Yes, getting a power surge protector for your refrigerator is a good idea. Here are a few reasons why: Protection Against Surges: Power surges can occur due to lightning strikes, power outages, or fluctuations in the electrical grid. These surges can damage the sensitive electronics in your refrigerator.
Yes, it is extremely likely for surges to inflict partial damage. The circuit board is the most sensitive component on most appliances, therefore it is the first to go out in a surge. The compressor on a fridge would be much more robust, therefore requiring a much larger surge to destroy it.
A surge protector is designed to protect any device with a standard AC plug from potentially damaging and disruptive power surges, voltage spikes and line noise transferred through an electrical outlet. Think of a surge protector like an insurance policy.
Prepare in Advance: Freeze containers of water, gel packs, or ice packs ahead of time. Placing these in the fridge and freezer can help maintain lower temperatures during a power outage. Keep Food Together: If you know a power outage is imminent, group refrigerated and frozen foods together.
As the USDA notes in Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency, your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to 4 hours during a power outage. Keep the door closed as much as possible. Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers after 4 hours without power.
Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
UPS is an ideal choice for sensitive electronics and computers, as it protects them from power surges and also prevents data loss in computers due to sudden power outages.
Why won't my refrigerator work after a power outage? It may be due to a tripped circuit breaker, a power surge, or internal damage.
Homeowners insurance may cover damage to your home and belongings caused by a power surge, up to your policy's limits. Whether or not the damage is covered may vary based on what caused the surge.
Unplug appliances with electronic components, such as microwaves, televisions and computers. This will help to eliminate damage to your appliances from voltage surges when the electricity is restored. Wait a few minutes before turning on these appliances when the electricity is restored.
Surge Protector with a Refrigerator
The compressor is sensitive to temperature and current overloads and will shut itself down with a power surge. It will also restart itself. A surge protector will override this system.
All home appliances are vulnerable to power surges and sudden spikes in electrical current. However, the impact of these surges varies significantly depending on the appliance's design and functionality.
We picked our top choice, the Anker 351, thanks to its incredible size, the diversity of its outlets, and its relatively low cost. If you're looking for something cheaper and perhaps a bit more compact, you can also check out our budget pick, the One Beat surge protector.
When using UPS and surge protectors for PCs and devices, especially when using them both at the same time, there are some important safety tips to keep in mind: Don't plug a surge protector into a UPS outlet.
While surge protectors can significantly reduce the risk of electrical damage, they don't eliminate it entirely. It's important to understand how surge protection relates to your home insurance policy. Most standard homeowners insurance policies cover damage from lightning strikes and power surges to some extent.
Large appliances such as refrigerators require lots of power and cycle on and off frequently, which may easily overload a power strip. Those devices should be plugged right into the wall outlet solely dedicated to powering the household appliance.
Refrigerators, air conditioners and other appliances can cause surges when they're switched on. This type of problem happens most often when your home has faulty wiring. Tripped circuit breakers and short circuits can also create spikes in current. This kind of internal surge is powerful enough to cause damage.
We strongly recommend that an extension cord not be used with any Refrigeration appliances (Refrigerator, Freezer, Compact Refrigerator, Ice Machine, Beverage Center, etcetera) due to the potential safety hazards under certain conditions.
Safety of Specific Food Products
Hard cheese, butter and margarine: Well packaged products should remain safe; if odors or mold develops, discard the items. Milk products and mayonnaise: Discard if held above 40ºF for more than 2 hours. This category includes milk, cream, yogurt, and soft cheeses.
Refrigerated foods that can be held at temperatures above 40ºF until power returns include: hard cheeses, butter, margarine, fresh fruits, fruit juice, fresh unpeeled vegetables, salad dressing, ketchup, mustard, olives, pickles, jams, jellies and peanut butter.
To reduce Salmonella growth, eggs gathered from laying hens should be refrigerated as soon as possible. After eggs are refrigerated, they need to stay that way. A cold egg left out at room temperature can sweat, facilitating the movement of bacteria into the egg.