Many homeowners assume that the electrical wiring in their new home is in good condition. However, between 2014 and 2016, more than 300 people died in residential fires ignited by faulty electrical wiring, cable insulation, and poor structural framing. One solution is to have arc fault circuit breakers installed, so read on and learn more about how they work.
Circuit Breakers Versus Arc Fault Circuit Breakers
A circuit breaker will detect when an electrical circuit has too much current flowing through it and cut power before damage occurs: it recognizes overloads and short circuits. An arc fault circuit breaker is similar to a traditional circuit breaker, except it detects when arc faults travel through the electrical wiring. An arc fault occurs when electricity travels in an unplanned path which can lead to overheating and potential fire. Frayed or exposed wires are common causes of arc faults.
An arc fault circuit breaker monitors the arcs around your home and breaks the circuit between the wiring and the power source if an issue is detected. If your home was built after 2014, or you recently had electrical work completed, then a new breaker box will contain arc fault circuit breakers by law. If it notices abnormal activity, it immediately interrupts the circuit. However, if you have an older home, you may only have a traditional circuit breaker installed. As most wires in a home aren’t visible behind drywall, identifying older, frayed wires is not possible. Therefore, you should contact a qualified electrician for an inspection to ensure your home is safe and to install an arc fault breaker if needed.
Contact Your Local Electrician
Having an arc fault circuit breaker installed creates peace of mind and eliminates this safety issue. In fact, they are now required by law for all 120 volt 15-20 amp circuits in residences. Acquire the protection you need by contacting Tim Kyle Electric. We provide residential electrical service in Hanover, PA along with the greater Baltimore area. We have up-front pricing and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Give us a call today!