Prevent 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 New Orleans electrician please call us today at (504) 309-3473 or complete our online service request form.
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