According to
Myrtle Beach electricians, electrical issues and problems are often due to unawareness of the members of the household on how to properly maintain and use their
electrical system. This is why it is important not only for the homeowner and head of household but all the members of the household as well to learn about properly using their electricity and what danger signs to look out for to prevent more severe problems from developing.
One of the most important responsibilities of a homeowner and a head of household is to keep the entire house safe for everyone living in it. But they can only do this by working with all the members of the household. The entire household should practice discipline and cooperation to ensure everyone’s safety.
Below are some of the things you should not do to keep your family safe and prevent severe and dangerous electrical problems.
1. Leaving plastic-sheathed cable wires exposed to ceiling or wall framing
This type of cable can be easily damaged when left exposed to ceiling or wall framing. Damages to a plastic-sheathed cable could eventually lead to more severe problems according to many electrician professionals. What you should do instead of leaving them exposed to framing is to cover the length of the exposed cable with a board that is 2 x 2 in size and at least 1 1/2 inches in thickness. Nail or screw the board to keep it in place. Do not staple the cable to the board because this will only leave more sections of the cable exposed.
2. Improperly connecting ground fault interrupters (GFCI)
Generally, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter or GFCIs have two sets of terminals, namely line, and load. These should be appropriately connected to your electrical system for the GFCIs to function. And you need them to function properly because they are what stand between your safety and an electrical shock or, worse, electrical fire.
You will often find your GFCIs in your bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and patios. They are often set up near sinks and other sources of water. The reason for this is because these are the areas where electrical shocks are most likely to happen. You need to ensure your GFCIs are properly connected to your electrical system so that it will function – by automatically shutting off power – should there be a change in current.
Because it can be tricky to determine whether or not your GFCIs are properly connected, it is highly recommended that you call in a professional at once. Aside from determining whether or not your GFCIs are properly connected, they also have the necessary tools and skills to safely reconnect them to the proper terminals.
3. Connecting wires outside of an electrical box
Myrtle Beach electricians strongly warn against connecting wires outside of an electrical box. If there is one thing that is important in all residential and commercial electrical system, that is the electrical box. The primary purpose of electrical boxes is to protect the surrounding area from being damaged by sparks and heat coming from short-circuited or loose wires.
Imagine your electrical wires short-circuiting or becoming loose, sparks would fly from it and would land on other nearby materials and surfaces. This is how electrical fires begin. And the only way to prevent this is to keep your electrical wires inside a box. Aside from this, keeping them inside an electrical box helps kee
p your home look more organized by hiding the unattractive wires traveling along your walls and ceilings. Also, an electrical box helps protect the wires from other aspects – such as too much heat and/or radiation coming from your other appliances – which could easily damage the wires.
4. Placing too many wires inside your electrical box
Your electrical box should not be overflowing with wires and clamps. Too many wires inside a box could easily result in short-circuiting, which will eventually lead to an electrical fire. If your electrical box is already full, consider investing on a larger electrical box or buying another electrical box to put your wires in. Keep in mind that there are a limited number of wires and clamps to be placed inside an electrical box.
If you are not sure about how big of an electrical box you need for your home, consult a professional electrician. You can also take a picture of your wires and clamps and bring them to your local hardware or electrical shop so that they may help you find the most appropriate and suitable box for your wires.
5. Not securing your cables with clamps
Aside from placing all your wires inside electrical boxes – and making sure the electrical box is not overflowing, you should also ensure that your wires are tightly secured with clamps. Note that cable clamps prevent your wires from being strained and overworked out, which could lead to bigger problems such as short-circuiting.
When buying cable clamps, take note of the type of wires and electrical box that you are using. There are different clamps made for metal and plastic electrical boxes.
6. Placing your electrical box behind or near combustible materials
Combustible materials are materials that could easily catch fire. And these include your wood paneling. Thus, it should be a safety precaution to not place your electrical boxes near or behind your wood paneling. You can never tell when wires could short circuit and give out sparks or overheat. When these reach your wood paneling, an electrical fire could easily start.
If you have already placed your electrical box behind or near your wood paneling, you do not have to remove it and set it up in another location. You can leave it there, provided you add a plastic or metal box extension. This would effectively protect your wood paneling from catching any spark or heat that may come from your electrical box. If unsure, contact your electrical service provider.
Looking for a professional electrician to work with? Contact Myrtle Beach Electrician Pros and inquire about their services now.
Myrtle Beach Electrician Pros
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-353-6345
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