Keep the Home Safe with These Three Outlet Options
As locals know, people rely more on electrical power than ever before. Without access to electricity, lighting, entertainment devices, and lifesaving services like food preservation and vital health devices, they won’t work. This simple fact makes the electrical outlets in the home among the most important utility access points.
If there are drawbacks to electrical service, they are the risks that are presented by electrical power, namely fires and shocks. In decades past, these risks were not minimized because technology hadn’t offered solutions to mitigate these risks. However, with the latest electrical outlets, homeowners can make their homes safer without losing the convenience of electrical power. Here are three common options for electrical outlets to keep the home safe.
AFCI Outlets
The latest developments in electrical outlet technology aim to mitigate the risks of electrical power. The first outlet option on this list aims to make electrical fires a thing of the past. Electrical fires are always caused by a phenomenon called an arc. Arcs occur any time the path of electricity is impeded, causing tremendous heat. With years of statistics, outlet developers discovered the most common source of house fires was damaged electrical cords in bedrooms and living spaces. As the cords were damaged and worn out over the years, the wires were weakened, and insulation degraded to the point arcs were likely to form.
AFCI outlets, or Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters, recognize the signs of electrical arc as power flows through them. When they sense an arc, they stop the flow of electricity to stifle the heat being produced, and ultimately, they stop a fire. Homeowners can ensure that fires won’t occur unexpectedly by installing AFCI outlets in bedrooms and living rooms.
GFCI Outlets
The second major threat presented by electricity is the risk of shock. For ready access to electrical power, there has to be plenty available at all times. Unfortunately, that means when the conditions are right, someone may experience a life-threatening shock. To prevent this, GFCI outlets were introduced to the market several decades ago.
In most cases, electrical shocks occur in the presence of water. Water can cause power to flow unexpectedly, so the results can be serious when someone comes into contact with energized water. GFCIs sense the change in current that comes with energized water and stop the flow of power. These devices are required outdoors and within six feet of water sources.
Childproof Outlets
Introducing children into modern society carries a lot of risk. Curious children are notorious for inspecting outlets at their eye level. Tragically, children can fall victim to the hazards of electricity when outlets are not properly protected. Instead of relying on bulky plastic devices or plastic plugs that are massively inconvenient, childproof outlets can protect kids while keeping power easily accessible.
Childproof outlets have internal tabs that keep foreign objects out of the outlets. When a plug is inserted, the spring-loaded tabs retract and allow the plug to slide in. Childproof outlets look and operate like any other outlet, dispensing the need to protect them further and making them the most convenient option.
About Allsource Electrical Technologies
Allsource Electrical Technologies can help make the home safer with new outlets. They offer same-day service and straightforward pricing to keep their customers raving. Call today for electrical outlet services in Houston, TX.