My Electric AccountTypes of Power Disturbances
A power disturbance occurs anytime there is a momentary power loss or change to the normal electrical supply in your home. This can be caused by storm activity, equipment malfunctions, or when a tree, animal or other object comes in contact with an electrical line. Power disturbances can also be caused by faulty/ improper electrical circuits or wiring in your home or by overloading circuits with equipment.
Overview | Protect Your Computer | Surge Protection Checklist | Types of Disturbances
The following describes the types of power disturbances that can affect home electronics and the protective measures that you can take to keep your equipment running trouble free.
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Momentary Interruptions |
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Many times contact with a power line only lasts a fraction of a second and our relay system automatically restarts the flow of electricity. Today a split-second loss of power is sometimes just enough to upset sensitive digital equipment. That's what causes microwaves, electric clocks, and VCRs to blink from time to time. |
| Symptom: | Flashing/Blinking |
| Cause: | Lightning, accidents involving poles and lines, tree limbs falling across power lines, stormy weather. |
| Protection: | Built-in battery backup feature in the appliance will preserve clock, memory or programming. |
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Voltage Spikes |
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Spikes are very fast-moving periods of high voltage. A spike can be caused by lightning, large electrical equipment switching off near your house, or appliances switching off. Spikes cause electricity to rush through your wiring and can cause damage to unprotected equipment. |
| Symptom: | Damage |
| Cause: | Lightning, Birds/animals on power lines, Normal operation of large-load home. |
| Protection: | Have a lightning arrester installed by a licensed electrical contractor. This will protect most major appliances that DO NOT have digital displays. Use surge suppressors or other power protection equipment to protect electronic equipment. |
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Sag and Surge |
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Sometimes you may notice that your lights get dim and then bright for short periods of time. This is caused by voltage sags and surges. Sags and surges can occur during storms, or when large electrical loads such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and dishwashers turn on (sag) and off (surge). Often these appliances affect one another because the wires connecting them are not large enough to carry the proper electric load. Sags and surges stress appliance motors and circuits, microchips and motors in sensitive equipment causing them to wear out sooner than expected. |
| Symptom: | Lights Dim / Get Bright |
| Cause: | Operation of major home appliances, faulty wiring. |
| Protection: | Call LIPA at 1-800-490-0075 If the problem isn't LIPA related, have an electrician check wiring and/or install surge protector for sags and surges |
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Electrical Noise |
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You cannot only hear electrical noise but see it whenever someone turns on an electric motor (such as a blow dryer) while you are watching TV. The static and white lines on your set are audible and visual displays of electrical noise. Other causes of noise can include fluorescent lights, motorized appliances, radio transmitters and loose electrical connections. Noise is seldom damaging to most equipment, but it can be very annoying. |
| Symptom: | Noise on Radio / TV |
| Cause: | Small appliance motors, loose electrical connections |
| Protection: | Use shielded cables for antenna connections. Do not use "noisy" equipment on the same circuit as the TV/radio. Have a licensed electrician check for loose connections. Purchase power protection devices with noise suppression. Contact LIPA at 1-800-490-0075 |
Overview | Protect Your Computer | Surge Protection Checklist | Types of Disturbances
