Some things are so obvious that it is very easy to forget how great a convenience they are. This is exactly the case with electricity. After all, you just need to “lift a finger” to illuminate the darkness in the room or boil the water for coffee or tea. It goes without saying that the refrigerator will provide the optimal temperature for storing food, and the stove will allow you to prepare a warm meal. However, it’s important to be aware that all these mundane activities simply won’t be possible without an efficiently operating electrical installation. Is it time to inspect your electrical inastallation?
Proper Use of Electrical Installations
Maintaining the electrical installation in full efficiency affects its reliable operation, extends its durability and is particularly important when it comes to the safety of its users. In order to be able to meet these requirements, professional inspections of the condition of your home’s electrical installation should be carried out regularly, including a visual inspection along with periodic electrical measurements. The next step to ensure the safety and reliable operation of the installation is its proper maintenance. It is equally important to read the recommendations that are included in the operating manuals for all electrical devices that are part of the installation. The omission of one of the above-mentioned criteria may lead to inefficiency of the electrical installation, which in turn may reduce its reliability, which may result in a potential risk of danger to the household members and your property.
The Role of Electrical Maintenance in Home Safety
The main goal of maintenance is to ensure the full usability of electrical installations according to specific standards and rules. Most often it consists of determining and carrying out a specific scope of maintenance activities performed periodically, taking into account the actual technical condition of the electrical installation. Proper maintenance is of great importance for the proper operation of the devices and appliances and it will reduce the risk of unforeseen failure. This can be achieved by replacing the damaged components early and properly handling them. Maintaining a good technical condition consists of activities, such as cleaning, or replacing parts that have been worn out in the process of normal operation. The more extensive activities include replacing electrical system components, as well as performing electrical tests and measurements. Chicago – this is where you can count on our help in the field of electrical maintenance: we will perform professional inspections, cleaning, check the screw connections of the installed devices and other power and distribution elements, and replace any parts that are worn, cracked, broken, or deteriorated.
General Rules of Electrical Installation Maintenance
According to the above guidelines, proper care for electrical installation can be reduced to a few basic rules:
1) Carry out regular inspections of the condition of the electrical system and periodic electrical measurements. The inspection should be carried out by a licensed electrician.
2) Repair any noticed damages and irregularities in the electrical system on an ongoing basis.
3) Carry out periodic maintenance work of the electrical system. The same as in the case of an inspection – maintenance should be performed by a licensed electrician.
4) Devices and elements included in the electrical installation must be used in accordance with their instructions manual.
5) It is necessary to prevent electrical failures in installations resulting from mechanical damage and system overloads exceeding the connection capacity.
6) Switch off electrical devices that are on stand-by when you’re not using them, e.g. switch off the circuits supplying unnecessary light sources.
Electrical Inspection
Visual inspection of the electrical installation
The inspection of the electrical installation is the first stage of the process. During the visual inspection it is possible to determine if all system components are made and installed correctly. A licensed electrician will check, among others, whether none of the cables pose a threat to residents, are the sockets at appropriate distances from water sources, etc.
Measurements of the electrical installation
After the visual inspection, your electrician will perform specialized measurements with the use of specialized measuring equipment. At this stage, it is necessary to implement four basic steps for a comprehensive assessment:
- First, the effectiveness of the protection of the cables against short circuits is measured. The devices that provide short-circuit protection (e.g. circuit breaker or fuse-link) are checked.
- Then the fire safety is measured. The protective device in this case is a residual current device.
- The measurement of the insulation resistance, performed in the third stage, allows checking whether the insulation of wires in the installation is sufficiently high. This is important because the value of the insulation resistance affects the correct operation of the fire breakers.
- Last but not least is the measurement of RCDs. At this stage, the functionality of these switches is checked, which should effectively disconnect power in the event of electric shock.
Protocol on the inspection of the electrical installation
After the visual inspection and measurements of the electrical installation are taken, a detailed report is drawn up containing information on the activities performed, as well as significant conclusions on compliance or deviations from standards and regulations.
What Can the Specialists at Wiktorowski Electrical Services Do For You?
Wiktorowski Electrical Services is a fully licensed and bonded company offering professional electrical services for homeowners around the Chicagoland area. We aim to maintain our clients’ properties in proper condition. The maintenance of the electrical installation ensures its long-term efficiency, which means not only continuous, but also safe supply of electricity to buildings and their immediate surroundings.
Regular inspections and repairs are the best way to avoid a major accident. This is particularly important in the case of electrical installations, where even a minor fault can lead to really serious consequences and, as a result, result in serious losses.
Call us today and have a licensed electrician come out to your house today!