How Electrical Safety Inspections Can Prevent Electrical Fires

Electrical

According to the National Fire Protection Association, 47,700 fires caused by an electrical problem were reported to U.S. fire departments in 2011. Many of these fires led to serious injuries or fatalities, and most of them could have been prevent. Keeping your home’s electrical system as safe as possible should be one of your biggest priorities, and it can help you prevent a fire in your home, which is why electrical safety inspections are so important.

Some common electrical problems that can cause fires include problems with:

  • Wiring and related equipment
  • Lamps, light fixtures, and light bulbs
  • Cords and plugs
  • Transformers and power supplies

The best way to prevent an electrical fire in your home is to make sure that your electrical system is always in the best condition possible. The professional Raleigh electricians at Streamline Plumbing & Electric recommend that you have electrical safety inspections performed regularly, and you should have an inspection performed as soon as you notice any of these signs:

Old or Outdated Wiring

Electrical wiring systems have an average lifespan of 30-40 years, but about one-third of homes in the U.S. have had the same wiring systems for over fifty years. If your Raleigh home’s electrical wiring is outdated, you’ll notice a few signs that you should not ignore, including:

  • Fuses that frequently blow
  • Circuit breaker trip repeatedly
  • You use extension cords and surge protectors in several outlets

Extension cords, surge protectors, and switching circuits back on should all be temporary solutions to problems. If they become normal parts of your home life, you should have your electrical system inspected to ensure that it’s safe. Our Raleigh electricians will help you determine whether your wiring needs to be replaced.

Aluminum Wiring

Aluminum was popular in electrical systems throughout the 1960s and 1970s. However, aluminum oxidizes very quickly and that oxidation can lead to corrosion. So while aluminum is adequate for a short time, it has an unfortunately short lifespan, and once it starts to corrode, your Raleigh home will be at risk of an electrical fire.

It’s possible that your entire home may need new wiring, but most of the time, you’ll only need to have it partially re-wired. During an electrical safety inspection, our professionals will be able to let you know whether the aluminum wiring in your home is safe for use.

Arc Faults

Arc faults occur when an electrical current veers away from its intended path, and they are a leading cause of electrical fires.

Arc faults may occur when a tree falls on a power line, or they could occur because you damaged the wiring in your walls by moving furniture. Any number of things can cause arc faults, so it’s very important to ensure that you are protected from them.

Arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) will detect any arc faults in your Raleigh home’s electrical system. Our professionals will let you know whether you need to have any AFCIs installed in your home after our inspection.

If you’re looking for an electrical safety inspection in Raleigh, call Streamline Plumbing & Electric at 919-598-1000.

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