Commercial buildings, not surprisingly, need more than that. Electrical power wiring should never feel warm to the touch, which is an indication that the wire is being overloaded with too much current. Properly loaded power switches should be able to withstand many thousands of cycles. Power Distrubances There are also four other important terms used in defining the various power line disturbances. Spikes Spikes are overvoltage conditions that are typically of much shorter duration, often higher voltage levels.
Spikes are far more frequent than surges.
In addition to coming from radio station transmitters, Radio Frequency Interference is caused by all digital electronic equipment. Typically, RFI does not present a threat to properly grounded computer equipment, however computer equipment can generate RFI and thus interfere with consumer electronic equipment such as radios. There are also two power wiring concepts that are important as well. The first is parallel wiring, the second, series wiring. Parallel wiring is like the string of larger outside Christmas bulbs.