What Is an Electrical Spike?

From laptops to televisions, we're surrounded by electronic devices, and many of us would be lost without them. The problem is that electricity spikes, or power surges, can wreak havoc on your appliances – here's what you need to know. 

What Is an Electrical Spike?

Sometimes, the power flowing through a wall outlet, like a socket, exceeds what the socket is designed to safely handle. When this happens, we call it an electrical spike. It usually only lasts under a second or so, but it can cause lasting damage. 

The risks associated with electrical spikes include:

• *  Failing appliances – if there's a large surge, the device might break completely 

• *  Power outages

• *  Electrical fires (if the surge is powerful enough or the wiring is damaged in some way)

• *  Electric shock, burns, or other serious injuries 

So, what causes power surges, and how can you protect your family? 

Causes of Power Surges

There are many possible causes of power surges, but we can group them into two categories: internal and external. 

Internal

When we talk about internal causes, we're talking about problems developing inside your home.

• *  Running too many electrical appliances at one time – this can overload your home circuits and cause a spike 

• *  Using "power hungry" appliances that consume large amounts of power, like air conditioning units

• *  Leaving devices plugged in when they're not in use

• *  Faulty or old wiring

External

External causes are usually outside of your control, or they're very difficult to prevent. 

• *  Lightning storms

• *  Fallen trees or tree roots growing around power lines and disrupting them 

• *  Wildlife accessing power substations or infiltrating your home supply 

Signs of an Electrical Spike

While it's not always possible to spot an electrical spike, here are some warning signs you shouldn't ignore. 

• *  Flickering or dimming lights, especially if it happens when you turn on other appliances

• *  Electrical or burning rubber smells around the house 

• *  A device stopping working or resetting itself 

• *  Fuses tripping or breaking 

The only way to know if you're dealing with an electrical spike is to contact a qualified electrician.

Protection and Prevention

If you want to protect your home from electrical spikes, here are some preventative measures to take. 

• *  Unplug devices when you're not using them. Not only will you protect your appliances, but you can save power, too. 

• *  Make sure you're not overloading any circuit boards around the house. Have an electrician check this for you if you're unsure. 

• *  Always upgrade old or faulty wiring. Damaged wiring can be a fire hazard. 

• *  Don't run too many electrical appliances at one time. 

• *  Always use authentic electrical products and buy the best quality appliances you can afford. 

Conclusion

Electrical spikes are, unfortunately, part of living in an electronic world. However, these power surges can cause serious damage to you or your property if they're not rectified. So contact a qualified electrician for help if you notice problems around the home.

Never attempt to fix faulty wiring or electronic appliances yourself. There's a very high risk of injury or property damage.