Safety is the most important thing when it comes to any aspect of electrical work. Electricity is inherently dangerous, producing shocks and fires, among other issues. Something you many never think about is whether or not your electrical outlets are grounded or ungrounded, though this factors heavily into your ability to safely use them.
Get Your Electrical Outlets up to Code
Picture a three-pronged outlet, or plug. There are two longer pieces, and then there’s the third, typically round piece that falls below the others. This is what grounds your electronics. It’s this piece that sends any overloaded currents into – you guessed it – the ground rather than the area, or thing, around it. With a two-prong outlet, a burst of current wouldn’t be safely grounded and could instead pose a big risk.
These “ungrounded” outlets were actually the standard until around the 60s when three-prong plugs were used more and more often. Of course, as time went on, people were plugging more and more devices into their outlets, and the need for more powerful systems arose. That increased use created increased danger (with the circuits being put under high demand) and thus the need for grounded electrical outlets was created.
Somehow, though, a lot of homes still have two-prong, or ungrounded outlets, despite modern technology and the danger that these plugs pose. Since they aren’t considered up to code, any electrician of repute will tell you that you need to update things for safety. If you’re looking to do so, then know that it’s actually relatively inexpensive to make the switch, and can be done fairly quickly.
Of course, you want to hire a pro to carry out this and any other electrical jobs, so contact us at Tim Kyle Electric for all your electrical problems! You can talk to an expert about new installations of lighting and wiring, among other things, for your home or business.
About Tim Kyle Electric
Tim Kyle Electric has been delighting our customers with responsive, trusted and professional electrical services since 1986. We provide residential, commercial and solar power services and are experts in our field. Our team of professionally trained employees uphold our core values of honesty, respect and integrity. We are available 24/7 for your electrical servicing needs. Get in touch with us today to discuss your next electrical project.