Check wiring installations periodically

Check

Wiring Installations Periodically

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1.    Explain how to check electrical wiring installations periodically;

2.    state the importance of checking of electrical wirings; and

3. participate actively during online class.

Directions: Choose “YES” if the following situation needs to check the electrical wirings otherwise Choose “NO” if not.

Multiple Choice

The switches are functioning very well.

• yes

• no

Multiple Choice

Mild shock or tingle when touching an appliance.

• yes

• no

Multiple Choice

Flickering of lights.

• yes

• no

Multiple Choice

Circuit breaker are properly installed

• yes

• no

Multiple Choice

A plug is loose in a receptacle.

• yes

• no

Activity no. 1

Determine the cause of each picture below.

The Importance of Regular Electrical Safety Inspections for Your Upstate Home

Having an electrical home inspection done on your property should be a high priority. The electrical system has a hand in nearly every function performed in your house. This means periodic inspection and testing is necessary because all electrical installations deteriorate due to a number of factors such as damage, wear and tear from normal use, corrosion, excessive electrical loading (overload), aging and environmental influences.

6 WARNING SIGNS OF FAULTY ELECTRICAL

WIRING IN YOUR HOME

• Keep track of circuit breaker trips.

• Look and listen for flickering, buzzing or dimming lights.

• Look out for frayed or chewed wiring.

• Search for discoloration, scorching and smoke.

• Feel for warm or vibrating wall outlets.

• Smell for burning and odd odors

Electrical Home Inspection

So what in detail will an electrician do during the home inspection?

·      In the breaker box, check the breakers for proper capacity, aging and unusual heat development, make sure all screws are tightened and check for a match of breaker specification and wiring.

In the house, check that all receptacles are properly grounded (earthing) and

for wear and tear. Check for unusual voltage drop and heat development

under load. Where ground fault interrupters (GFI) are installed ensure

proper function.

Check some of your hooked up appliances and equipment including extension cords

for proper cabling, looking for pinched and kinked cables and exposed

wires, and checks for damaged plugs including the grounding pin where

applicable.

The inspection should however not stop here. The closest inspector is you, the home owner and operator of the electrical system. Therefore if you notice any of the following you should understand that the electrical system is deteriorating and will cause functional and more important safety problems.

• If you feel a mild shock or tingle when touching an appliance, a ground fault in the appliance or the improper wiring may be a cause. Yes, and when you get shocked immediate action is required.

• You should occasionally check the area around your ceiling light fixtures for warmth because not all fixtures are

  well insulated. Hint: discoloration around a ceiling light fixture might be heat development and not just dust.

.

• Flickering lights may be a sign of a defective or loose wiring or switch. And often it’s just a loose light bulb.

• Light switches or receptacles that work only intermittently are a sign of wear and tear. The wiring may be loose or the device may be cracked internally.

• If a plug is loose in a receptacle, it can pose a problem as well. There is the problem of inadequate contact resulting in excessive heat development and if the plug partially falls out, an unsuspecting individual could accidentally receive a shock when unplugging the cord

• If you notice a burning odor coming from any outlets, switches or from an electrical devices turn the power off at the electrical panel. The problem may be a faulty device, but it could also be a wiring or overload problem. A burning smell is a serious issue because it could indicate the start of an electrical fire.

• And last but not least any receptacle or connected electrical cord/plug that is warm to the touch is a serious warning sign of an electrical problem.

• 
  

Open Ended

Activity no. 2

Directions: In your own words, write why it is important to check the electrical wirings in your home?

Activity no. 3

Directions: Determine how often should electrical wiring be tested.

_________1. Commercial spaces (offices and retail outlets) 

_________2. Swimming pool and saunas 

_________3. Community centres, churches and public houses 

_________4. Manufacturing, warehouses and maintenance garage 

_________5. Educational environments e.g schools, colleges and universities. 

Complete the sentence below.

I learned that ................

Open Ended

Directions: Answer the following questions:

1. When was your house built?

2. When was the last time you had checked your electrical wirings?

3. As an EIM student, what remarks/recommendations should be done?

Example:

CARO ALEXIS/ 1. 2016/ 2. NONE/ 3. IT SHOULD BE CHECK BY AN ELECTRICIAN FOR SAFETY AS WELL AS PROTECTION FOR MY FAMILY