The Daily Pulse.

Your source for accurate, unbiased news and insightful analysis

business

How do I protect my AC from power surges?

By Sophia Aguilar |

How do I protect my AC from power surges?

The surest way to protect your equipment during an electrical storm is simply to disconnect it from the power source. Install surge protectors on valuable equipment. A surge protector is a device that is installed between your equipment and its power source.

Do I need a surge protector for my Whirlpool refrigerator?

Yes, for sure. Not only you can use it, but you should. For the refrigerator, any surges are especially critical, since it contains not only sophisticated electronics but also a compressor. Then the power of the protector will be enough to start the refrigerator with both low and high voltage.

Can a power surge damage a refrigerator motor?

A power surge that destroys appliances is a rare event, but it can happen, especially in instances of lightning strikes. When this type of surge occurs, it may damage any number of components inside of the refrigerator, including fuses on the unit’s circuit board or the motor.

Why is my AC not working after a power surge?

Storms can wreak havoc causing flooding, damage to your home and car, and even power surges that fry appliances. Often times the first thing to turn off after this spike of electricity is the air conditioning.

How many Watts Does a fridge need to start up?

That is your running wattage. A fridge motor also needs a jolt of about three times its running wattage to start up, but this surge is needed for only a fraction of a second. To run this refrigerator, you will need an inverter that can handle 600 watts for long periods and a surge of 1,800 watts for a split second.

Can a lightning strike cause damage to a refrigerator?

Damage to Refrigerator. An electrical surge that causes actual damage to a refrigerator is a rare event, but it can happen, especially in instances of lightning strikes. When this type of surge occurs, it may damage any number of components inside of the refrigerator, including fuses on the unit’s circuit board or the motor.

What happens to a refrigerator during a power surge?

Many times when an electrical surge hits a refrigerator, it doesn’t permanently affect the refrigerator’s operation. Breaker boxes, which can generally be found in older homes, help prevent permanent damage to a refrigerator and other electronics during a power surge.

What to do when your refrigerator is out of power?

Alternatively, an electric engineer can help you determine a suitable surge protector for your appliance. Power outages can’t be helped when a storm hits. And these outages will take their toll on your refrigerator if it doesn’t have protection. Use the right surge protector, and keep your fridge running even after a power outage.

Storms can wreak havoc causing flooding, damage to your home and car, and even power surges that fry appliances. Often times the first thing to turn off after this spike of electricity is the air conditioning.

How many watts are needed to start a refrigeration unit?

As noted above, there are periods of startup or surge power that typically can be 2-3 times the amount of running watts. As a rule of thumb and for precautionary reasons, you should consider that up to 6 times the amount of rated current may be required for initial startup of the appliance.