When most people think of a power surge, they picture a lightning strike and a fried TV screen. But the truth is, power surges can happen more often than you think—and they don’t always come with a bang. In fact, your home could be experiencing tiny surges every day that slowly damage your appliances, electronics, and even your home’s wiring.
At Stripped Electrical, we’re passionate about protecting Alberta homeowners from preventable electrical issues. We believe in practical solutions, long-term safety, and clear answers—because protecting your home is about more than plugging into a power bar.
Let’s break down what causes power surges, how they can damage your home, and what you really need to do to protect your space (and your wallet).
⚡ What Is a Power Surge?
A power surge is a sudden spike in electrical voltage that travels through your home’s wiring. While most homes in Alberta run on 120 volts, surges can temporarily send thousands of volts rushing through your system—overloading outlets, melting circuits, and frying anything connected.
There are two types of surges:
- Major Surges – Often caused by lightning strikes, downed power lines, or large grid switching.
- Minor/Internal Surges – Caused by appliances turning on/off (like your fridge or HVAC), or faulty wiring inside your home.
While major surges are more dramatic, it’s the small, repeated surges that quietly shorten the lifespan of your electronics and damage wiring over time.
Common Causes of Power Surges in Alberta
You don’t need a thunderstorm to experience a power surge. Some common triggers include:
- Lightning strikes (yes, rare but real!)
- Utility company switching or grid fluctuations
- Overloaded circuits or faulty outlets
- Large appliances cycling (like dryers, AC units, refrigerators)
- Improper grounding
- Old or DIY electrical wiring
Even something as simple as your microwave kicking on could be contributing to minor surges if your home’s wiring isn’t balanced.
What Can Be Damaged by a Surge?
Anything plugged in is fair game when a surge hits:
- TVs and sound systems 📺
- Gaming consoles 🎮
- Computers and laptops 💻
- Fridges, ovens, washers & dryers 🧺
- Smart home devices (thermostats, cameras, voice assistants) 🏠
- Medical equipment 💉
More than just replacement costs, surge damage can also lead to electrical fires if internal circuits are compromised. That’s why proactive surge protection isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Real Protection Starts at the Panel
So, how do you actually protect your home?
The best defense is a layered surge protection system, starting with:
✅ 1. Whole-Home Surge Protector
Installed directly into your electrical panel, this device acts like a security guard—stopping large surges before they reach your outlets.
Benefits:
- Protects your wiring, panel, and major appliances
- Works 24/7 behind the scenes
- Handles much larger surges than plug-in options
At Stripped Electrical, we install high-quality surge protection devices that meet Alberta safety codes and match your home’s power demands.
✅ 2. Point-of-Use Surge Protectors
These are your heavy-duty surge bars or plug-in devices for sensitive electronics—TVs, PCs, entertainment systems, etc.
Look for:
- UL-listed protection
- Joule rating (higher is better—aim for 2,000+)
- Indicator lights to show when protection is active
Combine these with a whole-home unit for double protection 💪
✅ 3. Voltage Management for Large Appliances
Some large appliances (like HVAC units) can cause internal surges when they cycle on and off.
A licensed electrician can:
- Install dedicated circuits for large appliances
- Add surge arresters or suppressors to specific circuits
- Improve grounding and neutral balancing
This isn’t a DIY job—done wrong, it could cause more harm than good.
How We Can Help at Stripped Electrical
We’re not just here to plug things in—we’re here to protect your entire electrical system.
When you book a home surge protection consultation with us, here’s what we’ll do:
- Assess your home’s panel and capacity
- Evaluate your appliance and electronics risk
- Check for grounding and wiring issues
- Recommend custom protection solutions
- Professionally install surge protection devices
- Educate you on best practices for surge safety
We use only certified products and follow the latest Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) regulations.
Bonus Tips to Boost Electrical Resilience
Want to go the extra mile? Consider these tips:
- Unplug devices during big storms (yes, it still helps!)
- Use UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) for computers
- Install lightning rods for rural or remote properties
- Avoid overloading outlets and daisy-chaining power bars
- Keep records for insurance (photos, receipts, serial numbers)
📍 Serving Homeowners Across Alberta
Whether you're in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Spruce Grove, or beyond, Stripped Electrical is your go-to expert for smart, safe, and modern electrical solutions.
From panel upgrades to surge protection, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners prevent costly electrical damage—and we’d love to help you, too.
📞 Let’s Protect Your Power—Properly.
Don’t wait until your TV goes black or your fridge suddenly dies to take action. Power surges are often invisible, but their impact is very real.
👉 Reach out to Stripped Electrical for a no-obligation assessment and layered surge protection that actually works.
📬 Contact Us Today!
- 📧 Email: hello@strippedelectrical.ca
- 📞 Call: 780-932-1776
- 🌐 strippedelectrical.ca
