These days, people use more electric devices than ever before. With advanced smart TVs, high power laptops, modems, cable boxes, speakers, and more, your living room might be entirely dependent on electricity. This is why it is essential to make sure you are using surge protectors to protect your devices.
High Rate of Lightning Strikes in Florida
Florida is the lightning capital of the United States, with storms occurring around 100 days out of the year. This is due to the higher temperature and humidity as well as the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. All of these factors combine to produce Florida's unique and frequent storms.
On average, Florida see 25.3 lightning strikes per square mile and 1.45 million lightning strikes total each year. These strikes typically cause over $6 million in property damage. Using a surge protector can help you avoid becoming part of this statistic.
How Lightning Can Damage Your Home
According to a study by LPI, lightning is most likely to hit your roof and any projections you have coming off of it. Other areas that are frequently hit include television antennas, overhead power lines, and adjacent trees. As lightning is attempting to reach a conductor, it can also reach towards wiring and piping inside your home. Regardless of where lightning hits, it can still be a threat to your safety.
Lightning is actually the result of negative particles in the clouds reacting to charged particles on the ground. It is extremely powerful, and can carry an electric surge of up to 100 million volts and can reach temperatures of 60,000 degrees Fahrenheit. If this hits your home or the power lines connected to your home, it is strong enough to immediately fry any electronic device, shatter glass or brick with its immense shock wave, and even start a fire with its terrific heat.
Why Using a Surge Protector Can Protect You
Certainly, using a surge protector won't stop lightning from striking. However, when it inevitably does strike, your electronics will be protected from the massive electric surge lightning produces.
Surge protectors basically act as a buffer between your devices and the live current coming out of your wall. They monitor the flow of electricity and any time there is a surge or spike in the electrical charge, they divert that extra electricity through a built-in grounding wire. This prevents the extra charge from reaching your devices and bringing them to an untimely death. When choosing a surge protector, make sure you select one that has a low response time, high energy absorption rating, and a low clamping voltage. This will ensure that it functions properly when a storm hits.
Surge protectors are something that all Florida homes should have, for more information on electrical safety in the home, contact David Gray Electrical Services.