Category: Electrical Safety

Necessary Measures to Keep Homes and Families Safe

Electrical systems are essential to keep households running, allowing computers, televisions, air conditioning, and lights to run. However, functioning electrical systems and installing safety devices are crucial for safety too. As this month is National Wellness Month, homeowners should take steps to make their homes safer and stress-free.

Smoke Detectors

An essential electrical device for homes is a smoke detector. These are crucial to keep families safe and give them the earliest possible warning of a fire. 

Smoke detectors protect households by:

• Providing an early alert as soon as the presence of smoke is detected decreases the chances of injuries and tragedies caused by fires 
• Sounding a loud, distinct high-pitched alarm to notify the family of a fire 
• Being hardwired into the home’s electrical system to ensure they work. They can also hold backup batteries to function even during a power outage.
• Connecting to other smoke detectors so that if one sounds in one part of the house, all of them will sound the alarm to ensure the household hears it 

Carbon Monoxide Detector

While most households ensure their smoke detectors are working correctly, it’s also crucial to have carbon monoxide detectors installed. These alert families to the presence of carbon monoxide in a home and help protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas that is very dangerous to health. Families may not be aware of its presence in a home until it’s too late. To avoid this, they can install carbon monoxide detectors so an alarm will sound if the device detects the dangerous substance.

Electrical Inspections

To ensure a household’s electrical system operates safely and correctly, homeowners should routinely hire an electrician to perform an electrical safety inspection. These allow electricians to determine if there’s an issue with the electrical system that could put the household at risk. They will proactively check the home’s wiring, outlets, electrical panel, and electrical appliances to look for issues and ensure everything is up-to-code. 

They will also inspect a home’s lights to ensure the wattage is correct and open outlet and switch boxes to check their condition and prevent electrocution risks. They can also test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they work correctly. If households notice symptoms like a burning smell, flickering lights, or frequent circuit breakers tripping, they should schedule an immediate electrical inspection. These services allow an expert to perform the necessary electrical repairs or replacements before the issue worsens. 

About ICT Electric

ICT Electric is a locally-owned company with over 30 years of experience serving Rhinelander and the surrounding areas. They offer flat rate pricing, an on-time guarantee, and a satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for electrical services in Rhinelander, WI.

Tamper-Resistant Outlets Keep Children Safe

Each year, around 2,400 children are injured by severe shock and burns by electrical outlets, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International. Fortunately, these injuries can be avoided. Parents can install childproof outlets in the home to protect their children and prevent them from sticking objects into outlets. Keep reading to learn about tamper-resistant outlets, their benefits, and signs to replace an old outlet.  

How Do Childproof Outlets Work?

While some might wonder, “What are tamper-resistant outlets?” These devices can be essential to families. Childproof outlets, also called tamper-resistant receptacles, have built-in safety mechanisms to protect children. These devices have sliding or self-closing covers, making it difficult for objects to be inserted into the electrical slots. 

The spring-loaded shutters cover the slots and remain closed until equal pressure is applied to both shutters at the same time by a plug. This means both shutters must be engaged before an object can be inserted into the outlet. When a homeowner inserts a plug into a tamper-resistant outlet, the prongs of the plug press against the spring-loaded shutters. The equal pressure from both prongs pushes the shutters open, allowing the plug to be fully inserted into the outlet. If a child tries to insert a foreign object like a toy into a tamper-resistant outlet, it will not be able to engage both shutters simultaneously, and the shutters will remain closed.

Benefits of Childproof Outlets

Parents of young children have many options regarding childproofing their outlets. While many may opt for removable outlet covers like plastic plugs or caps, these can actually present a danger to children. They can be easily removed, presenting the original electrical danger, and if a toddler removes a plug, it can be a choking hazard. Installing childproof outlets is a safer option for parents. 

By incorporating spring-loaded shutters, these outlets reduce the risk of electrical shocks and injuries caused by inserting objects into the outlets. The shutters prevent toddlers from sticking toys and other objects into the slots and cannot be removed, meaning they will not be a choking hazard. 

Some of the benefits these outlets provide are:

• Protect against electrical hazards.
• Peace of mind that toddlers and children are protected and are less likely to incur injuries.
• Homeowners do not need to add outlet covers or other devices to all the electrical outlets.

Signs to Replace an Old Outlet

To keep children protected, homeowners need to replace childproof outlets at the first signs of an issue. These signs of trouble with outlets also apply to outlets that aren’t tamper resistant. If homeowners notice these signs, they should schedule services with an electrician to replace the outlets. Some symptoms that can indicate outlet replacement services are needed include:

• There are signs of damage or wear and tear on the outlets, including a cracked faceplate.
• The plugs are falling out of the outlets due to loose connections.
• The outlet is providing intermittent power.
• The outlet feels hot to the touch.
• The outlet is old.

