Why Your Business Needs Surge Protection 
As a Florida business, the best way to cope with hurricanes and other severe storms is to operate as though one is always on the way. Hurricane season lasts for half the year, and storms happen all year round.
And by the time a severe storm is spotted, you’re already in competition with everyone else for resources. The time to make a plan is when no storms are on the horizon. An important aspect of your preparation is guarding against a power surge.
What is a Power Surge?
A power surge is any kind of spike in electrical voltage above the normal amount. There can be several causes of power surges. Some are internal, such as when too many items are plugged into a single circuit or when large appliances turn on or off. The latter usually leads to minor surges, but over time, even small surges can wear out your electronics.
As far as storms go, surges can occur when power lines are damaged by lightning strikes or when the power goes down for any reason. A power surge can also happen when electricity is restored after an outage.
Most businesses use higher voltages than homes, but this doesn’t mean that they are less vulnerable to power surges. In fact, when they experience a surge, it can potentially be more damaging. Businesses may have more sensitive and expensive equipment and may stand to lose more in a power surge.
How Does a Power Surge Affect Businesses?
At best, power surges put a strain on your electrical system and anything that’s plugged into an outlet. At worst, a power surge can destroy your entire electrical system and even cause a fire. What’s nearly as bad is that it can ruin appliances, computers and other electronics. You may also experience data loss as a result of a power surge.
If you’re a business, this can mean not just paying to repair the damage but having to shut down until the damage is fixed. When 
the power surge happens because of a storm, you may be dealing with other types of damage as well. This can strain your finances or even lead to losing the business altogether depending on the extent of the damages.
Even if a power surge is not this catastrophic, the interruption it causes can damage your reputation with customers, clients and vendors. Businesses are made up of partnerships, and these partners need to feel that they can rely on your availability.
What to Do When You Experience a Surge
There are a few things you can do to try to minimize the damage from a power surge. As soon as one occurs, you should turn off and unplug everything, particularly sensitive equipment. Next, you should try to identify the source of the surge. If there is any damage, you should document it. You may need this for your insurance company. It is best to wait at least 15 minutes after a surge to plug equipment back in, but it’s even better to wait for an electrician to inspect your system first. Given the frequency of storms and power surges in Florida, it’s critical that you get surge protection for your business.
How to Protect Against Power Surges
You can’t control powerful Florida storms, but fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect against power surges. First, you need a strong foundation of electrical safety. This means having an electrical system that is installed correctly, including grounding and bonding. Get regular inspections and maintenance so that you know your electrical system is in good condition overall. In addition, train your employees about the risks of power surges and what to do when they happen. Have a power surge plan in place that everyone knows how to follow.
Next, you need robust surge protection. Multiple layers of protection is the best way to prevent or minimize the damage that a surge can cause.
The first layer is surge protection devices, also known as SPDs, for the entire building. These are sometimes known as service entrance SPDs because they are installed at the point where electricity enters your building. They can handle very high levels of voltage.
The next layer is distribution panel SPDs. These are placed at distribution panels or sub-distribution panels throughout your building.
Finally, you need point-of-use SPDs. These are things like power strips, protectors that plug directly into the outlet or outlets that are themselves fortified for surge protection.
These three layers are sometimes referred to as Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 SPDs.
In addition, you may want to consider installing a UPS device. This stands for uninterruptible power supply, and it can prevent the damage that a sudden power failure may cause. A UPS gives you the opportunity to safely shut down your system if you experience a surge.
It’s important to work with an electrician when it comes to protecting your building from power surges, eespecially older buildings . They can help you create the right strategy for protection based on your building and your needs.
Get Help With Surge Protection From Mister Sparky
A power surge at your business can cause everything from headaches to catastrophic failures across your electrical system. However, you don’t have to put yourself at this kind of risk. Mister Sparky can work with you to install the necessary layers of surge protection for your business.
Don’t put up with any malarky, call Mister Sparky. Living in Florida means you’re going to experience a surge from time to time. Mister Sparky can help prevent or minimize the damage that a power surge can cause to your business.
