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Month: April 2021

Facts and Dangers of Ungrounded Outlets

Posted on by oleg

Grounded outlets are very easy to identify. On the face of grounded outlets, you will notice three holes present. Two of the holes on the face of the outlet are shaped as vertical slits, with the third hole being that of a round shaped slot. Grounded outlets have been required in all houses, businesses and any other structures since about 1965. These grounded outlets are required when building a structure so as to be compliant with electrical safety standards. Ungrounded outlets are different in that they do not have the third, rounded hole present on the face of the outlet, but rather only the two vertical slits.

 

GROUNDED OUTLETS ARE REQUIRED

 

The two vertical slits on an outlet are indicative of the so-called hot wire and neutral wire, with the ground wire being tied to the neutral vertical slit. This design is a failsafe that comes into play when something goes array with the outlet, such as a short. If a ground wire is not present and a short occurs, the electricity can then channel its way into nearby materials, items, and even individuals, causing much damage and harm. With that said, the ground wire is essential to the overall safety and health of your home and family.

 

UNGROUNDED OUTLETS ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS

 

An ungrounded outlet can increase the risk of harm and damage to not only property but to individuals as well. There are a number of hazards that result from these outlets that are not grounded, including:

 

  • Electrical fires – If a ground wire is not present, there are a number of occurrences that may take place- from sparking and arcing, to unprotected electrical charges that can ultimately cause fires.

 

  • Health and safety hazards – An outlet that is ungrounded can result in a high risk of shock to a person who is operating the electronic or appliance that is plugged into it.

 

  • Sloppy wiring – In many older homes it is very common to find a combination of both grounded and ungrounded outlets. When such is the case, this combination is not only messy and hard to manage, but can prove to be a potentially harmful and serious electrical problem at some point.

 

  • Property damage and loss – When outlets that are not properly grounded are present, the equipment itself can easily and quickly short out, causing extreme damage to appliances, electronics, or other items plugged into them. As a result, you can experience a loss in your personal property or excessive damage.

 

UPDATING AND UPGRADING UNGROUNDED ELECTRICAL OUTLETS

 

In simple words, ungrounded outlets are extremely dangerous and pose a wide range of risks to both your family and your home. If you have identified such outlets in your home, then Gervais Electric, Inc. stands ready to meet your every need. Our team of highly skilled and experienced electricians is equipped to perform inspections of the wiring as well as the outlets in your home, to determine whether they are grounded or not.

 

We will identify any problem areas, determine the source of the electrical problem, and then be able to provide our clients with effective and efficient solutions to the hazards and ongoing problems. Solving these dangerous electrical problems will outwardly alleviate the chance of electrical shocks, damaging fires, and other serious problems that can cause grave harm to both your home and family.

 

REACH OUT TO THE TEAM YOU CAN TRUST

 

For more information on grounded and ungrounded outlets, and to learn more about identifying these problem areas, take time out to contact our dedicated team of professionals. Our highly skilled electricians and technicians are committed to providing all our valued clients with only the highest quality electrical products and services. Give us a call today and schedule your home or business electrical inspection!

Some Simple but Important Facts About Generators

Posted on by oleg

Power outages seem to be more common occurrences these days, especially during the many storms that continue to impact us. Texas has certainly been stricken with some of the worst ever power outages and challenges in our country recently. With power outages becoming so common, many people are looking to invest in generators to safeguard their homes and families in any number of weather challenges.

 

From winter storms to hurricanes, each can certainly wreak a great deal of havoc on the power supply in your home or business. Power outages, we can all agree, cause a great deal of challenges, struggles and frustrations. For starters, when the power actually goes out, our first thought is ‘when will it come back on?’ Depending entirely upon the source or cause of the power outage and the blackout, home and business owners can be without the use of power for hours, days, and sometimes even weeks. With this comes the many worries about staying cool or warm, protecting against spoiled foods in the refrigerator or freezer, or even being able to flush the toilet. With all this at stake, surely blackouts and loss of power are no fun at all.

 

There are a number of important tips and facts consumers should know about generators, including, but certainly not limited to the following:

 

  • Proper ways to install and use your new investment – You should always locate your generator outdoors and never in a closed in space such as a garage. It should be protected with GFCI outlets and, if necessary, use extension cords that are properly rated. In addition, your unit should not be placed on a wet area or in the snow even though the outlets are GFCI protected, nor should they be placed near any window air conditioners. Consumers may also want to invest in carbon monoxide detectors in their home when purchasing

 

  • What to consider when making your investment – Start by determining what your ultimate goals are, whether you want to be able to run the refrigerator and freezer in an outage, or run your entire home. If you invest in a standby generator, most of which are equipped with an automatic transfer switch, be sure to have it permanently installed by a certified electrician. When there is a power loss, it will turn on automatically. It is best to consult with an electrician in advance to check the load capacity in your house. An electrician will also determine the proper sized unit you will need, and handle the installation of your new unit.

 

TRUST OUR TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS

 

If you are looking for more information about generators, whether it be the type best suited to your home, the costs, benefits, installation protocol, or any other important details, you have surely come to the right place. Our Gervais Electric team of highly skilled and experienced electricians are steadfast in their commitment to provide only the highest quality products, services, and insight to everyone we work for. No matter what your electrical needs may be, we are the team for you.

 

Serving the Franklin area and many of the surrounding towns, our team strives to deliver products and services that will simply not be matched by any of our competitors. Our high customer service and satisfaction ratings have earned us a spot on the marketplace charts as one of the best all-around companies. Gervais Electric has been billed as your go to company for all your electrical products and services, and is recognized for our top-rated team of professionals, our affordable yet competitive prices, and our accommodating timelines.

 

If you are in the market for a new generator and require additional information or a trusted installer, look no further than our dedicated team. We look forward to every opportunity to serve you and stand ready to meet your every need. Don’t delay. Reach out to one of our team members today!