Voltage Variances

Variance Type

Cause

Description

Result

High Voltage Spikes

Lightning

In Florida, residents experience thunder and lighting nearly 1/3 of the year. Studies show that for every thunderstorm day, there are approximately 2 lightning strikes per square mile. Strikes can carry

• voltage in excess of 1,000,000 volts, and
• thousands of amps of current.

If lightning strikes an unprotected home, the risks include

• fire and
• damaged electrical equipment

Switching Spikes

Appliances such as

• refrigerators
• furnaces
• vacuum cleaners
• washing machines and
• electric hand tools.

These spikes are significantly smaller than lighting strikes, but occur more frequently.

Over a period of time the small but continuously occurring spikes will slowly wear out electronic equipment.

Low Voltage

Typically caused by fault conditions in motors.

Signs of low voltage damage include the smell of

• burnt insulation and
• wiring.

Low voltage can cause an electrical motor to slowly burn up.