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Surge Protectors vs. Power Strips: Understanding the Difference
Eddie Torrez • March 29, 2023
Surge Protectors vs. Power Strips: Understanding the Difference
Many people confuse surge protectors and power strips. It doesn’t help that most stores stock them together without differentiating between them. In truth, understanding the difference between these items will help you use them properly and safely.
Electrical Tips in Fort Myers, FL — Look for the Joules Rating
How do you know the difference between a power strip and a surge protector? The packaging should tell you which type of product you’re buying. This distinction is important because a power strip only provides additional outlet space for multiple devices. Use a surge protector to guard against the hazards caused by an electrical surge.
Why Joules Are Important in Surge Protectors
You can ensure you’re buying a surge protector by looking at the joules rating. Power strips won’t have this rating. Joules is a measurement of energy that tells you how much protection the surge protector will provide. For example, a surge protector with a rating of 2,000 joules will protect against surges up to 2,000 joules.
One of the most important electrical tips in Fort Myers, FL, to know about surge protectors is that joules are cumulative. If your protector receives a surge of 2,000 joules in one burst, you’ll need to replace it immediately. If you receive an energy burst of 500 joules, you’ll still have 1,500 joules of protection left.
When to Use a Power Strip
Many online sites might recommend a power strip instead of a surge protector as one of their electrical tips in Fort Myers, FL. A power strip allows you to plug in several devices or appliances simultaneously with limited outlet space. Additionally, a power strip has its own circuit breaker to switch off the power supply when too much energy runs through the strip.
Ideally, you should look for a power strip with a built-in surge protector. This gives you the best protection against surges and too much energy flow. Make sure to check the product's label to ensure you’re getting the type and amount of protection you need.
Know When to Call an Electrician
Whether you’re experiencing specific problems or want to install a new electrical device, Electrical Experts of FL is available to help. We’ll answer any questions and fix any electrical issues you’re experiencing. You can request a free estimate by contacting us today.
What You Can Do to Prevent Electrical Fires Tens of thousands of electrical fires start in homes across the United States every year, causing unimaginable damage and tragedy. Perhaps the most tragic aspect of this is that a large number of these fires are totally preventable. The good news is that you can drastically improve your odds of never experiencing an electrical fire in your home — provided you follow these simple tips. Unplug Things That Are Not in Use We depend on an array of electrical devices and appliances in our everyday lives, but ask any electrical company in Fort Myers, FL, and they’ll tell you that there’s no need to have many of them plugged in all the time. Certain appliances, like your refrigerator, need constant power to do their jobs. Many others, like toaster ovens and space heaters, do not. Unplugging them when they’re not in use can prevent tragedy. Avoid Overloading Outlets Plugging too many devices and appliances into a single circuit can overwhelm it and cause a fire fairly easily. Overloaded outlets are one of the most common causes of electrical fires , and all you need to do to prevent one is to make sure you balance the number of appliances plugged into yours at one time. Give Your Outlets Some Space When an outlet is covered by furniture, decor, or anything else that’s liable to catch fire it can result in tragedy. If there’s an issue with that outlet and it starts to produce a ton of heat, or even sparks, then whatever is blocking it can quickly catch fire. Update Old Appliances Electrical appliances are safer today than ever before which means your home is safer when you’re using them. If you have an old appliance running in your home, it’s not just less safe because of its outdated design; it’s also more likely to malfunction and cause a disaster. Updating them can be the wisest decision you’ve ever made. Need an Electrical Company in Fort Myers, FL? If you’re looking for an electrical company in Fort Myers, FL, to help you protect your home from the threat of electrical fires, contact Electrical Experts of FL today.
