If lightning strikes an unprotected home, the risks include fire and damaged electrical equipment Switching Spikes Appliances such as refrigerators furnaces vacuum cleaners washing machines and electric hand tools. These spikes are significantly smaller than lighting strikes, but occur more frequently. Over a period of time the small but continuously occurring spikes will slowly wear out electronic equipment. Low Voltage Typically caused by fault conditions in motors. Signs of low voltage damage include the smell of burnt insulation and wiring.
Low voltage can cause an electrical motor to slowly burn up.
The following topics provide more information on electric power in the home.