Electricity is one of the most commonly used modern inventions in the world. It’s the cornerstone that runs almost everything in your home, and it’s needed in more and more places. Given the importance of electricity, we all must have a reliable, uninterrupted supply. While every utility company strives to keep electricity safe, sometimes power surges can derail that idea.
Where do surges come from? What are the functions of air conditioner surge protectors? How does an air conditioner surge protector protect the circuit? What are the signs of an impending power surge? How much surge protection do you need and the estimated price of an air conditioner surge protector?
Where does the surge come from?
Surge, also known as a voltage surge or transient overvoltage, is a transient voltage that suddenly appears in a circuit that is higher than the normal voltage. Surges are often caused by lightning, switching operations of electrical equipment, electrostatic discharge, and other factors. For air conditioning equipment, surges may cause damage to the electronic components inside the equipment, which in turn affects the normal operation of the equipment and even shortens the service life of the equipment.
The role of air conditioning surge protectors
In thunderstorm weather, air conditioning equipment may be threatened by surges caused by lightning. Air conditioning surge protectors are essential to protect air conditioners from surges, spikes, and voltage fluctuations. Regarding protecting air conditioners from surges, there are various types of air conditioning surge protectors on the market. The type of air conditioning surge protector you choose depends on the size of the air conditioner and the electrical capacity of your home.
The principle of the protection circuit of the air conditioning surge protector
The working principle of the air conditioning surge protector is to detect abnormal high voltage conditions and divert excess energy away from the air conditioner to prevent it from reaching and damaging the unit. The surge protector constantly monitors the input voltage. When the voltage exceeds the normal operating range, the surge protector will activate. When the voltage is within safe limits, the surge protector is inactive, allowing the air conditioner to operate normally without interruption.
What are the signs of an impending power surge?
There are several signs to watch for that may indicate a power surge is imminent. Things to watch for include:
● Flickering, humming, or dimming lights
● Frayed wiring
● Discoloration or scorching of outlets or areas around wiring
● Smoke coming from outlets
● Warm or vibrating outlets
● Burning odors or strange sharp smells near outlets
● Some signs that a power surge has occurred include flickering lights on digital clocks, devices unexpectedly shutting down or not working, or pungent odors around devices.
How much surge protection do you need?
Not all surge protectors are created equal, and each surge protector’s joule rating indicates how much energy it can absorb before failing. This rating is calculated simply and straightforwardly: the higher the joule rating, the stronger the protection against power surges.
Price of air conditioner surge protector
The price of an air conditioner surge protector is roughly between $2.50 and $60. The specific price depends on the model of the air conditioner, and the function and brand of the surge protector. When purchasing, you can choose a suitable surge protector based on the power of the air conditioner, the household power environment, and whether additional protection functions are needed.
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