Common Electrical Questions and Tips

We would like to share some of our hard earned tips and tricks to help you get the most from your electrical experience. If you would like to discuss anything with us, please call us as we would love to talk with you about any questions or concerns you may have. 1.866.527.5552

Because there are many injuries every year in Calgary due to damaged insulation, overloaded circuits and even the misuse of extension cords, we would like you to take a few minutes to look for and correct electrical safety hazards in your home. Remember that electrical products create fire hazards and may result in electrocutions.

It does not take much time to check the insulation on a cord, move electrical equipment or appliances away from water, check for correct wattage light bulbs or install a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). Invest your time, because your time could prevent an electrical safety hazard and possibly even save lives.

A safety inspection should be performed by a qualified electrical or licensed electrical inspector. To insure the electrical safety of your home, your electrical inspection should be up-to-date and defects corrected.

Most problems are not detected or corrected because most homes do not have inspections. In a number of cases investigated by CPSC, homes ranging from 40 to 100 years old had not been inspected since they were built.

Studies of residential electrical fires show that the majority of serious fires could have been prevented. The conditions that caused the fires probably would have been detected by an electrical inspection.

There are no hard-and-fast rules about frequency of inspection but here are some suggestions: To determine when your electrical system was last inspected, examine the door and cover of your electrical panel(s). The panel should contain a label or tag with a date, a signature, or intials on it.

If there is more than one date, the most recent one should be the date of the last inspection. DO NOT remove the service-panel cover. This is a job for a qualified electrician.

Appliance Power Budget

Circuits can only handle a specified total wattage of all the electrical products connected to that circuit. If too much wattage is plugged into a circuit, serious electrical problems can result. Here is a guide to knowing what a circuit can handle:

  • 15 ampere branch circuit can carry 1500 watts
  • 20 ampere branch circuit can carry 2000 watts

Find the nameplate on each appliance indicating its power (watts) rating. Add up the total watts for appliances that you may use at the same time on the same branch circuit.

Examples:

Hair Dryer                      1400 watts
Iron                              1000 watts
Portable Heater               1200 watts
Vacuum Cleaner               600 watts
Deep Fat Fryer                1300 watts
Portable Fan                   150 watts

Most home lighting and wall outlet branch circuits may carry as much as 1500 watts (15 ampere branch); Some kitchen circuits, as much as 2000 watts (20 ampere)


Circuit Breaker Panel Potential Electrical Hazards and Their Symptoms

  • Power Outages fuses need replacement or circuit breakers need resetting frequently
  • Overrated Panel electrical panel contains fuses or circuit breakers rated at higher currents than the ampacity (current capacity) of their branch circuits, sometimes called "overamped" or "overfused"
  • Dim/Flickering Lights dim or the size of your television picture LIGHTS shrink often
  • Arcs or Sparks bright light flashes or showers of sparks anywhere in your electrical system
  • Sizzles/Buzzes unusual sounds from the electrical system
  • Overheating parts of your electrical system, such as switch plates, wall outlet covers, cords and plugs may be warm. These should never be hot-painful to touch, or discolored from heat
  • Permanently using extensions to extend the home wiring system for a long period
  • Installed instead of being used temporarily to connect some items
  • Appliances with a cord too short to reach the wall outlet
  • Loose Plugs attachment plugs that wobble or pull out of a wall outlet easily
  • Damaged cut, broken or cracked insulation

If your last inspection was 40 or more years ago, inspection is overdue 10-40 years. Inspection is advisable, especially if substantial electrical loads (high-wattage appliances, lights and wall outlets or extension cords) have been added or if some of the warning signs discussed are present. Less than 10 years ago, inspection may not be needed, unless some of the warning signs described are present or temporary wiring has been added.

You may live in an area that is not served by state or local electrical inspectors, so that no inspection record will be found on your electrical panel. In that case, use the age of the house as a guide to the probable need for an inspection.

