AFCI Breakers and Receptacles
If there were ever a time to be living it would be now. Technology is improving every day, and with these improvements has made for a better and richer life. Just look at your home, flat-screen TVs, iPads and computers. We can even control our thermostat from our phones.
The AFCI Breaker
As technology has been advancing, so has the electrical industry that supplies all of these fantastic devices. One such advancement is the AFCI breaker. The AFCI breaker is the only breaker on the market that can prevent a fire. This special breaker monitors the electric current in your electrical wiring, devices, outlets, switches and other associated devices. If an unwanted arc occurs, the breaker will sense the arc, and it will immediately turn off, and this reduces the chance of electric shock and electrical fire.
The AFCI Receptacle
This year the AFCI receptacle was introduced. The AFCI receptacle offers additional protection from potentially dangerous hazards from arc faults that can come from devices that are plugged into the outlet.
Arc faults can happen in many places. They can happen in the walls, in the attic or underneath the home. Loose connections or faulty lamp wiring can cause arc faults, which lead to fires. This is why it's so important to have the proper protection you and your family deserve.
Depending on the source, we have seen that there are over 165,000 fires caused by faulty electrical work. Many of these fires are due to electrical work that has not been installed to code and unwanted arcs.
An arc is so intense that it can create temperatures up to 10,000°F instantaneously. When an arc occurs, typically it affects the nearby material such as wood or insulation. In older homes, we have seen insulation that was made of chopped up newspaper. So it’s not hard to imagine why fires can happen so quickly.
If you have any questions or concerns about your electrical system and whether or not your home is safe, then call John's Electric today. We will send an expert safety electrician to your home, and give you peace of mind and make your electrical system safer than it ever has been.