When all of your electrical connections and appliances are in good shape, you will enjoy the services offered by your electricity supply. However, the power becomes your enemy when accidents like fire outbreaks occur. They are hard to control, and the results are very devastating. For this reason, you should prioritise safety when buying electrical appliances and fixtures in the home. This calls for some knowledge of the type of equipment you should buy, how to use them and so on. The following discussion sheds light on some of the safety features and devices that will enhance electrical safety in your home:
Residual Current Devices (RCDs)
Residual current devices are your first line of safety and defence against potential hazards. RCDs are used to detect cases where the electric current is diverting and going into the ground instead of flowing normally through the circuit. When this happens, the RCD cuts off the current supply immediately to protect the person using the electric device. For instance, your body might be the path through which the current leaves the circuit and moves into the ground, elevating the risk of an electrocution.
You need RCDs in damp places within the house, where the layer of water acts as a good conductor of current between you and the ground. Bathrooms, kitchens and washing sections should be fitted with fixed RCDs when installing the standards sockets.
Shuttered Sockets
Shuttered sockets are another safety feature you must have at home. They are similar to ordinary sockets only that they have protective shutters that make it hard for children and unsuspecting users to insert or poke objects into the socket holes. This mitigates the risk of electrocution.
Transparent Plugs and Sockets
Transparent sockets and plugs allow you to see what is happening in the device. They expose potential problems with the wiring and fuses, enabling you to avoid using the item until a qualified electrician inspects and rectifies the problem.
Insulation on Metal Pins
When buying plugs, inspect the plugs carefully before paying for them. Not all manufacturers are keen on ensuring the safety of the users, as some are out there to make a quick coin at the least possible cost. A good plug should have rubber or plastic insulation sleeve covering section of the metal pins. Ideally, the insulation ensures that you are never at risk of an electrocution if you touch the plug pins accidentally when removing them from the socket.
Share14 March 2017
Hello, welcome to my blog. My name is Fran and I love technology. Ever since I was a little kid, I have always been interested in how things work. When I was six years old, I took apart our TV. It really made my parents mad, but I learned an awful lot. Later on, I saved up my pocket money and began to buy my own electrical goods. I like to keep up to date with all the latest trends in the world of technology so I decided to start this blog to offer advice to others. I hope you find my blog useful.
