Understanding Micro Power Outages

We’ve all heard about major blackouts and brownouts on the news, but what about the smaller power fluctuations that happen daily? Harrison explains that these micro power outages—brief interruptions or fluctuations in power—occur more frequently than we might realize, especially in a city like Las Vegas, where the demand on the electrical grid is immense.

“When you told me about these daily power surges, I was a bit nervous,” I admitted to Harrison. It’s alarming to think that our homes could be experiencing these small outages regularly without us even noticing. But as Harrison explains, the key to understanding this phenomenon lies in the everyday strain we put on our electrical systems.

What Causes Micro Power Outages?

According to Harrison, every time a high-demand appliance, like your air conditioner, oven, or electric vehicle (EV) charger, kicks on, it creates a strain on your home’s electrical system. This strain can cause a brief drop in power—enough to make your lights flicker or dim for a moment. While these fluctuations might seem minor, over time, they can cause significant wear and tear on your home’s electrical infrastructure and appliances.

“Yes, absolutely,” Harrison confirms when I asked why my lights sometimes dim when my air conditioner turns on. “This is something we see all the time, and it’s a sign that your system is under strain.”

The Importance of Surge Protection

Given the frequency of these micro power outages, protecting your home from the potential damage they can cause is essential. Harrison emphasizes that while NV Energy—the local power utility—posts information about partial or full power outages, the micro surges happening within your home are just as significant to monitor.

“These micro surges can damage your appliances and shorten their lifespan,” Harrison explains. “That’s why surge protection is so important—it helps to mitigate the effects of these power fluctuations and keeps your home’s electrical system functioning safely and efficiently.”

Electricode’s Surge Protection Solutions

At Electricode, Harrison and his team offer comprehensive surge protection solutions to safeguard your home against these micro power outages. “We offer a surge protector that we like to install in the garage, where you can easily see and monitor it,” Harrison explains. “It makes an audible noise if it’s ever damaged and has a light that turns red, so you know immediately if something’s wrong.”

But the protection doesn’t stop there. Electricode’s surge protectors come with a $100,000 downstream coverage policy. This means that if a surge damages any of your appliances or equipment (except for a direct lightning strike), you’re covered. “It’s peace of mind for homeowners,” Harrison says. “You don’t have to worry about those unexpected expenses if something goes wrong.”

What Exactly Is a Surge?

To fully appreciate the importance of surge protection, it’s crucial to understand what a surge is and how it occurs. Harrison likens a surge to a wave—an unexpected spike in electrical voltage. This spike can be caused by various factors, including car accidents that take down power poles, changes at the power substation, or even lightning strikes.

“Think of it as a sudden increase in the power coming into your home,” Harrison explains. “Your electrical system is designed to handle a specific range of voltage, and when it goes above or below that range—usually within 10%—you can have problems.”

Why Whole-Home Surge Protection Is Essential

When most people think of surge protection, they picture those small, inexpensive power strips you can buy at any hardware store. But as Harrison points out those are only temporary solutions and won’t protect your entire home. “What we offer is a whole-home surge protector,” he says. “This is installed directly into your electrical panel, where it controls the voltage coming into your home and distributes it safely to all your circuits.”

This whole-home approach ensures that every part of your home is protected, from high-demand appliances to more sensitive electronics. “It’s about making sure that everything coming into your home is safe before it reaches your devices,” Harrison adds.

Regular Maintenance for Long-Term Safety

Installing surge protection is just the first step. Regular maintenance ensures your home remains safe from power surges and electrical issues. Electric Code offers a membership program where a technician visits your home every six months to inspect your surge protector, smoke detectors, and other critical safety systems.

“We want to make sure everything is operating properly,” Harrison says. “We use special testers to ensure that everything is going where it’s supposed to, and we make any necessary adjustments to keep your home in the clear.”

Getting Started with Surge Protection

Call Electricode at 702-260-4001 to schedule an assessment and discuss your options.