How power outages affect home appliances: Top 5 questions to ask an electrician.

In Ukraine, long-term power outages continue, and with these schedules, the so-called "voltage spikes" have become more pronounced. This negatively impacts household appliances.

"Telegraf" posed five questions (some smart, some not) to Kyiv electrician Alexander to understand why this damages equipment and how to protect it.

Why can equipment burn out during a power outage?

The main issue is voltage spikes. When electricity disappears, the voltage can drop sharply, but this is usually less critical for devices. Restoring power is like a lottery, as the voltage may be unstable.

"When the power supply is restored, the voltage can jump above or below the norm. This means it can even exceed the critical range of 207V to 253V (with 220V being the norm). If the voltage goes beyond these limits, the equipment may start to malfunction or burn out," says the electrician.

Does equipment burn out if the device is turned off but plugged into the outlet?

The risk remains since the device's power supply (even in standby mode) is still connected to the network. A sudden voltage spike can damage capacitors or other components of the power supply.

How can you tell if there are voltage spikes in your apartment?

You can measure the voltage at the moment power is restored after a blackout. One option is a multimeter (a digital or analog device that can accurately measure voltage). Another option is a relay with a display.

"The relay is installed at the power entry point of the apartment and automatically shows the voltage in real time. This is the most convenient and safe method," says Alexander.

Sensitivity to voltage fluctuations.

The most expensive devices are delicate and sensitive, particularly televisions, as their power supplies have limited protection.

"Computers are more protected if connected due to quality power supplies, but a sudden voltage increase can damage the motherboard or hard drive. Monitors are usually less sensitive to spikes but can still be affected by strong fluctuations."

How to protect your apartment

Investing in protection is cheaper than buying a new television or repairing damage after a fire. The electrician recommends a voltage relay (like ZUBR or similar) as a must-have.

"Voltage drops? It switches off. A bigger spike? It switches off. It's like electrical 'insurance,'" says the electrician.

He adds that attention should be given to voltage stabilizers, which smooth out spikes and "dampen" excess voltage. However, there is a nuance: they are not all equally fast. It's better to choose one with an accuracy of 5% and a power reserve (25-30% more than your total consumption).

UPS (uninterruptible power supplies) switch to battery and allow for a proper shutdown if the power goes out suddenly. However, this will not be sufficient for a refrigerator or washing machine.

Power strips are basic protection. They mitigate peak spikes but will not protect against serious voltage fluctuations.

Previously, "Telegraf" discussed how to prepare a laptop for power outages.