Preventive Maintenance for Your Electric System

The following recommendations for your electric system will keep problems to a minimum and increase the overall safety, appearance and good working order of your home.

1) Check the condition of lamp cords, extension cords, and plugs. Replace cords, etc. at the first sign of wear or damage. The rating of lamp cords and extension cords is rarely as high as the permanent wire which was installed in and throughout the walls of the house. If these cords are used for an appliance or appliances which overload the capacity of the cord, but not the wiring in the wall, the extension cord will become warm or hot. Continued use will deteriorate the insulation and create a fire hazard. Lightweight extension cords should never be installed for permanent use and should never be used for high draw appliances (e.g., hair dryers, power tools, etc.).

2) Check all portable appliances and power tools for loose or frayed wires, have them repaired before using.

3) Check all exposed wiring (e.g., in an unfinished basement or garage, etc.), switches and receptacles for wear, damage, or malfunction. Have these components repaired or replaced immediately.

4) Check the exterior service cable. Deteriorated insulation allows water to enter and creates a potential fire hazard. Water may follow the wire and corrode contacts at the meter socket and/or the panel box. A deteriorated service cable should be replaced.

5) Check for distribution overloads. If fuses blow or circuit breakers trip frequently, contact an electrician to determine the cause and to make the necessary repairs. The size of the wire dictates the size of the fuse or circuit breaker (e.g., a 14-gauge wire should be protected by a 15-amp fuse or circuit breaker, a 12-gauge wire should be protected by a 20-amp fuse or circuit breaker, and a 10-gauge wire should be protected by a 30-amp fuse or circuit breaker).

6) Check exterior lighting to make sure their weather-proof boxes are watertight. Outdoor circuits and receptacles in bathrooms or near on kitchen counters should be protected by a supplementary circuit device called a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). A GFCI operates on balance in the circuit as compared to circuit breakers and fuses, which respond to quantity. GFCI devices operate with a transformer which senses the balance of current in a given circuit. If current is diverted the GFCI device will sense it turn off the power. The current that leaves the circuit creates a differential and causes the circuit to open or turn off.). They help prevent fatal electric shocks.

Michael Del Greco

http://www.AccurateInspections.com
http://www.NewJerseyHomeInspection.com