About ICT Electric

ICT Electric has more than 30 years of experience serving Rhinelander, WI, and the surrounding communities. They provide flat rate pricing and an on-time guarantee. Call them today for childproof outlet installation in Rhinelander, WI. 

Make Sure Outdoor Spaces Are Ready for Guests This Summer

After a long winter stuck indoors, avoiding the cold and snow, summer can be a time for socializing outdoors. This means homeowners may be looking for ideas to make their outdoor living spaces more inviting for gatherings with friends and family. Adding new outdoor lighting, installing a generator, or adding upgrades like a pool or hot tub can create a more exciting space for entertaining. 

Add Exterior Lighting

Adding new exterior lights to a backyard can make the space brighter for entertaining and provide much-needed safety enhancements. Homeowners have numerous forms of outdoor lights available to them, such as: 

Lights for Safety

For added safety outside, there are outdoor lighting options like: 

• Step Lights: Steps lights enhance safety by illuminating the steps outside, whether to a deck or patio, to make it easier and safer for people to walk up and down staircases in the dark. 
• Security Lighting: Security lights light large, dark spaces to prevent intruders and pests from entering a property. A popular form of security lighting is motion-sensing floodlights. These will turn on if movement is detected in the yard, giving unwanted guests the impression the homeowners have spotted them. Security lights are typically installed in high locations.
• Path Lighting: Pathway lights are installed on the ground, along walkways, to light up the path and make it easier to see and safer by preventing tripping or slip-and-fall injuries.

Lights for Decor

The following lights are typically installed outside for decoration and atmosphere purposes:

• String Lighting: Outdoor string lights create warm, intimate lighting for outdoor dinners and parties. They can be hung across a patio, on a deck, or even throughout the yard. 
• Outdoor Wall Lighting: Exterior wall lighting can be used for safety and decor. As low-voltage lights, these can add light to a dark area of a yard or be hung around a patio or deck for ambiance. 
• Lanterns: Lanterns are typically installed near doors or by a window. They provide additional light for dark spaces, as well as ambiance. 
• Exterior Spot Lighting: Spot lighting, which can include uplights or landscape lighting, is used to showcase a feature in the yard. It can be shone on a tree, a statue, a pool feature, a water feature, or another part of the yard to illuminate it in the dark.

Get a Generator

When heavy thunderstorms or another electrical event occurs, homes can risk losing power. These power outages can last a few minutes, hours, or even days. This can cause significant inconveniences and safety risks. To avoid this, homeowners can install whole-house generators. 

Generators offer many benefits for property owners, but the biggest advantage can be peace of mind that they won’t be left without power. A generator ensures residents have access to their lights and HVAC system, that essential items like medical equipment will work, and that their essential appliances – like the refrigerator – will run. 

Keeping the refrigerator operating can also provide cost savings to homeowners. If a blackout lasts too long, all of the perishable food in a fridge or freezer will spoil, leaving the homeowners needing to replace it. When selecting a generator, electricians can help homeowners determine the right system for their house and their needs so the party doesn’t have to stop when the power goes out. 

Add a Pool or Hot Tub

For homeowners who have an existing pool or hot tub or who want to add one to their yard to enjoy in the summer months, it’s essential to have an electrician inspect and repair the electrical wiring and lights. They must ensure the pool and hot tub follow all electrical codes and regulations to keep households and guests safe. 

Before households start using the pool or hot tub each year, electricians recommend scheduling an annual electrical inspection to check the wiring. This will assure homeowners they are safe and that those in their pool or hot tub will be protected. A safety inspection lets experts inspect the wiring, allowing them to catch potential issues that need repair and giving families helpful tips for added safety. 

About ICT Electric

ICT Electric has over 30 years of experience serving Rhinelander, WI, and Oneida County residents. They provide straightforward pricing, an on-time guarantee, and a satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for outdoor lighting, a whole-house generator, or pool and hot tub wiring services in Rhinelander, WI.

Practice Electrical Safety This Month and Always!

May is National Electrical Safety Month, meaning it’s the perfect time to check the electrical systems in a home or business to ensure they are functioning correctly and safely. Electrical issues can quickly cause dangerous problems, including electrical fires, so preventing them is essential. This blog post will discuss tips to avoid electrical hazards, like installing electrical safety devices, knowing what signs to watch for that indicate an overloaded electrical system and the importance of surge protection. 

