10 Things New Homeowners Should Understand About Their Electrical Systems
Did you recently move into a new home? If yes, then you must be experiencing many things for the very first time. For instance, you may not know your way around your home's electrical systems, which can be problematic. Most experts suggest that you contact an Electrician in Vancouver and ask them to look around your home. They can take a look at all the things for you and answer any questions you may have.
Knowing your home inside out is crucial if you want to ensure everything is safe and exactly how it should be. Here are some of the most important things you must ask and know:
What Does A Short Circuit Look Like
New homeowners should have the exact idea of what a short circuit looks like so that they can be attentive if they come across one. A short circuit is a wrong connection between two different nodes with two different voltages. The wrong flow of current causes explosions and fire. It can be a small problem or blow into a big one as short circuits are common for structural fires. Multiple things can result in short circuits. For instance:
· Water gets in contact with electric wiring
· Deteriorated wire casings
· Build Up Of Electrical Currents
· Chewed On Wires
· Loose wire connections
· Bad wire insulation
If you come across a short circuit, the best thing you must do is contact electrician Vancouver and let them take a safety check of all the damage. Moreover, you can check up on some things on your own too. For instance, you can check your outlets and see if they're damaged anyhow. Unplug all the appliances to avoid further damage. You must also reach out to a professional for all the repairs.
2. What Is GFCI?
The Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter is an essential outlet for every homeowner. The design of the outlet prevents you from getting electric shocks. The device automatically shuts off if it comes in contact with something it is not supposed to. For instance, if you have a toddler who likes to explore, such outlets are the best way to keep them away from harm. These outlets are also a great way to prevent outlet fires as they do not respond to other stimuli. In most places, it is installing GFCI outlets is necessary. They are usually placed around areas with water, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
If you are a new homeowner, try your best to ensure that your home has GFCI outlets as they are the safest.
3. What Causes A Circuit Breaker To Trip?
You might have heard several people say that the circuit breaker has tripped when the electrical power goes out, but what is a circuit breaker and how does it trip?
A circuit breaker is a device that can cut off the power in your home if the electric current in unstable. The breaker prevents your wires and circuits from overheating because of the unstable current flow. This further helps prevent fires. There can be multiple reasons that cause electric circuits to break:
Overload Of Current
Overload of current is a very common problem in households. Many of us put a lot of pressure on a single circuit by plugging in several devices at the same time. The excess requirement of current causes the circuit breaker to trip as the circuit overheats.
Short Circuits
When you have faulty electrical outlets it is very common for your circuit breaker to trip as there might be a short circuit. To shut off the current, the circuit breaker will trip so that the outlet does not catch fire due to ongoing current.
Ground Fault Surges
If a bare copper ground wire touches a live wire, the electricity will flow excessively, causing the circuit breaker to trip.
4. Is It Safe For The Light Switch Plate To Be Hot?
Don't worry if your dimmer or light switch feels a little warm to touch. If the switch is currently in use, it is very likely to be a little warmer. This happens most commonly if the dimmer switch is connected to a single bulb. If the load is up to 100 watts or 300 watts, it is normal for the button to be warm. However, it is not normal for the switch to be hot. If your switch is exceptionally hot, you must contact local electricians right away!
5. Are All Switches Connected To Something?
When you move into a house, you may observe that some of the switches are not really connected to something. If you want to test whether a switch is active, you can try plugging in something that will make a noise. For instance, you can use a radio and plug it in to see if the switch works.
If it does not work, you can unscrew the plastic casing and see if a wire is not connected to something. If you find a wire not connected to anything, trace the circuit and find out where it should go.
6. What To Do If A Tripped Circuit Breaker Does Not Go Back On
If your circuit breaker trips, you must reset it. Here are some things you can try if your circuit breaker does not go back on:
Check if there is an overload of current. If there is an overload, it is quite a possibility that your circuit may need a cool-down period before it can go back on. It would be best if you unplug everything and then reset the breaker. Once it stays reset, you can plug everything back.
If there has been a short circuit, your circuit breaker will not go back on immediately. It is best to leave it off and prevent any fires. While it is off, you must contact electrician Vancouver to fix the damage.
7. What Is AFCI?
Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter is a breaker designed specifically to prevent electrical fires. This type of breaker senses dangerous electrical arcs and then prevents any mishaps due to a malfunction in arcs. They prevent electrical fires by removing arcing conditions that can be hazardous.
8. Should You Get A House Surge Protector?
Since you do not have much electrical knowledge, you may not know what a house surge protector is. A house surge protector is a filter that prevents irregular voltage from coming in and impacting your power utilities. This protector prevents your appliances from burning out or exploding. Excessive voltage can cause a lot of harm to your electrical circuits and devices, especially if you live in areas that experience extreme weather conditions such as thunderstorms. These thunderstorms strike electricity poles that can put the safety of your appliances and your home in jeopardy.
If you do not have a house surge protector, it may damage your GFCI plugs, causing severe damage.
9. What Lighting Should You Prefer?
Conserving energy should be high on your priority as not only is it good for the environment, but it will also help you save on utility bills. When you move into a new home, you have the liberty to decide what kind of lighting you prefer. If you are going to get the lighting on your own, it is best to go for the boxes that say 'Energy Star.' You can find this rating on bulbs that are CFL, Halogen incandescent, and LED.
Compared to other options, these lighting solutions may be costlier, but they will save a lot of money on your utility bills. Paying a little more money upfront is not particularly a bad deal.
10. Is Low Voltage Dangerous?
If you encounter low voltage in your new home, you might need to fix it as soon as possible. Low voltages can put you in harm's way as they can cause electrocution and other fatal injuries. In addition, low voltage can also be a risk to your appliances. If the voltage is too low, the amperage will automatically go up, resulting in the components of your appliances melting down.
Your appliances will either run too fast or they might run super slow, causing their service life to shorten.
If there are existing problems in your home's wiring, your home insurance might cover them. This is why you must call in an electrician in Vancouver, so they inspect your home's wiring for any fault, allowing you to make an insurance claim right away. There are several things that an electrician can tell you about your home's electric systems that you might never be able to find out on your own. This is why you must take help from an expert for your family and home’s safety.