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    PESACH HOME ELECTRICAL SAFETY

    We clean our homes and rid them of all chometz as we prepare to have a simchas Yom Tov. Have we prepared our homes for a safe environment enabling a simchas hachaim? The same as we look for any chometz, have we checked for any unsafe conditions? In this article we hope to address some of the issues

    Do we have anything that looks like these in our homes?

    Let us start with the basics of appliances. Are the appliances we use over Shabbos, Yom Tov or Chol Hamoed safe, and are they designed for continuous use, 12, 24, 48 or 72 hours? Appliances are tested and/or listed by a lab that is part of OSHA’s Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Program. Some of these NRTL’s are UL , CSA and ETL This goes without stating: the appliance label and instructions manual must be approved by these agencies. The appliance is safe to use if it is undamaged and used in accordance with the instruction manual.

    Buyer beware: some of the biggest distributors–either online stores or others–sell both listed and unlisted products. Some products may have a European or Chinese marking. Unless these also carry the mark of an OSHA-recognized lab such as UL, these do not meet U.S. standards.

    These appliances are considered safe when connected to premise [building] wiring that meets the National Electric Code [NEC]. A little background about the NEC: The first NEC by name was published in 1897. Over the years, the NEC is revised and updated. Currently, the NEC is revised every three years. We are using the locally adopted edition. The purpose of the NEC: “…is the practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity”

    Now that we have an understanding of the NEC, let us look at how to identify these potential home electrical hazards. Generally, the power supply enters the home at the electric meter and is connected to a panel. Depending on when the home was built or updated, this panel may or not be a main breaker [shut off]. There may be fuses, breakers or a combination of both. Breakers or fuses are overcurrent protection [OCP] devices. The OCP protects the house wiring [branch circuit feeds], appliances, equipment and the people operating these appliances and equipment. Are the OCP devices sized properly? Only a qualified electrician should make a determination. What are the potential problems with an oversized OCP device? The premise wiring can burn up and cause the home to burn or the appliance will burn up. A properly installed OCP device should blow or trip if overloaded. Newer OCP equipment with more updated technology will trip with an imbalance between the hot and neutral [GFCI] or detect a potential of arcing [AFCI]. And will trip the breaker or blow the fuse.

    Why is proper grounding important? With a properly grounded circuit, wall boxes, devices [switches / receptacles], and service panel grounds that give the electrical current the easiest path to ground and that reduces the chances of someone getting a shock or getting electrocuted.

    What is a false ground, a bootleg ground, or a cheated ground receptacle? One of the problems with owning an older home is that the three prong cords on many modern electric appliances and electronic devices will not plug into a pre-1960 two slot receptacle. The box in fact lacks a ground. Using an “adapter” is the equivalent to breaking off the third prong on the plug. Unfortunately there are those who are unscrupulous that will bootleg or cheat the ground by using a short jumper to connect the ground terminal to the neutral terminal. This may fool the common tester used by many housing inspectors. This wiring configuration can cause electrical shock, or damage equipment that utilizes a ground. The electrical shock potential is due to the fact that the ground prong in the cord is connected to the metal frame of the appliance. With this false ground, the frame becomes connected to the neutral instead, and any connection of the frame to a grounded object will result in current flow. If that connection is a person, there is the possibility of a fatal shock.

    What are Arc Faults? An arc fault is an unintentional arcing condition in a circuit. Arcing creates high intensity heating at the point of arc resulting in burning and may over time ignite surrounding material such as wood framing, insulation, or any other combustibles.

    If the appliance or equipment connects loosely to the receptacle, the receptacle needs to be replaced by a professional to avoid reverse polarity wiring. If a receptacle is painted over or the face is broken, have the receptacle replaced. Loose fitting connections are potentials fires waiting to happen.

    What is a glowing connection? A glowing connection is where the branch circuit wiring is loosely connected to the receptacle. While contained in a box, the potential of a fire exists. As this glowing connection arcs it transmits heat to the plug end and in time will burn up the plug and ignite any combustible around it. Glowing connections also can develop at light fixtures or wall switches. As the connection overheats, it may melt the wirenut connection and transmit the heat to the branch circuit wiring in the ceiling or wall.

