Electrical circuits constantly experience voltage fluctuations. While this isn’t always a cause for concern, there’s no way to predict when the voltage may suddenly rise beyond safe levels.
Therefore, it pays to be prepared for these eventualities.
Investing in a surge protector extension cord is one of the most effective ways to proactively shield your electrical systems from unforeseen voltage surges.
In this post, we look at what surge protector extension cords are and how they can safeguard your home from dramatic power fluctuations.
Introducing Surge Protector Extension Cords
Extension cords generally come in two primary types. You can choose from regular cables or opt for those designed with advanced safety features like surge protection.
Standard extension cords may be inexpensive. But they lack safety specifications, making them potentially costly in the long run.
If you care about the safety of your electronics (and you should), you’ll do better to invest in a surge protector extension cord.
A surge protector extension cord is an extension cable equipped with built-in surge protection. These electrical attachments continuously work in the background, protecting your home’s electrical circuits against dangerous voltage surges.
What Is a Voltage Surge?
Voltage surge denotes a sharp (often sudden) increase in electrical voltage that lasts for at least three nanoseconds. The term is often used interchangeably with “voltage spike,” although they’re quite distinct from each other.
Voltage spike refers to a voltage increase that typically lasts less than three nanoseconds.
Both voltage surges and voltage spikes are potentially destructive. However, surges tend to be more devastating.
It’s also worth noting that voltage surges are temporary.
While they last longer than spikes, surges rarely exceed a few seconds. Still, that makes them no less destructive.
How Do Surge Protector Extension Cords Work?
The safety of surge protector extension cords is rooted in their ability to handle excess voltage.
First, your extension cord would need to be plugged into an outlet.
During power surges, the extension cord’s built-in surge protector picks up excess voltage and channels it to the ground.
Various components of a surge protector are involved in discharging excess voltage from an electrical circuit. However, the devices mostly rely on gas discharge arrestors (GDAs) and metal oxide varistors (MOVs).
What Causes Voltage Surges
Several factors may cause voltage surges, including;
- Power-demanding Appliances
Plugging heavy-duty electrical appliances into an extension cord can trigger a sudden demand for electric current.
This may cause temporary voltage surges, potentially damaging other electronics connected in the same circuit.
Lightning
Lightning strikes almost always cause voltage spikes.
Note that a single lightning strike can generate millions of volts. When lightning hits near power lines, these excessive volts may be channeled through electrical circuits and cause tremendous voltage surges.
Switching Power Grids
Moving from a lower to a higher power grid may cause sudden power surges, impacting all connected lines.
The same often happens when changing transformers.
Power Restoration
Frequent power outages can be a nightmare for electricity-reliant businesses, and the problem is two-fold.
Outages often translate to costly downtimes. And sometimes, power restoration may cause voltage surges and damage connected appliances.
Power surges may also be due to;
Faulty circuit breakers
Damaged or fallen power lines
Static electricity
Signs of Voltage Surges in Your Home
Besides investing in a surge protector extension cord, knowing the signs of voltage surges can also help secure your valuable electronics. Some tell-tale signs to look out for include;
- Flickering or dimming lights
- Burning smells – indicating the conductor wires are melting
- Humming sounds near power outlets
- Discolored outlets – suggesting blow-ups
- Tripped circuit breakers
- Appliance malfunctions
Why Invest In A Surge Protector Extension Cord?
Preventing Appliance Breakdown
Voltage surges can be sudden and unpredictable.
Despite the duration, these incidents can cause irreparable damage to your connected appliances.
Using a surge protector extension cord proactively safeguards your electronics by channeling excess voltage from the circuit and into the ground.
Minimizing Electrical Fires
Power surges are a significant cause of electrical fires in homes and workplaces.
A sharp increase in voltage can melt the conductor wires, leading to heat build-up within the cable. Before you know it, your extension cord’s insulation and jacket are all ablaze.
Connecting your appliances to a surge protector extension cord is the surest way to minimize these hazards.
Extending Appliance Lifespan
No homeowner wants to hit the electronics store every other week to shop for a replacement television set or laptop.
But unless you’re intentional about safeguarding your property from power surges, such will be your experience.
Using a surge protector extension cord guards against voltage damage. These attachments can extend your appliance’s lifespan, minimizing unnecessary repairs and replacements.
Preventing Current Surges
Current surge protection is usually a domain of circuit breakers.
Fortunately, many surge protector extension cords also come with built-in circuit breakers. This enables them to protect your valuable electronics from unexpected overcurrents.
Circuit breakers cut off the power supply when they detect that your electrical circuit is overloaded. Like surge protectors, these devices actively monitor your electrical circuits and trigger in split seconds.
Wrap Up
Surge protectors safeguard connected appliances by rerouting excess voltage during unforeseen voltage surges.
Using a surge protector extension cord can minimise electrical hazards in your home or workplace, which could cause devastating losses. These attachments may also extend the lifespan of your electronics compared to standard cables.
Whether used for connecting home entertainment systems or office electronics, you can trust surge protector extension cords to offer the much-needed protection against power surges.
