Electrical fires are very common in residential and commercial settings. You may not think that you’re going to get stuck in the cross-hairs of an electric fire, but the chances of it happening are very likely. The chances increase when you’re not aware of all the ways that an electric fire may start in your home. If you treat electric fires like an inevitability, you’re more likely to be prepared for it. This mindset helps you minimize your damage on the off chance that something like this occurs.

Electrical fires startup because of several reasons. However, as many reasons as there are for electrical fires starting, there are ways that you can prevent yourself from starting an electric fire. One of these ways to prevent electric fires is by installing circuit breakers in your electric units. You can conduct electrical safety all on your own.

What is an Electrical Fire?

A failure or malfunction within the electrical components of equipment or machinery can cause electrical fires. Electrical fires can occur through electrical wires, cables, circuit breakers, and electrical components. Fires can also start in electric panels when there are overloaded circuits, or the panels are old. The electrical fires can also start because lighting equipment acts as a heat source when it’s too close to the entire equipment.

What is a Circuit Breaker?

A circuit breaker is an electrical component that is activated when a very high current passes through it. Arc Fault Breakers are a very specific type of circuit breaker. Arc fault breakers, also known as arc fault circuit interrupters, is a small device that you can add to your home’s electrical system.  Doing so can help you protect your home from any electrical fires.  These small devices are designed to help prevent electrical fires, which occur when electricity travels outside of home wiring. This sort of traveling can happen when your wiring is old or worn out due to age, rodent damage, exposure to moisture, or incorrect installation.

Arc fault circuit breakers help protect your home from electrical fires and all the damage from them. They’re available in several styles, including a traditional breaker style and AFCI receptacles, which add an extra layer of protection and prevent any arcing or all the wiring attached to all your applications.

How do Circuit Breakers and Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters Work?

These small devices are constantly monitoring the magnitude of the circuit flowing through your home. They know at what degree the arc will be too much and what magnitude is completely fine. If abnormal activity is detected, the breaker immediately interrupts the flow of electricity, also known as the circuit. This interruption prevents the electrical arc from generating enough heat, which may result in a fire.

There are two common electrical arcs that everyone is aware of. The two arcs are series and parallel arcs. There is contact between the hot and the neutral conductor in a parallel arc or contact between the hot and the ground conductor, which will be the reason behind an uptick in the circuit. The sudden spike in the electrical current occurs along with a tremendous amount of heat.  Thus, this spike is the one that circuit breakers pick up instantly.

In a series arc, the electric arc is along the conductor or even at the connection point. This event can happen when an extension cord catches fire where it is connected or plugged into another device.

The older the wiring of your home, the likelier is an arc short circuit going to happen.  Thus, if you have a relatively old house, you may consider applying the necessary corrective measures, so you don’t have to worry about the plugs and circuits catching on fire.  Over time, the wires can become worn out because of fluctuation in operating temperatures and due to regular wear and tear.  Arc fault or circuit problems can also occur because there are nails or screws which interrupt the integrity of the electrical wiring inside of the home. These nails and screws can occur when a homeowner decides to install a picture or a frame into the wall.

Arc Fault Breakers, also known as Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs), are small devices that you have to add to your home’s electrical system.  Manufacturers have designed the circuit breakers in a way that prevents electrical fires.

Do Circuit Breakers Help Reduce the Risk of Residential Fires?

Yes, they do.  According to the Consumer Product Safety Commissions, the use of circuit breakers in the residential buildings throughout the country could prevent almost half of all the fires in the United States each year.

If we put it, having circuit breakers in place is a solid line of defense against electrical fires.

Final Thoughts

Circuit breakers are a very useful device for protection against electrical fires. The installation of circuit breakers in all residential units can help with the certainty of fire-related injuries and deaths.  Thus, to protect you against fire, circuit breakers in all electrical units are essential.

For more information on how circuit breakers  prevent fires, visit us at www.911restorationpgcounty.com