How to Not Overload Your Home’s Electrical System
Electrical fires can be some of the harshest and most costly fires imaginable. One of the most common causes of these types of fires is having an overloaded electrical system. In order to avoid starting a fire in your home, you need to lower your chances of overloading any of your electrical circuits.
Warning! Danger! Luckily, there are few ways that your electrical system will warn you if the demand for electricity is too high. The most obvious warning sign is when the breakers are constantly tripping or if the fuses are blowing out. Anytime this happens more than once, you should reassess what is plugged into each circuit and maybe think about adding more circuits to your home’s system. You should also be on the lookout for lights that dim or flicker, outlet covers and electrical panels that are warm to the touch, and any buzzing noises coming from the outlets or panel.
Prevention Methods
- Household appliances use a lot of energy to operate, which is why any large appliance should be plugged into its own circuit. Plugging two appliances into one electrical outlet will put the circuit at risk for tripping or even starting a house fire. Instead, make sure all appliances are plugged into separate circuits.
- Extension cords should only be used temporarily, not as a permanent wiring solution. If an appliance needs an extension cord, resist the urge, and call an electrician to install an outlet closer to the unit. Also, avoid linking multiple extension cords together, even if it is only for a temporary use.
- Power strips are great when you need more outlets available to you. Just remember that even though there are more outlets, that does not increase the amount that the circuit can handle. Be smart when it comes to using power strips because they can make it a lot easier to overload your circuits.
Overloading your home’s electrical system can be easily done by accident, so it’s important to know how to avoid doing this. When you need an electrician to assess your electrical system or add additional circuits to your home, contact the pros at Lancaster Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (717) 207-8198.
