Tip #5: Protecting Your Electronics and Appliances!

Types of Surge Protectors

         Surge protector power strips often look just like normal power strips. Most power strips are just extension cords without any protection. Surge protector power strips actually help protect your electronics against power surges, so you might want to double check when purchasing power strips. Surge protectors often have a “Protected” or “Protection” light on them that lights up when they’re plugged in. If you read the fine print, you may see “suppressed voltage rating”, “protection”, or “suppression”, which means you have a surge protector.

            The most common type of surge protector is the surge breaker, which is designed to provide complete home surge protection for sensitive electronics and appliances from damaging effects of surges. Surge breakers are installed in your electric circuit breaker box or main point of power entry to your home, whether the box is indoors or outdoors. This is the most convenient way to protect your complete home instead of buying multiple surge protector power strips and having them laying all over your home.

Are Surge Protection Devices Required?

            Surge Protectors are not required, but highly recommended in areas with high exposure to lightning. If you really want to protect your appliances, we recommend a whole-home surge protector breaker over a surge protector power strip, as it will protect your appliances from large voltage spikes from nearby lighting strikes. Surge breakers will typically cost anywhere from $100 - $200, but they can save you thousands of dollars in the long run!

Tip #4: Why You Should Replace Outdated Receptacles with TR Receptacles!

Difference between TR and old style receptacles

         Tamper-Resistant (TR) receptacles contain a built-in shutter system that allows plugs to be inserted ONLY when equal pressure is applied simultaneously to both sides of the receptacle. TR receptacles reduce the risk of electrical injuries, but are not completely tamper-proof. Many people believe that TR receptacles are child-proof, which they aren’t, but they are intended to increase safety for children, much safer than old style receptacles.

            Old style receptacles don't contain this built-in shutter system, therefore the risk of anyone (especially a child) to get electrocuted is much higher. Some parents that have old style receptacle usually purchase plastic outlet plugs to cover the slots on the receptacles so children won’t insert anything into the slots. These plugs can be a chocking hazard to children if they are able to remove them, or if people forget to reinsert them after using the receptacle.

Locations & Requirements

            All 125volt, 15 or 20amp receptacles are required to be listed as tamper-resistant receptacles in all areas (commercial and residential) where children will be present. Typically, commercial spaces and office buildings do not require TR receptacles. All new outlets installed in old or new construction must also be TR receptacles.

            Combination Tamper & Water Resistant (TR & WR) receptacles ensure safety and weather resistance in wet and damp outdoor locations. TR & WR receptacle requirements may vary by location/city.  

Tip #3: Overloading is a Bad Idea!

Common Mistakes

            Some homeowners overload their electrical outlets especially during the holidays when they connect their Christmas tree lights on top of the lamps, home theater systems, appliances and many other electronics already connected within the same electrical outlet or branch circuit. Many of those homeowners don't realize they may be overloading the outlets with these connections, over some periods of time it’s likely these outlets will overheat and burn out.

Look out for counterfeit electrical products sold in your everyday retail store. Most products are not designed or tested to withstand the standard domestic electrical outlets. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and Factory Mutual are some U.S. organizations that test products to determine if they are safe to use in homes. Products that pass their test are attached with their company’s safety labels. It’s important to look for these safe labels when shopping for electrical products.

Calculating Electricity Usage

Another thing you can do to prevent any electrical fires is calculating how much electricity your connections will be using and figuring out how much your electrical outlets or circuit breaker can handle. You then eliminate any connections that you don't need or any risky connections. If you are not sure how to calculate the usage of your connections, use this formula:

p/e=i (wattage divided by volts equals amps)

(EX.) If you have a lamp with two 100watt bulbs, divide 200watts by 120volts and that equals 1.6amps being used by the lamp.

Subtract the 1.6amps from the size of the circuit breaker for that specific branch circuit. If you need further professional assistance, contact a licensed and insured master electrician.