Electrical safety tips from Safety and Environmental Compliance Specialist David Young
One of our members, Richard Scheibner from Calais, reached out to me about our recent Safety Minute on outlet safety. He enjoyed the topic and had some great feedback. In that column, I discussed the temperature of outlets: warmth can be a possible indicator of damage. Richard and I had a great conversation, and he added an interesting point about GFCIs (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters). He noted that they usually emit some heat. That’s true, and it’s not due to damage. Here’s why these outlets are slightly warm, and why they are important.
A properly functioning GFCI might feel warm because there is a small circuit within it, and also a small light. The circuit’s job is to compare the power going out of the outlet to the power coming back into the outlet. If everything is working correctly, these should be identical.
But if the current going out doesn’t match what’s coming back, the GFCI assumes the electricity is taking an alternate path, which could be dangerous. This could mean there’s a problem with an appliance, like a toaster: perhaps the electricity is misdirected to the toaster case, which becomes a fire hazard. At worst, it could mean the electricity is traveling through a person. That’s why the GFCI trips off: it’s a crucial safety feature preventing electric current from going where it shouldn’t.
The National Electrical Code specifies where GFCIs should be installed, originally focusing on damp or wet locations like garages, outdoor areas, kitchens, laundry rooms, and basements. Over time, the recommendation has expanded to include more areas of the house. While this is great for safety, it can lead to nuisance trips, turning off something you really don’t want turned off, like a refrigerator or freezer.
When I got my electrician license in 2012, GFCIs were not required everywhere. Now, the code suggests having them throughout the house. It’s not mandatory if your home met the code when it was built, but it’s a relatively inexpensive upgrade, and it’s smart. Upgrading is a proactive way to improve safety, and hiring an electrician is often the best route to ensure everything is done correctly and safely.
Here’s what you need to know:
- GFCI outlets emit some heat because of their internal circuit. The heat is not an indicator of damage.
- The National Electrical Code now requires installing GFCIs in all damp areas of the house, but only requires this for new buildings. The only areas not affected are bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms on the main floor. If those areas are in a basement, it is considered a damp area and must have GFCI protected circuits.
- Upgrading outlets to GFCI is a fairly inexpensive upgrade, and particularly important in damp areas.
I appreciate Richard for contacting me to offer his insights. If you have any questions, please reach out. I value conversations with members, and your questions and suggestions for future Safety Minute columns.Members can recommend Safety Minute topics and request safety presentations from David Young for their school, organization, or community group. Contact him at 802-224-2340 or david.young@wec.coop.
Safety Minute: Preventing House Fires 2—Cord and Appliance Safety
Electrical safety tips from Safety and Environmental Compliance Specialist David Young
In the last Safety Minute, we discussed preventing home electrical outlets from becoming heat sources. In this issue, we’re focusing not on the wiring in your walls, but on what you plug into outlets.
I have family members who experienced a house fire because of a dehumidifier plugged into an outlet with an extension cord. The extension cord had a rug placed over it to prevent the cord from becoming a tripping hazard. However, the rug held in the heat of the extension cord, which started the fire.
In that case, part of the issue may have been with the cord itself. When you use an extension cord, it needs to be clear of anything that could trap heat, and it needs to be the right size for the job. White or brown indoor cords are fine for a lamp, but they’re not appropriate for a heavy electric load. For powerful devices, and certainly for any outdoor use, you need to use a cord rated for that purpose.
There are two other common electric causes of house fires. The first is electric heating appliances. Heating appliances must be installed and serviced correctly, clear of combustible items. It is a good practice to vacuum dust off from heaters and inspect wiring. Wood or pellet stoves need to be serviced at least annually and the stove pipe needs to be clear.
The second is often overlooked: dryer vents. If you use a clothes dryer, keep your lint traps clear, and for the lint that inevitably gets stuck anyway, you can use a big brush that looks like a bottle brush to clear it out. I know a few people who bring their battery powered leaf blowers in the house and use those to blast the lint out of the dryer vent.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Inspect your extension cords before you use them and make sure you’re using one suitable for the energy you’ll be using. If you’re using one outside, make sure it’s intended for outside use.
- Don’t put anything that could catch on fire over a wire or heat source.
- Make sure wood stoves, pellet stoves, furnaces, and other heat sources are professionally serviced at least annually. Most people wait until fall, so for the best availability, schedule your service around May.
Members can request safety presentations from David Young for their school, organization, or community group. Contact him at 802-224-2340 or david.young@wec.coop.