How electrical surges affect household appliances and what homeowners can do
Electrical surges are brief spikes in voltage that can occur unexpectedly. While they often last only a fraction of a second, the impact on household appliances can be significant. Many homeowners do not realize how sensitive modern appliances are to voltage changes. Understanding how surges occur and what damage they can cause helps protect expensive equipment and avoid unexpected failures.
One of the main ways electrical surges affect appliances is by damaging internal electronic components. Modern refrigerators, ovens, washers and HVAC systems depend on control boards and sensors to function correctly. These components are designed to handle stable voltage levels. When a sudden spike occurs, the extra voltage can burn out circuits or weaken them over time. A damaged control board may cause the appliance to behave unpredictably or stop working entirely.
Motors are also vulnerable to voltage fluctuations. Surges can cause motors to overheat, which leads to premature wear or immediate failure. Appliances such as dryers, dishwashers and HVAC systems rely heavily on motors. When a surge damages the motor windings, the appliance may produce unusual noises, run inconsistently or fail to start. Repairing motor damage often requires professional replacement.
Another problem caused by surges is damaged wiring. When voltage spikes pass through the electrical system, wires may overheat or weaken. This does not always cause immediate failure. Instead, the appliance may begin to show intermittent performance issues that worsen over time. Loose connections, strange smells or flickering displays often signal that internal wiring has been compromised.
Electrical surges can originate from several sources. Lightning strikes are the most dramatic, but they are not the only cause. Power grid switching, fallen trees, malfunctioning transformers and large appliances turning on or off can also create surges. Even within the home, when high power devices like air conditioners or space heaters activate, they can cause small fluctuations that gradually affect sensitive electronics.
Homeowners may notice early signs of surge related damage. Appliances that reset unexpectedly, control panels that flicker, or systems that take longer to start often indicate weakened components. If multiple appliances begin showing unusual behavior around the same time, voltage fluctuations may be the cause.
One of the most effective ways to protect appliances is to use surge protectors. While power strips with built in surge protection offer basic protection for smaller devices, larger appliances require stronger protection. Installing a whole home surge protector helps stabilize voltage across the entire electrical system. This reduces the risk of damage to major appliances.
Proper grounding is another essential factor. If the home's electrical system is not grounded correctly, surges have nowhere to discharge safely. This increases the risk of internal appliance damage. An electrician can test the grounding system and correct any issues to provide a stable electrical foundation.
Another important step is scheduling regular maintenance for large appliances. During inspections, technicians can detect early signs of surge damage such as weakened capacitors, burnt wiring or damaged boards. Early identification allows homeowners to repair affected components before they fail completely.
Ensuring the home wiring is up to date is also important. Older wiring may not support modern electrical demands and is more susceptible to overheating during surges. Upgrading outdated wiring helps protect appliances and improves overall electrical stability.
Unplugging sensitive appliances during severe storms is another simple protective measure. While this does not eliminate all risks, it significantly reduces the chance of lightning induced damage.
If an appliance stops working after a storm or power fluctuation, a professional evaluation is necessary. Surges can cause hidden damage that becomes worse over time. Freedom Breeze technicians diagnose surge related appliance failures, identify which components were affected and provide reliable repairs to restore proper operation
