Surge Protection

Most homes today are filled with TV's, VCR's, Computers
and a growing list of expensive electronic equipment. The
microchips inside these devices are extremely sensitive
to voltage fluctuations and are susceptible to costly or
permanent damage from electrical spikes and surges.
The need to protect electronic equipment from these
damaging power disturbances is increasingly important.
The typical home experiences hundreds of electrical
spikes and surges per year. These power disturbances
are sudden voltage and current increases that travel
through the electrical, telephone and cable lines. These
packages of unwanted energy cause equipment
malfunction and in severe, cases, cause catastrophic
damage.

Surges result from external sources, including massive energy impulses created by
lightning, utility load switching, and even other users on the power system. The most
common surges (over 80%) originate from within the home from appliances such as
refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, air conditioners, dish washers, lighting dimmers,
and power tools. These lower level surges generally do not cause immediate power failure,
but cause equipment disruption (computer lock-up), and generally break down the
insulation capability of the electronics.

So how do you properly protect electronic investments from power disturbances?
Many people trust a $9-$ 20 dollar surge strip to protect their 500-4,000 investment such
as a T.V. or personal computer. "Using only an inexpensive surge strip is a common miss
application" says James Funk, a member of the Institute of Electronics and Electrical
Engineers (IEEE) Surge Protection Device Committee. This miss conception could end up
costing the homeowner a fortune in repair or replacement charges. The fact is, most surge
strips are not capable of suppressing a powerful surge efficiently, and most do not include
any protection for telephone or coaxial cable lines.
Although there is no product that protects the home from a direct lightning strike, there is
new technology that can help. The (IEEE) recommends whole house surge suppression as
the best way to prevent damage in the home. Click here for Surge Protection Products

N.J.E.S. installs a full line of residential surge suppression products. Residential products
include panel mounted surge suppressors to protect your electrical system and phone and
cable T.V. surge suppressors to protect the computer and T.V.
The right surge protection products are important, and proper installation is critical. A
surge suppression system is only as good as its grounding. Before any installation we will
check for proper grounding of your home in order for your surge suppressors to work
effectively. For more information, please contact N.J.E.S. @ (201) 665-7255

Lightning produces the most destructive power disturbance.
More than 2,000 thunderstorms are in progress globally, at any
one time, producing over 100 lightning strikes per second to
earth, some with devastating effects. (Lightning is an
underrated hazard) according to the National Lightning Safety
Institute. Lightning accounts for over four billion dollars in
economic losses each year.
Lightning doesn't have to strike the earth to cause damage.
More common cloud to cloud strikes a mile away can produce
enormous magnetic fields that induce surges on to power,
telephone, and cable lines. As a result, T.V.'s, VCR's,
computers, Security Systems, etc., are all susceptible to power
surges from multiple sources.

POINT OF USE PROTECTION
The (IEEE) also recommends a second level of protection. This can be
accomplished with a quality surge strip ($30-$80). A two -stage
approach is most effective in dealing with surges. The first level
absorbs and diverts the majority of the incoming high energy surge.
Any remaining energy, passing through the service entrance surge
suppressor, can be dealt with by a second suppressor (quality surge
strip) at the point of use(your T.V. or Computer).