Electrical Safety Devices

It’s essential to have electrical safety devices throughout a property to protect a household or business. Some common ones people should ensure are installed and functioning correctly are:

• Fuses: These devices help prevent too much current from flowing through circuits. If too much electricity flows, the fuse will break – protecting appliances from power surges and helping prevent fires, but it cannot be reused. 
• Circuit Breakers: These devices detect faults when the electrical current exceeds the maximum level. It interrupts the power supply to prevent fires and other risks. 
• Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs): These can detect anomalies in the system and will cut power. It will trip, but it does not need to be replaced after every electrical fault. They should be used in areas with water to help prevent electric shock.

Warning Signs of Overloaded Electrical Systems

If someone has an overloaded circuit, it can pose numerous risks to their property. Overloading can cause breakers or fuses to shut off and stop electrical services. It can also pose the risk of electric fires if the wires overheat. 

Fortunately, people can help prevent the consequences of an overloaded circuit by watching for the signs before other problems develop. Some symptoms of an overloaded circuit include:

• The circuit breaker keeps tripping and shutting off the power
• Dimming or flickering lights when turning on or plugging in appliances
• Buzzing outlets or switches
• Warm outlets or switch covers
• Burning odors 
• Scorched outlets

If someone notices these signs, they should call an electrician right away because these issues must be repaired before they cause serious problems for a home or building.

Surge Protection

When checking an electrical system, ensure the home or business is protected against power surges. A power surge is an unexpected increase in voltage, and if it’s strong enough, it can damage electronic devices plugged in throughout the home or business. Power surges may be caused by several events, such as lightning strikes, utility switching operations, and downed power lines. Sometimes, even normal operations of large appliances can cause minor surges.

People should install a whole-house surge protector to protect their televisions, computers, appliances, and other electrical devices. They are hard-wired to the electrical system to protect the entire property. They block electrical voltage spikes and surges to protect devices. Electricians should install these whole house surge protectors since they are connected directly to a breaker panel or main service entrance. 

About ICT Electric

ICT Electric has over three decades of experience serving Rhinelander, WI, and the surrounding areas. They provide flat rate pricing, on-time arrivals, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for electrical and whole-house surge protector services in Rhinelander, WI. 

3 Signs You May Need Electrical Panel Repair

An electrical panel is one of the most vital components of home electrical systems. This discreetly placed panel of circuit breakers is meant to control the flow and distribution of electricity into different parts of the home. It has a mechanism for safely shutting off power to sections of the house when there is an overcurrent, protecting devices and appliances, and minimizing the risk of a house fire. But for the panel to do its job correctly, it must be in good working condition. If it’s malfunctioning, signs indicate the electrical panel may need repair.

Dim or Flickering Lights

A light bulb replacement often follows dim or flickering lights in the house for a good reason. A dim or flickering light bulb might mean it has reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced. There are some instances, however, when even a new bulb still doesn’t seem to solve the problem. If this is the case, it can indicate a problem with the electrical panel.

Lights that flicker could indicate that an electrical panel can no longer meet the supply demands of a particular circuit. This could be especially true if new appliances were plugged into that circuit before the lights began to dim or flicker. In this case, the electrical panel needs to be upgraded to increase its capacity and meet the demands of adding more electrical appliances to the house.

Burning Smell

A burning smell, especially one that smells like melted plastic, isn’t just a sign that something is wrong with the electrical panel. It’s also a big red flag that should tell homeowners to call trusted electricians immediately. The smell of something burning indicates that something is overheating or experiencing an electrical malfunction that could lead to something as serious as an electrical fire. 

In this situation, homeowners should turn off important electrical appliances, cut the power, and call an electrician right away. If the burning smell is particularly strong or smoke is visible, homeowners should also evacuate the house and everyone in it to be safe. 

The Panel is Old

Electrical panels can last a long time, anywhere from 25 to 40 years on average. If the electrical system has been well-maintained and everything has been installed correctly and up to safety standards, homeowners may not need to worry about their electrical panels for a while. However, electricians should routinely perform inspections to ensure there is no damage.  

But there are instances when electrical panel replacement may be necessary. A panel will need replacing when they get too damaged or experience too much wear and tear from age. In the case of old houses, especially those built more than 50 years ago, a thorough assessment of the electrical panel is necessary, and, in many cases, they must be upgraded to meet current safety standards.

About ICT Electric

ICT Electric has over 30 years of experience on their staff serving Rhinelander, WI, and the surrounding areas. They provide straightforward pricing, an on-time guarantee, and a satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for electrical panel repair or replacement in Rhinelander, WI.