Last year, almost 60,000 homes in the US were damaged or destroyed by fire caused by an electrical problem. Faulty wiring, space heaters, appliance malfunctions, and over loaded circuits, outlets, and extension cords were the most common causes of these fires, which resulted in nearly $2 billion in property damage, thousands of injuries, and hundreds of deaths.
But common electrical problems can be avoided with basic knowledge and some common sense.
DON'T Overload Outlets
Not all household outlets are created equal. Understanding the difference between standard outlets, GFCI outlets, electric stove outlets, and major appliance or dryer outlets will help you to use the right outlet for the job. Not sure about the different types of outlets in your property? Check out my Understanding Outlets article.
Piggy-backing multiple appliances off of one outlet or adding extension cords off of surge protectors is a good way to overload your outlet and cause a fire.
DON'T Leave Space Heaters or Fans Unattended
Every year people are killed because they leave a space heater or fan unattended. Whether by overheating or causing items around the heater or fan to ignite, it really couldn't be simpler. If you aren't in the room, turn off the space heater or fan.
DON'T Use the Wrong Type of Light Bulb
Appliances and lighting fixtures use specific types of light bulbs. Bulbs are rated by watts and lumens. Watts are the amount of energy used and lumens are the amount of light emitted. Never use a bulb that exceeds the maximum watts listed for that appliance or light fixture. It wastes money on your electric bill, requires bulb replacement much more frequently....and can cause a fire.
Want to learn more about light bulbs, the future on incandescent bulbs, CFL vs LED and more...check out my article Understanding Light Bulbs.
DON'T Misuse Extension Cords
Did you know that there are different extension cords for different uses? Many don't and end up using an extension cord that doesn't meet the required gauge or length. Using the wrong thickness can cause the extension cord to overheat and cause fires. Worse...some people will make very long extension cords by piggy-backing extension cords off of each other.
Read the amp requirements for your appliance and select the matching extension cord. There is a terrific guide to extension cord selection, written by Brett Martin of Gizmodo called How To Choose the Right Extension Cord for Anything.
DO Prepare For Power Outages
Whether inclement weather, overloaded circuit, or blown fuse has left you in the dark, having a plan BEFORE you need it will help you avoid standing at the circuit breaker at 3am with a flashlight wondering what to do.
Do you know where your circuit breaker or fuse box is located?
Do you know what to do if your power goes out?
If the metal box with all of the little switches confuses you, you aren't alone. Read my article Understanding Circuit Breakers.
DO Educate Yourself About Your Household Electrical System
Making smart choices for your property is much easier if you have a basic understanding of of your household electrical system.
In the same way doctors recommend that you have an annual physical to make sure that everything is working properly and to catch any health problems while they are easily manageable, having an annual electrical system inspection is a terrific way to keep your electrical system running smoothly and safely.
Sparking outlets, hissing light fixtures, and flickering lights are all signs that you need a systems check. It could be as minor as the wrong light bulb, but it can also be faulty wiring, surges, or melting wires...all that could easily lead to a fire.
Contact a licensed electrician for a systems checkup today!
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The professionals at Allstate Electric llc would be pleased to meet with property owners in Northern New Jersey to discuss all of your electrical installation, renovation, maintenance, and emergency needs.
Selecting a light bulb seems pretty straight forward until you are standing in the light bulb isle at the grocery store or Home Depot trying to choose from hundreds of bulbs that all look the same. Watts, lumens, LED, halogen, florescent, it's all pretty confusing.
Selecting the wrong bulb might not seem like a big deal, but selecting the right bulb for the light fixture or appliance can actually save you money on your energy bills, extend the life of your appliances, and even help reduce the risk of electrical fires in your home.
What is a Watt?
A watt is a unit of measurement for the amount of energy that a light bulb uses. The higher the wattage, the more energy a bulb takes to produce light. Light fixtures and appliances list a recommended maximum wattage to help you select the most appropriate light bulb. As we learned in my article Understanding Circuit Breakers, selecting a light bulb that requires more energy then the light fixture or appliance is designed to handle can cause a circuit breaker to trip, overheat an appliance, or cause an electrical fire.
The manufacturers recommended wattage is printed on the appliance box and generally on the appliance as well. Light fixtures typically have the wattage requirements listed on the lamp cup or body.
Lower watt light bulbs use less energy and save money on your electric bill.
What are Lumens?
A lumen is a unit of measurement for the amount of light emitted by the bulb. The higher the lumen, the brighter the light emitted.
What Happened to the Old Incandescent Bulbs?
Incandescent or "standard" bulbs use a suspended filament that is heated until it glows, producing light.
Incandescent or "standard" bulbs were phased out in 2014 as a part of the Energy Independence Act passed by Congress in 2007. The Act is designed to force consumers to use more energy efficient alternatives. So all of the standard (40, 60, 75, and 100 watt) bulbs are no longer produced and only available commercially until supplies are exhausted.
With incandescent bulbs no longer an option, here are your choices:
Halogen Bulbs:
Halogen bulbs work in the same way that incandescent bulbs do, by heating a suspended filament until it glows. However, halogens use about a quarter of the wattage of incandescents to generate the same lumen.
Pros - Halogens produce flattering light that most closely approximates day light. They can also be used on a dimmer, giving the greatest degree of flexibility.
Cons- Halogens are very sensitive and require gloves to change a bulb. Oil from your finger tips can actually cause the bulb to over heat and explode.
Florescent Bulbs:
Florescent bulbs work by creating a reaction between the mercury vapor trapped in the tube and electricity which results in a UV ray. The phosphor coating that lines the inside of the tube converts the UV ray into light.
Pros - Florescents produce more light and can illuminate a larger space then incandescent bulbs.
Cons - The light produced by most florescent bulbs can be quite harsh. Mercury is a toxic substance and while the amount released by a broken bulb is minimal, liquid mercury which may also be present can pose serious health risks. Florescent bulbs can also hum or hiss over time which is not dangerous, but is distracting.
Compact Florescent Lights (CFL):
Perhaps the most popular replacement for incandescent bulbs, CFL's can last for years and require only a quarter of the wattage to produce the same lumen. These bulbs work in the same way as the florescent bulbs, but instead of the long tubes with which most people are familiar, CFLs coil the tube into a more familiar "light bulb" shape and fit standard sockets.
Pros - Inexpensive and long lasting, these energy efficient bulbs are a common choice to replace incandescent bulbs.
Cons - Only specific CFLs are available for dimmer light fixtures. Using a regular CFL on a dimmer fixture can result in flickering, hissing, and burn out. Due to the mercury content, the EPA requires special disposal.
Light Emitting Diode (LED):
LED's work by passing energy through a semiconductor. These extremely long lasting (20 + years) bulbs are the perfect choice for recessed lighting or lighting in high or difficult to reach places.
Pros - Very long lasting, with a light softness that is similar to incandescent bulbs. The light creation process is offset by a heat sink, so unlike other bulbs, LEDs don't get hot.
Cons - The light produced doesn't defuse, it creates a beam of light. So clusters of LEDs are needed to light a room. Since LEDs are more expensive then CFLs, initial installation can be a financial issue. The longevity should make up for the initial expense.
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The professionals at Allstate Electric llc would be pleased to meet with property owners in Northern New Jersey to discuss all of your electrical installation, renovation, maintenance, and emergency needs.
