Avoiding electrical surges during thunderstorms: Even in the UK, it's wise to unplug appliances for safety reasons
Thunderstorms in the UK can pose a significant risk to home appliances, particularly during the warmer months from May to August. To protect your appliances from potential damage caused by power surges, it is essential to follow some best practices.
Jenny McFarlane, the Senior Digital Editor who joined our team in 2021, has shared her expertise on this matter. She advises unplugging small appliances such as coffee makers, air fryers, toasters, vacuum cleaners, and other non-essential electronics to avoid surge damage. It's crucial to do this well before a storm arrives, as unplugging during the storm can be dangerous.
Experts also recommend leaving refrigerators and freezers plugged in to protect food safety, but other smaller appliances should be unplugged. Installing a surge protector at your main electrical panel provides comprehensive protection against large surges from lightning strikes or grid fluctuations. In addition, using power strips with built-in surge protection for extra defense for sensitive electronics can offer additional protection.
Proper electrical grounding and bonding are also essential. Grounding creates a direct pathway for electrical surges to flow safely into the earth, minimizing damage risk. Bonding connects metal parts to keep voltage stable and prevent sparks or shocks.
For appliances like electric showers, switching them off during a storm reduces the chance of electrical surge damage. After the storm, it's essential to inspect appliances for any signs of damage such as strange noises, smells, or error messages before plugging devices back in. If damaged, it's advisable to have a qualified technician inspect before resuming use.
While surge protectors help, they are not failproof against direct lightning strikes. Physically unplugging devices remains the most reliable safeguard during severe storms. Network surge arrestors provide additional grid-level protection, but localized damage can still occur near your home.
The Energy Networks Association states that surge arrestors installed in the overhead line network protect the network and customer connections from electrical surges. The Met Office issues thunderstorm warnings in yellow, amber, and red levels. Even in a yellow warning, it's a good idea to switch off any non-essential appliances.
In conclusion, these measures collectively reduce the chances of appliances being harmed by power surges, outages, or electrical faults during thunderstorms. For added peace of mind, consider contacting a NICEIC-registered electrician to assess any electrical damage to your home and ensure an electrical installation condition report (EICR) is issued to inform the repairs needed if your home is hit by lightning or experiences a power surge. Power surges, while rare, can cause serious damage when they do happen.
In the interior design of a home, it's beneficial to designate a utility room for appliances that are more vulnerable to power surges, such as washing machines and dryers, to minimize their exposure during thunderstorms. For those interested in health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise, it's essential to remember that power surges can affect workout equipment as well, so following the same precautions as for other appliances is advisable.
