Protection for your Electronics isn’t difficult
Do you have electronics in your house? Whenever a storm brews, do you race around pulling the plugs for fear of the damage a brownout or blackout may cause? Power surges can cause significant damage, especially these days when not only do you have a computer and a smart phone hooked to the wall, but your fridge, stove, and washing machine all connected to your smart hub. Everything seems to be technologically advanced to the point where a small power surge can cost you several thousand dollars.
So what are your options?
- Surge protectors – They come in different sizes and complexities. Some are primary, hooked to the point where the power from the grid enters your house. These protect your entire home. You also have secondary protectors, designed to protect single or only a few electronic devices.
- UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) – While some of these double as surge protectors, their primary design is to keep your electronics turned on so you can safely shut them down in case of a power outage. They work especially well in rural areas where there are a lot of brownouts during the summer months.
- Generator back-up – A propane (or other type) back-up can be a great addition to your home, especially if you have a lot of electronics or air conditioning. (See our article on why you need a generator.)
Letting your appliances or electronics be destroyed by a power surge can be costly. Your best protection is to craft a plan that will keep them from being fried by spikes or dips in the power supply.