What causes electrical fires in homes?
What causes electrical fires in homes?
The National Fire Protection Association notes that faulty or damaged wiring and related electrical equipment cause 69 percent of electrical fires, followed by lamps, light fixtures, cords, plugs, transformers and other power supplies. When looking for potential fire hazards in your home, always be sure to consult with a professional.
The National Fire Protection Association notes that faulty or damaged wiring and related electrical equipment cause 69 percent of electrical fires, followed by lamps, light fixtures, cords, plugs, transformers and other power supplies. When looking for potential fire hazards in your home, always be sure to consult with a professional.
How can consumers help protect themselves from electricity-related injuries?
How can consumers help protect themselves from electricity-related injuries?
- Consumers should check for problems in their home electrical systems.
- Check outlets and extension cords to make sure they aren’t overloaded.
- Examine electrical cords to make sure they aren’t frayed, damaged or placed under rugs or carpets.
- Make sure that the proper wattage light bulbs are being used in light fixtures and lamps.
- Consider installing ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI’s)
- Consumers should always follow appropriate safety precautions and manufacturer’s instructions.
When do you need a dedicated circuit?
When do you need a dedicated circuit?
Dedicated circuits help protect your appliances, your family, and your home. Appliances without a dedicated circuit may draw more current than the circuit can handle, tripping breakers, blowing fuses, and overheating wire insulation causing breakdown and the possibility of electrical fires. However, installing dedicated circuits doesn’t guarantee safety—if your appliance is inaccurately wired to a dedicated circuit with incorrect wire size and insufficient amperage, the appliance could get overheated—possibly resulting in an electrical fire!
Dedicated circuits help protect your appliances, your family, and your home. Appliances without a dedicated circuit may draw more current than the circuit can handle, tripping breakers, blowing fuses, and overheating wire insulation causing breakdown and the possibility of electrical fires. However, installing dedicated circuits doesn’t guarantee safety—if your appliance is inaccurately wired to a dedicated circuit with incorrect wire size and insufficient amperage, the appliance could get overheated—possibly resulting in an electrical fire!
If you have an old house with old wiring, how do you know if repairs are necessary? How extensive and costly can such repairs be?
If you have an old house with old wiring, how do you know if repairs are necessary? How extensive and costly can such repairs be?
Electrical systems age and can become overloaded, particularly in older homes. Over the years as more lighting, appliances and equipment are added, the electrical system becomes overburdened and problems can develop. If fuses blow or circuit breakers protecting branch circuits trip frequently, new branch circuits or other repairs may be necessary. Depending on the condition of the equipment and the extent of the repairs, the cost may be nominal or could run into several thousand dollars. A qualified licensed electrician can determine if repairs are necessary and can estimate the cost.
Electrical systems age and can become overloaded, particularly in older homes. Over the years as more lighting, appliances and equipment are added, the electrical system becomes overburdened and problems can develop. If fuses blow or circuit breakers protecting branch circuits trip frequently, new branch circuits or other repairs may be necessary. Depending on the condition of the equipment and the extent of the repairs, the cost may be nominal or could run into several thousand dollars. A qualified licensed electrician can determine if repairs are necessary and can estimate the cost.
What is a GFCI?
What is a GFCI?
A ground fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI, is an electronic device for protecting people from serious injury due to electric shock.
A ground fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI, is an electronic device for protecting people from serious injury due to electric shock.
How does the GFCI work?
How does the GFCI work?
GFCIs constantly monitor electricity flowing in a circuit. If the electricity flowing into the circuit differs by even a slight amount from that returning, the GFCI will quickly shut off the current flowing through that circuit. The advantage of using GFCIs Is that they can detect even small variations in the amount of leakage current, even amounts too small to activate a fuse or circuit breaker. GFCIs work quickly, so they can help protect consumers from severe electric shocks and electrocution.
GFCIs constantly monitor electricity flowing in a circuit. If the electricity flowing into the circuit differs by even a slight amount from that returning, the GFCI will quickly shut off the current flowing through that circuit. The advantage of using GFCIs Is that they can detect even small variations in the amount of leakage current, even amounts too small to activate a fuse or circuit breaker. GFCIs work quickly, so they can help protect consumers from severe electric shocks and electrocution.
