Power Outage Damage Explained: Which Devices It Can & Can’t Ruin
There’s something even more inconvenient than a power outage itself.
It’s the fact that it’s unpredictable, and almost by definition! And let’s accept it: we’re not getting rid of outages anytime soon.
Even (or especially) in our digitally driven world, a power outage can hinder our daily lives in loads of ways. Beside our losing productivity and security, such an event can put sensitive electrical appliances at risk.
Before dealing with questions like “can a power outage damage a pc or router,” let’s just add that some modern electronic devices have safeguards built into them. This helps them to stay protected from sudden outages or power surges.
Even so, there are safety measures that can at least bring down the risk of damage or data loss, if we can’t totally eliminate it.
Can Power Outages Damage Appliances?

Yes, power outages can damage electronics, and very easily at that. In fact, the main problem with power outages occurs not when the power goes out, but when the grid restores power.
From the no-voltage condition of an outage, power restoration is a sudden reversal.
It causes a voltage spike or surge that overflows the circuits of all appliances just for a short time. Frequent power outages and corresponding surges are even more damaging.
Think of an appliance that normally runs at a voltage range of 220-240 volts. A sudden power surge can result in thousands of volts rushing through the circuit. Imagine your laptop or smartphone getting one such forceful jolt in the heart. Such an overload can ruin even a resilient device, not to mention sensitive components.
Melting of metal or plastic components in a device from overloading is not unusual either. In some scenarios, even scorch marks on the damaged appliances from power surges were reported.
But even if the device does not fry immediately, the surge can shorten its lifespan.
That means the damage keeps adding up every time this happens — which spells a slow and silent death for the device.
Extreme power surges can happen during a lightning strike or a transformer malfunction. But power surges from lightning strikes are extremely rare. At times, internal surges can happen because one circuit drew too much power or because there was some faulty wiring. However, the external ones are more damaging.
One more thing. The main power lines are not the only pathway for power surges. It can happen through signal lines, phone lines, and data network wiring. Worst-case scenario — a power surge entering through one of these lines and damaging all connected sub-equipment.
So, every entry point of your sensitive equipment needs protection. If the device has an inbuilt surge protector or you have installed a whole-house surge protector, that’s great.
If not, the best option is to unplug all devices and reconnect a few minutes after the power is back. Now, if you think this solution doesn’t sound very practical, you’re probably right. Still, this tried-and-true protective action can save you from costly repairs or from buying an entirely new device.
(More on what to do before and post-outage in this article!)
For example, a burnt-out compressor in an AC unit can end up requiring a complete replacement of the unit.
During one such incident in Byron Bay, a household suffered mind-boggling power surge damages amounting to over $100,000. From within, the experience was rather frightening to put it mildly. “My daughter was inside, we’ve got a big washing machine and it just started smoking, a big noise, and she started screaming,” one of the household members recounted later.
Unplugging devices has one caveat though.
If the device remains connected to another cable line, unplugging it is not the best option. Remember, that the plug is the only grounding connection for the device and unplugging it removes that. In case a surge flows in through secondary cables, it might be a safety risk.
What Electronic Components Do Power Outages Damage?
To understand what devices a power outage can damage, let’s classify the appliances into two main categories.
Motor-Driven & Heating Appliances

These devices include things like pumps, motors, heating and cooling appliances, washers, etc.
In case you have an older device with mechanical controls, the risk of surge damage due to a power outage is lower.
Logically, the more electronic controls and programmable bells and whistles a device has, the greater the risk. Typically, electronic components are more sensitive to surges unless they have some form of built-in protection.
But it isn’t just about the number of features either. The risk shoots up with longer exposure too. For example, some appliances like refrigerators are hooked up all the time, so the risk of damage is higher. Unplugging them after an outage is the safe option.
In case you only need the device from time to time, the risk is low.
But that’s not the end to possible complications. Consider a submersible pump being used in a home. In case of a surge, there can be a dual challenge.
The first one is protecting the pump motor (assuming it does not have built-in protection).
