Electrical systems are integral to everyday life. They power your appliances, heat and cool your home, and keep the lights on. Most homes receive electricity from a centralized grid, whereas some preppers stay off it and produce power for themselves. Regardless, knowing what to do when something goes wrong is essential whether your power is on- or off-grid.
Moreover, early problem identification can save you headaches in the future. Here’s everything you need to know about your home’s electrical system and how to stay safe during DIY repair.
The Essential Parts of a Home Electrical System
First, it’s essential to understand the basics. Here are five critical parts of your home’s electrical system you need to know.
1. Service Panel
Electricity starts at your home’s service panel. This device is the heart of your electrical system because it distributes power throughout your house. You’ll typically find it in the garage, basement or utility room if it’s inside the home. Some keep the service panel outside, near the meter. These panels contain the circuit breakers, bus bars, wires and other essential components to ensure your system runs smoothly.
2. Meter
An electric meter tracks how much energy you’ve consumed each billing period. Any time you like, you can read the meter. The system will tell you in kilowatt-hours how much power you’ve used. These devices are deemed essential nowadays because the world is trying to reduce power consumption.
Modern meters have become smart through innovative technology. These devices use digital technology to determine your energy usage more accurately. Plus, it tells you in real time how much electricity you’re using and how much money it costs you on your bill. With this information, you can better understand what’s running up your utility bills and make the necessary changes.
3. Main Circuit Breaker
Inside the service panel, you’ll find the main circuit breaker. This component is essential for your electrical system because it safeguards against short-circuiting, overloading and other hazards. Your main circuit breaker will typically be the largest switch inside the panel, making it easy to identify.
Main circuit breakers come in numerous sizes, ranging from 15 to 400 amps. Your home will typically have between 100 and 200 amps, depending on the size and appliances within your residence. On the other hand, an office building may increase that number to 300 or 400 amps to power all the electronics.
4. Branch Circuit Breakers
The branch circuit breakers function like your main circuit breaker because they protect your home’s electrical wiring from hazards. However, they differ because they protect specific circuits around the house. For example, branch circuit breakers may control the power flowing to your washing machine and ceiling fan lights.
Branch circuit breakers are vital because they detect when you draw too much power, such as if you plug too many electronics into a particular outlet. The branch circuit breaker responsible will stop delivering electricity to this circuit breaker to reduce the fire risk to wires.
[Editor’s note: It’s important to recognize that breakers are only meant to protect wiring, NOT you or whatever is plugged into an outlet. GFCI breakers, help but even these aren’t foolproof.]
5. Grounding System
Depending on your area, you’ll see power lines and underground electrical distribution systems. Underground systems are typically safer because they better protect your home from wind and torrential storms knocking out your power. Regardless, each method uses a grounding system to assist your electrical units.
The grounding system is another safeguard for your electric infrastructure. This mechanism is handy when your wiring starts to fault by providing an alternative electrical pathway.
Most homes in the United States have grounding systems that comply with National Electric Code (NEC) guidelines. The NEC has required grounding systems in residential homes since 1913, so 19th-century structures may still need this essential piece. Check your unit to ensure you have a grounding system.
Maintaining Your Home Electrical System
Cars, electrical systems and the human body have one thing in common — they require maintenance over time. How can you ensure your home’s electrical system is in tip-top shape? Here are five suggestions for care.
1. Inspect the System
First, you should thoroughly inspect your home’s electrical system. This examination will ensure all the panels and wires function correctly, and no apparent safety issues arise.
Your inspection should prioritize searching for wear and damage. These signs indicate it’s time to replace the parts with newer components. Record everything you alter if you need an electrician to work at your house.
When you find damage, it’s essential to determine what caused the problem. The culprit could be circuit overloading, corrosion or aging. You must also take into account animals in and around your house. Rodents love chewing on wires to sharpen their teeth and eat the insulation for a meal. These issues emphasize the need to inspect your electrical system and home regularly.
