Electrical systems are the thirdleading cause of household fires, and
electrical fires occur for many reasons.
If you're a homeowner, you can
prevent electrical fires by maintaining a healthy electrical system.
Understanding the common causes of electrical fires can help you take care of
your home and avoid a fire on your property. Here's what you need to know about
the common causes of electrical fires in residential homes.
1. Arc Faults
Arc faults account for almost halfof the electrical fires every year. An arc fault occurs when an electrical
current sparks between metal contact points. This happens because of degrading
wiring in the walls of the house or because of the appliances being used.
Sometimes homeowners can hear
evidence of an arc fault in the walls. If you've ever been in a house with a
light or outlet that was buzzing or hissing, this was likely occurring because
of an arc fault.
Arc faults can be prevented with an
arc fault circuit interrupter outlet, known as an AFCI outlet. AFCI outlets
look like GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets, with two buttons on
the front to test and reset the circuit. AFCI outlets are designed to detect
subtle fluctuations in current that could indicate an arc fault is occurring
somewhere along the line.
If you're a homeowner who would like
to protect your house from arc faults, contact a qualified electrician. They
will be able to install AFCI outlets to help you protect your home.
2. Overloaded Circuits
Overloaded circuits are a particular
problem in older homes. Decades ago, 60 amp fuse boxes were common in
residences. Today, those fuse boxes do not provide enough electrical service
for a standard household. Still, some 60 amp fuse boxes still exist in some
homes.
Fuse boxes and circuit breakers are
both designed to shut down when circuits overload. However, this function
is easily overridden in fuse boxes. A homeowner who trips their fuse on a
regular basis can get around this problem by installing with a higher
amperage.
It's very hard to tell if a fuse box
has been rigged in this way, unless you're a certified electrician. If you own
an older home with a fuse box, previous owners could have done this to your
fuse box and you would not know.
Have your fuse box inspected by an
electrician. If your fuse box has been changed in such a way that fuses are
routinely overloaded without breaking, have the box replaced with a modern
circuit breaker.
3. DIY Electrical Upgrades
It's common for homeowners with some
knowledge of electricity to make their own electrical upgrades and fixture
installations. While a homeowner with minimal knowledge can successfully change
a light fixture, many homeowners have little knowledge of building codes and
electrical best practices.
The best way to avoid a house fire
due to improperly performed upgrades is to hire an electrician for changes that
are needed around the house.
DIY electrical upgrades pose a
danger to residential structures if they're performed by a homeowner who has
limited knowledge of the way electricity works. Hire a qualified electrician to
ensure that changes made to the home's electrical system are done
properly.
Contact a Qualified Electrician
If you're a homeowner who needs to
make changes or upgrades to your home's electrical system, or if you're just
concerned about the safety of your home's electrical system, contact a
qualified electrician. At Presley & Son Electrical Service, we're happy to
answer any questions you might have about maintaining a safe residential
electrical system. Call us todayto learn more about our services.
