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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The electrical system in your home has
been installed by a licensed electrical
contractor in accordance with all
applicable codes.
The codes are in place to ensure safe
operation of the electrical system for
normal residential use.
The electrical system in your home has
been installed by a licensed electrical
contractor in accordance with all
applicable codes.
The codes are in place to ensure safe
operation of the electrical system for
normal residential use.
Electrical Lines
Keep branches, shrubbery and trees clear of overhead electrical
lines leading to your home.
IF WORKING NEAR ELECTRICAL LINES, DO NOT TOUCH
LINES WITH LADDERS OR TOOLS.
Underground Cables
Underground cables are generally buried deep enough that
digging will not affect them. But before you dig, it is a good idea to
call your local utility service for the location of buried cables.
Circuit Breakers
Circuit breakers are the safety valve of your electrical system. The
master circuit breaker cuts off the electricity system to the entire
home.
Breakers are located in the main electrical panel and protect wiring
and appliances by turning off (tripping) if the circuit is overloaded.
However, the addition of large appliances such as a second
refrigerator, and some small appliances may trip the circuit. Give
careful consideration when adding or upgrading equipment that
may overload the capacity of your system.
When working on anything electrical, shut off electricity to your
home at the breaker to that area.
If an outlet isn't working:
Check to see if it's controlled by the wall switch.
Check the circuit breakers to see if any are tripped.
Reset circuit breakers by switching the breaker to the full "off,"
then to full "on." Just switching a tripped breaker to "on" will not
restore service.
If the outlet still doesn't supply electricity, call a professional
electrician.
If a circuit breaker continues to trip off:
Unplug all items connected to it and reset it to "on."
If the circuit stays on, it is an indication that one of the items you
unplugged is defective.
Check each item.
If a circuit trips when nothing is connected to it, call a professional
electrician.
Ground Fault (Circuit) Interrupter (GFI or GFCI)
GFI circuit breakers are on all kitchen, bathroom, garage and
outside receptacles.
These breakers are designed to trip at the slightest sign of
moisture contact.
Test the GFI reset button on circuit breakers once a month. This
will trip the circuit.
Press the reset button to return service.
If a GFI circuit trips during normal use, it may be an indication of a
defective appliance or an overloaded circuit.
A heavy appliance such as a freezer may trip the GFI breaker. If
you plug a refrigerator or freezer into a GFI controlled outlet, it's
possible that the breaker will trip, and the freezer contents will be
ruined.
Main Panel
Check your main panel annually for rust or watermarks.
Burned wires, or loose or poor connections should be reported
immediately to a professional electrician.
Meter
Meters are installed by your local utility company.
The billing amount is based on the total kilowatt-hours used as
measured by the meter.
Call the customer service department of the local power company
with any questions about billings or meter problems.
Fixtures
To check light fixtures that are not working, make sure the bulb is
screwed in tightly, then use a second bulb to assure that the bulb
isn't burned-out or broken.
Occasionally check to make sure your fixtures are tightly mounted.
Remove and clean decorative globes or other styles with enclosed
bulbs, as needed.
Replace any cracked globes to keep the fixture from falling.
Do not exceed the recommended wattage of fixtures. It's usually
stamped on the fixture.
A higher than recommended wattage can burn the wiring or ignite
a fire.
Clean interior and exterior of solid brass fixtures with a brass
cleaner to avoid tarnish.
Hardware that is not solid brass has a protective coating and will
tarnish if the protective coating is damaged.
Power Failure
In the event of a complete power failure, determine if your
neighbors have power. If they do not, call the local power company.
If the failure is only in your home, check the master switch and
circuit breakers. If one circuit breaker continues to trip, make sure
circuits are not overloaded.
If power will not stay on, contact a professional electrician.
Exterior Lighting
Never work on exterior light fixtures or change bulbs in damp
weather.
Outdoor lighting requires safe handling.
Plug outdoor lights and lights in trees into a ground fault
interrupter (GFI) circuit.
Any extension cord used outside needs to be outdoor rated and in
good condition. Plug the cord in a GFI circuit.
Interior Lighting
Lights may flicker for an instant when your furnace or air
conditioner starts. The furnace or air conditioner requires a large
amount of electricity to start. The electricity current returns to
normal as soon as the system starts. This is normal and not an
electrical problem.
Surges in electrical distribution supply from your power company
are normal and unavoidable.
If you own sensitive equipment, you may want to buy a surge
protector. They are avail-able at most hardware and electronics
stores.
Don't plug any light or appliance into an extension cord that's
smaller in diameter than the cord attached to the device as it may
overheat and cause a fire.
If there are children in the home, you may want to cover unused
baseboard outlets with safety covers.
