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Minor fluctuations in the electric power supply can become a serious concern for today's sophisticated electronics. From computers and direct broadcast satellite systems to VCRs, microwave ovens and advanced heating systems, many high-tech electronics respond to even the briefest electrical variations and power surges. Large surges can destroy expensive electronics instantly, but smaller surges can cause gradual deterioration of the circuitry in microprocessors leading to failure over time. One frequent cause of surges is lightning. Worldwide, lightning strikes every 14 seconds, and when it occurs in your area, it can cause significant damage to your electronic equipment. But there are other, more common causes of power surges that can be damaging. Surges can also occur when a tree, bird or squirrel touches a power line. Poor grounding of the electrical system can contribute to many power quality problems. Proper grounding is essential for safe and reliable operation of today's sensitive electronic equipment. Improper or faulty wiring may be another source of power surges. Many people are surprised to learn that the normal operation of large appliances can cause surges as they cycle on and off. Whatever the cause, power surges can be costly. They can damage virtually any electrical equipment that you may use. Damaging surges may enter your home through phone lines, cable or satellite TV hardware, as well as through the power lines. It's important to protect all possible points of entry, particularly if there is expensive equipment connected. The surge suppression and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) equipment sold here can protect your electronic equipment from surge damage.		The image at left is an actual microprocessor chip taken from a modem that sustained damage due to a nearby lightning strike. The electical impulse fractured the plastic case on the microprocessor exposing the actual circuitry. At the bottom of the frame is a human hair for size comparison. It is easy to see why microprocessors are easily damaged by surges given the diminutive size of the electrical circuits. Lightning does not have to strike your home directly to cause damage to your electronic equipment. Indeed, most of the damage we have investigated comes from surges induced onto a communication or electrical line by an indirect strike (where lightning did not directly strike the wiring). Damage to modems, satellite receivers, televisions and VCRs are the majority of the cases that we see. The equipment we sell is designed to cover all of the various "points of entry" for surge damage. A point of entry is any connection between an appliance and the outside world. Common examples are telephone lines; satellite, cable and antenna lines; and electric lines.



Power Surges are a Serious Threat to Your Home Electronics Minor fluctuations in the electric power supply that until recently went unnoticed can become e a serious concern for today's sophisticated electronic homes. From computers and direct broadcast satellite systems to VCRs, microwave ovens and advanced heating systems, many high-tech home appliances response to even the briefest electrical variations and power surges. Surges cannot only destroy your expensive appliances, but they can also cause gradual deterioration of the electronics in these appliances. That's why your electric cooperative has developed a valuable new service, designed specifically for today's high-tech homes. ^SMProgram. Surges Can Come From Many Sources The electricity supplied by your electric cooperative is clean, quality power. But power surges can happen. One frequent cause of surges is lightning. Worldwide, lightning strikes every 14 seconds, and when it occurs in our area, it can cause significant damage to your home electronic equipment. But there are other more common causes of owner surges that can damage your expensive electronic equipment. Surges can occur when a tree, bird or squirrel touches a power line, Poor grounding of the electrical system in your home contributes to many power quality problems. Proper grounding is essential for safe and reliable operative of today's sensitive electronic equipment. Improper or faulty wiring inside your home may be another source of power surges. Many homeowners are surprised to learn that the normal operation of large appliances, such as refrigerators, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners and microwave ovens, can also cause surges as they are cycling on and off. Whatever the cause, power surges in the home can be costly. They can damage virtually any electrical appliance in your home. Damaging surges may enter your home through phone lines, cable or satellite TV hardware, as well as through the power lines. It is important to protect all possible point of entry, particularly if there is expensive equipment connected. The Solution To Protecting Your Home From Power Surges A glass dome around your home might protect you from lightning strikes. But the energy professionals at your local electric cooperative have found a more practical solution and one that protects you from all sources of power surges, not just lightning. The experts at your electric cooperative conducted a rigorous product search and assembled protection packages that include the very best equipment. Equipment of this quality is typically not available in retail stores. The result is the best available surge protection for your whole home at very affordable price. All surge protection solutions should include a "meter-base or main panel suppressor" to prevent external high voltage spikes and surges from entering your home through the power line. Additionally, point of use protection should be used to protect your most valuable electronics. These second stage surge suppression devices provide protection from "back-door" surges (surges that travel across phone lines and cable or satellite hardware) and surges that originate within the home. This approach protects all of the properly connected equipment in your home--not just from surges carried over power lines, but "back-door" surges too. Each surge protection device is backed by a manufacturer's limited warranty that will repair or replace any equipment these packages fail to protect, even if damaged by lightning.