Kauai’s electrical grid surges affect the life span of our computers, appliances, and other electronic equipment. Power surges can also completely roast the internal electronic parts during a storm or utility fault.

A whole house surge protector installed by a licensed electrician will greatly decrease the risk of power surge destruction.

Blue Sky Electric offers a quality whole panel surge protector for your home or business (parts and labor)

Guarding against surges requires a two-pronged approach: a whole-house suppressor to tame the big, dangerous power spikes and an individual circuit (or “plug-in”) surge suppressor for vulnerable appliances and electronic devices. Both types essentially act like pressure-relief valves. Normally they just sit there, allowing electric current to flow through them. But with higher-than-normal voltage, the devices instantly divert excess voltage to the ground wire. (The best ones react in less than a nanosecond.) As soon as voltage levels return to normal, the flow of electricity is restored, unless the surge was big enough to melt the fuse built into some units.

Typically, whole-house suppressors are hard-wired to the service panel, a process that takes a licensed electrician about two hours. Whole-house systems should be rated to stop a 40,000-amp surge, at minimum. Features to look for include thermal fuses, and lights or alarms that indicate when a device has taken a hit. Protection for an average house with 200-amp service will run about $500 — including a couple of hours of an electrician’s labor. Separate but smaller whole-house units are recommended for the phone and cable lines. These protect fax and answering machines, televisions, and modems.

By themselves, whole-house suppressors can’t stop surges completely; up to 15 percent of excess voltage may leak by. That’s where “plug-in” surge protectors come in. These buffers between individual appliances and wall outlets come in a bewildering array of options and prices. They range from $70 units not much bigger than a computer mouse to $350 units the size of a pizza box that guard all the components in a home theater. But most plug-in models fall into three basic categories: the familiar multi-outlet power strip; the multitasking surge station that can handle phone and cable jacks as well as power cords; and the UPS (uninterruptible power supply), which completely cleanses electric power of random fluctuations and provides a short-term battery backup in case the power dips or goes out entirely. Expect to pay between $20 and $70 for a quality power strip or surge station, and from $100 to $250 for a UPS.

Throughout much of the country, there's always the chance that a winter snowstorm could disrupt your best-laid plans. School can get canceled, and though it's less likely, you might even get the day off of work. But once you're left to your own devices, what do you do with the day?

Snow Day Activities

Suddenly have the day off? Looking to fill some time with the family? Here are a few ideas to help make the most of the opportunity:

The Classics. Since you already owe your day off to the snow, you may as well pay it tribute. Pull the sled out of the garage and find the best hill in town. Grab a friend and build a snowman. Find even more friends for a snowball fight. Flop on the lawn and make a snow angel. You're never too old to enjoy a good snowfall!

Build Snowcastles. Your beach bucket and shovel don't need to wait around in storage until summer. Take them outside and build a kingdom of snowcastles -- if the snow is wet enough.

Make a Rainbow. Fill spray bottles with water and a few drops of food coloring, and let the kids go outside to create their own artwork in the snow. There's no mess, and it's a great way to make the world your canvas.

Bake Cookies. If it's just too cold to be outside, make things warmer inside by whipping up a batch of homemade cookies or your favorite baked treat.

Indoor Snowflakes. Bring that snow day magic indoors by making unique snowflakes out of coffee basket filters. Simply flatten a filter, fold it in half at least three times over and use scissors to cut designs of your choosing. When you're done, unfold the filter and see your symmetrical snowflake!

Do a Good Deed. If the snow has piled up, chances are you know at least one neighbor with a snow-covered sidewalk or driveway. Chip in to keep the neighborhood safe by shoveling it for them.

When the Power Goes Out

Because snow days are called for inclement weather, there's always the possibility that conditions will force a few power lines to the ground. This is an especially serious concern if the storm includes a lot of freezing rain, which can accumulate on power lines and weigh them down.

If the power goes out in your neighborhood, be sure to follow these basic safety tips:

Look carefully for downed power lines. If and when you see one, don't approach it. Call 911 immediately to report the location.

Turn on your local radio and keep your smartphone active for emergency weather alerts. If circumstances are expected to worsen, you'll want to know in advance so you can make additional preparations.

Look after the well being of your neighbors, especially those who are older or disabled. Some homes may be without heat or the ability to cook at home.

Drive with extreme caution if you must go anywhere. A power outage in your area may also mean that nearby traffic lights are disabled, requiring motorists to be exceptionally alert.

If you're lucky enough to get a snow day this winter, make the most of it! And if you're tiring of the disruption, contact your local electricians to inquire about backup generators and other solutions for your home comfort.

The secret of creating a great home entertainment system is designing a layout that fits into your home while keeping hidden as much of the understructure (i.e. the wiring) as possible. To achieve this, some homeowners hire professional electricians to send wires through the walls and ceiling. But people often take on the work as a do-it-yourself hobby. Although this is a much better DIY project than, say, attempting to install a furnace or an air conditioning system on your own (you should never try either), it can sometimes lead to wiring issues that are difficult to diagnose and fix. When problems crop up, it’s best to call in an electrician with knowledge of home entertainment systems to assist you.