Basic and Helpful Info About Your Home's Electricity

Basic and Helpful Info About Your Home's Electricity

How electricity gets into the home is not something many people put much thought into. Typically, people are content to simply use it to power their devices, cook their food, provide them entertainment, and keep them cool or warm. How does it all really work, though?

Unless you have an on-site generator, electricity is provided through your electric company through power lines and connected to a panel outside your home. The electricity travels through wires in a two hot, one ground configuration. One hot wire is used for standard 120 volt electrical outlets that power most of your household utilities. For special items like water heaters and washing machines, a 240 volt connection using both hot wires and the ground is used.

Everything is routed back to the panel in a circuit, and most homes have multiple sub-panels in the house. If the circuit is broken, nothing can be powered. Switches in these sub-panels, commonly called "breaker boxes," are called that because flipping one of the switches breaks a circuit to a room, killing its power. Flipping the switch back reconnects the circuit and turns the power back on. The switches serve as a security measure. They can be switched off if electrical work needs to be done. They can also automatically switch off if there is a power overload on the circuit.

While electricity is a great enhancement to modern life, it's not without its pitfalls. Because we're so used to having electricity at our disposal, it's that much more devastating when there is a problem. Furthermore, at times, it can be dangerous. Faulty wiring has been known to cause house fires, for example. If you're having issues with your household electricity at all, you should consult an electrician immediately.

If you are in the Atlanta area and have children, especially small children, it's a great idea to call an Atlanta electrician to install tamper resistant receptacles in your home. Receptacles, or what we typically call electrical outlets, can be very dangerous for young children. Considering how few adults really understand how their own electric systems work, it's no surprise that small children have no fear of electrical outlets. Children may see the three pronged holes in the wall as a face, or they might have memories of games they play. In any case, they may try to stick things inside the receptacle scissors, knives, keys, or anything. This can cause an electrical shock that could seriously injure or even kill a small child.

With tamper resistant receptacles, you don't have to be worried for your child's safety. These receptacles only activate when something is plugged in naturally. They also protect against discharge when removing a plug from the socket. Tamper resistant receptacles have proven so effective that home builders are now required by the 2008 National Electrical Code to install them in all new homes. If your home was built in 2008 or earlier, however, you should call an electrical contractor in Atlanta and arrange to have tamper resistant receptacles installed in your home. The cost is minimal, and it could make a lifetime of difference.

POST COMMENT

Why Proper Air Conditioning in Florida Is that Important? Asian Stock Aluminum Prices Rose Due To Tight Supply In The Region - Aluminum, Non-ferrous Metals - Tips for Trimming or Slashing Your Electrical Bill 5 Signs You've Found a Great Electrical Contractor Aluminum fences in Philadelphia – Add Charm and Security to Your Property A User Guide for Portable Air Conditioners Dangers of DIY Electrical Work Upgrade your Property with Ornamental Aluminum Fence in Philadelphia America's Electric Stove Exploded And Wounded The Entire Industry? - United States, The Digital arsenic field kit - CSIR - NEERI Technology National Nutrition Program Dilemma Knot Yet Solutions School Milk 2 Years - Pdh Multiplexer Digital Slr Cameras The Advantages of Appointing an Air Conditioning Contractor