Electrical Upgrades to Consider for Your Home There are certain upgrades that your home will need over time. While some upgrades might simply make your life easier, others can help you maintain a safer or more efficient home. Consider adding the following key electrical upgrades to your home. Install a Whole-House Surge Protector Rather than buying a bulk of power strips with limited surge protection, hire a North Fort Myers electrician to install a whole-house surge protector. This option allows you to safeguard every electrical outlet and lighting fixture in your home. Additionally, an electrician can ensure the surge protector is sufficient to protect your entire home. A whole-house surge protector is beneficial in a couple of different ways. For example, it protects your appliances and equipment from cumulative damage that results from minor, repetitive arcs in the electrical system. It also safely disperses larger electrical arcs that might otherwise lead to shocks or house fires. Obtain a Generator Another electrical upgrade many homeowners are considering is the whole-house generator. As demand for energy increases, power outages are becoming more likely. Unfortunately, this situation is more dire when a heavy storm hits your region, resulting in power outages that might last days or longer. A whole-house generator provides enough power to maintain basic energy levels in your home. You’ll be able to operate your HVAC system, kitchen appliances, lights, and other essential equipment, no matter the weather. A generator makes it easier to withstand power outages in emergency situations. Keep Up With Electrical Panel Upgrades As you bring more appliances and electronics into your home, your household’s energy consumption will increase. Your North Fort Myers electrician can upgrade your electrical panel to accommodate a need for higher energy usage. This can help you prevent the tripped breakers, fires, and electrical shocks that can happen when your electrical panel is overloaded. Ask Your Trusted North Fort Myers Electrician The best way to find out which electrical upgrades are right for your home is to turn to the pros. At Electrical Experts of FL, we provide all of the services you need to make the most of your home’s energy usage in North Fort Myers. We offer electrical inspections, upgrades, and repairs to ensure you can reduce energy waste and use electricity safely. Request your free estimate today.
Electrical Safety Tips for Christmas Lighting Christmas is a time for family and celebration, but some holiday festivities and traditions can pose a danger to you and your loved ones. Electrical accidents involving lights and other electric-powered decorations injure thousands of people every holiday season. However, following simple Christmas electrical safety tips in Florida could prevent many of these accidents. Check Every Strand for Damage When unpacking your holiday lights from storage, checking each strand for damage can prevent disasters. Broken bulbs and frayed wires are common, so looking over individual strands before connecting them to power will protect you. You can replace a broken bulb, but trying to repair a damaged wire isn’t a good idea. Use the Right Lights One of the most important Christmas electrical safety tips in Florida is to use the correct lights. Not all light strands are designed for outdoor use, and not all have the same voltage and current rating. Always read the labels on the boxes or tags to ensure you use the products according to their designated use and power rating. Invest in LED Bulbs LED (light-emitting diode) Christmas lights are an alternative to traditional incandescent bulbs. They use less power and don’t get as hot when they are illuminating your house for long periods of time. You can also link more strands together without creating a fire hazard. Avoid Overloading Outlets During the holidays, your home likely has more devices demanding electricity. Pay attention to how many decorations are plugged into a single outlet. Too much power coming through the outlet creates a fire hazard. Invest in power strips with surge protectors to protect your home. Beware of Extension Cord Hazards Extension cords can be hazardous if used incorrectly. Every cord has a rating or a certain amount of power. Only use those rated for the amount of power you’ll be using, and never place them under a rug. The rug blocks airflow, causing the cord to overheat. Need More Christmas Electrical Safety Tips in Florida? Christmas time is the perfect occasion to pull out all the stops with your decorations. But before you overload your home with lights, inflatable characters, and more, take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and others. If you’d like more safety tips to ensure your home remains hazard-free, contact Electrical Experts !
