Voltage fluctuations are common and happen pretty often. You may see a few lights flicker or notice your fan slowing down and think, “That’s probably just the voltage fluctuating.” And 9 times out 10 it is, unless you’re a big believer in the paranormal and think it is some vengeful spirit messing with your electronics! While most voltage variations are harmless and tend to disappear quickly, there are some instances where they can get gnarly.

Voltage fluctuations are not to be worried about, for the most part at least. But you can’t be too relaxed about them. So today, we’re going to tell you 8 reasons why you should be aware of voltage fluctuations in your home. There are a few situations and possible scenarios that you need to know about before dismissing a voltage fluctuation.

So keep your eyes peeled to find out why there’s a pretty good chance that the flickering bulb is not your deceased grandma trying to communicate.

8 Reasons Why You Should be Aware of Voltage Fluctuations at Home

Being aware of voltage fluctuations at home is essential for several reasons, as they can impact the safety, performance, and lifespan of your electrical appliances and overall home electrical system.

Here are eight reasons you should be aware of voltage fluctuations at home.

1. Equipment Performance

Voltage fluctuations can affect the performance of your electrical appliances. Low voltage can cause your appliances to have reduced efficiency and slower operation, potentially damaging motors and compressors in appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners. High-than-suggested voltage can cause overheating and shorten the lifespan of your electrical appliances.

2. Equipment Lifespan

Voltage fluctuations can impact the lifespan of your electrical appliances and devices. Appliances subjected to frequent voltage fluctuations are more likely to fail prematurely, leading to costly repairs and replacements. When you’re aware of voltage spikes, you should definitely invest in surge protection and other voltage stabilizers to protect your expensive appliances.

3. Lights Flickering

Light bulbs are often the first indicators of voltage fluctuations. Most reasons for lights flickering in your home are related to these fluctuations. Frequent flickering or dimming of lights can be annoying, but it also means your electrical lines need to be checked out. If you don’t fix the voltage issues, it can eventually harm your lighting fixtures and electrical wiring.

4. Safety

Voltage fluctuations can pose safety risks. When these spikes happen, wires and circuits can become overloaded, posing a serious fire hazard in your home.  Over-voltage can cause electrical fires, while under-voltage can result in equipment malfunction and electrical shocks.

5. Energy Efficiency

Consistent voltage levels are important for energy efficiency. When voltage levels fluctuate, some appliances can consume more power than necessary, leading to higher energy bills. Monitoring voltage fluctuations can help you identify and address efficiency issues in your electrical system.

6. Electrical System Health

Voltage fluctuations can also affect the overall health of your electrical system. Frequent surges and sags can damage circuitry, breakers, and wiring. When you fix these problems in advance, you can make sure your electrical system and infrastructure are functioning properly.

7. Sensitive Equipment

Sensitive equipment such as medical equipment or home automation systems can be seriously damaged by voltage spikes. Failure or poor functionality of these devices can quickly become detrimental to your overall health and safety.

8. Unplanned Outages

Frequent voltage fluctuations can lead to sudden, unexpected, and lengthy power outages. These can be major inconveniences and disrupt your daily routine. When you monitor your voltage spikes closely, you’re able to avoid unplanned outages and carry out your tasks without interruption.

How To Deal With Voltage Fluctuations?

Dealing with voltage fluctuations can be quite easy. Check out these preventive measures and tips to deal with frequent spikes.

1. Surge Protectors and Voltage Stabilizers

Invest in surge protection to shield sensitive electronics from power surges and use voltage stabilizers to regulate voltage spikes, ensuring a constant supply to all your electrical wiring and appliances.

2. Regular Inspections

Inspect your electrical systems for loose connections, damaged wiring, or signs of wear. Address any problems immediately to prevent voltage fluctuations.

3. Unplug During Extreme Weather Conditions

During storms or power surges, unplug sensitive devices to protect them from potential power surges when the electricity is restored.

4. UPS For Critical Systems

Install UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supplies) for critical systems, like computers and medical equipment, to provide a temporary power source during voltage fluctuations or outages.

5. Consult An Electricians

If voltage fluctuations still persist, consult a qualified electrician to assess and fix any underlying issues in your electrical system.

6. Balanced Loads

Balancing electrical loads is a critical part of dealing with voltage fluctuations. Distribute electrical devices and appliances evenly across different circuits in your home. Don’t overload a circuit by connecting too many high-powered appliances to it, and use dedicated circuits for power-hungry appliances like air conditioners or washing machines.

Many homeowners don’t even consider electrical loading and dedicating electrical circuits to specific appliances because it is not emphasized enough. Balancing loads evenly across your home helps you prevent frequent voltage spikes it preserves your devices and keeps your appliances functioning properly for longer lengths of time.

Conclusion

There you go! We hope you found this guide helpful in keeping your electrical systems working smoothly. Voltage fluctuations are common, but they are avoidable. Regulating voltage spikes is essential for protecting your appliances, reducing energy costs, ensuring safety, and preventing unexpected interruptions. 

Make sure you have your electrical wiring systems regularly inspected and checked out, and if there are any issues, consult a professional electrician before going in to make repairs yourself. Without the proper experience and knowledge, you can seriously injure yourself and others around you while also risking damage to the entire electrical system in your home. Stay safe!