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Post Power Outage - Having Your Power Restored Can Cost You Thousands

Power Protection FEATURED ARTICLE

Post Power Outage - Having Your Power Restored Can Cost You Thousands

 
March 18, 2013

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  By Allison Boccamazzo, Director of Brand Strategy

When you hear of power outages, the first thing that comes to mind – naturally – is an outrage at the damaging or prolonging effects of being cast into the dark. Whether it’s a residential or business-related outage, losing power is never a treat; however, for one small community in Oak Lawn, Illinois, frustration was aimed at the power being restored.


So why is this the case?  Reportedly, a power surge struck when the lights came back on, which “fried their computers and appliances.” This has led dozens of families to target ComEd with probing questions. For one resident, the power surge went so far as to “cook her coffee maker,” as well as “singe her special surge protector” that even went into her computer that weekend prior when the event happened, CBS Chicago reported.

And this is all because the power came back on, residents claim.

The power was reportedly lost in the first place due to a raccoon, according to ComEd officials. Additionally, the company provided claim forms for those residents affected at a meeting last week. In a tight and rather drastic economic state, residents are feeling the financial strain of this burden – and they’re speaking up about it.

“I’m at about $3,600, and I’m not even finished totaling it yet,” says resident Linda Russell.

“I’m keeping track of over 50 customers that had major, major damage,” explained Village Trustee Alex Olejniczak, “washing machines, dryers, refrigerators.”

I was able to speak to Bill Allen, marketing director at esteemed power protection solutions provider, Minuteman UPS/Para Systems (News - Alert), about how what happens post power outage can quickly turn into an expensive nightmare.

“When power is restored, there’s always a huge sigh of relief, but that relief can turn quickly into a nightmare, as the residents of Illinois experienced,” he told me.

A surge can best be described as a ‘power tsunami,’ where the AC voltage rises sharply very quickly and inundates equipment power supplies with an over-abundance of voltage, Allen explains. When that happens, equipment, power supplies and equipment components are not able to process that much voltage, and thus, results in severe damage.

Allen likens this to turning on a water hose. “The pressure release causes an initial surge of energy through the hose, along with some bursts of pressure, and then the water settles into a steady stream.  The same is true with electrical power as it is restored to the power grid and gets delivered to your home or office.”

However, a power surge differs from a spike, Allen notes. Conversely, a spike is a very sudden increase in voltage that lasts only a few milliseconds, but during that time, severe damage can be had to power supplies and equipment components.

This is precisely why it’s not only a good idea, but truly imperative to invest in a high quality surge protector for all electrical equipment. “Surge protectors are designed to protect from both surges and spikes. The small investment of $10 to $20 for a good surge protector will certainly pay huge dividends if and when a power surge occurs,” Allen advises. “No matter the cause, damage can occur and be an expensive lesson learned.  All electrical equipment is vulnerable if not protected.”

“It’s amazing, though, how many people will go out and buy a $1,000 big screen TV and not protect it with a good $20 surge protector,” Allen concludes.

Still on the fence about whether you need a surge protector? Stay tuned for part two, where we’ll be discussing what you can do if you don’t have a surge protector, as well as how surge protectors apply to more than just the common case of outages.

Interested in getting a surge protector of your own today? Allow me to help you cut down the time of finding a reliable source and explore Minuteman’s surge suppressor product line today by clicking here.


Edited by Jamie Epstein
Power Protection Homepage ››





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