Electrical panels are boxes that house circuit breakers, which are are safety devices that stop the electrical current if it exceeds the safe level for some portion of the home electrical system
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Tag Archives: electric
Selecting the Proper Electrical Extension Cord
You’ve often used an extension cord around the home, but using the wrong type of cord can be dangerous. The U.S. Product Safety Commission found that extension cords are among the most dangerous electrical appliances in our homes because of improper usage. Each year, accidents from extension cords kill around 50 people, result in injuries requiring hospital treatment to 4,000 others and also cause over 3,000 residential fires. Electrical extension cords come in many types and capacities. About.com has a good guide to help you select the proper type, length and gauge for various needs.
Sparking switch or electrical outlet: Is the short in the wiring or something you turned on?
A fuse has blown or a breaker has popped several times. How do you determine if the short circuit is in your wiring or in something that’s turned on or plugged in on the circuit? According to About.com, here’s how to find out:
- Turn off all the lights on the circuit.
- Unplug everything from the outlets.
- Reset the breaker in the electrical service panel.
- If the short is in the house wiring (i.e., outlets or switches), the breaker will trip again immediately.
- If the breaker does not trip, proceed back to the area and turn on each light fixture not plugged into the wall (i.e., fixed lighting).
- If the breaker still has not tripped, the short circuit lies in something you are plugging into the outlet.
- Systematically plug each item into the outlet until you find the faulty appliance or lamp and then have it repaired.