You have probably noticed electrical outlets have either two or three slots. You may have been frustrated at times when you needed to plug in a device with a three-prong plug but only had a two-prong outlet at that location. However, did you know that three-prong outlets are actually safer? Read on to learn more from a residential electrical service in Perry Hall.
Two-Prong Versus Three-Prong Outlets
Simply, two-prong outlets don’t have a ground wire, while three-prong ones do. A grounding wire acts as a safety precaution and will trip your electrical panel if an electrical surge happens in that outlet. Since they don’t have a grounding wire, two-prong outlets are dangerous for you and your family. For instance, two-prong outlets put you at risk of electrocution. If a power surge occurs, the electricity will dart to the outlet. Without a grounding wire, the excess power cannot be redirected. This can cause electrocution for whoever is using the device. It could be severe enough to cause serious injury or death.
In addition, a surge without a ground wire could damage any appliances you have plugged into that outlet. The extra power will travel to any electronic devices plugged into the outlet and fry them, thus leaving you with a need to replace a potentially costly device or appliance. Plus, two-pronged outlets increase your risk of a home fire. During an electrical surge, the lack of a ground wire means the electricity has nowhere to go. If it reaches the building materials in your home, it can start a fire.
Residential Electrical Service Perry Hall
At Tim Kyle Co. Electrical Services, we recommend updating all your outlets to three-prong for safety purposes. A big increase in voltage that exceeds the designated safe electrical flow is a surge. If left untouched, these surges could overheat the wiring and cause fires. Avoid this and other risks associated with electrical surges by installing surge protection in your home right away. Contact us today to learn more about our residential services.