Tag: electrical outlets

Surge Protectors vs. Power Strips: Understanding the Difference

Posted on | by sitemanagerwpmanagerio
Surge protector with multiple outlets and a green power cord, emphasizing electrical safety and device protection.

Surge protectors are important for preventing damage and protecting all of your sensitive electronic devices. Power strips can also be useful for allowing you to plug in extra things when not enough outlets are available. However, it is important to understand that the two aren’t the same thing. In this article, we’ll explain the difference between the two and also show you how whole-home surge protection can keep your home and electronics even safer.

Power Strips vs. Surge Protectors

It’s always a good idea to plug sensitive and/or expensive electronics like TVs, computers and stereo equipment into a surge protector. Power surges occur when the voltage flowing through an electrical system or a specific electrical circuit suddenly spikes for some reason. In the US, home circuits run on either 120-volt or 240-volt power. A power surge can lead to the current spiking into well over a thousand volts, which can easily burn out components like control boards, computer chips and microprocessors.

Surge protectors prevent this type of damage by “clamping” whenever the electricity flowing to them spikes above a set voltage. Clamping means that it stops the power from continuing to flow downstream (i.e., to whatever is plugged into the surge protector). All surge protectors have a specific clamping voltage, which is how many volts it takes for them to activate and stop the power from flowing downstream. This can range anywhere from 330 to 4,000 volts. The lower a surge protector’s clamping voltage is, the better protection it provides since it will activate even if there is only a minor surge.

While using surge protectors is important, the problem is that many people mistakenly believe that any power strip is a surge protector since the two look similar. This isn’t true, as standard power strips are essentially just extension cords that provide extra outlets without any surge protection. The only real way to tell the difference between the two is to look at the strip and see if it has a maximum joules rating, which is something you’ll only find on surge protectors.

The joules rating tells you the maximum amount of power that a surge protector can handle before it fails. Most surge protectors are robust enough to handle multiple smaller power surges before they give out and stop working. Many surge protectors are rated to handle 2,000 joules. Once the surge protector has been exposed to more than 2,000 joules of energy, it will stop working, and your electronics will no longer be protected. This can sometimes happen with just one major power surge. However, every power surge will diminish the amount of protection the device provides and essentially subtract from the maximum joules it can handle. This means that a surge protector will also eventually stop working after a certain number of more minor surges depending on how high the voltage spikes with each surge.

Surge Protector Strips vs. Whole-Home Surge Protection

While surge protector strips are useful and should definitely be used for all sensitive electronic devices, they will generally never protect against a major external power surge. Instead, they are meant to protect against internal power surges that originate inside a home’s electrical system. External power surges originate in the electrical grid and can happen due to lightning strikes, blown transformers, downed power lines and various other issues. This type of surge is far more powerful than an internal surge and can lead to more than 10,000 volts of electricity surging into your home.

A major external power surge will almost always exceed the maximum joules rating of even the best surge protector strip and lead to it failing and not protecting your electronics. An external power surge also has the potential to cause a fire or seriously damage your electrical system and wiring. Any time there is an extreme spike in the voltage flowing through an electrical wire, it leads to the wire almost instantly overheating and possibly starting to melt.

If a major external power surge hits your home, it can easily cause more than $10,000 worth of damage. You’ll usually be looking at needing to repair or replace many of your major appliances, including your furnace, air conditioner, dishwasher, washing machine, etc. Most of your sensitive electronics will also get fried and need to be replaced, and you’ll also typically have to replace at least some outlets, light switches and light fixtures. The only way to protect against extensive damage from an external power surge is to stop the surge before it enters the home and flows into its electrical system, which is exactly what whole-home surge protectors are designed to do.

How Whole-Home Surge Protection Works

A whole-home surge protector is always installed in between where the wire from the electrical grid connects to the home’s main electrical panel. This allows it to detect if the voltage suddenly spikes and almost instantly redirect all of the excess power away so that the surge doesn’t flow into the electrical system. Instead, the surge protector activates and sends the excess current into the home’s grounding rod where all of the electricity then safely disperses into the soil.

