Electrician Network Bay Harbor

  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,...

  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...

  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...

  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 ele...

  Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) were first introduced in the bathrooms of homes as required by the 1975 edition of the National Electrical Code. Prior to 1975, only outdoor receptacles and receptacles near swimming pools require GFCI protection. Since then, GFCI requirements grew as in-home electricity use and the amount of potential contact with water and electricity in homes increase.  In the ten years between 1971 and 1980, there was an estimated average of 1,101 electrocutions in the United States, including 491 consumer product electrocutions every year. As GFCI requirements expanded, the number of electrocutions dropped significantly. Between 2011 and 2022, there was an estimated average of 246 electrocutions and year, including 41 consumer product electrocutions.  GFCI Facts 80% drop in electrocutions since the introduction of GFCI protection in bathrooms in 1975 93% drop in consumer product electrocutions between 1975 and 2020 Since 1978, the median yea...

  Roughly 3,300 home fires originate in extension cords each year, killing 50 people and injuring 270 more. Extension cords can overheat and cause fires when used improperly, so keep these important tips in mind to protect your home and workplace. Don’t attempt to plug extension cords into one another Make sure extension cords are properly rated for their intended use, indoor or outdoor, and meet or exceed the power needs of the device being used Keep all outdoor extension cords clear of snow and standing water Do NOT overload extension cords Heavy reliance on extension cords is an indication that you have too few outlets to address your needs. Have additional outlets installed where you need them Inspect cords for damage before use. Check for cracked or frayed sockets, loose or bare wires, and loose connections Do NOT nail or staple extension cords to walls or baseboards Do NOT run extension cords through walls, doorways, ceilings, or floors. If a cord is covered, heat canno...

  According to the National Fire Protection Association, 47,700 home fires in the U.S. are caused by electrical failures or malfunctions each year. These fires result in 418 deaths, 1,570 injuries, and $1.4 billion in property damage. Overloaded electrical circuits are a major cause of residential fires. Help lower your risk of electrical fires by not overloading your electrical system. Overloaded circuit warning signs Flickering, blinking, or dimming lights Frequently tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses Warm or discolored wall plates Cracking, sizzling, or buzzing from receptacles Burning odor coming from receptacles or wall switches Mild shock or tingle from appliances, receptacles, or switches How to prevent electrical overloads Never use extension cords or multi-outlet converters for appliances All major appliances should be plugged directly into a wall receptacle outlet. Only plug one heat producing appliance into a receptacle outlet at a time A heavy reliance on extension...