A power surge is a brief spike in electricity that causes the voltage coming through an outlet to jump to a level that electronic devices can’t handle. A power surge can cause major or minor damage.
A power surge can be caused by a device or appliance, an overloaded outlet, outdated or damaged electrical wiring, lightning or repairs to a damaged utility line.
Plugging your electronic devices into surge protectors can protect them from power surges. Be sure to use power strips with surge-protection features.
If your house has outdated or damaged electrical wiring, fuses may blow or the circuit breaker may trip on a regular basis. Contact an electrician to have the wiring repaired or replaced.
