Frequently Asked Questions About Electricity
What are some warnings of electrical
hazards that a consumer should be aware of?
How can consumers protect
themselves from electricity related injuries?
What are GFCIs? What's
the benefit of using them?
Can GFCIs prevent fires?
Do all GFCIs work the
same way?
What's the big plug
now found on some appliances like hair dryers?
The dryer plug will not fit the receptacle in our
new house. How can I remedy this?
What type of switches will I need to turn a light
on from two different locations?
What are the risks of overlamping (using a light
bulb with a higher wattage than that recommended by the manufacturer?
What is the advantage of a halogen bulb?
How much energy do compact fluorescent light bulbs
save?
Why are electric heaters limited to 1,500 watts?
What size extension cords should a consumer use?
How can you tell if an extension cord is appropriate for the
intended use?
Why are there circuits with varying power ratings
in a house?
I have a circuit breaker that tripped. Is this
dangerous?
How do you test a smoke detector?
What are
some warnings of electrical hazards that a consumer should be
aware of?
Dim or flickering lights, arcs, sparks, sizzles and buzzing sounds, odors like
the smell of burning plastic, switch and receptacle plates that are warm to
the touch, cracked or loose plugs and wall plates, damaged insulation, frequent
tripping of circuit breakers or blown fuses, and electric shocks are all warning
signs..
If a homeowner notices any of these warning signs, he or she should call a
qualified licensed electrician.
How can consumers protect
themselves from electricity related injuries?
Consumers should check for problems in their homes' electrical systems. Outlets
and extension cords should be checked to make sure they aren't overloaded. They
should examine electrical cords to make sure they aren't frayed or damaged or
placed in spots where people may trip over them. They should make sure that the
proper wattage light bulbs are being used in light fixtures and lamps. They should
consider installing GFCIs- ground fault circuit interrupters. And one of the
most important precautions a consumer can take is to make sure the batteries
in their smoke detectors are working properly.
Consumers can perform minor repairs, like changing a fuse or circuit breaker,
as long as they follow appropriate safety precautions and the manufacturers instruction.
To change a fuse, make sure that you replace the fuse with one of the proper
ampere rating. To change a circuit breaker, check the panel for any sign of corrosion.
For both, dry hands and a dry floor are necessary. Note: Where it is found that
removal of the panelboard cover may present some problem for the homeowner, it
is suggested that a licensed electrician be contacted to replace a defective
circuit breaker.
What are GFCIs? What's the benefit
of using them?
GFCIs, or ground-fault circuit-interrupters, function very simply - they constantly
monitor electricity flowing in the circuit to detect a loss of current. If the
electricity flowing through the circuit differs in the slightest amount from
that flowing back, the GFCI will quickly shut off the supply of current flowing
through that circuit.
The advantage of using GFCIs is that they can detect even the smallest variations
in the amount of current, even amounts too small for your fuse or circuit breaker
to detect and shut off the circuit. And GFCIs work quickly, so they can protect
consumers from severe or even fatal electric shocks.
Can GFCIs prevent fires?
GFCIs may detect fire conditions caused by a ground fault or that result in a
ground fault. The GFCI may shut off the power before the fire ignites, thus
preventing the fire from spreading.
Do all GFCIs work the same way?
All GFCIs work in the same manner to protect consumers against ground faults.
However, there is a difference. Unlike the receptacle GFCI and portable GFCI,
the circuit breaker type also provides overload protection for the electrical
branch circuit. A consumer can tell if his home has circuit breaker type GFCIs
by looking at the electrical panel box. Unlike the regular circuit breakers,
the GFCI circuit breaker has a TEST button and a RESET button.
What's the big plug now found on
some appliances like hair dryers?
The large box found on some appliances can be an appliance leakage circuit interrupter
(ALCI), an immersion detection circuit interrupter (IDCI), or a ground fault
circuit-interrupter (GFCI). They work in different ways, but they're all intended
to shut off the power to an appliance under abnormal conditions, such as immersion
of an appliance in liquid. Just because you have an appliance with one of these
devices, it doesn't mean that it's okay to drop the appliance in water. The rule "electricity
and water don't mix" still applies.
The dryer plug will not fit the
receptacle in our new house. How can I remedy this?
In most new homes, there should be four-prong dryer and range receptacles. If
you have a three-prong power cord, you will need to change it.
What type of switches will I need
to turn a light on from two different locations?
You will need a three-way switch at each location. A three-way switch will have
three terminal screws on it.
What are the risks of overlamping
(using a light bulb with a higher wattage than that recommended by the manufacturer?
Using a light bulb with a wattage rating higher than that recommended by the
manufacturer could create a shock hazard or increase the risk of fire. Consumers
should read the marking on the product or the use and care booklet to determine
what wattage light bulb is suitable for the product.
What is the advantage of a halogen
bulb?
It provides brighter, cleaner light. However, it consumes lots of electricity
and gets very hot. You should ensure that it stays away from draperies, bedding,
clothing and hanging plants.
How much energy do compact fluorescent
light bulbs save?
Most estimates are 70 percent, which means that over the life of the bulb you
can save as much as $100.
Why are electric heaters limited
to 1,500 watts?
Because anything over that would exceed the safe amp rating of most wiring and
would present a fire hazard
What size extension cords should
a consumer use? How can you tell if an extension cord is appropriate for the
intended use?
Before purchasing an extension cord, consumers should consider how the cord will
be used. Will it be used with more than one appliance? Considering all the uses
for an extension cord will help answer the question of whether it is appropriate.
But consumers should also take care not to overheat the cord by overloading the
rated electrical load.
To determine whether there's a potential for cord overload, check the wattage
rating on the cord. Then add up the wattage ratings of all the products that
will be operational at the same time on the cord. If the wattage rating on the
cord is lower than the wattage rating of the products, eliminate one of the loads
and check whether it's safe to use the remaining products with the extension
cord. (If the wattage rating is not ion the product., multiply the number of
amps by 125 to determine equivalent watts.) UL-listed cords contain instructions
for use as well as safety information. Extension cords smaller in size than No.
16 AWG should not be used around the house without appropriate overcurrent protection.
Why are there circuits with varying
power ratings in a house?
Some larger household appliances, such as washers, dryers, stoves, refrigerators,
or air conditioners, draw more current and have their own circuits. A consumer
must never plug in additional appliances with any of these products - doing so
could create an overload condition.
I have a circuit breaker that
tripped. Is this dangerous?
Usually the problem is simply an overload and you only need to run fewer appliances
on the circuit. However, if it is not overloaded and it keeps tripping, you should
suspect a short. Also, look for a defective cord, socket or plug.
How do you test a smoke detector?
Smoke detectors have a test button. Pressing the button does not necessarily
mean that the detector works. Often, it simply indicates that the battery in
the detector works. To test a smoke detector, follow the manufacturer's instructions.
The detector should be tested monthly and batteries replaced at least once
a year, or when the battery's low warning sounds, whichever comes first. Some
permanently wired smoke detectors have battery back-ups, in case of power outages.
These batteries must always be checked once a year.
