Electricity is both a welcome asset and a potential danger in the home. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that there were 400 accidental electrocutions in the year 2000 alone. Additionally they estimate that faulty wiring causes 165,000 fires each year. Several conditions can cause these accidents including:

• Wires pierced by nails and/or screws from activities such as hanging pictures, nailing trim, or hanging cabinets.

• Pests that have chewed the insulation off of wires.

• Old wiring with shrunken and cracked insulation.

• Intrusion of moisture.

• Chemicals that have compromised wiring.

• Electrical cords or wires that have previously overheated.

• Cords that have frayed.

• Loose or incorrect connections.

• Faulty or damaged electrical appliances.

Having the proper shock prevention devices installed can help prevent many of these condition from becoming an accident or a fire.

A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter or GFCI is a simple device that the CPSC estimates could prevent over two-thirds of electrocutions occurring in homes as well as "thousands of burn and electric shock injuries." When electricity takes an unintended path between the current source and a grounded surface it is referred to as a "ground-fault."  In cases of electrocution it is because the individual's body became the path for the current to reach the ground. A GFCI replaces the first outlet in a circuit and helps watch that circuit for problems. It does so by monitoring the amount of current in the circuit and measuring for any loss. If the amount of electricity returning to the circuit is less than the amount originally entering, the GFCI "trips" and shuts of power. You will feel a shock but you should not be electrocuted.

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters or AFCI are more recent developments that help protect against arcing faults.  They install in place of conventional circuit breakers but a standard circuit breaker only responds to short circuits or overloads.  An AFCI will perform the same duty and additionally it protects against erratic current flow caused by arcing.

Don't wait until you have an accident or fire. Call K-Electric today and let us show you the options you have to keep your family safe.

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