a large amount of electrical energy into nearby utility lines and electrical systems. A lightning strike does not have to hit your home directly to potentially cause a damaging surge.
Utility grid activity
Utility companies regularly switch electrical loads and equipment as part of normal grid operation. These changes can sometimes create electrical fluctuations or transient surges that enter your home through the electrical system.
Power outages and restoration
When power is restored after an outage, electrical equipment may suddenly begin operating again. This transition can create electrical fluctuations that may affect connected electronics and appliances.
During severe weather or a known outage, unplugging sensitive electronics when it is safe to do so can provide an additional layer of protection.
Large appliances and electrical equipment
Appliances with motors or compressors can cause electrical fluctuations when they start or stop. Air conditioners, refrigerators, and other large appliances can contribute to fluctuations within a home's electrical system.
Faulty wiring or electrical equipment
Damaged wiring, loose connections, or malfunctioning electrical equipment can create unsafe electrical conditions. If you notice recurring electrical problems, have a licensed electrician inspect your system rather than attempting to repair wiring yourself.
What are the signs of a power surge?
Power surges happen quickly, so you may not always know one occurred. However, certain electrical problems can indicate that your home or electronics have experienced a surge.
Damaged electronics or appliances
An electronic device or appliance that suddenly stops working after a storm, outage, or other electrical event may have experienced surge-related damage.
Devices suddenly resetting
Electronics may shut down, restart, or reset unexpectedly following an electrical fluctuation.
Flickering or dimming lights
Flickering or dimming lights can have several causes, including loose connections, overloaded circuits, or electrical system problems. If the issue occurs repeatedly or throughout your home, contact a licensed electrician for an inspection.
Tripped circuit breakers
A circuit breaker that trips after an electrical event may indicate an electrical problem that needs to be evaluated. However, a circuit breaker primarily protects against excessive electrical current, while a surge protector is designed to help protect against transient voltage spikes.
If a breaker repeatedly trips, do not continue resetting it without identifying the cause.
Burning smells, sparks, or heat
Burning odors, sparks, smoke, or unusually warm outlets, switches, or electrical panels can indicate a serious electrical problem. If you notice these warning signs, avoid handling the affected equipment and contact a qualified electrician.
How can you prevent power surge damage?
You cannot prevent every power surge, but you can take steps to reduce the risk of damage to your home's electronics and appliances.
Use surge protectors
Plug-in surge protectors can help protect individual electronics from voltage spikes. Use reputable surge protection products that are appropriately rated for the devices you are protecting.
A standard power strip is not necessarily a surge protector. Check the product specifications to confirm that it provides surge protection.
Unplug sensitive electronics during severe storms
If severe weather is approaching and it is safe to do so, unplug sensitive electronics from electrical outlets. This can provide additional protection against certain surge events.
Never put yourself at risk by going outside or handling electrical equipment during an active storm.
Avoid overloading electrical circuits
Connect appliances to appropriate electrical outlets and circuits, and avoid overloading power strips or extension cords. If your home regularly struggles to support your electrical needs, an electrician can evaluate your electrical panel and wiring.
Address electrical problems promptly
Do not ignore recurring flickering lights, frequent breaker trips, burning smells, buzzing outlets, or other unusual electrical behavior. These symptoms can indicate an underlying electrical problem that requires professional attention.
For electrical repairs and other electrical services, Gold Medal’s electricians can help identify and address problems throughout Central and Southern New Jersey.
Consider whole-home surge protection
Individual surge protectors only protect the devices connected to them. Whole-home surge protection provides broader protection throughout your home's electrical system and can help protect hardwired appliances and equipment.
What is whole-home surge protection?
A whole-home surge protector is installed at your home's electrical panel to help protect the electrical system from damaging voltage spikes.
Unlike a plug-in surge protector that protects equipment connected to one outlet, whole-home surge protection provides coverage across the home's electrical circuits. This can help protect appliances and systems that cannot be connected to a traditional plug-in surge protector.
Whole-home surge protection can help protect against surges associated with:
Lightning
Utility grid fluctuations
Power outages and restoration
Electrical equipment
Internal electrical fluctuations
Gold Medal provides whole-home surge protection services for homeowners in Central and Southern New Jersey.
When to call an electrician
Some electrical problems should not be treated as DIY projects. Contact a professional electrician if:
Your circuit breaker trips repeatedly.
Lights frequently flicker or dim.
You notice burning smells near outlets or your electrical panel.
An outlet, switch, or electrical panel feels unusually warm.
You see sparks, smoke, or signs of electrical damage.
Electronics or appliances repeatedly fail after electrical events.
You notice damaged, exposed, or deteriorating wiring.
You experience recurring electrical interruptions.
Your electrical system shows signs of fire hazard risks identified in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) safety guidelines.
If you see smoke, sparks, or signs of an active electrical fire, leave the area and contact emergency services. Do not attempt to repair the electrical system yourself.
For urgent electrical problems, Gold Medal's emergency electrical services are available to help diagnose and address serious electrical issues.
Gold Medal can help protect your home from power surges
Power surges can happen without warning, but the right precautions can help reduce the risk of damage to your home's electronics, appliances, and electrical equipment. Using quality surge protectors, addressing electrical problems promptly, and considering whole-home surge protection can provide added protection.
Gold Medal provides electrical services throughout Central and Southern New Jersey. Our licensed electricians can evaluate your home's electrical system and help determine the right surge protection solution for your needs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common cause of a power surge?
Power surges can have several causes, including lightning, utility grid activity, power outages and restoration, and electrical equipment inside the home. Not every power surge is caused by lightning.
How do I know if my house had a power surge?
Damaged electronics, devices that suddenly reset, flickering lights, or other unusual electrical behavior may indicate that a power surge occurred. However, these symptoms can have other causes, so recurring electrical problems should be evaluated by a licensed electrician.
Can a power surge damage appliances?
Yes. Power surges can damage electronic components inside appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, and other equipment. Sensitive electronics and circuit boards can be particularly vulnerable to voltage spikes.
Is a surge protector the same as a circuit breaker?
No. A circuit breaker is primarily designed to interrupt a circuit when excessive electrical current creates an unsafe condition. A surge protector is designed to help protect connected equipment from transient voltage spikes. They serve different purposes.
Are whole-home surge protectors worth it?
Whole-home surge protection can provide broader protection than individual plug-in surge protectors by helping protect electrical circuits throughout your home. It can be particularly useful for homes with sensitive electronics, smart home equipment, major appliances, and other systems that rely on electronic controls.
Do I still need plug-in surge protectors with whole-home surge protection?
Whole-home surge protection provides broad protection throughout your home's electrical system, while plug-in surge protectors provide protection at individual outlets. Using both can provide an additional layer of protection for sensitive electronics.
Should I unplug electronics during a thunderstorm?
If severe weather is approaching and it is safe to do so, unplugging sensitive electronics can help reduce their exposure to certain electrical surges. Never handle electrical equipment or unplug devices if doing so would put you at risk during an active storm.
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