Surge Protection: Protecting Your Family

2023-12-28 6 min read

Power surges are a hidden threat to your garage door system. A single surge can destroy your opener's circuit board, leaving you stranded and facing an expensive repair. Here's what Lewisville homeowners need to know about surge protection for garage door systems.

Understanding Power Surges

Power surges are brief spikes in electrical voltage that exceed the normal 120 volts in your home's wiring. They can occur due to:

- Lightning strikes (direct or nearby) - Power grid switching by utility companies, Large appliances cycling on and off, Faulty wiring, Power restoration after outages

How Surges Damage Garage Door Openers

Modern garage door openers contain sensitive electronic components, including: - Logic boards and microprocessors, Safety sensor circuits, WiFi and smart home modules, Motor control systems

A surge can instantly fry these components, often causing damage that isn't covered under warranty. Replacement circuit boards can cost $150-$300, and the damage often isn't apparent until the opener completely fails.

Surge Protection Solutions

Whole-House Surge Protectors Installed at your electrical panel, these devices protect your entire home from surges. They're the first line of defense and can handle large surges from lightning or grid problems. Cost: $200-$500 installed.

Point-of-Use Surge Protectors Plug-in devices that protect individual outlets. For garage door openers, use a heavy-duty surge protector rated for at least 1,000 joules. Cost: $20-$50.

UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) Provides surge protection plus battery backup. This keeps your opener running during brief outages and protects against surges. Cost: $100-$200.

Installation Best Practices

For maximum protection: 1. Install a whole-house surge protector at the main panel 2. Add a point-of-use protector at the garage outlet 3. Ensure proper grounding throughout the electrical system 4. Consider a UPS for openers with smart features

What to Do After a Surge

If you suspect your opener was affected by a surge: 1. Don't repeatedly try to operate the door 2. Check if the outlet has power 3. Look for burned smell or visible damage 4. Test the safety sensors 5. Call a professional for diagnosis

Our Surge Protection Service

Garage Door Lewisville offers surge protection installation as part of our comprehensive garage door services. We can assess your current setup and recommend the right level of protection for your system.

Protect your investment and your family's safety. Contact us for a surge protection consultation today.

Back to Blog