Electricity is a vital part of our day to day lives and it is a requirement for most of us to live and work. Because it holds so much power, electricity can be dangerous if you don’t understand it or know how to use it properly.
Circuit breakers are one of those household items that people have in their homes or basements that not only help control the home’s electricity, but they also help keep the electrical circuits safe. Here’s how circuit breakers protect our homes.
Detection.
Circuit breakers have been designed to detect when there is a fault in the electricity, so it will “trip” and shut down electrical flow. This detection is key to preventing surges of electricity that travel to appliances or other outlets, which can cause them to break down. Circuit breakers on a greater scale, can even help cities from potential damage that could be caused by a large electrical breakdown.
When too much current flows through the circuit, this can be dangerous and could be a significant fire hazard. If cables get damaged, it can spark and cause wood or other material to catch fire. It is not good when electricity flows through cables without restriction.
This could be caused by plugs that are wired incorrectly, a faulty device, or something as simple as a cable being chewed on by a pet. The bottom line: a circuit breaker that works well will prevent your house from catching fire in case the electricity flow malfunctions.
Today’s circuit breakers have been engineered with the utmost attention to detail. Sure, it can be annoying when they trip and turn off the power and you must go figure out how to get things running again. But don’t forget why this happens: this is saving you from a potentially deadly situation where a fire could damage or even destroy your home. A tripped breaker could be a signal of something very serious, so don’t ignore it.
Circuit breakers are one of the most important parts of your home, but they are commonly not understood by homeowners. It is crucial to recognize the basics of how they operate and how they keep your home safer, so you can help keep you and your family protected every day of the year.
If your home’s circuit breaker is out of date or you are noticing that it is tripping often, there could be an issue with it or with the overall residential electrical system in your home. This should not be ignored! Our team at Prairie Electric is glad to check it out and see if a repair or replacement is in order, so contact us today! You and your family’s safety depends on it.
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