Prevent Home Electrical
Fires
Inadequate electrical capacity
is mainly due to increasing the
number of devices that consume
electricity in your home like new
heating and cooling equipment, frost
free refrigerators, clothes dryers,
water heaters, electric ranges and
ovens, dishwashers, and other
powerful electric motor driven tools
and appliances.
As you add devices to your home, the
power supply may become inadequate.
If you have indicators like fuses or
circuit breakers tripping, or lights
dimming, it’s time to carefully look
at your circumstances before
equipment failure, fire, or other
problems arise.
5 Causes of
Inadequate Power in Your Home
1.Limited service panel capacity
When the overall demand from total
electrical devices is greater than
what the panel is able to supply,
the main service panel will likely
fail, frequently. Excess demand
indicates that the panel rating is
less than needed or the panel might
be limiting capacity because it has
no space left for more fuses or
circuit breakers.
In either case it’s time to make a
circuit map to calculate demand and
compare it with the capacity of the
main panel to supply. If you find
the power demand is less than the
capacity and there is no room for
more breakers, then a sub-panel
might be the answer. Conversely, if
the overall demand is greater than
the main panel ability to supply,
then you will need a
licensed
electrician to install a new main
panel.
2. Overloaded circuits
Another use for the circuit map is
to determine if demand on the
circuits are greater than the
amperage rating of the circuit
controlling it. It is important to
note peak demands of appliances that
may draw more power on starting and
create a power surge that trips the
breaker.
A power surge that doesn’t trip the
breaker is indicated by lights
dimming when an appliance turns on.
Appliances that produce surges
should have their own separate
circuit designed to tolerate the
surge.
To prevent the risk of fire do not
exceed the safe amperage of the
circuit. Blown fuses or tripped
breakers indicate an overloaded
circuit. Do not replace breakers
with ones of higher amperage just
because they fail. Instead run a new
circuit from the main panel that is
within the supply capacity.
3. Insufficient number of outlets
A general recommendation is to have
at least one outlet for every 12
feet of wall, ground fault
interrupted outlets in bathrooms and
exterior walls, one outlet for each
counter top in the kitchen, or as
required by local codes.
The most obvious indicator that more
outlets are needed is when you start
to use multi-outlet extension cords
on a regular or permanent basis.
Most low cost extension cords are
not designed to carry heavy amperage
demanded of permanent wiring. Excess
loads may cause overheating and
fire.
Computer workstations can require
outlets for more than two devices
from a single dual receptacle wall
circuit. Older CRT monitors and
laser printers can cause surges when
they are turned on. The best
solution is to supply the required
outlets on separate circuit(s)
designed to exceed the demand. The
next best option is to use a fused
and surge protected uninterrupted
power supply (UPS) to protect your
equipment. UPS are now available for
less than $100 and can protect your
computer investment from power
problems better than anything else.
The less expensive power bars and
extension cords run risks of
equipment damage or fires if the
circuit is overloaded.
4. Inadequate feeder lines
Older houses may have original
two-wire feed lines from the power
company’s nearest utility pole. One
of the wires is hot, delivering
110-115 volts and the other is
neutral. Obviously these lines will
not power 240 volt appliances nor is
the amperage likely able to power
more than a few newer appliances at
a time.
The electric company should replace
the two wire system with a three
wire system at their own expense.
Since you will have to pay an
electrician to install a new service
panel, use your circuit map and any
expansion plans to determine future
demand, then size the new panel
capacity accordingly.
5. Overtaxed transformer
In older high-density neighborhoods
electricity demands over time have
increased. In some cases the
transformer serving the area may not
have been increased to meet the
growth in demand. Although the power
companies are required to scale up
supply according to demand, it is
wise to check into the matter before
paying to connect a larger service.
About the Author:
Brian Hack currently authors and
publishes Habitat for Health eco-biz
connectrix, a web site of consumer
information about how to make
healthier choices in home
improvement, home decor, and home
business, extended at
http://www.h4h.biz. Please visit
http://www.habitatforhealth.ca/articles/electric.html
for links supporting the content of
this article.
If you are looking for a electrician
or need electrical services, please
call us today at 708.361.1555 or
click on the link below:
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“Charles
explained what was causing my kitchen light to go on and off in
language I could understand. He did a wonderful job of keeping me
informed through the whole process. He went out of his way to keep
my home clean by using shoe covers and a drop cloth in his work
area. I was extremely happy with the service provided. I have found
an electrician for life!.” Michelle O Palos
Heights Il
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