How Much Do You Know about Electrical Installations in Your New Home?
Posted on: 5 December 2016
Over the course of building your new home, you have been making provisions for different electrical installations and fittings. However, do you understand what each component does? Are you confident that your electrical system provides enough protection against the dangers associated with the power supply? Here is a discussion that will give you some insight on the components of the electrical system in your home:
Private Power Poles
If your home is a bit far from the main power lines, you will need a private power pole on your property. This pole will be used to anchor a cable that supplies power to your house. Since you are the owner of the property, a private power pole is your responsibility, meaning that you have the duty to ensure that it is in good condition at all times. You must look out for signs of damage and report them to your company as soon as possible. Such signs include poles that are leaning excessively, cables and other fittings pulling away from the poles, tree branches growing towards the pole and other signs of rotting or corrosion at the base of the pole.
The meter
The main power cable from the pole will carry power to the meter. This meter will be fitted on one of the exterior walls where meter-readers from the power company can easily access your utility data when necessary. The primary function of the meter is to keep track of how much power you use (in Kilowatts) for billing purposes.
The Main Switch or Breaker Panel
The main switch or main breaker panel will be installed in the house, and it receives power from the meter. Basically, the breaker panel determines how much power you can use in your home based on the power rating that it has. To add on that, the main breaker panel is a safety device that flips off in case of a voltage overload in the home. It greatly reduces the risk of a fire breakout or electrocution.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt (GFCI) Breaker
Apart from the main breaker panel, your home should also have a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt (GFCI) breaker or outlet. The GFCI detects whenever someone is exposed to electric shock and cuts off the power supply within milliseconds. It prevents severe injuries or worse, death. Typically, a GFCI is located in places where there is a high risk of electrical faults and accidents. Examples are wet rooms like bathrooms and kitchens.
For more information, contact local professionals like Aardvark Electrics.
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