24/7 Emergency Service 
One of the most crucial components of your home is your electrical system. It’s necessary for powering all your appliances, lighting, and electronic devices. Because electricity can be dangerous, we’ll share with you some of the key tips you need to understand as a homeowner to safely use electricity.
1. Avoid Overloading Outlets
One of the most common problems homeowners create with their electrical systems is overloaded circuits. All the electrical circuits in your home can only provide a set amount of power to operate safely. If you try to draw more power than what the circuit is rated to handle, it can lead to an overload of electricity surging through the line. The job of your circuit breaker is to trip whenever there is a surge of power to prevent electrocution and electrical fires.
If you experience your circuit breakers constantly tripping, it’s a key indication that you’re overloading them. Using items like outlet adapters you plug into your existing outlet to provide you with more receptacles aren’t highly recommended by electricians. If you need more outlets to supply power to your appliances and electronics, consider installing more outlets instead of using outlet adapters. This will ensure every circuit can adequately handle your electrical demands without experiencing problems.
2. Replace Frayed Cords
Another key safety measure is you should never see bare wires unless it’s a ground wire. If any of your cords have fraying because the outer insulation layer is damaged, it’s a potential safety hazard. Touching those bare wires can lead to electrocution. It’s a fine idea to regularly inspect the cords for your devices and appliances and replace them as necessary. You never want to run appliances with damaged cords as they’re a fire and electrocution hazard.
3. Don’t Mess With Wiring
There are many different projects at your home you can DIY. Your electrical system is not one of them. It’s pretty common for most electrical codes to require a licensed electrician to handle any household wiring and other electrical jobs. Electricians undergo formal training, have required hands-on experience, and must pass certification exams to obtain their license. This helps to ensure they stay safe on the job and wire your home correctly for your utmost safety.
4. Extension Cords Aren’t Permanent
Extension cords are specifically designed as a temporary solution when you need to run power over a long distance. You should never rely on extension cords as a permanent fixture in your home. If there isn’t an outlet located where you want to put a specific appliance or electronic device, it’s best to have one of our electricians install one.
When you do use extension cords, you need to be careful about their rating to ensure you’re not overloading them or using them in the wrong environment. All extension cords will be rated for either indoor or outdoor use. You never want to use an indoor-rated extension cord for anything outdoors as it’s not meant to handle the excess moisture. All extension cords will also have a wattage rating that specifies how much energy they can safely transfer.
You never want to plug in an appliance or electronic device whose wattage exceeds that of the extension cord. Additionally, extension cords should never be run in locations where people are regularly walking on them as the compression can damage the core. They should also not be coiled as this can lead to overheating and a potential electrical fire.
5. Get Routine Inspections
Routine electrical inspections are a great way to catch aging components of your electrical system and any malfunctions. Most electricians recommend getting a professional inspection every three to five years if your home is under 25 years old. If your home is older than 25 years, getting an inspection every one to two years is best.
6. Know Warning Signs of Electrical Problems
As a homeowner, it’s vital you understand some of the most common signs that indicate a problem with your electrical system. When you’re able to identify these signs, you can get prompt electrical repair service to remedy the problem before it gets any worse or more dangerous. Some of the most typical signs of an electrical malfunction include constantly tripping circuit breakers, flickering lights, buzzing sounds and light switches, loose outlets, damaged wiring, and a burning odor.
7. Update Outdated Electrical Items
As the years go by, electrical standards continue to grow to create a safer environment for homeowners. Unfortunately, if your home was built more than a decade ago, it may not be up to modern-day electrical standards. Being able to spot outdated components can inform you that it’s time to update those outdated components. Some of the most common outdated electrical components in older homes include non-grounded outlets, fuse boxes, knob and tube wiring, aluminum wiring, and dead outlets.
8. Know When to Call an Electrician
Over the lifespan of your electrical system, it’s typical for components to wear out or malfunction. When you notice something out of the norm with your electrical system, it’s best to give our electricians a call promptly. You never want to put off getting electrical repairs, as electricity can be very dangerous when not functioning correctly.
For example, it may not seem like a big deal that you have a loose outlet in your wall. However, when that outlet moves back and forth, the wiring on its side may come into contact with other wiring in its electrical box, creating dangerous electrical arcing. This can lead to an unfortunate electrical fire in your home.
9. Don’t Compress Electrical Cords
No one likes seeing a tangled mass of cords in their home. To help tidy up the look of your electronic devices, you may consider using electrical staples to run them in a safe location. While these staples can be a great tool for a knowledgeable homeowner, they can also be a very dangerous problem for those who don’t know how to use them correctly.
When putting in electrical staples, you must ensure you’re not compressing the electrical cord. The job of the staple is to essentially hold the cord in place while still allowing it to slightly move under the staple. You never want the staple to penetrate the insulating layer of the cord, as this will just wear through over time and energize the staple. Instead, only pound the staple in far enough that it won’t work itself loose. You should be able to move the cord back and forth under the staple with ease for optimal use.
10. Be Mindful of Overhead Wires
When it comes to outdoor wiring that runs on the power lines, individuals who come into contact with it risk fatal injury. It’s important to keep this in mind when working around overhead wiring at your home. You should always avoid placing ladders within 10 feet of your weatherhead and have tree trimming professionals take care of trimming tree branches back away from your power lines so that they don’t fall down.
Reliable Electrical Inspection Service
MVP Air Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing & Electric provides reliable electrical inspection services to the Lenexa, KS community. We can also assist with all your electrical replacement, new panel installation, and repair needs. Call our office today to book your next service consultation.
Business Hours
Quicklinks
