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D.I.Y. Safety Tips

  D.I.Y. Introduction Each year, thousands of people in the United States are critically injured and electrocuted as a result of electrical fires, accidents, electrocution in their own homes. The current economic downturn has inspired more homeowners to tackle do-it-yourself projects than ever before. Faced with declining home values and aging properties, homeowners may choose not to pay for the services of a licensed electrician. However, most do not have the training or experience needed to safely perform home electrical work, increasing the risk of immediate injuries and electrocutions and potentially introducing new dangers into the home. Working with electricity requires thorough planning and extreme care, and cutting corners can be a costly mistake. D.I.Y. Facts and Statistics Spending on home improvements and repairs totaled $275 billion in 2011. There is an estimated average of 70 electrocution fatalities associated with consumer products per year. The most recent data from...
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Extension Cords

  Extension Cords Extension cords are a convenient way to provide power right where you need it when working in or around your home, but they using them improperly can be dangerous – even deadly. Keep safety in mind with these easy tips from ESFI. Extension Cord Safety Tips: Extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis. Make sure extension cords are properly rated for their intended use, indoor or outdoor, and meet or exceed the power needs of the appliance or device being used. Inspect cords for damage before use. Check for cracked or frayed plugs, loose or bare wires, and loose connections. Never use a cord that feels hot or is damaged in any way. Do not run extension cords through walls or ceilings. This may cause the cord to overheat, creating a serious fire hazard. Do not nail or staple electrical cords to walls or baseboards. Make sure that cords are not pinched in doors, windows, or under heavy furniture, which could damage the cord’s insulation. Keep extension c...
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Electrical Outlets and Receptacles

  Electrical Outlets and Receptacles Electrical outlets are the place where you are most likely to interact with your home’s electrical system on a daily basis. Polarized & Grounded Outlets: 1920s – Present Since 1920, most homes have been outfitted with polarized outlets that feature two vertical slots of different sizes. These outlets are designed so that the slot for the neutral wire is wider than the slot for the hot wire, making it difficult to insert an electrical plug the wrong way. When used with a polarized plug, these outlets provide protection by keeping electrical current directed. Grounded outlets have a round hole for the grounding conductor in addition to the two vertical slots. The circle slot is connected to a ground wire. Grounded outlets are required to be installed in all modern homes today. If your home does not have grounded outlets, then your electrical system is likely missing critical safety features. Consult an electrician about updating your home. Tam...
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HOme wiring systems

  Home Wiring System More than 30 million homes, or about one-third of the homes in the United States are at least 50 years old, and studies have shown that the frequency of fires in these aging homes is disproportionately high. Many older homes were built with electrical systems and components which are no longer safe and may be considered as fire hazards. Fire and other electrical safety concerns may arise due to aging, improper installation and alteration, or misuse. It is important to identify what type, color, and size wire is needed in order to properly address hazardous situations before they become critical. Knob & Tube Wiring: 1800s–1930s Knob and tube wiring was designed as an open air system that used ceramic knobs to separate wires from combustible framing. These suspended wires were directed through ceramic tubes to prevent contact with the wood framing and starting a fire. Today, knob and tube wiring is considered a fire hazard because it is not a grounded system,...
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Circuit Breakers

  Circuit Breakers All newer homes are protected by circuit breakers. Unlike a fuse that must be replaced when it blows, a circuit breaker that has “tripped” can be mechanically reset to resume operations once the problem has been resolved. A tripped breaker is likely the result of too many appliances overloading the circuit and should be fixed immediately. Instructions for Resetting a Tripped Breaker: Unplug or turn off appliances in the room. Find your main breaker panel and open the cover. Locate the tripped breaker or blown fuse. A tripped circuit breaker will be in the off position or in a middle position between on and off. To reset the breaker switch it to off position and then back to on. This may restore power to the room. If the problem continues, there may be more serious issues. Contact an electrician to diagnose the problem. Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) AFCIs are new protective devices that replace standard circuit breakers in the electric service panel. AFCI...
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Electrical Service Panel

  Electrical Service Panel Every home has a service panel that distributes electricity to switches, outlets, and appliances. The service panel is usually found in the basement, garage, or utility area. When a short or overload shuts down power to a circuit, this is where you can restore the flow. It is also where you will shut down power to a circuit before starting a project or repair. Fuses and Circuit Breakers All service panels are equipped with fuses or circuit breakers that protect the wires in each circuit from overheating and causing a fire. In general, older service panels use fuses, while more modern systems rely on circuit breakers. Fuses and circuit breakers are safety devices that help prevent overloading of your home electrical system and prevent fires. They stop the electrical current if it exceeds the safe level for some portion of your home electrical system. Fuses Service panels installed before 1965 use fuses to protect each individual circuit. Early fuses were c...
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Understanding Your Home Electrical System

  Electricity plays an essential role in how your home operates. Whether watching TV, powering heating and cooling systems, or charging a cell phone, we rely on our home’s electrical system to provide us with power when and where we need it. By understanding the basics of how electricity is distributed around your home, you can keep this important system properly maintained and in safe working condition: Electricity enters your home through a service head from a series of outdoor power lines or an underground connection. A typical service head consists of two 120-volt wires and one neutral wire that deliver power to lights and appliances around the home. The 120-volt circuits use one phase of the electrical service to power standard home appliances. However, certain larger appliances such as water heaters, electric rangers, or clothes dryers require a 240-volt circuit, which is created using both 120-volt wires and the neutral wire. The electric meter is mounted outdoors where elec...
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