Overloaded circuits: a cause of electrical fires!
1/6/2012 10:00:00 AM
Damage and losses caused by a house fire may be covered by standard home insurance. Arlington house fires are often caused by electrical faults resulting from overloaded circuits.
Homes built more than thirty years ago were not designed to cope with more than a few home appliances. People whose homes have insufficient power outlets often plug electrical devices into alternative electrical connectors like power boards, extension cords, and double adapters.
Lights flickering and circuit breakers tripping when multiple devices are turned on are signs that an electrical circuit is underpowered for the load that is being drawn. Electrical safety professionals warn that more than two appliances connected to the same power point have the potential to overload the circuit and start a fire. An overloaded circuit can also damage sensitive electronic equipment and cause data to be lost. It is important to note that although power surge boards and extension cords provide protection from power surges, if multiple devices such as home theater components are plugged into a surge protector, they are still being plugged into one single power outlet; an arrangement that is not recommended by electrical safety experts.
Have your home’s wiring installation checked by a licensed electrical contractor if you notice signs of potential overload. As an added bonus, upgrading your electrical installation may qualify you for discounted premiums on home insurance; Arlington homeowners who upgrade their electrical installations to meet modern code standards may be able to avoid the risks associated with overloaded electrical circuits!
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Homes built more than thirty years ago were not designed to cope with more than a few home appliances. People whose homes have insufficient power outlets often plug electrical devices into alternative electrical connectors like power boards, extension cords, and double adapters.
Lights flickering and circuit breakers tripping when multiple devices are turned on are signs that an electrical circuit is underpowered for the load that is being drawn. Electrical safety professionals warn that more than two appliances connected to the same power point have the potential to overload the circuit and start a fire. An overloaded circuit can also damage sensitive electronic equipment and cause data to be lost. It is important to note that although power surge boards and extension cords provide protection from power surges, if multiple devices such as home theater components are plugged into a surge protector, they are still being plugged into one single power outlet; an arrangement that is not recommended by electrical safety experts.
Have your home’s wiring installation checked by a licensed electrical contractor if you notice signs of potential overload. As an added bonus, upgrading your electrical installation may qualify you for discounted premiums on home insurance; Arlington homeowners who upgrade their electrical installations to meet modern code standards may be able to avoid the risks associated with overloaded electrical circuits!
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