[Editor’s note: About four or five months ago, we started to have a problem with a circuit breaker tripping for no apparent reason. The electrician traced it down to an outside outlet that was corroding and trying to cause a wiring fire. He said this wasn’t unexpected given the location of the outlet and being exposed to the elements for decades. It’s something that I’d never considered would be problematic, but could’ve been horrific.]
2. Cleaning the Outlets
Electrical outlets seem straightforward, only requiring plugging and unplugging your devices. However, they can become dirty over time. Imagine the dirt and dust accumulating on your devices while they sit in your garage or living room. Grease, oil, water and even your Coca-Cola can unknowingly damage your outlets over time. Clean your outlets about once a year, especially the ones you use often.
Wipe your electrical outlets with a small brush or cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol. Remember to cut off power to each outlet before you clean it. Remove the dirt and debris, and allow it to dry. Once complete, return the power to each outlet and replace appliances as usual.
[Editor’s note: I’ve never heard to having to clean outlets. Personally, I don’t think I would bother with this. If an outlet ever got bad enough for me to consider cleaning it, then I think I would just replace the outlet. Besides, your safety really is paramount here, and I would hate for you to be adding liquid, like rubbing alcohol, to an electrical device that you thought was turned off when it wasn’t. Plus, there are sometimes weird wiring issues inside outlets where you may have turned off the outlet, but there’s still live power going through wiring that you might contact somehow. Really, this isn’t worth the risk or effort.]
3. Creating a Maintenance Schedule
Electrical systems rarely require your attention, but organizing a maintenance schedule is a good idea. You don’t have to open the service panel daily, but it’s wise to check on your system about once a month just to ensure nothing looks odd. While you’re at it, schedule testing for your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors once a month, too. These are crucial to your safety!
4. Include the Lesser-Known Parts
A residential electrical system is complex, and encompasses more than just outlets and wires. Don’t forget to include the lesser-known parts in your maintenance schedule, like ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
You’ll typically see GFCIs in outlets near water to protect you from electrical shock, primarily in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room. If available, examine the GFCI by pressing the test button on the outlet. If you don’t have these, consider having an electrician add them as they are there to save YOUR life.
5. Ensuring Code Compliance
Your home’s electrical system may become outdated as the years pass. Ensuring code compliance is essential because violations could lead to unwanted fines and worse. For example, New York City property owners now receive a minimum $25 daily fine for their offenses, increasing to $50 daily after a year. Keep your home up to code by asking an electrician to inspect your home every few years if you want to stay ahead of the law.
Staying Safe While Maintaining Your Electrical System
Some preppers live off the grid and far away from the nearest electrical service provider, requiring them to perform maintenance on their own. Here are four tips for staying safe while tending to your electrical system.
1. Wear Safety Equipment
The first thing you should do is obtain safety equipment. Insulated gloves and safety goggles are an excellent start because they protect your hands and face from electrical shocks. In some cases, wearing an arc flash suit and a face shield to protect your whole body from an electrical arc is warranted. At the very least, don’t allow yourself to become an easy conductor to ground should something happen. For instance, don’t stand on a metal stool or ladder (use a wooden chair) if you need to reach electrical components up high.
Regardless, preppers should keep a first-aid kit nearby in case they suffer from burns or other injuries.
2. Watch the Weather
If you set a maintenance schedule, it’s crucial to watch the weather and ensure you don’t endanger yourself. Extreme heat and cold can tax your body and cause your electrical equipment to fail, so you must be careful. The most dangerous conditions for maintenance may come with humidity and moisture.
The last thing you want to see is corrosion because it decreases conductivity in your wires, making them more likely to fail or catch fire. In high humidity, you may see water vapor on outdoor systems, heightening the chances of short-circuiting. Use a dehumidifier for indoor work and ensure you use personal protective equipment (PPE) on all systems.
3. Turn Off the Power
This safety tip should go without saying, but it’s worth a reminder to turn off the power before working on your home’s electrical system. Leaving the power on makes you vulnerable to live wiring and electrical shocks. Also, turning off the power protects your equipment from damage because the voltage may change during this time and cause a wire fire.
