Technology has become essential in everyday life, so you likely have devices around the house. Even with gadgets going wireless, some of your equipment may still have cables running across the floor and underground.
These wires may appear to be safe, but they’re not invincible. You must know these 10 threats, and how to protect your cables and wires. Without safe practices, your home could be in a world of hurt.
1. Rodents
The first threat you should watch out for is rodents. Rats and field mice are concerned about their survival, just like you are. They leave their habitat daily to search for food, and your cables and wires at home may be on their dinner menu. Don’t underestimate how sharp a rat’s teeth can be — they’re stronger than copper and iron, meaning they have plenty of strength to take down your wires.
Rats may have strong teeth, but you have tricks up your sleeve. Start by stopping rodents from entering your house in the first place. Find cracks in your foundation or walls, and use sealant to remove their entry points. Are your wires outside? Find rodent-resistant cable boxes to protect your cords. This safety measure uses strong materials, such as galvanized steel or concrete not even a rat can chew through.
2. Insects
Another animal threat you need to consider is insects. The United States has over 100,000 bug species, many of which would love to chew on your wires. Insects may be tiny, but they can gnaw on your cables and compromise the insulation.
If you thought one bug was a problem, try a few hundred more. Insects can use your wires to build nests and produce offspring. Your area likely has thousands of species of bugs, but there are a few you should keep your eye on for cable protection:
- Termites: You may picture termites eating wood, but they can chew through wires. With enough chewing, termites can ruin your wires and even dislodge them.
- Ants: Summertime means an influx of ants in your house, garage and backyard. Like rats, ants have much stronger teeth than you’d expect. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory says zinc makes ant teeth as strong as aluminum, creating a potent bite.
- Beetles: Beetles are easier to spot than ants or termites, but they pack a punch by chewing through your wires and building nests inside your cables if they’re large enough. Some types of beetles can secrete fluids and further damage your wires. For example, powderpost beetles corrode wires when they leave behind cresyl alcohol.
So, how can you protect your wires from these annoying bugs? First, keep them out of the house with regular pest control inspections and insect traps around the house. Remind yourself and everybody else to store wires in designated airtight containers when you’re not using them. Inspecting your home’s foundation and walls is also a solid strategy for insect mitigation.
If your wires must remain outside, you may need to get more creative. Consider metal tubing or conduit for maximum protection. Bugs won’t be able to chew through thick metal tubes, providing a formidable solution for outdoor cables. Another solution is to use duct seal or electrical insulation putty. This insulation is strong enough to keep the bugs away.
3. Pets
You can kick the bugs and rodents out of your home and still have damaged wiring. Who’s the culprit this time? Your dogs and cats may be the most immediate threat to your cables.
Cats, dogs, hamsters and other domesticated animals are curious creatures, especially the younger ones. Your pets see wires and think they’re chew toys, not important metal strands for transferring electricity. Dogs sometimes bite cords to relieve their stress and anxiety because they find chewing soothing.
Chewing on wires can lead to electrocution if they get past the insulation to the live wire. They can also get tangled among the cords and risk strangling themselves if stuck.
The best way to protect your wires is to train your pets and discipline them if you catch them chewing. You might not always be home to monitor your pet’s activities, so get cable covers for your wires. These barriers are strong enough to protect from even the strongest teeth and can fit multiple cables in one unit. If your pets insist on chewing, give them designated toys to chew on to distract them.
4. Children
When you were a kid, did you snoop around places you weren’t supposed to? Kids are curious and want to know everything about the world around them. Unfortunately, this curiosity could lead them into your garage, where they risk numerous dangers with cables and wires.
Babies — like pets and bugs — are prone to chewing on wires. Curiosity may be a factor, but they could also be teething or seeking sensory stimulation. Regardless, it’s dangerous for your children. Kids can shock themselves if touching exposed wires or wrapping cords around their necks. Sometimes, your children may simply trip on the cables while running around the house.
The easiest solution is to keep the wires out of reach. You can organize the cables and make them run above and around furniture and other objects with cable clips. Cord shorteners are an excellent tool to prevent kids from pulling and damaging cords. If push comes to shove, tape the cables to the ground.
5. Hot Temperatures
Unless you live in a city like San Diego, you’ll likely face extreme temperatures throughout the year. Hot and cold weather negatively impact your wires, even if they appear fine.
In the summer, your cables and wires are at risk because the insulation isn’t as effective. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays compromise your insulation by breaking it down. As a result, the insulation becomes porous, with moisture entering the wires. It could become a fire if you’re not careful.
Before summer arrives, cover your wires with a UV-resistant sheath. Cities typically use UV-resistant sheaths for street lights and traffic signals around town. You can also safeguard your wires by using as much shade as possible. If there aren’t trees around, use tarps and other means of protection.
6. Cold Temperatures
Unfortunately, cold weather is also a significant problem for your cables and wires. The brisk temperatures typically bring dry conditions, making your cords brittle. As the temperatures dip, your wires will become stiffer and more vulnerable to cracks. One wrong bend could ruin everything.
