A bolt of lightning can carry up to 300 million volts and 30,000 amps. If there's a storm around your home, the surge of electricity flooding into your electrical system can destroy vital components and damage some of your most valuable belongings. While you can’t control where the lightning strikes, you can take the following steps to minimize the damage and avoid expensive electrical repairs.

How Lightning Can Damage Your Home

The electrical surge of a lightning strike should trip your home's circuit breakers, preventing serious damage to your wires and service panel, but not before high-voltage current flows into your appliances. When this occurs, appliances and any other electronics plugged in at the time may be permanently ruined. The electricity can also melt power outlets and light fixtures and burn wires, which will likely require professional electrical repairs.

The lightning doesn't have to hit your home directly to trigger damage. Electricity takes the path of least resistance, so it may travel through your plumbing system if lightning hits the ground or a tree in your yard.

How to Protect Your Electrical System From Lightning Damage

Many modern homes contain thousands of dollars in electronics, including TVs, computers, and integrated smart home systems. Unplugging these devices, as well as your appliances, when the lightning starts can protect your valuables. However, this isn’t always feasible, especially for appliances hard-wired into the electrical system.

Plugging your electronics into surge protectors is a better option for protecting against lightning strikes. These devices shut off power as soon as they sense a surge, which can save your valuable electronics. However, they won’t prevent damage to the outlets or other issues that can require electrical repairs.

A whole-house surge protector can keep excess power from entering your house, as long as it enters through the power lines. These devices can protect your electronics, as well as your breaker box, receptacles, and appliances.

If you need electrical repairs due to a lightning storm, contact Stellmach Electric LLC in Cambridge Springs, PA. This company has served homeowners throughout Crawford and Erie counties for over 18 years. In addition to repairing your electrical system, they can also install a generator so that you have a backup power source in an emergency. Visit their website for an overview of their residential services, or call (814) 282-7637 to schedule your repairs today.