The best whole-home surge protectors have a clamping voltage of 400 volts or less. As with standard surge protectors, the device will automatically activate within a few milliseconds to prevent the excess current from continuing to flow. Most quality whole-home surge protectors are also rated to withstand surges of up to 20,000 volts. This means that it will offer protection against the vast majority of external power surges. The surge protector could fail and not protect against a direct lightning strike to your home since a bolt of lightning can contain well over 100,000 volts, but the chances of lightning striking your home are extremely small.

One thing to understand is that a whole-home surge protector won’t actually shut off the flow of electricity into the home; it channels the excess voltage away. The amount of voltage that it lets through is typically never high enough to damage your electrical system, but it could be sufficient to cause some damage to sensitive electronic devices. This is why experts recommend still using surge protector strips along with a whole-home surge protector since they will provide an extra line of defense for your electronics.

As with surge protector trips, a whole-home surge protector can only withstand so much electricity before it will no longer work. This means that you will usually need to have the surge protector replaced if your home is ever hit by a large external power surge. However, the cost of replacing the surge protector will be far less than what you’d need to pay if you didn’t have whole-home surge protection.

If you want to ensure that your home is fully protected against power surges, Hunt’s Services is ready to help you upgrade to whole-home surge protection. Our highly skilled, licensed electricians specialize in surge protector installation. We can also help if you’re looking to install an EV charging station or whole-home generator or if you need any other electrical installation services. Our team also specializes in all electrical repairs, and we’re also the top choice in Tacoma and the Puget Sound area for plumbing, heating and air conditioning. To learn more about the benefits of a whole-home surge protector or to schedule an appointment to install one at your home, contact us today.

10 Important Electrical Safety Tips for Your Western Washington Home

Posted on | by sitemanagerwpmanagerio
Electricians working on home electrical installation, using a ladder and tools, focused on safety and efficiency in residential setting.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 31,000 electrical fires occur throughout the nation each year. Thus, one of the best things that you can do to protect your Tacoma, WA home is to practice electrical safety. With faulty wiring and connected electrical equipment responsible for two-thirds of these events, there’s a lot that you can do to both prevent and mitigate disaster. Following are 10 electrical safety tips to help you get started.

1. Use Space Heaters and Portable Air Conditioners the Right Way

Many older homes in Pierce County lack fixed, permanent cooling solutions. Some even have simple baseboard heaters or wall heaters for wintertime heating. Although these properties meet the minimum legal requirements for habitability, they aren’t always comfortable to be in during times of extreme weather. If you’re supplementing your current heating and cooling equipment by plugging in space heaters or portable air conditioners, it’s important to do so safely.

When active, space heaters should never be unattended. Moreover, you should always plug these units directly into electrical outlets rather than using them with extension cords. It’s also important to replace space heaters regularly. Never use an old space heater that you’ve purchased at a garage sale or thrift store. Instead, opt for a new model with advanced safety features and a fully intact cord.

Although portable air conditioners are far less of a fire hazard than space heaters, these units use a lot of electricity. It’s vital to make sure that yours isn’t overloading the circuit that it’s used on. If you plug a portable AC in and your lights flicker or dim, move to a different outlet or area of the building or relocate other appliances in the space. Like space heaters, portable air conditioners should always be plugged directly into wall outlets.

2. Schedule Whole-House Electrical Inspections Every Five to 10 Years

In general, homeowners should have their electrical systems professionally inspected once every 10 years. However, certain building and household-specific factors may make it necessary to schedule these appointments every five years. For instance, you should have an electrician review your home’s wiring every five years if your household is fast-growing. With more people living in the home, you’re virtually guaranteed to have more devices and appliances plugged in. As household sizes increase, electricity demand rises as well. These changes may make it necessary to refine your home’s electrical system.

Major pest infestations are another good reason to schedule electrical inspections before 10 full years have passed. Rats, mice, and other small animals are known to chew through wiring and cause other in-wall electrical damage. However, bed bugs, termites, and other insects can cause electrical problems too. If you’ve just had a major pest infestation treated, have an electrician make sure that your electrical system is unaffected.