Cold weather also means your wires face increased resistance. Now, they must work harder to transfer electrical currents, causing overheating if the insulation needs improvement. Plus, the ice buildup on your outside wires causes them to become heavier, thus risking collapse.
If your area is prone to the cold, your priority should be keeping your wires dry. Snow and ice will quickly damage your cords, so keep them out of the elements as much as possible. Heat tape is an excellent solution. Alternatively, you can use blankets or cable bundles for thermal support.
7. Rain
Hot and cold temperatures may be unique to summer and winter, but you can see rain throughout the year. This precipitation is among the most common weather threats for cables and wires, causing thousands in damage if you’re not careful.
Your most immediate concern with rain should be short-circuiting. This problem occurs when electricity attempts to find the path of least resistance but runs into liquid instead. Water conducts electricity well but can start a fire by short-circuiting the wire. Heavy enough rain can bend or even break your cables.
In the long run, rain can damage the cable’s insulation and cause corrosion. Water and oxygen combine to cause rust on your wire’s metal conductors. Rust is the last thing you want to see because it’s fatal for most cords.
Protect your equipment by using weatherproof cables. Manufacturers typically use PVC, polyethylene or other rigid materials to mitigate the effects of rain. Protect your wires further and use weatherproof connectors to ensure moisture cannot compromise your wires.
8. Lightning
Thunderstorms cause lightning, but you can see strikes in numerous types of weather. For example, even heavy snowstorms produce lightning due to strong temperature gradients. You should fear lightning strikes because they can harm your cables and wires through direct or distant strikes.
A direct strike would be fatal for your wires because it melts the insulation and quickly causes short-circuiting. It won’t be long before a fire starts, which can be devastating if you’re not around to call emergency services. Even a distant strike to the ground or a nearby object can travel to your wires, causing the same problems.
The best lightning protection for your wires is putting them in the ground. Lightning can still affect these wires, but their direct exposure is limited. Another necessary safety precaution for your cables is surge protectors. Lightning strikes can cause a massive influx of electricity, so the surge protector diverts the excess energy. Without one, you risk short-circuiting and fires starting with your cables and wires.
9. Earthquakes
Many times, you’ll see cables and wires underground. This strategy emphasizes safety by protecting them from extreme temperatures and most natural disasters. However, this plan isn’t foolproof because you must still account for earthquakes.
Earthquakes can damage underground cables and wires by breaking or pulling them apart with their violent shaking. This disaster can spawn landslides or tsunamis that bury above-ground wires and cause enormous damage to local infrastructure. For example, the 2011 T?hoku earthquake in Japan cut undersea cables and compromised communication inside and outside the country.
Earthquakes can come anytime, so preparing your wires for them is critical. Cable ties and anchors are practical options for your above-ground wires because they keep the lines in place. They may struggle with a 9.0-magnitude earthquake, but they’ll hold under duress. Protective sleeves offer solid protection by covering your wires from falling debris during the earthquake.
Another option is to utilize seismic isolation devices. This system benefits those living in earthquake-prone areas because it separates your building from the ground. Therefore, an earthquake won’t affect your facility as much. A seismic isolation device could be necessary if you live near the edge of a tectonic plate.
10. Criminals
The discussed threats so far have come from weather, animals and naive children. Adults can be hazardous with cables and wires if they’re neglectful with their handling, especially if they’re doing it on purpose. Criminal activity or sabotage is a severe risk to your cords, so vigilance is essential.
Why would criminals want to mess with your cables? Copper is a standard component in electrical wiring and you can get a good price on it by selling it to scrap metal dealers. Thieves know this and make a quick buck by stealing your copper. In Los Angeles, a criminal cut a copper pipe to steal the metal and caused a flood at an apartment complex.
Protecting wires from criminals is more challenging because they’re smarter than your average bug or child. However, it is doable, considering most thieves won’t risk detection if they stay in one place too long. Make life harder for these criminals by using tamper-resistant connectors, which typically require a screwdriver or a specific key to unlock them.
You should also use indirect protection with security cameras, motion sensors, alarms and other anti-theft devices. They might not be foolproof, but they’re often enough to thwart criminals from executing their plans.
Protecting Your Cables and Wires All Year
Sometimes, people take their technology for granted. They become accustomed to its convenience but forget to maintain their devices. Many of your gadgets likely have cords hanging out despite the wireless revolution of the last couple of decades. Protecting these cables can make the difference between life and death.
The weather may be the most immediate threat to your cables because it can happen throughout the year and anytime during the day. Protecting your wires from water and moisture should be your top goal.
Then you need to worry about animals with insects and rodents. These creatures search for food and are desperate enough to chew through your cords. Fortunately, you can train your pets and children not to chew on them. On the other hand, criminals won’t listen to training, so be proactive.
[Note: This was a guest post.]
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