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Appliance cords, extension cords, and rarely used lights—like Christmas or patio lights—should be inspected for signs of wear. "If a cord is worn, or the ground is broken, throw the cord away," insists Holt.
One indicator of a potential wiring problem is the lighting in the home. If certain lights dim or brighten intermittently and for no apparent reason, there could be a wiring issue. "Lighting that flickers or acts erratically is a sign," says Holt. Lighting can experience a momentary decrease in brightness when a large load has just started, or when a cycling appliance (an iron, for instance) is in use. If this is not the cause, homeowners should seek professional help.
Avoid Electrical Hazards
Extension cords and surge protectors are two commonly misused electrical devices. Extension cords are intended for temporary use only, and must be used as rated. Holt takes an even more conservative approach, warning that "Extension cords should not be used in the home." If you require an extension cord inside, you're better off installing another receptacle. Also, extension cords should never be used to extend the range of a surge protector.
Surge protectors should not be linked to one another or overloaded. Overloading surge protectors is a common mistake, and should be avoided.
The use and installation of generators has become a hot topic in the electrical community. Improper installation of a generator can lead to serious dangers in the home, to neighbors, and to utility workers addressing an outage. "Too many people are plugging their generators right into the panel without a transfer switch," says Brenner. This can result in dangerous surges to houses on the grid, or fatal injury to workers restoring power.
Before doing any digging outside the home, homeowners should call "811." This free, national number connects the homeowner to professionals who will come to the home and mark the buried utility lines, preventing potentially fatal hazards.
To DIY or not to DIY
Undertaking a project involving the home's electrical system should not be taken lightly. Many experts feel that no electrical system work is suitable for the untrained. "Working on the electrical system is a lot more dangerous than it appears," Holt says. He sees and reads of numerous electricity-related deaths every year. "You are trying to take a dangerous source and alter it and contain it for your convenience. Misconnecting one wire can result in death. It's just not worth the risk." Homeowners in need of maintenance or upgrade to the electrical system should hire a licensed electrician. This is a source of controversy within the industry, too, since not every state requires electrical contractors to receive licensing and continuing education. "The National Electric Code is updated every three years," Holt says, "but not every state requires electricians to go to class. You can't cut hair without a license, but you can take a dangerous source of energy in a person's home and work on it."
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Text by Benjamin Hardy
© 2007 BobVila.com
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