How to Prevent Electrical Fires in Coraopolis
According to the National Fire Protection Association, about 47,700 of the structure fires that were reported to fire departments in the U.S. in 2011 were caused by some type of electrical failure. Most of these fires could have been prevented, and many led to to serious property damage or injuries. Keeping your home’s electrical system in great condition should be one of your biggest priorities, not only because it keeps your home functional, but also because it could prevent an electrical fire in Coraopolis.
Any number of different electrical problems can cause a fire, including:
- Outdated wiring and related problems
- Problems with lamps and lighting fixutres
- Malfunctioning outlets, cords, and plugs
- Malfunctioning transformers and power supplies
It’s very important to ensure that every part of your home’s electrical system is in good condition, but that’s more easily said than done. The Coraopolis electricians and Parme Electric recommend that you have regular electrical safety inspections performed, and you should call a professional as soon as you notice any of the following signs:
Old or Outdated Wiring
Electrical wiring systems have an average lifespan of 30-40 years, but around a third of homes in the U.S. have had the same wiring for more than 50 years. If your home’s electrical wiring is outdated, you may notice some of these signs:
- Circuit breakers that trip frequently
- Fuses that blow
- An over-reliance on extension cords and surge protectors
These things should be temporary solutions to problems. If they become a normal part of your home, you could be at risk of a serious electrical fire. Call our professional electricians to have your wiring inspected, and we can help you determine whether you need to have all or part of the wiring replaced. We specialize in rewiring homes and inspecting old house wiring in Coraopolis .
Aluminum Wiring
During the 1960s and 70s, aluminum wiring was widely used. As it turns out, however, aluminum oxidizes very quickly, and that oxidation can very quickly turn into corrosion. That means that while aluminum works well as electrical wiring for a short time, it has an unfortunately short lifespan. Once it begins to corrode, it puts your Coraopolis home at serious risk for an electrical fire.
It’s possible that your entire home will need to be rewired, but most of the time, you’ll only need to a partial rewiring. In either case, you should have a professional look at your wiring as soon as possible.
Arc Faults & Electrical Fires in Coraopolis
Arc faults occur when an electrical current veers away from its intended path, and they are a leading cause of electrical fires.
Arc faults may occur when a tree falls on a power line, or they could occur because you damaged the wiring in your walls by moving furniture. Any number of things can cause arc faults, so it’s very important to ensure that you are protected from them.
Arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) can detect any arc faults that occur in your home and prevent the circuit from causing any problems with the rest of your electrical system. Our Coraopolis electricians can inspect your home and let you know if you should have AFCIs installed to keep your property safe.
