4 Kilowatt F MARCH 2013 PLAY IT SAFE
the
POWER SURGE
Choose the best surge protectors by educating yourself first.
ower surges are responsible for millions of dollars of property damage each year, and, over time, they can decrease the lifespan of TVs, computers, stereo equipment, and anything else plugged into a wall outlet. Being educated is the key to choosing the best surge protection for your home.
P
How does a power surge cause damage?
First, what is a surge? “A surge is a boost in the electrical charge over a power line,” explains Dennis Krueger, general manager of Kiwash Electric. “This can be caused by lightning, but it’s more commonly caused by electrical devices such as air conditioners and refrigerators, that require a lot of energy to start and stop their compressors. Faulty wiring is another culprit.”
Frequent, small power surges tend to shorten the life of home appliances and electronics. “Power surges come in all shapes and sizes—the most extreme case being a lightning strike because it can destroy equipment and sometimes set your house on fire,” said Alan Shedd, director of residential and commercial energy programs for Touchstone Energy Cooperatives. “But less severe power surges can be caused by hundreds of different reasons.”
He explained the severity of a surge depends not only on the voltage and current involved but how long the event lasts. "Most surges are very short in duration. It’s important to realize that surges can happen through any connection on a device. If there's a wire connected to your equipment, then it provides a path for a surge,” Shedd said.
How can I protect my property?
A surge protection device mounted at your home’s main electrical panel or the base of your electric meter protects equipment inside your house from surges that could enter through an outside electric, telephone, and cable TV or satellite dish line.
Point-of-use surge protection devices do not suppress or arrest a surge, but divert it to ground. Shedd explained they are designed to protect sensitive electronic appliances, like a computer, and resemble a regular plug strip. "But don’t assume your plug strip offers surge protection unless it specifically says so," he adds." You can also install special electrical outlets that offer surge protection, which can be helpful in places like kitchen countertops.
“My computer is plugged into an uninterruptable power supply with surge protection,” Shedd notes. “We had a lightning strike, and a surge came in over the phone line. But the surge protector stopped it.”
One of the most effective ways to protect your property is a two-tiered approach. A service entrance surge protection device reduces power surges to a lower level that protects large appliances, such as your stove or clothes dryer, while point-of- use surge protectors defend your sensitive electronics.
To understand the many types of surge protectors available and choose the best one for your needs, Home Depot offers a helpful buying guide. Visit www.homedepot. com, click on "Buying Guides", then 'Electronics", the Surge Protection."
COMING UP in Kiwash Country
n MARCH 3-5
Kiowa County Junior Livestock Show Hobart, 580-726-2553
23-24 Clinton's Hub City Market Frisco Conference Center, Clinton 580-323-2222
28
Let's Talk About It: Lonesome Dove 7 pm, Hobart Publlic Library
28-31 Bi-Annual Easter Pageant, 7 pm Pine Acres Church, Weatherford
n APRIL
11-13 SWOSU Rodeo Don Mitchell Rodeo Arena Weatherford, OK 73096 580-774-3068
18-21 Apache Rattlesnake Festival Main Stree, Apache
n MAY
24-25 Clinton Route 66 Festival Downtown & McClain Rodgers Park Clinton, 580-323-2222
24-25 Cordell Roundup Club Open Rodeo Rodeo Grounds, Cordell, 580-832-3781
24-27 Celebration of Freedom, Hobart 580-726-5900
SUBMISSION DETAILS:
Kiwash Electric Cooperative promotes local festivals, rodeos, fairs and other events in our monthly newsletter, the Kilowatt. Calendar listings are free.
Please send details to: Lisa Willard, Kiwash Electric, PO Box 100, Cordell, OK 73632, or send e-mail to:
lwillard@kiwash.coop. Please send event listings by the 10th of the month prior to publication.
If you have questions about submitting a event, or need to speak with a Kiwash representative about other matters, please call 888-832-3362, or visit
www.kiwash.coop.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144