Electrical System & Safety tips:

Electricity is an essential part of our lives. However, it has the potential to cause great harm. Electrical systems will function almost indefinitely if properly installed and not overloaded or physically abused. Electrical fires in our homes claim the lives of 485 Americans each year and injure 2,305 more. Some of these fires are caused by electrical system failures and appliance defects, but many more are caused by the misuse and poor maintenance of electrical appliances, incorrectly installed wiring, and overloaded circuits and extension cords.

 

	It is ALWAYS recommended to have a qualified Electrician perform any repairs or modifications to any electrical system or related component.
	Find and correct overloaded circuits.
	Never place extension cords under rugs.
	Outlets near water should be GFCI type outlets.
	Don't allow trees near power lines to be climbed.
	Keep ladders, kites, equipment and anything else away from overhead power lines.

 

 

Electrical Panels:

 

Electricity enters the home through a control panel and a main switch where one can shut off all the power in an emergency. These panels are usually in the basement. Control panels use either fuses or circuit breakers. Install the correct fuses for the panel. Never use a greater numbered fuse or a metallic item such as a penny. If fuses are used and there is a stoppage in power, look for the broken metal strip in the top of a blown fuse. Replace the fuse with a new one marked with the correct amperage. Reset circuit breakers from off to on. Be sure to check why the fuse or circuit blew. Possible causes are frayed wires, overloaded outlets or defective appliances. Never overload a circuit with high wattage appliances. Check the wattage on appliance labels. If there is frayed insulation or a broken wire, a dangerous short circuit may result and cause a fire. If power stoppages continue or if a frayed or broken wire is found, contact an electrician.

 

Circuit Breakers:

	Circuit breakers protect the electrical wiring and equipment in your home. They are heavy-duty switches that serve the same purpose as fuses. When a circuit is carrying more current than is safe, the breaker switches to RESET. On most breakers, the switch has to be pushed to OFF and then to ON after the circuit trips.
	“Exercise” your circuit breakers at least once a year by switching the breakers OFF and then back ON again by hand. If a breaker is frozen in the ON position, it will not trip when needed. By exercising your circuit breakers, you can verify their mechanical parts move freely. Have a professional electrician replace any circuit breaker that does not switch OFF and ON properly.

 

GFCI and AFCI:

As new technology brings us new tools to make our lives easier, it also provides new devices to keep us safer in our homes. GFCI protected electrical receptacles and AFCI protection are little technological wonders. They are outlets or circuit breakers that contain some extra specialized and micro-miniaturized electrical circuits that can detect the specific, characteristic signs of household electrical current that are present when certain dangerous situations occur. When the detect such conditions, they automatically shut down the electricity, providing an extra layer of safety and, possibly saving a life in the process. Regular circuit breakers are designed to protect the house's electrical system, not the house's inhabitants! The amount of electricity that is needed to kill a human being is thousands of times less than the amount that will 'trip' a regular circuit breaker. Please read the explanations below and check out the web page links that re highlighted.

 

GFCI Electrical Outlets:

GFCI Electrical Outlets - A GFCI outlet (GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt) is a special electrical outlet device that

          provides much greater protection from electrical shock than a standard electrical outlet does. Think of a GFCI outlet as a

          small, ultra sensitive circuit breaker that is built right into the outlet. it should be called an 'Anti-Electrocution Device'. Here's

          how it works.

 

When the amount of electrical current coming out of the 'hot' prong of the outlet (the smaller slot) is just 5/1000 of an amp

           different from the amount of electrical current coming back into the outlet on the 'neutral' prong (the larger one), the outlet will

           trip - shut down the outlet. In such a case, the GFCI outlet senses that it is putting out more electricity than it getting back.

           The only place that this missing electrical current can be going is to another source of ground, which is probably a person.

GFCI outlets are now required to be used anyplace in your house where there is a close proximity to the grounding of a human

           being. Such places are; kitchen counter tops and islands, within 6' of sinks or water sources, bathrooms, unfinished

           basements areas, garages and all outdoor outlets.

 

Please Note: If your house was built before GFCIs were required, local building codes do not necessarily require them, but

          safety does! Going beyond the minimum safety requirements of mere local building codes, to the higher standards of safety,

          is part of what a professional NACHI home inspector does.

AFCI Electrical Outlets:

AFCI Electrical Outlets - An AFCI outlet is much like a GFCI outlet, but it protects against an entirely different potential danger.

           Sometimes, certain types of electrical appliances will be used to convert electricity into heat. Sometimes, these devices will

           also cause heating where the device plugs into the wall. This is called arcing. You sometimes see it when you quickly

           unplug a heating appliance, like a clothing iron, from an outlet while it is switched on.