Why Do the Circuit Breakers Keep Tripping? Your home’s electrical panel has individual circuit breakers and a main circuit breaker that controls energy flow throughout the property. When something disrupts the flow of energy to your home, one or more breakers will trip. Other than a lightning strike, there are three main causes of a tripped breaker. Overloaded Circuits Each circuit in your home can handle a specific amount of electrical flow. When you try to draw more energy than the circuit can handle, the breaker will trip. This is a safety feature that prevents the wiring in your home from overheating. If you experience circuit breakers tripping in Southwest Florida, an electrician can update your panel to match your energy consumption needs. Short Circuits If you have a loose connection in the wiring in your home, you might frequently experience a power outage. This is often the result of the loose wiring shorting out a circuit. Somewhere in your home, you may have a loose neutral wire that touches the copper wiring or another metal surface. This disrupts electrical resistance in the line, leading to an overload. An electrician has equipment that helps them locate the exact location of the short. Once they find the short, they can replace the wiring, outlet, or light switch to resolve the issue. Outdated Electrical Panels Circuit breakers tripping in Southwest Florida commonly occurs in older homes when the wiring hasn’t been recently updated. The breakers in the electrical panel might be old and worn, or they might not meet modern power consumption needs. This is usually the underlying cause when several different breakers trip on an alternating basis. An electrician can determine whether your panel needs updating. They may only need to replace specific breakers, or they might have to replace the entire panel. Once they inspect your home’s system, they can recommend the best way to fix the problem. Solving Circuit Breakers Tripping in Southwest Florida If you’re experiencing any type of electrical problem in your home or business, the Electrical Experts of FL can help. Our skilled and certified electricians can find the cause of your property’s electrical issues and handle any necessary updates, repairs, and inspections. Contact us today to request a free estimate . The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
Surge Protection Is Not Just Storm Protection! Although protection against lightning strikes is the common reason that most people have whole-home surge protectors installed , that isn’t the only benefit of the technology. Even when you’re not expecting a heavy storm with lightning and high winds, your surge protector will actively keep your home and devices safe from damage. A Whole-House Surge Protector Provides Daily Protection There are small electrical surges constantly flowing through your home’s wiring, and it’s unlikely that you’ll even know when it’s happening. While these surges are small, they can gradually damage any devices or appliances that you leave plugged into your outlets. In Southwest Florida, surge protection installation will allow you to protect all of your electronics from suffering from such cumulative damage. Southwest Florida Surge Protection Delivers Energy Savings As you decide whether to install a whole-home surge protector, consider how surges affect your energy consumption. Sudden bursts of energy will register on your meter, resulting in higher energy costs, even though your intentional energy usage remains constant. A surge protector can help you lower your energy costs and reduce your household’s carbon footprint. Reduce the Risks of Fire and Electrical Shock If you’re touching an appliance when an electrical surge occurs, there’s a high likelihood that you will receive an electrical shock. At the same time, surges throughout your home lead to a higher risk of a fire. When you have an electrician install Southwest Florida surge protection, you’ll keep those risks low by removing the access that an electrical surge has. A Whole-House Surge Protector Is Cost-Effective When you buy a power strip with surge protection, you’ll only protect devices plugged into that one power strip, and to protect more, you’ll need a variety of power strips, which often offer limited protection. In contrast, a whole-home surge protector will cover every outlet and lighting fixture in your home. It will also offer much greater protection against a considerably higher volume of joules (the measuring unit for energy). An electrician can help you determine the correct amount of protection to match your home's energy consumption. We’ll Install Surge Protection in Your Home Electrical Experts of Florida provides residential and commercial electrical services. In addition to electrical system updates and repairs, we can install new surge protection for you. To request an estimate, contact us today!
