Home Appliance and Electronic Power Protection Systems

What causes my lights to sometimes blink?
How can I keep from losing computer data when the lights blink?

These are problems related to electric power quality. These events can be caused by a lightning or wind storm, falling tree limbs, a squirrel or bird getting into a transformer, someone driving into a utility pole, or even a home appliance cycling on and off. These are all problems that affect the physics of electricity, and most are beyond human control.

It is much like water under pressure in a garden hose; if the hose springs a leak, the water must go somewhere. This, in simple terms, is what happens to electricity when a circuit is shorted and the power seeks the direction of least resistance. That direction, in many cases, is your home or business. In electric distribution, this phenomenon is called a power surge.

What can I do to prevent damage to my home or business equipment due to power surges?

Today's sensitive electronic equipment is very vulnerable to power surges. Although nothing will stop a direct lightning strike, there are a number of reliable devices available to help protect your equipment.

• An electric meter base or electric panel surge protector helps stop the surge before it enters the dwelling, protecting large appliances (refrigerator, range, water heater, heat pump, etc.).
• A quality power strip protects sensitive electronics (computers, televisions, satellite systems, cable television, entertainment centers and telephones). Units are available through your Warren RECC office.

What can I do to protect valuable computer data during an intermittent electrical blackout?

An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), provides sustained battery backup, thus preventing the loss of power to the equipment. This small box is located adjacent to your computer or sensitive equipment.