Electrical Safety Upgrades

Childproof outlets look just like traditional outlets, but they are far from it. These outlets offer a spring-loaded receptical cover plate that protects the electrical contacts, preventing the insertion of objects when unequal pressure is applied to the contact points.

For adults, the operation of these plugs is simple and does not require any special knowledge or training to operate. To insert a plug into the outlet, applying equal pressure to both sides of the outlet simultaneously while inserting the plug is all it takes to complete the circuit.

Nearly a third of accidents that involve children and electrical outlets happen when children insert common household items into a socket (often when adults are present).

These common items include:

• Keys
• Hairpins
• Paperclips
• Staples
• Plugs
• Jewelry
• Tools
• Nail files
• Belt buckles
• Knives

Knowing the correct capacity for a circuit breaker is how to avoid unnecessarily high loads, leading to fire hazards. Circuit breakers that cannot support the load efficiently lead to tripping the breaker or blowing a fuse. Replacing or updating a circuit breaker can help to alleviate these issues and hazards.

In your home office, installing dedicated computer circuits can help lessen the burden on traditional circuit breakers. Since appliances have the ability to trip breakers, using a dedicated computer circuit can help keep these appliances from shutting down the computers when the breaker gets tripped.

Ground fault circuit interrupters, or GCFI outlets, are used to protect from electric shock. GCFI outlet installs provide an inexpensive solution to preventing electrical shock and help homes comply with modern building code standards.

Most of the GFCI outlets can be found in areas like the kitchen, bathroom, and garages. Those outlets in your home with “test” and “reset” buttons on them are your GFCI outlets. These outlets help monitor the amount of electricity flowing through the circuit, protecting it from an imbalance – cutting it off if it becomes overwhelmed.

You should contact EVSOL Energy if your GFCI outlet seems to be failing or you do not have GCFI outlets in areas that require them. A good rule of thumb is that a GFCI outlet should be installed where water is present. Areas that may have a GFCI include:

• Spas or pool decks
• Home exterior
• Bathroom
• Kitchen countertops
• Garages
• Crawl spaces
• Unfinished basements
• Wet bar
• Laundry/utility room

A GCFI should not be used as an outlet for refrigerators or freezers. These appliances generate too much electromagnetic interference, causing the outlet to trip more often than not. Most stoves and dryers are also not compatible as they require an outlet with higher amperage. Try to reduce the amount you have plugged in by avoiding extension cords, which could also overload the GCFI outlet.

Power surges can happen at any time. Being protected against them can make all the difference in your property. When power surges happen, they can threaten any device that it comes into contact with, which is why you will find most homeowners using mini-outlet surge suppressors. There is another solution, though, a hard-wired surge protection solution installed by a licensed electrician.

By definition, a power surge is a sudden increase in voltage that exceeds the standard voltage (typically 120 volts). When the surge happens, the wiring inside the devices overheats and begins to burn. Most modern homes have expensive appliances that can end up strained, compromised, or destroyed when encountering a power surge.

Power surges can occur due to faulty wiring, downed power lines, utility transformers, and even lightning. Installing a whole house surge protector works much like the smaller plugin forms, only they are hard-wired – meaning you don’t have to worry so much about it. EVSOL Energy helps ensure you are safe in your home with options that protect your wiring and your devices/appliances from unexpected power surges.