Whole-House Generators: Do You Have One? When you live in a coastal region, power outages can occur more frequently. For this reason, it’s important to have an alternative source of power. Otherwise, essential services in your home will be unavailable, leading to spoiled food, medical emergencies, and other serious concerns. A whole-house generator can solve these issues and provide more benefits. Protect Your Home When You're Away Unlike a portable generator, a whole-house unit will kick on automatically as soon as a power failure is detected. You’ll have access to that power anytime you need it following your generator installation in southwest Florida. If you’re away during a power failure, you can trust that your generator will instantly start on its own. This means essential appliances and services will resume virtually uninterrupted. From ensuring your refrigerator keeps food fresh to knowing that your sump pump is operating during a storm, having this backup power supply will be a relief. Draw Enough Energy to Power Your Home With a Generator Installation in Southwest Florida A portable generator gives enough energy to power a few devices for a limited time, but the fuel will eventually run out. In contrast, a whole-house generator runs on natural gas to ensure you’ll always have the fuel necessary to power the unit. Your electrician can also help you install a generator large enough to provide full power to your entire house. This will be helpful when you’re experiencing a long-term power outage after a heavy tropical storm. Until your traditional power supply gets restored, you’ll have confidence that your whole-house generator will meet your needs. Keep Your Family Safe Through an Extended Power Outage If you have loved ones who rely on refrigerated medication or electronic medical equipment, consider a generator installation in southwest Florida. Your whole-house generator will power your security system, HVAC equipment, and lights as well. Having all these functions available during a storm can prevent many emergencies in your home. Ask the Pros to Install Your Whole-House Generator Electrical Experts of FL provides a wide range of electrical services, including inspections, repairs, and updates. Our certified electricians can install a whole-house generator for you as well. If you’re ready to install a generator in your home, request a free estimate today.
Let’s Talk Generators — They’re a Big Topic Now Generators come in several types, and each is used in a different situation. They may compensate for an electrical failure, power your campsite, or help you harvest the sun’s energy. If you don’t know anything about generators, this brief guide can help you choose the right one for your purposes. Power Your Home with Standby Generators in Fort Myers, FL The standby generator provides power when there’s an interruption from the traditional power source, and it will shut off once the power is restored. It is a larger unit installed in a basement or garage that produces enough power to supply your home’s needs. Many modern standby generators use natural gas as fuel. Since the generator is connected directly to your home’s gas line, it has an unlimited fuel source. The downside to this type of system is that natural gas comes at a higher cost than other types of fuel. Portable Generators Offer Temporary Solutions Since a portable generator is smaller and designed to be mobile, its power supply is limited. This makes it ideal for powering devices and appliances during a camping trip. It can also provide enough energy to power a small RV. Gasoline, propane, and diesel are common fuel types for use in portable generators in Fort Myers, FL. Solar Panel Systems Use a Different Kind of Generator For a home that has solar panels, you’ll use a portable power station that incorporates the use of a generator. This type of generator connects to an inverter that converts the DC energy provided by the solar panels into the AC energy necessary for powering a home. Features to Look For in a Standby Home Generator Generators in Fort Myers, FL, come with a variety of safety features to give you more confidence when using this alternative power source. One newer feature is a carbon monoxide detector that will signal the unit to shut off if high levels of this harmful compound are present. You can also find generators with electric starts for easier operation. And a low-oil shut-off feature will guard against running the unit when the oil level drops too low. We’ll Install a Generator for You Electrical Experts of FL provides a wide range of electrical services for homeowners and businesses. Our certified electricians can help you repair problems or install new wiring and equipment when you need additional power. To learn more about installing a generator in your home, request a free estimate today.
Why You Should Consider Installing a Surge Protector There are two types of surge protectors currently available to homeowners. While most people think of the type that closely resembles a power strip, you also have the option of installing a whole-house surge protector in Fort Myers, FL. This option offers some unique benefits since it will extend protection to every outlet in your home. Guard Against Interior Energy Surges People will use a surge protector in Fort Myers, FL, out of fear that a lightning strike or a surge of energy from the power company will cause energy spikes inside their homes. While this is a concern, and surge protectors do protect against these threats, an interior power surge can also occur. A hairdryer, microwave oven, and washing machine are just some of the appliances that can cause electrical surges. A whole-house surge protector will keep these types of surges from damaging other electrical devices in your home.