Electrical Safety Tips Anyone Can Follow

Being safe when using electrical appliances, extension cords, light bulbs and other equipment is easy, and safety tips should be included in household rules, homeschool fire safety and daily behavior expectations for all members of the family. It only takes one mistake to spark an electrical fire, but simple prevention measures can be effective solutions.
Appliances

Appliances are an integral part of every household, from a simple electric clock to the microwave oven to decorative holiday lights. These safety tips can help keep all appliances operating safely:

  • Unplug unused appliances and stow cords safely out of reach of pets, young children or hazardous situations.
  • Appliances that generate heat, such as clocks, televisions and computer monitors, should be given several inches of clearance all around for good air circulation and cooling. Do not drape clothes, toys or other items over warm appliances.
  • Always follow appliance instructions carefully, and do not attempt amateur repairs or upgrades.
  • Keep all electrical appliances away from water such as sinks, bathtubs, pools or overhead vents that may drip.
  • Do not operate any electrical appliance with wet hands or while standing in water.
  • Keep clothes, curtains, toys and other potentially combustible materials at least three feet away from radiators, space heaters, heating vents and other heat sources.


Cords

Every electrical appliance has a cord, and many homes use extension cords to increase the range of electrical outlets. These safety tips can help keep cords in good condition for safe operation.

  • Check cords regularly for frays, cracks or kinks, including power tool cords, holiday lights and extension cords.
  • Cords are not be jump ropes, clothes lines or leashes, and should never be used for anything other than their intended purpose.
  • Cords should be firmly plugged into outlets – if the cord is loose and can pull out easily, choose a different, more snug outlet.
  • Do not staple or nail cords in position at any time; if the cord does not remain where desired, use tape or twist ties to secure it.
  • Cords should not be placed beneath rugs where they can become a trip hazard or where frays will not be noticeable. Furthermore, covering a cord will prevent it from keeping as cool as possible.
  • Do not make modifications to a cord’s plug at any time – do not clip off the third prong or attempt to file down a wider prong to fit in a different outlet.
  • Extension cords are a temporary solution only and their use should be minimized whenever possible.
  • Use the proper weight and length of extension cord for the appropriate task, and be sure the cord is rated for indoor or outdoor use, whichever is required.
  • When unplugging a cord, pull on the cord at the outlet rather than tug on the cord itself.

 

Choosing an Electrical Contractor

Electrical repairs are an investment. You want to get the job done right the first time. Before you spend your money, spend time learning how to evaluate electrical contractors. All contractors are not alike, and NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association) recommends that you prequalify electrical contractors to get the job done right the first time. The following guidelines will help you select a professional:

  • Check for a permanent place of business, telephone number, tax identification number and, where applicable, a business license.
  • Don't hesitate to ask an electrical contractor for proof of insurance. In fact, insist on seeing copies of his liability coverage and workers' compensation certificates. (U.S. workers? compensation laws vary by state. Consult your state?s laws to determine workers? compensation insurance requirements.) Make sure the coverages are in effect through the duration of the job. Many homeowners have been dragged into litigation involving uninsured electrical contractors. Also, if a contractor is not properly insured, you may be liable for accidents that occur on your property.
  • Check to see if the electrical contractor is properly licensed or bonded. Some states have specific licensing requirements, and others do not. Your state's Department of Professional Regulation or Licensing Board will have this information.
  • Look for a company with a proven track record that offers client references and a list of completed projects. Call these clients to find out whether they were satisfied.
  • Insist on a detailed, written proposal and examine it for complete descriptions of the work and specifications, including approximate starting and completion dates and payment procedures.
  • Have the contractor list the electrical manufacturers with which his firm is a licensed or approved applicator. Most electrical systems require special application expertise to achieve lasting quality.
  • Have the contractor explain his project supervision and quality-control procedures. Request the name of the person who will be in charge of your project, how many workers will be required and estimated completion time.
  • Check to see if the contractor is a member of any regional or national industry associations, such as NECA. Being a member of industry associations demonstrates a commitment to professionalism.
  • Call your local Better Business Bureau or Department of Professional Regulation to check for possible complaints filed against the contractor.
  • Carefully read and understand any electrical warranties offered, and watch for provisions that would void it.
  • Choose a company committed to worker safety and education. Ask the contractor what type of safety training he provides for his workers and what industry education programs they have attended. The best electrical contractor is only as good as the workers who install the electrical system.
  • Keep a healthy skepticism about the lowest bid. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Many fly-by-night contractors' below-cost bids seem attractive, but these contractors often are uninsured and perform substandard work. Remember, price is only one of the criteria for selecting an electrical contractor. Professionalism, experience and quality workmanship also should weigh heavily in your decision.

 

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