Have you been experiencing electrical troubles at home but want to get to the source of the problem before you call a professional for help?
Before you start tinkering with your electrical panel or anything that involves electricity, you should take safety precautions.
Circuit breakers are an essential component for the safety of any home. In most cases, they are the only wall that stands between an overloaded circuit and an electrical fire that would burn down your house.
Experts suggest that homeowners conduct regular checkups on their breaker boxes, but if you have no experience with such parts, here are five tips you absolutely need to know to protect yourself.
Always Turn Off the Power
The first and most obvious step before working with any electrical panels is to cut the power from the breaker box. To ensure that the power is cut off, plug something into the outlet or switch, flip the switch and use a tester. It only takes a moment to test the circuit, but it’s crucial to do so.
The main breaker needs to be turned off for the entire power in the home to be shut off. This should be done prior to fixing any electrical issues, even small and simple procedures for the utmost safety.
Wear Protective Equipment
Though it’s not a requirement, wearing protection can save you from numerous electrical and fire hazards. It can allow you to work properly without worrying about your safety. If there is even a slight chance of a short circuit or an arc flash, you need to be using personal protective equipment (PPE).
Check Your Tools and New Parts
If you’re handling the task of removing and adding a new circuit breaker or any other electrical part, take a moment to inspect its functionality first. If you notice any sort of damage on the new piece, it’s good to check with a professional or get a new part entirely. You can get a high-quality circuit breaker at Eaton Australia.
A quick inspection can save you from the wasted time of replacing a dysfunctional new part and will ensure that your connections work properly.
Child-Proof Your Outlets
If you have children or there is even a remote possibility that small kids will be in your home, make sure to install covers on your outlets, especially if you’re going to leave them unsupervised for a while.
The same can be said for pets. Dogs tend to lick every nook and cranny of the house, and it’s better to be safe than sorry. Spring-loaded electrical covers that automatically shut when nothing is plugged into them are the ideal option for most homeowners.
Avoid Extension Cords for Extended Use
Most people don’t realize how potentially dangerous it could be to tax your circuits with too many high-energy consuming appliances and devices. Extension cords worsen the problem by overloading a single circuit with multiple connections.
Every extra meter of cable further increases the load on the wiring and creates a higher possibility of electrical fires and shocks. So, extension cords should not be depended on for long-term use.
