After spending the majority of your time cooped up indoors during the cold winter months, the warm spring weather can have you coming up with a plethora of household projects to keep you busy. One system you don’t want to overlook as part of your springtime maintenance and projects is your electrical system. First and foremost, if you notice issues like flickering lights or burning smells, don’t delay calling for electrical repair. These could indicate a serious fire hazard. Beyond that, we’ll share some of our top tips that all homeowners should know about safely interacting with their home electrical systems.
Outdoor Outlets Need GFCI Protection
Water and electricity don’t mix. In fact, they create hazardous conditions for those who come into contact with them. Your outdoor outlets are particularly susceptible to issues, which is why it’s imperative to ensure you have the right setup to start with. All outdoor outlets need GFCI protection, known formally as ground fault circuit interrupter technology. There are two different types of protection you can have, one at the outlet and one at your circuit breaker.
A GFCI outlet is very distinct, as a square design with test and reset buttons in its center. If you have a GFCI outlet outdoors, be sure to test it in the spring to make sure it’s working properly. You do this by hitting the test button and then the reset button. If you don’t have a GFCI outlet outdoors, you may have a GFCI circuit breaker in your panel box. Double-check to ensure you do and call our electricians if you’re missing GFCI technology at any of your outdoor outlets.
Cover Outdoor Outlets
Apart from having GFCI technology, your outdoor outlet should also have a cover. This creates a waterproof environment for your outlets when they’re not in use. You never want to leave outlets exposed to the outdoor elements as they’re likely to prematurely deteriorate and will experience more frequent electrical issues.
Use Outdoor-Rated Electronics
Electrical devices will have a rating for indoor use or outdoors. You never want to use indoor-rated electronics outdoors as they aren’t capable of handling excess moisture and UV radiation. Electronic devices include everything from extension cords to outdoor lighting fixtures and speakers.
Don’t Overload Circuits
Every electrical circuit in your home has a maximum amount of power it can safely transfer. If you plug too many items into that circuit, you can overload it. This essentially causes too much power to run through the line and can be extremely dangerous. Some of the most common signs that you’re overloading a circuit include flickering lights, constantly tripping the circuit breaker, and buzzing coming from your outlet. If you’re frequently overloading your circuits, you may want to contact us so we can install more outlets and circuits in your home to better safely meet your electrical needs.
Use Extension Cords Carefully
Extension cords can be a helpful tool when you need to provide power at a distance from where your outlet is located. However, extension cords are designed to be a temporary solution and should never be used on a permanent basis. When selecting an extension cord, choose one that’s the appropriate distance to your electronic device and isn’t overly long.
If the extension cord has excess, you never want to leave them in coils on the ground as they can overheat and cause an electrical fire. Additionally, pay attention to the maximum wattage rating for the extension cord. You want to avoid using an electronic device with a higher wattage rating than the cord as this will put too much power through the extension cord and can result in an unfortunate fire.
Inspect All Cords Before Use
Before you plug in any electrical cord for an extension cord or even an appliance, you always want to check over the entire cord for any defects. If you notice there’s pinching, missing insulation, or even cuts in the insulating layer, you should refrain from using the cord. Damaged cords can easily overheat and lead to electrocution and fire risks. Opt for having one of our electricians repair the cord or completely replace it for the utmost safety.
Place Outdoor Lighting Safety
It’s common for many homeowners to add exterior lighting to their homes to create an ambiance for their outdoor activities during the evenings. When selecting lights for your home’s exterior, be sure to think about proper placement. You never want to place lights where they’ll come into contact with foot traffic or people bumping into them regularly. Cords should be safely out of the way for the safety of all your guests and to maintain the integrity of the cord.
Don’t Staple Cords Too Tight
To keep cords out of the way, you can use electrical staples. However, these need to be used correctly to be completely safe. Choose a staple that’s bigger than the cord you’re using. When nailing in the staple, the goal is to secure it so it won’t pull out but also not press down on the actual cord.
You never want the staple to be in contact with the top of the cord as this can lead to damage to the cord’s insulating layer. If the staple is hammered down too far, it can cut into that insulating layer and lead to electrocution, overheating, and fire problems.
Use Fiberglass or Wooden Ladders
Outside power lines can be extremely dangerous. They have a very high amount of power going through them as compared to the electrical wiring in your home. For this reason, you need to be super careful when maneuvering ladders outside of your home. Opt to invest in a fiberglass or wooden ladder that won’t conduct electricity.
This way, if your ladder happens to slide into your power line, it won’t electrocute you. It can be helpful to assess your outdoor power lines and have a tree professional cut away any low-hanging branches to prevent them from falling on the power line.
Ensure Your Panel Box Is Labeled
One component of your electrical system that’s pretty easy to overlook is the labeling in your panel box. Because you live there you likely know what they’re for. However, it’s important to have labels on your panel box so that others know what those circuits are for. Whether it be emergency personnel trying to shut off power during an emergency situation or simply a house guest trying to reset a tripped circuit breaker, it’s best to have all your breakers clearly labeled.
Get an Annual Electrical Inspection
One of the best ways to help maintain your electrical system to ensure it’s operating safely is to get an annual inspection from one of our electricians. This inspection will include examining all the components of your system and testing to ensure they’re operating efficiently and safely.
Reliable Electrical Inspection Service
Viper Services provides reliable electrical inspection service for the Taylors, SC community. Our electricians can also assist with all your new installation, replacement, repair, and rewiring service needs. Simply call our office staff today to schedule your next service appointment.