[Editor’s note: I know many people, especially electricians, who are all too happy to only turn off a circuit using the wall switch, but I prefer to go one step further and switch off the appropriate breaker. Better yet, get out a multimeter and check the connections and wiring just to be sure.]
4. Proper Disposal of Old Equipment
Is it time to replace your old equipment? After installing your new devices, you should be careful of what you do with the old parts. Improper disposal can lead to environmental pollution, fire hazards, health risks and more, so being cautious is essential. Wear your PPE if needed and place the electrical devices in a safe space. Then, transport them to a recycling facility accepting donations. They’ll likely ask you to remove cords and batteries before donating.
[Editor’s note: I have no idea what old equipment could be dangerous enough to warrant wearing PPE upon disposal or, worse, taking to a facility. My advice is that if you’re dealing with something this “dangerous,” then hire an electrician.]
Common Mistakes to Avoid With Your Electrical System
Electrical systems can be delicate and difficult to maintain, leading to broken units or severe injuries. Research shows the U.S. sees 1,000 deaths annually due to electrical injuries, with about 40% originating from high-voltage electricity. Avoiding these six common mistakes keeps you safe at home.
1. Neglecting the Warning Signs
Electrical failure can happen accidentally, but there are often warning signs leading up to the incident. Inspecting your equipment for exterior and interior damage is essential for maintenance.
Failure to do so can cause fires and inconvenient power outages. For example, your circuit breaker may have melted wires or scorch marks that indicate physical damage. Don’t ignore these signs because you’ll have more significant problems.
[Editor’s note: It may be best to have an electrician out once a year or so since they will be far more likely to know what’s actually a problem and can often spot trouble signs that the average person can’t. For instance, about two weeks ago, we had horrible hail damage come through. It totaled our vehicles and did a number on the house. The problem is that the roof looked just fine to me, aside from a broken skylight. The roofer explained why it wasn’t. Now insurance is replacing my roof. This is why the professionals know what they’re doing.]
2. Using the Wrong Tools
Before performing electrical work, you must have the correct tools. Using the wrong equipment can lead to electrical shocks and damage to the equipment.
For instance, metal tools must have insulation. Otherwise, the metal creates a path for the electricity to shock your body. Ensure your devices are safe for the job to protect yourself and everybody in your house.
3. Breaking the Law
Preppers don’t need a license to change a lightbulb. However, your state may require homeowners to obtain a permit to perform electrical services on their houses. Washington, for example, requires an electrical permit for most new and maintenance work in the state. Breaking the law could result in fines and safety liabilities, so it’s better to comply than be sorry later.
4. Installing the Wrong Devices
Lightbulbs are supposed to be simple, right? Anybody can install and remove one, but you must be careful when selecting products at the store. Installing an incorrect lightbulb can lead to overlamping, occurring when the bulb’s wattage exceeds the maximum for the fixture. This leads to overheating and increases the risk of a fire. On the flip side, insufficient wattage means your lamp won’t emit as much light as possible. You could also have problems with flickering and other oddball issues.
5. Not Labeling Your Circuit Breakers
Your service panel should have numerous rows of circuit breakers connecting to specific parts of your home. When performing maintenance, you must know which one goes where to ensure your safety. Labeling each circuit breaker saves you time when you need to troubleshoot a specific circuit.
6. Going Beyond Your Expertise
Did you learn about electrical equipment from a parent or grandparent? Sometimes, people learn from their friends at work, a neighbor or someone else. While this knowledge can get you started, you should still know your limits with electrical work.
Problems may arise going past your expertise and that’s OK. Err on the side of caution and contact a licensed electrician to do the job. Prioritize your safety before taking on unfamiliar tasks.
Protecting Your Electrical Equipment and Yourself
Electricity is essential for everyone, including preppers. It helps us communicate with family, store food safely and see in the dark. Most of us take electricity for granted and don’t know what to do when the power goes out. If you’re without power, it could take hours or days before someone comes for an inspection. Use this comprehensive guide to understand your electrical system and implement the dos and don’ts of maintenance.
[Note: This was a guest post.]
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