Power outages can happen any time due to storms, accidents, damage to power lines, or scheduled blackouts and it can be difficult to be caught unprepared in one.
The primary concern with power outages is that they can cause damage to appliances and electronics. But, contrary to the general idea, this damage doesn’t usually occur when the power goes out, but rather when it comes back and the voltage may be higher or lower than the ideal amount.
In many cases, your appliances and equipment cannot handle such fluctuations that some may even start to malfunction. In businesses, power outages can also result in data loss and physical damage to your hard drive.
Can you ever prepare for a power outage? As it turns out, you can with the help of the trusted electricians Melbourne wide.
What to Do During Power Losses
We can’t stress enough that your electronics and appliances are the most vulnerable to outages. So, in the event of power losses, these tips will help keep your family safe and your belongings protected from damage.
• Unplug appliances. These include your TV, computer, fridge, washers and dryers, and so forth. Unplug them immediately, particularly if they were running when the power went out.
• Use surge protectors. A surge protector is a device that protects electronic devices from power surges. It works by limiting the voltage supplied to your devices by blocking or shorting to ground any excess voltages. It’s recommended that you use them, particularly on expensive electronic devices.
• Keep the fridge closed. You don’t know when the power will be restored, so you would want to keep your fridge cold for as long as possible to keep your food from spoiling. Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed and if possible, place ice blocks inside.
• Switch off the lights. In addition to the appliances that you have to unplug, you also have to switch off all your lights and lamps. But, keep one on so you will know when the power is restored.
These are some general precautions you can take to protect your appliances and electronics during a power outage. But, with your computer, protection from data loss starts from backing up your files. This is something you should do regularly.
We recommend you to subscribe to a cloud-based platform or sign up for a drive account where you can automate backups. For businesses, it’s almost a must to invest in an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), which is essentially a battery backup that provides you with backup power in case of power outages or fluctuations. This allows for the safe shutdown of computers and other connected equipment.
You can’t prevent a power outage. But, at least there are ways to prepare for it. You can also talk to a licensed electrician in Melbourne if you’re looking for a power backup such as batteries and generators.
How do you prepare for a power outage? If you have any other tips to add to this list, leave a comment below.
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