How To Protect Kitchen Appliances From Electrical Surges  

Your kitchen is home to some of the most vital and expensive appliances in your home, from refrigerators and dishwashers to ovens and microwaves. These essential devices play a crucial role in your daily routine, ensuring your food stays fresh, meals are prepared, and dishes get cleaned. However, kitchen appliances are also vulnerable to one of the most common electrical problems—power surges. Electrical surges can cause severe damage to your appliances, resulting in costly repairs or replacements. While surges are often unpredictable, there are several steps you can take to protect your kitchen appliances from electrical surges and prevent costly damage. In this blog, we’ll discuss how surges occur, the dangers they pose to your appliances, and how you can safeguard your kitchen equipment against these damaging electrical events.

Answering The Question: How To Protect Kitchen Appliances From Electrical Surges?

While you can’t always predict when a power surge will happen, you can take proactive steps to protect your kitchen appliances from potential damage. Here are the best strategies Pittsburgh homeowners can use to safeguard their kitchen equipment:

Use Surge Protector Outlet Plug Adapters or Power Strips

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to protect your kitchen appliances is by plugging them into surge protector outlet plug adapters or power strips. These devices absorb excess electricity during a surge, preventing the damaging voltage from reaching your appliances. However, it’s important to note that not all power strips offer surge protection, so be sure to choose models specifically designed for that purpose. When selecting a surge protector, look for one with a high Joule rating, as this indicates the amount of energy it can absorb before failing.

Install a Whole-House Surge Protector

For comprehensive protection, consider installing a whole-house surge protector. This device is connected to your home’s main electrical panel and prevents large surges from entering your electrical system, protecting all the appliances and electronics in your home, including those in your kitchen. A whole-house surge protector provides a first line of defense against external surges caused by lightning strikes, grid switching, or power restoration after an outage. It can significantly reduce the risk of damage to your expensive kitchen appliances and other electronics throughout your home.

Use GFCI Outlets for Appliances

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets are typically installed in kitchens and bathrooms where water is present, and they are designed to protect against electrical shock. While GFCI outlets aren’t specifically intended to protect against power surges, they do offer some level of protection by tripping if a surge or electrical imbalance is detected. Although GFCI outlets won’t prevent all surge-related damage, they add an additional layer of safety for appliances plugged into them.

Unplug Appliances During Electrical Storms

Although it’s not always possible to predict when a power surge will happen, electrical storms increase the likelihood of surges. When a storm is approaching, it’s a good idea to unplug large kitchen appliances such as your refrigerator, oven, and dishwasher. While this might not always be practical, unplugging your appliances provides the best protection against potential surge damage. If you frequently experience power surges due to storms, a whole-house surge protector or surge-protected outlets are highly recommended for added convenience and peace of mind.

Install a Whole-House Backup Generator

Power outages can lead to damaging surges, particularly when the power is restored. Installing a whole-house backup generator with an automatic transfer switch (ATS) can help regulate the flow of electricity during and after an outage. When combined with surge protection, a generator will keep your appliances running smoothly during power interruptions and prevent damaging spikes when power is restored.

Have an Electrician Inspect Your Wiring

Frequent electrical surges can sometimes indicate faulty or outdated wiring in your home. If you notice frequent fluctuations in power, such as flickering lights or appliances turning off unexpectedly, it’s a good idea to have a licensed electrician inspect your home’s wiring. Older homes in Pittsburgh, especially those with older HVAC systems, may experience higher demand on their electrical system, causing surges that impact appliances. Upgrading your wiring or replacing an older air conditioning unit with a more energy-efficient model can help reduce the likelihood of surges affecting your kitchen appliances.

Common Causes of Electrical Surges in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh homeowners experience electrical surges for several reasons. Some of the most common causes include:

1. Lightning Strikes: Although Pittsburgh is not in a high-risk area for lightning, storms with lightning can still cause power surges. When lightning strikes a power line near your home, it can send a massive surge of electricity through your electrical system.
2. Power Grid Switching: Power companies occasionally make adjustments or repairs to the electrical grid, causing fluctuations in power. These fluctuations can result in power surges that impact your home.
3. Large Appliances Cycling On and Off: Appliances like air conditioners and refrigerators use a significant amount of electricity when they start up or shut down. This sudden change in power demand can cause small surges throughout your home, which, over time, can damage other sensitive electronics, including those in your kitchen.
4. Power Outages: When power is restored after an outage, a surge may follow as the electrical system reactivates. This can happen due to the sudden influx of electricity when all systems come back online at once.

How Electrical Surges Impact Kitchen Appliances

Kitchen appliances are increasingly designed with complex electronics and circuit boards, which make them more efficient but also more susceptible to power surges. The following are some common ways electrical surges can damage kitchen appliances:

• Refrigerators: The compressor in your refrigerator is especially vulnerable to surges. A large surge can cause the compressor to fail, leading to spoiled food and an expensive repair or replacement.
• Dishwashers: Dishwashers have circuit boards that control their operation. A surge can damage these components, leading to malfunctions or complete failure.
• Ovens and Microwaves: These appliances rely on electronic controls to function. A surge can damage the controls, rendering them inoperable or causing them to operate erratically.
• Small Kitchen Appliances: Items like blenders, coffee makers, and toasters may not seem like they would be affected by surges, but even these devices can suffer from electrical spikes, causing them to malfunction or stop working entirely.

Contact Waldron Electric For Surge Protection Services In Pittsburgh, PA

Protecting your kitchen appliances from electrical surges is crucial for extending their lifespan and avoiding costly repairs. At Waldron Electric, we specialize in providing surge protection solutions that keep your home’s most valuable appliances safe from electrical spikes. Whether you need surge protectors installed, a whole-house surge protection system, or an inspection of your home’s wiring, Waldron Electric is here to help. Our team of licensed electricians has extensive experience serving the Pittsburgh community, and we are committed to delivering reliable and effective solutions for all your electrical needs. Don’t let a sudden power surge destroy your expensive kitchen appliances. Contact Waldron Electric today to learn more about our surge protection services. Let us help you keep your home safe and your appliances running smoothly!