Can I get more power from an outlet when I use a power strip?
Can I get more power from an outlet when I use a power strip?
No, they do not provide more power, but do provide more access to the same circuit. It is important to remember to not overload power strips and surge suppressors, or you might overload the circuit.
No, they do not provide more power, but do provide more access to the same circuit. It is important to remember to not overload power strips and surge suppressors, or you might overload the circuit.
What size extension cords should a consumer use? How can you tell if an extension cord is appropriate for the intended use?
What size extension cords should a consumer use? How can you tell if an extension cord is appropriate for the intended use?
Before purchasing an extension cord, consumers should consider how the cord will be used. Make sure the rating on the cord is the same as or higher than the number of watts needed by the product that will be plugged into the cord. Extension cords should never be used as a substitute for permanent wiring.
Before purchasing an extension cord, consumers should consider how the cord will be used. Make sure the rating on the cord is the same as or higher than the number of watts needed by the product that will be plugged into the cord. Extension cords should never be used as a substitute for permanent wiring.
What should I do with cracked, frayed or damaged electrical cords?
What should I do with cracked, frayed or damaged electrical cords?
Have cracked, frayed and damaged cords, clearly label them as “damaged and electrically unsafe,” and discard them. We recommend cutting the cord to make sure “scavengers” don’t find the item and take the hazard with them.
Have cracked, frayed and damaged cords, clearly label them as “damaged and electrically unsafe,” and discard them. We recommend cutting the cord to make sure “scavengers” don’t find the item and take the hazard with them.
Is it ok to run power cords under rugs or furniture?
Is it ok to run power cords under rugs or furniture?
Never run power cords across traffic paths or under rugs and furniture. Cords need ventilation to prevent heat buildup, which could cause a fire.
Never run power cords across traffic paths or under rugs and furniture. Cords need ventilation to prevent heat buildup, which could cause a fire.
Can I nail a cord to a wall?
Can I nail a cord to a wall?
Never tack or nail an electrical cord to any surface.
Never tack or nail an electrical cord to any surface.
How long can I use extension cords?
How long can I use extension cords?
Never use extension cords on a continuous basis. Remember that they are only temporary solutions. Unplug and safely store them after every use.
Never use extension cords on a continuous basis. Remember that they are only temporary solutions. Unplug and safely store them after every use.
Why should I not use halogen lamps?
Why should I not use halogen lamps?
Halogen desk and floor lamps are fire risks. They should be replaced with lamps that use cooler burning and more efficient fluorescent bulbs.
Halogen desk and floor lamps are fire risks. They should be replaced with lamps that use cooler burning and more efficient fluorescent bulbs.
If an appliance continues to blow a fuse or trip a circuit breaker, what should I do?
If an appliance continues to blow a fuse or trip a circuit breaker, what should I do?
Appliances that repeatedly blow fuses or trip circuit breakers should be unplugged and repaired or replaced. In addition, appliances that create shocks should also be unplugged and repaired or replaced.
Appliances that repeatedly blow fuses or trip circuit breakers should be unplugged and repaired or replaced. In addition, appliances that create shocks should also be unplugged and repaired or replaced.
Are there any benefits to using circuit breakers instead of fuses?
Are there any benefits to using circuit breakers instead of fuses?
The main difference between circuit breakers and fuses is that circuit breakers can be reset while fuses operate only once and then must be replaced. If your breakers or fuses trip repeatedly, call an electrician because you may be have a problem with your electrical system.
The main difference between circuit breakers and fuses is that circuit breakers can be reset while fuses operate only once and then must be replaced. If your breakers or fuses trip repeatedly, call an electrician because you may be have a problem with your electrical system.
Top 6 Benefits of Using Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights
Top 6 Benefits of Using Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights
1. They save you money on your electric bill
1. They save you money on your electric bill
2. Convenient lighting when you need it
2. Convenient lighting when you need it
3. They’re an easy crime deterrent
3. They’re an easy crime deterrent
4. They make it easy to illuminate areas that are otherwise inconvenient
4. They make it easy to illuminate areas that are otherwise inconvenient
5. The hands-free operation comes in really hand when your hands are full
5. The hands-free operation comes in really hand when your hands are full
6. They can scare off unwanted visitors to your yard
6. They can scare off unwanted visitors to your yard