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. AFCIs provide enhanced protection against additional fire hazards known as arc faults. An arc fault is a dangerous electrical problem caused by damaged, overheated, or stressed electrical wiring or devices. Without AFCIs, arc faults may be hidden from plain view until it is too late.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Healthy Homes Report listed the absence of AFCIs among the primary residential hazards associated with burns and fire-related injuries.

In fact, these devices are so effective that the National Electrical Code has required that they be used to protect almost every circuit in the home since 2008.

Comments

Home Wiring System

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,...

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters: What if GFCIs Did Not Exist?

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...

Reaching to Safety: Use Extension Cords Properly

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...

Electrician Network Bay Harbor

Search This Blog