Why You Should Consider a Surge Protector Homeowners have never been more plugged into technology than they are today, and they rely on that technology more than ever, too. As you add new devices, however, your old power strips may very easily struggle to keep up. With that in mind, here are some reasons why you’ll want to consider a surge protector in Fort Myers, FL. Insurance for Your Electronics Storms can give way to power surges that can wreak havoc on even the most sophisticated bits of technology, but there are also smaller, ongoing power spikes you may not notice that could be slowly draining the life from your electronics. These surges aren’t only a concern exclusive to computers or TVs, either; crucial devices that you can’t do without, like AC units or refrigerators, can also be put at risk. A surge protector negates all of these concerns, ensuring a steady stream of voltage to your equipment at all times.
Signs That Your Home Needs an Electrical Panel Upgrade Here at the Electrical Experts of FL, we believe that the electrical panel is the heart of your home's electrical system. It distributes power throughout your home and helps ensure that all your appliances and devices work properly. However, if your home has an outdated electrical panel, it can pose a significant risk to your safety, your home, and your wallet. Let’s examine a few signs that your home in Fort Myers, FL, may need an electrical panel upgrade, the risks of not upgrading and why upgrading your electrical panel is crucial to ensure the safety and reliability of your home's electrical system! Common Signs It’s Time For A Electrical Panel Upgrade Frequent Circuit Breaker Trips: If your circuit breakers are tripping frequently, it could be a sign that your electrical panel is outdated and can't handle the electrical load required by your home. Flickering Lights: If your lights flicker or dim when you use appliances, it could be a sign that your electrical panel is not providing enough power. Overheating: If you notice that your electrical panel is hot to the touch or smells like burning plastic, it could be a sign of an electrical issue that requires immediate attention. Outdated Panel: If your home is more than 20 years old and you haven't upgraded your electrical panel, it may be time to consider an upgrade to ensure your home is up to code and safe. Adding Appliances or Rooms: If you're adding new appliances or rooms to your home, it's important to ensure that your electrical panel can handle the increased electrical load. Insurance Requirements: If your insurance company requires an electrical panel upgrade, it's important to comply with their requirements to ensure that your home is safe and to avoid any potential insurance issues. Risks Of Not Upgrading Your Electrical Panel There are several risks of not upgrading your electrical panel, here are just a few: Fire Hazard: An outdated electrical panel can pose a fire hazard due to overloaded circuits, faulty wiring, or other issues. Electrical Shock: Faulty wiring or an outdated electrical panel can increase the risk of electrical shock, which can be dangerous or even fatal. Home Damage: An outdated electrical panel can cause damage to your home's electrical system, appliances, and electronics due to power surges or other electrical issues. Code Violations: An outdated electrical panel may not meet current electrical code requirements, which can result in fines or penalties from local authorities. Insurance Issues: An outdated electrical panel may not be covered by your homeowner's insurance policy or could result in higher insurance premiums. Resale Value: An outdated electrical panel can lower the resale value of your home or make it more difficult to sell, as potential buyers may be hesitant to purchase a home with an outdated electrical system. In summary, upgrading your electrical panel is important to ensure the safety and reliability of your home's electrical system, as well as to comply with local electrical codes and regulations. At Electrical Experts of FL, we believe that upgrading your electrical panel is not just a matter of convenience or modernization, but a crucial step towards ensuring the safety and reliability of your home's electrical system. Don't let an outdated electrical panel put your safety, property, or wallet at risk! Take action today and consult with a licensed Electrical Experts of FL professional to assess your home in Fort Myers, FL, for any potential issues! We Can also determine if an upgrade is necessary! Remember, with an upgraded electrical panel, you'll not only enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a safe and reliable electrical system, but you'll also be able to power up your home with confidence and keep the sparks flying where they belong! Give us a call at (239) 327-0432 or email us at info@electricalexpertsoffl.com and schedule an appointment with Electrical Experts of FL, today!
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