5 Electrical Safety Components that you Need in your Home

We use a number of electrical appliances in our homes, but are we aware of their safety? To make sure that you and your family members don’t fall victim to any electrical accidents, scroll down to learn about some of the electrical services safety components that you should consider installing in your home:

1. Circuit Breakers

You should ensure the circuit panel installed in your home is up to date – it should meet the latest safety requirements. If the electrical panel installed in your home doesn’t meet safety guidelines, you need to replace it. The circuit breakers are automatically operated switches used to detect any imbalance in the flow of currents in and around the circuit, and if it senses electrocution, it immediately shuts down the circuit. They can also be reset to resume operation normally.

2. Arc Fault Protection

Your homes electric panel should be able to protect against arc faults, which refers to the unintentional electric discharges within a circuit. An arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) breaks the circuit whenever it detects any potential arc faults. The AFCI helps in continuously monitoring the panel to detect any possibility of arc faults. The conventional circuit breakers are only suitable to avoid overloads and short circuits, they do not provide any protection against arc faults that arise due to erratic currents within the panel.

3. Outlets and Switches

Any damaged, broken, or cracked outlets should be replaced immediately as it can cause electrocution and catch fire. This can be dangerous if you have pets and kids in your home. Make sure that you cover the safety switches with some plastic material or something which doesn’t catch fire.

4. Electrocution Protection

Your electrician must install some devices in your circuit panel which protects you from electric shocks and fire. Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) have saved many lives since their introduction. Nearly 50% of accidents due to electrocution have been prevented with GFCIs.

5. Appliances and Electronic Devices

Damaged plugs and worn parts of appliances (especially cords) are tremendously unsafe. Running power cords under rugs and damaged wiring can cause a fire. Ensure that you are using the right wattage bulbs in your home; check all the lamps, fixtures, and appliances for the correct wattage.

Use LED Lighting bulbs where possible, as they consume less power and reduce the risk of overheating. Always unplug devices when not in use, this is the easiest thing to forget in everyday lives, but one of the riskiest things too!

Conclusion:

While it’s important to understand the ins and outs of the electrical processes in your home, it’s always best to seek professional advice and leave the hard yards to your Electrician in Capalaba. We, at Thomas Blake Electrical, provide affordable electrical repairs and maintenance for residents and businesses in Brisbane. Contact us today!