The second is protecting the house from the surge flowing in through the line powering the pump. In such cases, using a whole-house surge protector can be a better option.
Here is a quick look at the effects of a power outage on some such appliances in a home.
- Power outages can damage your air conditioner if it is without built-in surge protection. In AC units, sensitive components like the compressor or capacitor can get damaged by voltage overflow. Overheating of the circuit board from the excess current can also cause damage. Likewise, healing appliances like a furnace unit can also get damaged.
- Your fridge can get damaged from a power outage too; especially the most sensitive component – the control board. The surge can also damage the windings inside the compressor. Also, the electrical connections of the ice maker can get damaged.
- Power surges can damage the control module, capacitor and motor of a washer and also in a blender.
What About Electronic Devices?
When it comes to electronic devices, here is a common question – do power outages damage our PCs?
The answer, again, is yes, a sudden power outage can damage a computer. Any device based on an operating system requires a proper shutdown procedure to file corruption and hard disc damage.
Granted, we often go for force shutdowns — those annoying moments when the PC freezes up — but that does not mean it’s healthy for the hard disc. That is why a UPS system or a backup battery is used to reduce the risk of damage.
Even if the computer survives the sudden shutdown, it must be able to cope with the power surge when the supply resumes. Such an overflow of voltage is more than enough to damage your motherboard in a split second! So the best way to protect your PC is by using a top of the line surge protector.
(But even if you can’t afford top quality, any protector beats having none at all.)
It’s not just about complexity either. In theory, even a small fluorescent lamp with an electronic circuit can be damaged by a power surge. Unplugging such single-link devices is the easiest option. However, as we discussed, most devices are connected in multiple ways, which can complicate your life further.
Let’s take a look at some common electronic devices to understand how they can handle a power surge happening after an outage.
- A sudden voltage spike can damage the motherboard, processor, or power supply of a computer. Even if no damage is obvious, you’ll want to check your hard drive and the data stored on it. Data corruption isn’t unheard of in such cases! If the damage is subtle, it may “only” cause your PC to perform a bit worse or slower. Besides, the peripherals and networking equipment connected to the unit can also get damaged.
- Smaller devices like routers and modems are vulnerable to a power surge. So if you have a surge protector, make sure to plug those in too.
- A smartphone can get wrecked too, but only if it’s charging during the surge. Another reason to always unplug right after it hits 100%!
- TV sets can get damaged from power surges too. If you find the TV smelling funny and not starting up, a burnt circuit from the surge can be the reason.
- Sensitive electronics in security systems can get damaged by power surges. Even if nothing dramatic happens at once, tiny damages from several consecutive surges can wear down the device, reducing its life span. Down-the-line devices like surveillance cameras and electronic locks can also be affected. To add insult to injury, such a thing would leave your home vulnerable to other threats too.
- The effect of power surges on medical devices is similar – they can overheat and stop working. If you run such a device at home, keep in mind that damage to the electronics can also result in false readings! So make sure to double-check before you get alarmed.
- Gamers beware! Gaming consoles like PlayStation 4 (PS4) are vulnerable to split-second power surges.
Power Outage Damage: FAQs
What is the power surge?
A power surge is a situation when an appliance gets a voltage much higher than it was designed for. Surges can be small or big and can occur due to external or internal reasons. The former being power coming back after an outage!
How long can a power surge last?
A typical power surge lasts for a few milliseconds. But the fact it’s so short doesn’t mean it can’t do enough damage. Quite the contrary!
How to stop a power surge?
Power surges caused by external factors can’t be stopped as they are beyond your control. However, you can take care in advance to safeguard your home appliances. Using surge protectors is the best way to prevent damage.
Does homeowners insurance cover appliances damaged by power outages?
If your homeowner’s insurance policy covers damage from accidents, you could be eligible for compensation for any appliance damaged by sudden voltage fluctuations. For that, you will need to prove your device ownership and provide assessment reports of each damaged device from a qualified technician.