3. Never Overload Your Outlets

You likely have an overloaded outlet if the circuit breaker for the area frequently trips. However, you should also be on the lookout for signs like:

  • Outlets that are warm or hot to the touch
  • Thin, whitish smoke coming from outlets
  • Burnt and slightly sweet-smelling odors at outlets or behind walls
  • Soot or singe marks

If you live in an older home that still has two-pronged outlets, you might notice these things even when your devices and appliances are plugged in correctly and have their own dedicated outlets. In this case, these are indications of an outdated electrical system. Upgrading to three-pronged outlets or outlets with grounding prongs will enhance the electrical safety of your home and aptly accommodate your modern appliances.

4. Give Your Appliances and Devices Adequate Clearance

For aesthetic purposes or for space-saving, you might have your gaming computer, television, or other electronics positioned close to walls or nearby furnishings. All of the heat-generating devices and appliances in your home should always have sufficient clearance on all sides. This way, when they vent their heat, it has somewhere to go. You can find the recommended amount of clearance for each item in your home by reading the corresponding owner’s manual. Maintaining adequate clearance will extend the lifespan of your electronics, limit the risk of overheating, and prevent electrical fires.

5. Don’t Ignore the Signs of Developing Electrical Problems

One of the most important electrical safety tips for Tacoma homeowners is to schedule timely electrical inspections and repairs when suspected problems arise. Much like your home’s plumbing system, most of your electrical system is hidden behind drywall and other structural elements. As such, it’s easy to overlook and just as easy to outright ignore.

In addition to strange odors, smoke, and singe marks, be on the lookout for:

  • Outlets that spark
  • Buzzing sounds in your walls or at your circuit breaker box
  • Lights that randomly grow dim

When an outlet fails to work or fails to work without issue, don’t simply move your lamp, laptop, or other electrically powered device to another outlet and put the issue out of your mind. Instead, contact a licensed electrician right away.

6. Practice Extension Cord Safety

Make sure that each extension cord you use is properly rated for the application. Don’t overload your extension cords, and don’t run them under carpeting or furnishings. More importantly, never attempt to staple or pin these cords down, and never “daisy chain” or link multiple extension cords together.

7. Have Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) Installed

High-moisture areas like your kitchen and bathrooms should have ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) installed. These outlets detect overloads and other electrical hazards, and they immediately shut down to prevent electrocution and fire. They’re standard additions to modern homes, but your home might lack them if it was built before 1971 or hasn’t had its electrical system updated in quite a while.

8. Regularly Clean All Exhaust Fans

All electricity-reliant items that produce exhaust should have their exhaust fans cleaned annually or as recommended. Much like giving heat-generating appliances adequate clearance, this will prevent overheating, short circuits, and electrical fires.

9. Update Your Home’s Electrical System Every 20 to 25 Years

As the years go by, the average number of devices that homeowners rely on increases. Most households have gone from having a single television for entertainment to having multiple laptops, tablets, and mobile phones. Many modern homes have massive theater rooms, advanced sound equipment, multi-pronged security systems, and more. Having your electrical system inspected every five to 10 years and updated every 20 to 25 years is the surest way to keep it on par with your needs.

10. Avoid Do-It-Yourself Electrical Installations

If you want your very own EV charging station or an all-new lighting plan, contact a licensed electrician rather than attempting to do it yourself. DIY electrical projects can result in your home insurance plan being voided, your home warranty, and other important protections. It can also leave you with a property that won’t pass lender inspections should you ever choose to sell. Working with general handymen and unlicensed electrical service providers also greatly undermines your home’s electrical safety.

We’re proud to serve residents of Tacoma, WA, and the greater Pierce County area. We offer HVAC, plumbing, sewer, drain, and electrical services. We also provide HVAC duct cleaning and advanced indoor air quality solutions. To schedule an appointment, get in touch with Hunt’s Services today!

