National Electrical Code: Facts and Figures
Think you know all there is to know about the National Electrical Code? These facts and figures may surprise you. The National Electrical Code (NEC) is in effect only AFTER it is adopted by the state or local jurisdiction. An average of 3,810 fires occur in dorms and barracks. The 2014 NEC will now require […]
AFCI vs GFCI
Though both provide enhanced electrical safety and have similar acronyms, AFCIs and GFCIs protect against very different things. Use this table to learn the differences and values of these safety technologies. AFCI or GFCI Protects Against: AFCI: Arc-Faults – a dangerous electrical problem caused by damage, overheated, or stressed electrical wiring or devices that may result […]
5 Easy Steps to a Safer Home
In order to provide enhanced protection, your AFCIs and GFCIs need to be functioning properly. Follow these easy steps to test them each month. Did You Know? GFCIs shut off electric power in the event of a ground fault within as little as 1/40 of a second. The National Electrical Code first included a home […]
Are You Safety Savvy?
In honor of National Electrical Safety Month, put your safety knowledge to the test with our handy quiz. True or False? Using a corded telephone during a lightning storm is safe Why do some outlets have three holes? What should you do when you use a portable generator during a power outage? The ____ industry […]
TRRs: 50 Cents to Protect a Child
What are Tamper Resistant Receptacles (TRRs)? Though they look like standard outlets, only TRRs include a built-in shutter system that prevents foreign objects from being inserted. Only a plug that applies simultaneous, equal pressure to both slots will disengage the cover plates, allowing access to the contact points. Without this synchronized pressure, the cover plates […]
Deadly Deals: Counterfeits
The saying, “If it’s too good to be true, it usually is.” should come to mind when you find electrical products that are far below competitor prices. But electrical products are uniquely hazardous when impersonated. They have not undergone testing by an independent laboratory, likely do not comply with industry safety requirements, and since its […]
Surge and Protect 2014
What is a “Power Surge”? A power surge, or transient voltage, is a sudden and unwanted increase in voltage that can damage, degrade or destroy the sensitive electronic equipment in your home or business. Causes: The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) estimates that 60-80% of surges are created within a facility, such as when large appliances, like […]
2014 NESM
Recovering from a Flood? Have an electrician or electrical inspector determine which electrical equipment and appliances can be restored and which need to be replaced Don’t Become a Victim of the “Silent Killer” Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that is virtually undetectable without the use of detection technology like a CO […]
Cracking The Code: National Electrical Safety Month
Many people are unaware of the protections provided by The National Electrical Code ® (NEC) or the process through which this code becomes law. While it is not necessary to understand the ins and outs, one should be aware of what is at risk when an outdated version is applied. What is the Code? […]
Powerful Thoughts from the President: National Electrical Safety Month
Twenty years ago the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) was founded as a cooperative effort by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to advance the public’s electrical safety awareness with the provision of unbiased information. We’ve accomplished a lot in our twenty years, though […]
