Smart home features can make life easier and create a more efficient household. However, these electrical connections must be responsibly managed to prevent fires and electrical risks. Surge protection is crucial to preventing major catastrophes and protecting your electrical system. Learning these electrical safety tips can help you protect your smart home more proactively.
Whole-House Surge Protection
The first line of defense for your smart home is whole-house surge protection. For this kind of setup, the electrician installs type 1 and 2 surge protection devices (SPDs) at the primary electrical panel. This level of protection prevents damage from lightning and circuit overloads. It will also protect the appliances, HVAC system and the smart home’s security system.
Point-of-Use Protectors
Point-of-use protectors are essentially surge protector power strips. You’ll plug your electronics into these power strips to protect them against electrical risks. When selecting these power strips, you should look for devices with a low clamping voltage.
Confirm Proper Grounding
Surge protection diverts high electrical loads to the ground. When setting up surge protection, the electrician will evaluate the ground and ensure that the electrical system is properly grounded. If not, the electrician must perform repairs to ensure that it is grounded and safe.
Never Set Up Daisy Chains
Electricians advise against daisy chains to maintain electrical safety. A daisy chain is plugging one surge protector into another, creating a chain. This is dangerous and could lead to increased fire and explosion risks. You should never use daisy chains to meet your smart home’s electrical requirements.
Check Safety Indicators Regularly
All surge protectors have LED lights that indicate whether the power strip is protected. If the light is off, the devices plugged into the strip aren’t protected. You should periodically check these lights and ensure they are working as expected.
Additional Electrical Tips
Even with a smart home, electricians recommend unplugging sensitive devices during severe storms. Surge protection can lower electrical risks, but it isn’t a magical system that blocks all electrical hazards. You should unplug computers, servers and other devices that are costly to replace.
You should also schedule an electrical inspection at least once a year. Licensed electricians will assess all electrical connections during these inspections. If they find issues, they will provide repair services to correct these problems.
If you notice any electrical issues, such as flickering lights, you should seek electrical repair services. An electrician can install additional devices to protect your home against electrical catastrophes.
Smart homes offer features that control many household systems through new electrical connections. Electrical safety is vital for all homes, but it is far more important for houses with extensive electrical connections controlling them. Implementing surge protection throughout the home can help you protect your home and keep your family safer. If you live in Lexington, KY or a surrounding area and need surge protection services, make your first call to Absolute Services.