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Power restorations are large-scale projects that involve updating and replacing most elements of a building’s electrical system. While many restoration projects are undertaken to restore power to a building, this service can also be performed in advance to reduce the risk of prolonged outages, electrical fires, and other hazards.
3 Common Reasons Why Perform Electrical Restoration
Power restoration is usually completed for the following reasons:
Outdated electrical system
Electrical rehabilitation is typically performed for older residential and commercial buildings with severely outdated electrical systems. These buildings often have outdated elements like no-around sockets, aluminum wiring, and other features that make them susceptible to electrical fires and other hazards. By undertaking electrical restoration in conjunction with a significant renovation or another project, this building will be upgraded to current electrical codes and standards. This will ensure that it can safely handle modern power requirements for newer appliances and equipment, keeping the building safe while increasing energy efficiency.
Natural disasters
Floods, fires, and other natural disasters can cause severe damage to electrical systems throughout a residential or commercial building. While some facilities may not lose power during these disasters, their methods can still fail and must be replaced to minimize the risk of electrical fires or total blackouts. If your property has recently experienced a natural disaster, you should hire a professional electrician to inspect your system and determine if you need a partial or complete restoration.
Check Insurance
Insurance providers will often require a complete electrical test before providing coverage to a home or business. If this inspection reveals outdated, damaged, or dangerous wiring, you may need to perform electrical restoration to fix these problems and get Insurance. If repair is required to bring your building to code, contact a licensed electrician immediately so they can assess your project and provide a solution as quickly as possible.
While extension cords are commonly used in various settings to power multiple devices, they are often used carelessly. They are one of the leading causes of electrical fires in North America. To reduce the risks associated with extension cords, it is essential to understand how to use them safely as a leading provider of complete residential electrical services. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of extension cord safety tips to help you experience the benefits of an extension cord while minimizing your risk of injury or electrical hazard.
5 Tips for Safely Using Extension Cords in Your Home
To ensure that every member of your family stays safe when using an extension cord, consider these tips:
1. Do not use extension cord near water or heat source
Extreme heat or humidity can cause severe damage to home wiring, making them a poor choice for kitchens and bathrooms. If you must use the extension cord in a humid or hot area, make sure it is in good condition and is only plugged into a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Breaker) socket.
2. Do not pull the cord when unplugging it from the outlet
When inserting the extension cord into the outlet, ensure the plug is fully pushed. Once you’re done with the line, always remove it by grasping the end of the extension cord. Never pull on the line to unplug it, as this can cause severe damage to the prongs or the socket.
3. Make sure your cord is rated for the required amount of power
It is important to note that extension cords have different ratings. Your wire rating should not exceed the amperage or wattage ratings of the items the line is powering because excessive pulling can be dangerous.
4. Use a three-pronged wire and never remove the ground pin
Three-prong extension cords are ideal because they ensure that the items plugged into them are correctly grounded. Never remove the grounding pin (bottom prong) to insert the line into an old outlet, as doing so dramatically increases the risk of electric shock, fire, and other hazards.
5. Never plug an extension cord into another extension cord
Although you may want to promote the extension cord into another extension cord to increase the length, this is a dangerous practice. Also known as “daisy wiring,” this practice can cause both wires to overheat or overload, significantly increasing the risk of electric shock or fire.
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