All electrical appliances suffer from one vulnerability, power surges, which can fry the electrical circuitry of the device and render it inoperable. Modern HVAC equipment use printed circuit boards, which can also be damaged by power surges. There is therefore need for HVAC surge protectors to be installed in the power supply systems of the cooling and heating systems of a home.
Causes of Power Surges
The most common cause of power surges is lightening strikes. The high voltage from lightening can find its way into the grid and any load that is connected to the grid will be affected. The damage may be minor or severe, depending on the types of protective circuits in place. Another cause of power surges is abnormalities in power generation, transmission and distribution systems. While they may be rare, they can cause serious damage to appliances that are connected to the grid. Thirdly, when heavy loads, such as washing machines, electric ovens, water heater and dishwashers are turned off at the same time, there will be a minor power surge in your home’s power supply system. This may damage some appliances, including your air conditioner and heater.
Protecting Your Home Against Power Surges
It is important to note that voltage spikes can emanate from the grid or from your home’s power supply system. To protect your home from power surges emanating from the grid, you may want to consider installing a whole-house surge protector at the main breaker box, or consumer control unit. To protect each electrical appliance from surges resulting from switching off and on of heavy loads, it is crucial that you install individual surge protectors at each electrical outlet where the devices are connected.
Importance of Using HVAC Surge Protectors
Air conditioners contain numerous electrical components, including; compressor pump, thermostat, control system, fans and blowers among others. Each of these components can be damaged during a power surge, hence the need to install surge protectors. These devices are not usually costly, but there are some high-end surge protectors that are very effective. Follow us for more great articles on heating, air conditioning and home needs.