What Causes Power Surges in Texas Homes?

What Causes Power Surges in Texas Homes?

If your lights flicker or your appliances suddenly shut off, you might be experiencing a power surge. And here in Texas, where storms, grid stress, and HVAC demand are high, surges are more common than many homeowners realize.

At Tradesmen’s Pride, our licensed electricians in Flower Mound, Lewisville, and surrounding DFW areas often help homeowners troubleshoot surge damage and prevent future risks. Here’s what every homeowner should know.

What Is a Power Surge?

A power surge is a sudden spike in electrical voltage. It typically lasts just milliseconds, but that’s enough to damage sensitive electronics, fry appliances, or even spark a fire.

Most Texas homes operate on 120-volt power. A surge can raise that voltage significantly above safe levels, pushing too much electricity through your system and overwhelming outlets, wiring, and devices.

What Causes Power Surges in Texas?

Here are the most common sources we see in North Texas homes:

1. Lightning Strikes

Even when lightning doesn’t strike your home directly, a nearby hit can send a voltage spike through the power lines. These types of surges are rare, but severe.

2. Grid Switching & Power Restoration

Power outages are often followed by brief surges as electricity is restored. During high-demand seasons like summer in Frisco or Highland Village, surges can be more frequent when the grid is unstable.

3. HVAC & Large Appliance Cycling

When your A/C, fridge, or washer kicks on, it briefly draws a lot of power. This internal surge can cause minor flickers or interfere with other devices on the circuit, especially in older homes.

4. Faulty Wiring or Outdated Panels

Homes built before the 1990s in areas like Lewisville or Frisco may not have wiring rated for today’s electrical load. Loose connections or overloaded circuits can create frequent mini-surges.

5. Too Many Electronics on One Circuit

Power strips and outlet extenders can give a false sense of safety. Overloading a single circuit, especially in older homes without upgraded electrical panels, can result in voltage fluctuations or full surges.

How to Tell If a Surge Has Happened

Here are common signs:

• Your microwave or oven clock resets unexpectedly
• Lights flicker or dim, especially when appliances kick on
• Electronics stop working or need to be reset
• You smell burning plastic or hear popping sounds near outlets
• Devices or surge protectors feel unusually warm

If you’ve noticed any of the above, it’s worth having your system evaluated.

How to Protect Your Home from Surges

Flower Mound homeowners have a few key options to protect their homes:

Whole-Home Surge Protection

Installed at your electrical panel by a licensed electrician, this device blocks voltage spikes before they reach outlets or devices. It’s a smart upgrade we recommend for every home—especially if you’re investing in other smart home upgrades in Lewisville or Frisco.

Surge Protector Power Strips

Not all power strips offer surge protection. Look for those labeled with joule ratings and replace them every 3–5 years. Great for TVs, computers, and entertainment centers.

Upgrade Outdated Panels or Wiring

If your home hasn’t had an electrical inspection in the past 10 years, we recommend getting one, especially if it was built before the 1980s. Outdated systems are more prone to surge-related damage.

Schedule a Home Electrical Safety Check

Regular inspections can catch worn outlets, overloading issues, or panel concerns early. This is especially important for homes in high-growth areas like Flower Mound or Highland Village, where electrical needs may have changed.

Need Help from a Local Electrician?

Whether you’re worried about flickering lights or want to invest in surge protection, our team at Tradesmen’s Pride is here to help. We proudly serve Flower Mound, Southlake, Highland Village, Frisco, and surrounding neighborhoods.

Call us today to schedule a home safety check or to learn more about upgrading your panel or installing whole-home surge protection.