Protecting Electronics
Home or Business

APS Recommendation 
The best solution for most customers combines indoor plug-in surge suppressors (to handle the faster, less powerful disturbances), and a powerful surge protector installed at the electric service panel (which can absorb dramatic bursts of power). This comprehensive combination protects against most power disturbances. 

Wiring 
Most power problems can be eliminated with proper wiring and grounding. Avoiding circuit overloads can also reduce problems. Even one large appliance on the same circuit as your computer or other equipment can produce damaging spikes or surges when the appliance is turned on or off. 

If you have doubts about your wiring and would like a list of licensed electrical contractors, call the Electric League of Arizona at (602) 263-9391.

Circuit Breakers and Equipment Protection 
Circuit breakers are designed to protect against overloads or short circuits, but their reaction time is simply not quick enough to protect against power spikes or surges.

A surge suppressor, on the other hand, is activated within nanoseconds, a nearly immeasurably small amount of time. 

Impact of Surges on Equipment Not In Use 
Many electrical devices have electronic timers, clocks or remote controls (TVs, VCRs, Stereos) that continue working even when not in use. Also, some appliances cycle off and on at random (air conditioners, water heaters, refrigerators) and could be on during a power surge. 

Surge Protection 
Surge suppressors protect equipment by reducing power surges and spikes to a level that can't damage electronic equipment. Many of these look like the power strips that you can buy in a retail store for a few dollars. However, only high quality surge suppressors offer reliable protection for years.

Surge protectors are devices designed to protect sensitive electronic equipment in your home or office. Strong winds and dangerous lightning associated with Arizona's monsoon storms can damage appliances like computers, copiers and fax machines. 

TV's, VCR's, stereo's, CD player's and other appliances that use microprocessors can be rendered useless due to power surges created by falling trees, wind damaged power lines and dangerous lightning strikes. 

To protect individual pieces of electrical equipment APS recommends you use point-of-use surge protectors. These are plug in surge strips or wall-mounted devices. 

Point-of-use surge protectors devices plug into the all outlet and the equipment itself plugs in to the surge strip or wall-mounted device. These devices are designed to protect electrical equipment from lightning strikes or other power disturbances. 

To protect your entire home we suggest using high performance surge protectors. These devices are hardwired into your service entrance panel by a licensed electrician. 

To find the name and phone number of a licensed electrician, consult your local Yellow Pages or call the Electric league of Arizona at (602) 263-9391. 

Should you have a power quality question, please call one of these dedicated Power Quality professionals: