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.