 

An AFCI protection device will detect any 'arcing' (i.e. sparks, where electricity is being conducted through the air and converted

           to heat (can you say 5,000 degrees!) when you don't want it to) and shut down the outlet before any damage can be done.

 

AFCI protection is now required, by the National Electrical Code, in all sleeping areas, such as bedrooms or dens with fold

          out couches. These are areas where fires could start and catch people who are sleeping or otherwise unable to get out

           quickly, in case of a fire. Newer standards, not yet fully adopted, will require the entire house to have AFCI protection,

           most likely 2008.

 

AFCI protection devices are not found in wall receptacles, but are incorporated into your house's main electrical service

           equipment panel in the form of circuit breakers.

Please Note: Like GFCI outlets, older homes are not usually required by mere local building codes, but they are required by the much higher safety standards used by professional home inspectors.

Outlets and Extension Cords:

 

Make sure all electrical outlets are three-hole, grounded outlets. If there is water in the area, there should be a GFCI or Ground Fault circuit Interrupter outlet. All outdoor outlets should be GFCIs. There should be ample electrical capacity to run equipment without tripping circuit breakers or blowing fuses. Minimize extension cord use. Never place them under rugs. Use extension cords sparingly and check them periodically. Use the proper electrical cord for the job, and put safety plugs in unused outlets.

Electrical Appliances:

 

Appliances need to be treated with respect and care. They need room to breathe. Avoid enclosing them in a cabinet without proper openings and do not store papers around them. Level appliances so they do not tip. Washers and dryers should be checked often. Their movement can put undue stress on electrical connections. If any appliance or device gives off a tingling shock, turn it off, unplug it and have a qualified person correct the problem. Shocks can be fatal. Never insert metal objects into appliances without unplugging them. Check appliances periodically to spot worn or cracked insulation, loose terminals, corroded wires, defective parts and any other components that might not work correctly. Replace these appliances or have them repaired by a person qualified to do so.

 

Electrical Heating Equipment:

 

Portable electrical heating equipment may be used in the home as a supplement to the home heating system. Caution must be taken when using these heating supplements. Keep them away from combustibles and make sure they cannot be tipped over. Keep electrical heating equipment in good working condition. Do not use them in bathrooms because of the risk of contact with water and electrocution. Many people use electric blankets in their homes. They will work well if they are kept in good condition. Look for cracks or breaks in the wiring, plugs and connectors. Look for charred spots on both sides. Many things can cause electric blankets to overheat. They include other bedding placed on top of them, pets sleeping on top of them, and putting things on top of the blanket when it is in use. Folding the blankets can also bend the coils and cause overheating.

 

Children:

 

Electricity is important to the workings of the home, but can be dangerous, especially to children. Electrical safety needs to be taught to children early on. Safety plugs should be inserted in unused outlets when toddlers are in the home. Make sure all outlets in the home have face plates. Teach children not to put things into electrical outlets and not to chew on electrical cords. Keep electrical wiring boxes locked. Do not allow children to come in contact with power lines outside. Never allow them to climb trees near power lines, utility poles or high tension towers.

 

Electricity and Water:

 

A body can act like a lightning rod and carry the current to the ground. People are good conductors of electricity, particularly when standing in water or on a damp floor. A body can act like a lightning rod and carry the current to the ground. Never use any electric appliance in the tub or shower. Never touch an electric cord or appliance with wet hands. Do not use electrical appliances in damp areas or while standing on damp floors. In areas where water is present, use outlets with "ground fault interrupters" or GFICs. Shocks can be fatal.

 

Animal Hazards:

 

Mice and other rodents can chew on electrical wires and damage them. If rodents are suspected or known to be in the home, be aware of the damage they may cause and take measures to get rid of them.

 

Outside Hazards:

 

There are several electrical hazards outside the home. Be aware of overhead and underground power lines. People have been electrocuted when an object they are moving has come in contact with the overhead power lines. Keep ladders, antennas, kites and poles away from power lines leading to the house and other buildings. Do not plant trees, shrubs, or bushes under power lines or near underground power lines. Never build a swimming pool or other structure under the power line leading to your house. Before digging, learn the location of underground power lines.

 

Do not climb power poles or transmission towers. Never let anyone shoot or throw stones at insulators. If you have an animal trapped in a tree or on the roof near electric lines, phone your utility company. Do not take a chance of electrocuting yourself. Be aware of weather conditions when installing and working with electrical appliances. Never use electrical power tools or appliances with rain overhead or water underfoot. Use only outdoor lights, fixtures and extension cords. Plug into outlets with a ground fault interrupter. Downed power lines are extremely dangerous. If you see a downed power line, call the electric company, and warn others away. If a power line hits your car while you are in it, stay inside unless the car catches fire. If the car catches fire, jump clear without touching metal and the ground at the same time.