    You should also be concerned about trusting an appliance or piece of equipment that uses high energy and is connected to old premise wiring. Examples of high energy use appliances include a toaster, toaster oven, microwave, hot water kettle, hair dryer or space heater. Aside from the electrical safety component, combustibles should be kept away from these appliances when in use and from any plug / receptacle connections.

    Other safety concerns are using a light bulb in a clothes closet. This is a†potential†fire†hazardÆ

    There two brands of panel boxes that have a known history of causing†fires¨†Federal†Pacific†˛FPE¸†and†Zinsco.

    This is substantiated by actual statistics and lab studies.

    Having a good system ground that is properly installed will help prevent human injury and worse. This should†be†verified†by†a†qualified†electrician.

    What is a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter [GFCI]? A GFCI device protects us from serious injury from electrical shocks received from faults in the electrical device or appliance we use in our home. The GFCI works by comparing the input current on the hot side to the output current on the neutral side. If there is the slightest imbalance in current, 6 milliamps, then there is electric current leaking out somewhere, possibly through somebody’s body. To protect us in this situation, the GFCI trips, and cuts off power at a fraction of a second, greatly reducing any possible human tissue damage from the errant current. Where GFCI’s should be used? At a minimum at any electrical device within 6’ of water or appliance used within 6’ of water. Or anywhere there is a receptacle installed in an area subject to moisture, as the presence of moisture increases the danger of accidental shock.

    From the National Fire Protection Association [NFPA]

    The 2015 U.S. fire loss clock a fire department responded to a fire every 23 seconds. One structure fire was reported every 63 seconds.

    One home structure fire was reported every 86 seconds.

    One civilian fire injury was reported every 34 minutesÆ

    One civilian fire death occurred every 2 hours and 40 minutes

    From the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) 2/4/2015 Home Electrical Fires – Facts and Statistics

    Home†electrical†fires†account†for†an†estimated†51¨000†fires†each†year, nearly than 500 deaths, more†than†1¨400†injuries¨†and†§1Æ3†billion†in†property†damageÆ

    Electrical distribution systems are the third leading cause of home†structure†firesÆ

    Each year in the United States, arcing faults are responsible for starting more than 28,000 home fires¨†killing†and†injuring†hundreds of people, and causing over $700 million in property damage.

    The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that electrical receptacles are†involved†in†5¨300†fires†every†year, causing forty deaths and more than 100 consumer injuries.

    Sixty≠five†percent†of†home†fire†deaths†result†from†fires†in†homes†with no working smoke detectors.

    Electrical and Fire Safety Tips

    Have your home electrical system thoroughly inspected by qualified†electricians†to†ensure†that all electrical work in the home meets the safety provisions in the NEC.

    Install smoke alarms that signal each other on every level of the home, inside each bedroom, and outside each sleeping area.

    Ask†a†qualified†electrician†if†your†home†would†benefit†from†AFCI†protection, especially during inspections of older homes or upgrades to electrical systems. These advanced new safety devices recognize dangerous conditions that are not detected by standard breakers.

    Test smoke alarms and AFCIs monthly to ensure that they are working properly.

    Establish an evacuation plan that can be used in case of an emergency, and practice with your family and agree on where to meet outside.

    Use light bulbs that match the recommended†wattage†on†the†light†fixture.

    In homes with young children, install tamper resistant receptacles to prevent electrical shocks and burns.

    Conduct a basic assessment of your home electrical system, electrical cords, extension cords, power plugs, and outlets.

    Look for telltale signs of electrical problems†such†as†dim†and†flickering†lights, unusual sizzling and buzzing sounds from your electrical system, insulation and circuit breakers that trip†repeatedlyƆContact†a†qualified†electrician immediately.

    Use extension cords only temporarily, and never with space heaters or air conditioners.

    Avoid overloading outlets. Consider having additional circuits or outlets added†by†a†qualified†electrician†as†needed

    What should you do if you smell what appears as a burnt smell or a hot†plastic†smell¨†an†electrical†fireø†Call†911†and†wait†outsideƆThe†fire†department has the experience to locate the source of the smell. The have the equipment that can locate high temperatures concealed behind the walls. And they will secure the home’s safety.

    May is National Electric Safety Month; let us do our part. This article presents a tall order for the layperson. If you feel that the electrical system in your home is compromised and possibly unsafe, contact a trained professional to inspect the electrical system.

    Wishing all a Chag Kasher Vesameach!