When we first become a home owner there are a lot of tasks put on our plate. There are so many things to know about your home once you start moving in, and it tends to feel like a full-time job. Sometimes we overlook certain features of our property because of this, which can cause lasting effects.
One of the things that should never be overlooked is investing in electrical safety devices for your house. These critical components are designed to protect you from dangerous situations and other types of issues. Ignoring your electrical system will not only harm the safety of your family and property, it will also hike up your utility bills and increase your carbon footprint. To help you maintain your electrical system, we have created an outline that discusses different types of power safety devices.
Table of Contents
Major Features of an Electrical System
Something worth noting: electricity is inherently dangerous. According to the United States Fire Administration, around 6.3% of all home fires are caused by an electrical malfunction every year. So, here are the five components that help protect your home from electrical fire.
1. Circuit Breakers
The brain, the heart, what’s next? Circuits. Think of your circuit breakers as your arteries. When power is piped into your home by an energy provider, it is funneled through the rest of your system through these electrical protection devices. You have different circuits for every part of your home, either the upstairs area, downstairs, basement, and for the garage.
2. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)
Ground fault circuit interrupters have an important duty. They automatically shut off electrical power to a circuit if it senses an electrical current flowing the wrong direction. GFCIs help protect against electric shock and fires.
3. Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs)
Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters detect faults in your electrical system. These electrical safety devices are mainly intended to prevent electrical fires as well, similar to GFCIs. Another extremely important feature for your electrical system.
4. Electrical Meter
Say your home is a living, breathing thing. If that’s the case, then think of the meter like it’s the brain. This box, usually located on either the exterior of your home or in an accessible place indoors, is the intelligence behind your electrical system.
It lets you view how much energy you’re consuming at the moment, allowing you to make smarter decisions going forward. Knowing how your meter works helps you become more aware of your electrical bill, and can reveal some problems that could potentially lead to more wasted energy.
Read More: Top 12 Things to Do When the Power Goes Out in Your Home
5. Main Breaker Panel
Since we’re classifying the meter as the brain, then the main electrical breaker panel is the heart of your electrical system.
Located in a basement or closet, the breaker panel controls the distribution board that divides the electrical power throughout your home. This allows you to turn the TV or refrigerator on at the same time. If you blow a fuse, trip a circuit breaker, or suddenly lose electricity, then go right to your breaker panel to resolve the issue.
Why Bother Learning About Your Electrical System?
Taking the time to learn about electrical protection devices can do wonders for your home. You can receive a host of benefits when you pay attention to how everything is working. You will be increasing your home’s safety so that when a small problem occurs, you will know exactly what to do. That way you will avoid any potentially dangerous situations.
You can also decrease your monthly utility bills, and who wouldn’t want that? Understanding the features that go along with your electrical system will help you realize what is working efficiently and what isn’t. This will help you avoid wasted energy. Lastly, you’ll begin to make smart energy consumption choices. You will easily identify which habits work for your family and which harm your electrical system. You will also learn ways to save more money and decrease your carbon footprint.
Professional Electrical Services for Homeowners
Our team of qualified electricians have the skills necessary to install the latest electrical safety devices in your house. Our staff is committed to protecting you from the negative consequences of power outages and will work with you to keep your power on during severe weather events.
Here at Reliable Power Systems, we know all the various features and components that make up your home’s electrical system. If sometimes breaks, we are first to be there to assess and repair any situation. We care about increasing your personal and home safety.
Small problems with your electrical system can quickly create dangerous situations. That is why all our well-trained electricians are prepared to handle the toughest situations. Our professionals provide reputable generator installation and generator repair services for homeowners throughout South Florida.
Our technicians also provide other types of innovative electrical services such as electrical panel replacement, lighting repair, ceiling fan replacement, and wiring installation. We also have the knowledge required to make smart energy consumption and safety decisions for you and your home moving forward.
Take this knowledge and use it to your benefit to keep your family safe – call Reliable Power Systems today!
