Power-related issues continue to be one of the most common underlying causes of smart home system instability, yet they are often misattributed to control platforms, networking equipment, or individual devices. In a recent CE Pro interview, Chad Russell, director of residential sales at SurgeX, part of AMETEK, explained why power must be treated as foundational infrastructure rather than a secondary add-on.
According to Russell, many residential technology racks are still designed with insufficient electrical planning. Integrators frequently inherit 15-amp circuits without fully accounting for total rack draw, future expansion, or high-demand usage scenarios. While systems may perform adequately during normal daily operation, problems often emerge when homes shift into higher-load conditions, such as entertaining or whole-home automation use.
Voltage sags, rather than dramatic surge events, are a primary contributor to these failures. As modern homes rely on always-on networks, lighting control, security, and automation systems, even brief power inconsistencies can trigger reboots, lockups, or system-wide instability. These issues often lead to repeated service calls that erode integrator profitability and damage client confidence.
SurgeX’s approach centers on addressing power challenges holistically. Surge elimination technology is designed to stop harmful electrical disturbances before they reach sensitive electronics, while scalable uninterruptible power supply solutions help stabilize voltage and maintain uptime during fluctuations or outages. Equally important is the ability to collect and analyze power data over time.
Power monitoring and analytics allow integrators to identify problem areas, validate design decisions, and demonstrate why certain parts of a home operate reliably while others do not. By replacing assumptions with measurable data, integrators can position power management as a strategic investment rather than an insurance policy.
As residential systems grow more complex, Russell emphasized that power planning and monitoring must evolve alongside control and networking design to support long-term reliability and client satisfaction.
