by Radit 9B
Electricity is something we all depend on in our daily lives, but sometimes it becomes a nuisance to us because its malfunctioning or completely broken, and it can also lead to a lot of injuries such aswell. Such problems occur due to inadequate checkups or bad installation. Some of the most common problems include the circuit breaker switching on and off, power surges and insurges or and electrical shocks, this is how to prevent and fix those problems.
Electric shocks or electrocution is very dangerous to anyone, for some it just a tingling sensation while others end up in the cemetery. You can avoid such incidents by the following;
If you are using a damaged extension cord, throw it into the trash can as soon as possible, cords can be exposed without plastic covering it, and if its plugged in it’s a huge hazard, exposed extension cords could also cause fires if near flammable objects.
While installing a new lightbulb, make sure that the light switch is off and no one turns it on, because this could lead to a short circuit that could lead to a shock or fire, since it is not connected properly, and make sure to not have wet hands while installing light bulbs, possibly electrocuting yourself.
If you have or need a electrical outlet in a bathroom, it needs a GFCI, a system where the outlet stops transferring electricity when water is entering the outlet, this is to prevent electrocution.
Put away all electronic devices from pools, electronics that are not charged don’t pose any threat, but plugged ones are a danger. For additional safety measures, use GFCI.
When circuit breakers have an excess of electricity, it trips or breaks, since it’s a breaker, that can be switched on and off, but sometimes it wont switch back, here's how to fix it.
Make sure the area is not wet and wear rubber gloves and shoes, get a voltmeter that can measure up to 500 volts.
Remove the panel of the circuit breaker and make sure the switch is in “on” Turn the voltmeter on, the voltmeter should read between 120-200. If it comes blank it needs to be replaced.
You can replace the circuit breaker by buying a breaker that is the size and volts of your current breaker, while installing the new one, make sure to switch it off. While unscrewing the breaker, make sure the wires don’t touch other wires or other breakers, if you did not shut off the electrical system, the metal bars behind the breaker is live.
While your screwing in the breaker, push it down so it can lock in place, use needle-nose pliers to hold the wires while attaching the breaker, the screws shouldn’t be overly tight. Shut the panel closed and you have a new breaker. If you cannot do this, please hire a technician.
Articles and Videos
Preventing Electrocution: (None. 2016 April Tuesday. Dos and Don’ts To Avoid Electrical Shocks) Retrieved 10/11/2021, From Hydro Quebec.
Fixing Circuit breakers: (None. 2015 November Monday. Fixing Broken Circuit Breakers)
Retrieved 10/19/2021, From EarlyBirdElectricians
https://earlybirdelectricians.com/blog/fixing-broken-circuit-breaker/
I find this really interesting. People do lots of different things to save energy but many forget that maintaining the quality of your appliances can save yo a lot.