Electrical Safety – Upgrading Electrical Outlets

Whenever you need to charge your phone, use your hair dryer, or just about any electrical appliance, you quickly turn to the nearest wall outlet. It’s a fact of modern day life that we just can’t ignore or live without. We all rely on electricity to go on with our daily lives but is there any thought given to the electrical components inside your home especially that electrical outlet you often use? Most of us don’t. This practice has got to end. Electrical outlets require upgrades from time to time. With constant use, they can wear out and can be potentially hazardous. It is best to know when and how you should upgrade your outlets.

When is the right time to upgrade electrical outlets?

When you spot something weird with your electrical outlet, you should dig a little deeper. Sometimes, these tiny details are signs that a problem is about to happen. Don’t wait until then. When you are experiencing the following issues, you should consider calling your electrical contractor and have it fixed:  

• If there isn’t enough three-pronged sockets or there are none at all
• When you see sparks every time you plug in appliances
• If there is smoke when in use
• When you see discoloration on the outlet
• When there are no GFCI outlets available in rooms where water is used
• If the outlets get warm while in use
• If the sockets won’t secure plugs properly
• If there are frequently tripping circuits
• If power is inconsistent or shuts off for no reason

Types of outlets you should upgrade to GFCI outlets – GFCI outlets or ground fault circuit interrupters are outlets that protect against electrical shock. Instead of being continuously shocked when in contact with a live connection, the GFCU outlet cuts of the electrical connection to avoid further shock. You will still be shocked but only within a fraction of a second. Having GFCI outlets in your home will make it safer for homeowners with children. AFCI outlets – AFCI or arc fault circuit interrupters are used to reduce the instances of fires caused by electrical arcs. AFCI outlets constantly monitor the circuit for possible electrical arcs to ensure that no electrical fires spring from the outlet while being used. There are other outlets available that are used for special purposes. USB outlets, LED night light outlets, recessed outlets, pop-up outlets are only some of the other type of outlets being used in homes. If you wish to have these types of outlets installed in your home, call experts like Florence Electrician Pros for assistance. How are electrical outlets upgraded? There are various ways on how the electrical outlets in your home are upgraded. If you want to have yours upgraded, call your local electrical contractor Florence for more information. First of all, the power needs to be shut off through the electrical panel. Then, the cover plate for the old outlet is removed along with the screws and the wire connecting to the outlet is loosened and the new outlet is installed. The installation process may vary depending on the type of outlet since more complex outlets require an intricate process.

Call Florence Electrician Pros if you have any electrical-related issues.

Florence Electrician Pros Florence, SC 29501 843-212-4173 http://electricianprosflorence.com/

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Electrical Safety Tips For The Holidays

The holiday season is here during this time of the year, several people decorate their houses for the holidays. There are some families that begin decorating at Halloween and change their ornaments for each holiday that comes until New Year’s Eve. You have to be safety conscious if you have plans of decorating your home since nobody wants their holidays to turn into an accident. You can do this yourself or hire an electrician who can help you out. Inspect Everything Before you use any holiday decoration, be sure that you check it closely. You should be searching for broken or missing bulbs, sockets, or plugs that are damaged or cracked or perhaps wires that are bare or loose, and any other kind of damage. You should also check any extension cords that you can use to connect the holiday decorations. Keep in mind that your holiday ornaments have been stored for the last year, they can become damaged or deteriorate during the time that they were being stored. You have the option to go the DIY route or call a Florence electrician to conduct the electrician for you. Never Overload Electrical Outlets Among the most dangerous and biggest mistakes that people make whenever they decorate their houses during the holidays is to overload electrical outlets. Avoid overloading the electrical outlets because this is one of the primary causes of house fires during the holidays. Make sure that you plug only one high wattage appliance into every outlet. It is also highly recommended to use a power strip or extension cord with circuit breakers installed as an extra level of safety. Incandescent Lights They are usually used for holiday decorations these days, however, a few people still enjoy the appearance of brighter and larger bulbs. In case you use incandescent lights whenever you are decorating your house for the holiday season, never connect over 3 strings of these lights together. The primary reason behind this is that incandescent bulbs need more wattage compared to modern LED lights, so whenever you connect over three strings of incandescent bulbs in sequence, you might trip a breaker or blow a fuse. Christmas Tree In case you have a live Christmas tree, never allow it to dry out. When a Christmas tree is cut, it can quickly dry out, so you have to water your tree daily to make sure that it is as fresh as possible. However, you cannot keep it inside your house for a longer period of time. Christmas trees that have dried out are among the primary causes of house fires during the holidays. Candles A lot of homeowners love the scent and look of candles that are burning inside their house during the holidays, however, it is a lot safer to utilize battery operated candles whenever possible. Candles that are unattended cause over half of all home fires that happen during the holidays. In case you have to use candles during the holidays, do so carefully. Don’t let them burn without proper supervision and make sure that all the candles you have used are out before you go to bed. Keep Clearance Around Heat Source In case you are burning a fireplace, operating a kerosene or electric space heater, or utilizing some other kind of heat source, be sure that all combustible materials are at a minimum of three feet from the source of the heat. A few of these combustibles are curtains, furniture, gifts with wrapping paper, Christmas tree, and all the other things that can catch fire easily. Once again, several holiday fires are due to combustible items that are left too close to the source of heat. Protect Cords From Potential Damage Once you set up your holiday decorations, consider where the cords will be when you’re finished. Make sure that electrical as well as extension cords are protected from getting damaged. Be sure that they’re pinched by furniture, be sure that won’t be hit by the vacuum, when used outside don’t leave cords lying across walkways and driveways, and be sure all connections are watertight. Another important thing you need to ensure is that closing windows and doors must not damage the electrical cord and they need to be placed at least three feet from any source of heat.

Call Florence Electrician Pros if you need professional help in making sure that your electrical system is safe and well maintained just in time for the holidays.

Florence Electrician Pros Florence,SC 29501 843-212-4173 http://electricianprosflorence.com/

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