Unlocking The Mystery Of Your Home’s Electrical Outlets

Posted on | by sitemanagerwpmanagerio

Outlets are so common in nearly every home… but not all outlets are the same. Have you ever tried to plug something in and it didn’t fit? (For example, a 3-pronged device but your outlet only has 2 holes.) Ever wonder why that is?

There are many types of electrical power outlets, and more are being created. Do you know which ones are right for your home? If you are thinking about upgrading outlets or renovating this spring or maybe even buying a new home, take a moment to educate yourself on these different types.

Two vs Three-Prong Outlets

Two-prong outlets are in a lot of older homes. They can fit many devices that only have two prongs such as coffee grinders, phone chargers, some adapted computer chargers, and more. The problem with two-prong outlets is that they are not grounded, and any device that you plug into them will not be protected from any power surges which can severely damage your devices. There are also a lot of higher-powered devices that will not fit into a two-prong outlet as they have the third prong.

If all you find in your home or business are two-prong outlets, it may be that the electrical system is not grounded. This is unsafe for both you and your electrical devices and appliances because there is no way to prevent an electrical short from happening. You don’t want to be at the receiving end of electrical short, especially where there is water such as in your kitchen and bathrooms.

Three-prong outlets are the most common type to find in your kitchen, bedroom, living room, and more. The third circular prong is the grounding wire which sends any stray electricity into the ground rather than through the device and anyone touching it. With the three-prong outlet, you can stick with the typical 15 amp system or upgrade to a 20 amp system if you tend to use a lot of high-powered devices. Make sure you have three prong outlets installed with the proper rating for your electrical circuits and panel.

When you hire Hunt’s Services for your electrical needs, we will always do an inspection of your electrical system and panel before we begin any work to make sure it is properly grounded and rated to handle the loads for all your electrical devices and appliances. Some electrical devices, such as hot tubs require 220 vs 110-volt electrical circuits and outlets to insure they work properly and do not overheat or damage your appliance or electrical panel.

GFCI Protection

A GFCI, or ground fault circuit interrupter, is an outlet that will automatically shut the flow of power off when it senses a short circuit or a major power surge. (You often see these with one or more buttons on the outlet). These outlets will often be where the outlet or device could come into contact with water, such as in the kitchen or bathroom. A GFCI can protect us from a major accident.

If properly installed, GFCI is designed to prevent an electrical shock to a person by shutting off the power in as little as 1/40th of a second. GFICs also protect your home or business from an electrical fire due to a faulty connection or unprotected electrical wire going to the outlet. It is a good idea to hire a certified licensed electrician to install your GFCI outlet to make sure it is done correctly and up to current codes. If your outlet is outside or exposed to water, such as rain, make sure the outlet you have installed is waterproof or you will be constantly tripping your electrical circuits.

USB Outlets

USB outlets are for charging electrical devices like phones, e-readers, wireless headphones and more. These outlets come either with several USB ports or with a combination of three prong and USB plugins. The benefit of these plugs is the ability to plug in multiple rechargeable devices at once while maintaining full charging speed. As you know from your cell phones, computers, and iPads, finding and using an USB outlet when you are at the airport or other public facility can often times be the difference between being able to use your phone or needing to charge it.

Smart outlets allow you to turn each outlet on and off just by using your phone. Smart outlets can be beneficial for night time lighting, holiday pre-sets, Christmas lights and much more. You have to have a smart hub already installed in your house for this to work. For a lower-tech option, there are also outlets that have an on/off switch above the plugin.

Many newer homes or ones being built today will come with USB Outlets. Hunt’s Services certified electricians can install USB Outlets where ever it is most convenient for you. There are different types of USB Outlets and we can explain them to you so you can decide which ones are the best for you.

Rotating outlets allow you to plug in a device that has a large charging case and turn it so that another case would fit nicely next to it, maximizing your space potential.

There are many options for the outlets in your home. Which one is right for you? When you hire Hunt’s Services to service, repair or install your electrical outlets you can rest assured your work will be done according to current electrical codes and done right the first time.