40. How to Stop Panama’s Power System from Ruining Your Stuff

the operation expat blog

How to Stop Panama's Power from Ruining Your Stuff

Surge protectors aren't enough. Here's what I learned the hard way about brownouts, voltage regulators, and keeping your appliances alive in Panama.

One of the most frustrating things about Panama is how fast everything seems to break. This blog post will help you keep your appliances and devices safe.

Before moving to Panama, I listened to the advice in the expat groups, and one thing kept coming up—surge protectors. So, when I was building my house, I made sure a whole-house one was included in the bid.

After we moved in, I also used surge protectors on my fridge and most of my devices. I thought this was enough.

Anytime the power flickered, I noticed that the power to my fridge was immediately shut off, then restored a few minutes later. Although I didn't know why it did this, I figured this delay was somehow a good thing.

As time went on, something started nagging at me—my air conditioners weren't doing the same thing as my fridge.

When the power fluctuated while they were running, they'd just flicker and struggle to keep going. This didn't seem right given that we had a whole house surge protector...so I just assumed my gut didn't know what it was talking about.

Until one particularly bad electrical day, I decided to listen and do some R&D.

Despite my solid effort, it turns out I was NOT adequately protecting my ACs (NOTE FROM MY GUT: When, oh when, will you stop questioning me???). 🤦‍♀️

While my whole house surge protector was doing exactly what it was supposed to—blocking power surges—it wasn't doing a thing about power brownouts, the frequent low-voltage drops that strain motors and compressors.

Turns out, I needed voltage regulators for my AC units.

Before moving to Panama, this topic was completely foreign to me. Not one of the many people who worked on my house ever explained this to me, hence I'm writing this blog.

In Panama, it's extremely important to understand this topic—but that doesn't mean people know about it. Self-reliance is mandatory here, so I hope to fill in any gaps in knowledge you might have!

What Causes Surges & Brownouts in Panama?

Panama's power grid isn't exactly the picture of stability.

Power surges often happen during storms, when lightning strikes power lines or transformers, sending a sudden jolt of high voltage through the system. They can also be triggered by switching operations at power plants or when large appliances cycle on and off.

Brownouts, on the other hand, are usually caused by overloaded infrastructure—too many homes and businesses pulling power at once, especially in peak hours. They can also happen when aging power lines or transformers struggle to keep up with demand.

Regardless of the cause, both surges and brownouts are a reality here and they wreak havoc on your appliances if you don't have the right protection in place.

Why You Need Surge Protectors AND Voltage Regulators

Panama's power is very unpredictable and power surges and brownouts are common occurrences.

A power surge happens when voltage spikes. It can fry electronics in an instant. Surge protectors stop high voltage from frying your devices—like a seatbelt that protects against a sudden impact (a voltage spike).

A brownout is a drop in voltage. Over time, it weakens motors in appliances like fridges, ACs, and washing machines. Voltage regulators adjust voltage when it drops too low or surges too high—like shock absorbers that smooth out rough power fluctuations to keep your appliances from taking damage over time.

One doesn't replace the other. You need both.

What You Should Use (And Where)

For Computers, TVs & Small Electronics

Use a high-quality surge protector with multiple outlets. Look for one with a high Joule rating (the higher, the better) and a low clamping voltage (reacts faster).

My pick: Tripp Lite 10-Outlet Surge Protector →

For Refrigerators & Freezers

Fridges are workhorses, and brownouts can destroy their compressors. Use a voltage regulator with automatic voltage regulation (AVR) to keep the power steady.

My pick: APC LE1200 Voltage Regulator →

For WIRED Air Conditioners

AC units are some of the most vulnerable appliances when voltage drops. You need a dedicated voltage regulator to protect them.

My pick: Voltage Regulator for Air Conditioners →

For Kitchen Appliances & Other Essentials

A combo unit with surge protection and voltage regulation works well for countertop appliances and home office setups.

My pick: Tripp Lite Voltage Regulator & Surge Protector →
Whole-house pick: Bad Wolf Whole House EMP Surge Protector →

Yes, you might be able to find these locally IF you have solid input to ensure you're buying the right thing! Where I live, this isn't really the case so I went with Amazon.

A Few Extra Power Protection Tips

Use separate surge protectors for different appliances. If one fails, it won't take everything else down.
Unplug during storms. Even the best surge protector can't always save you from a lightning strike.
Check your home's wiring. Many older homes in Panama may have unstable electrical systems.
Replace surge protectors every few years. They have a limited lifespan and once they are "used up" they should be replaced. Different brands have different features, but many will have a flashing light or beeping noise to give warning that it is no longer protecting from surges.

Protect Your Home & Devices!

If you're living in Panama, invest some time and money to ensure that everything using electricity in your house is protected from surges AND drops in power. This will help your stuff last much longer!

Already using power protection? Drop a comment and share what's worked for you!

— Operation Expat

The Bigger Story