If your neighborhood experiences a power outage, turn off or
unplug appliances, TVs, computers, and other similar items to
protect them from a possible electrical surge when power is
restored.
Keep branches, shrubbery and trees clear of overhead electrical
lines leading to your home.
IF WORKING NEAR ELECTRICAL LINES, DO NOT TOUCH
LINES WITH LADDERS OR TOOLS.
Underground Cables
Underground cables are generally buried deep enough that
digging will not affect them. But before you dig, it is a good idea to
call your local utility service for the location of buried cables.
Circuit Breakers
Circuit breakers are the safety valve of your electrical system. The
master circuit breaker cuts off the electricity system to the entire
home.
Breakers are located in the main electrical panel and protect wiring
and appliances by turning off (tripping) if the circuit is overloaded.
However, the addition of large appliances such as a second
refrigerator, and some small appliances may trip the circuit. Give
careful consideration when adding or upgrading equipment that
may overload the capacity of your system.
When working on anything electrical, shut off electricity to your
home at the breaker to that area.
If an outlet isn't working:
Check to see if it's controlled by the wall switch.
Check the circuit breakers to see if any are tripped.
Reset circuit breakers by switching the breaker to the full "off,"
then to full "on." Just switching a tripped breaker to "on" will not
restore service.
If the outlet still doesn't supply electricity, call a professional
electrician.
If a circuit breaker continues to trip off:
Unplug all items connected to it and reset it to "on."
If the circuit stays on, it is an indication that one of the items you
unplugged is defective.
Check each item.
If a circuit trips when nothing is connected to it, call a professional
electrician.
Ground Fault (Circuit) Interrupter (GFI or GFCI)
GFI circuit breakers are on all kitchen, bathroom, garage and
outside receptacles.
These breakers are designed to trip at the slightest sign of
moisture contact.
Test the GFI reset button on circuit breakers once a month. This
will trip the circuit.
Press the reset button to return service.
If a GFI circuit trips during normal use, it may be an indication of a
defective appliance or an overloaded circuit.
A heavy appliance such as a freezer may trip the GFI breaker. If
you plug a refrigerator or freezer into a GFI controlled outlet, it's
possible that the breaker will trip, and the freezer contents will be
ruined.
Main Panel
Check your main panel annually for rust or watermarks.
Burned wires, or loose or poor connections should be reported
immediately to a professional electrician.
Meter
Meters are installed by your local utility company.
The billing amount is based on the total kilowatt-hours used as
measured by the meter.
Call the customer service department of the local power company
with any questions about billings or meter problems.
Fixtures
To check light fixtures that are not working, make sure the bulb is
screwed in tightly, then use a second bulb to assure that the bulb
isn't burned-out or broken.
Occasionally check to make sure your fixtures are tightly mounted.
Remove and clean decorative globes or other styles with enclosed
bulbs, as needed.
Replace any cracked globes to keep the fixture from falling.
Do not exceed the recommended wattage of fixtures. It's usually
stamped on the fixture.
A higher than recommended wattage can burn the wiring or ignite
a fire.
Clean interior and exterior of solid brass fixtures with a brass
cleaner to avoid tarnish.
Hardware that is not solid brass has a protective coating and will
tarnish if the protective coating is damaged.
Power Failure
In the event of a complete power failure, determine if your
neighbors have power. If they do not, call the local power company.
If the failure is only in your home, check the master switch and
circuit breakers. If one circuit breaker continues to trip, make sure
circuits are not overloaded.
If power will not stay on, contact a professional electrician.
Exterior Lighting
Never work on exterior light fixtures or change bulbs in damp
weather.
Outdoor lighting requires safe handling.
Plug outdoor lights and lights in trees into a ground fault
interrupter (GFI) circuit.
Any extension cord used outside needs to be outdoor rated and in
good condition. Plug the cord in a GFI circuit.
Interior Lighting
Lights may flicker for an instant when your furnace or air
conditioner starts. The furnace or air conditioner requires a large
amount of electricity to start. The electricity current returns to
normal as soon as the system starts. This is normal and not an
electrical problem.
Surges in electrical distribution supply from your power company
are normal and unavoidable.
If you own sensitive equipment, you may want to buy a surge
protector. They are avail-able at most hardware and electronics
stores.
Don't plug any light or appliance into an extension cord that's
smaller in diameter than the cord attached to the device as it may
overheat and cause a fire.
If there are children in the home, you may want to cover unused
baseboard outlets with safety covers.
If your neighborhood experiences a power outage, turn off or
unplug appliances, TVs, computers, and other similar items to
protect them from a possible electrical surge when power is
restored.
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