IDEAL HOUSE WIRING Proper electric wiring is necessary for safety of the house

IDEAL HOUSE WIRING

Proper electric wiring is necessary for safety of the house

 Although everyone knows what safe electric wiring is and why it is very important for the house, at times we neglect the integral aspects of safety. But it is one of the most significant aspects in the construction of a house.
    If your electrical wiring is inadequate, overloaded or outdated, it isn't just inconvenient, it's dangerous too. As we use more electricity in our homes, it's even more important to make sure that our electrical systems are appropriate and always in the best working condition.
    Most of the accidental fires occur due to short circuit. Never overload electrical outlets and circuits as they supply power to several other outlets. Overloaded electrical outlets and circuits carry excessive amount of electricity, which generates heat in undetectable amounts.
    All wiring systems should have circuit breakers or fuses that disconnect power when circuits become overloaded. Give special consideration to appliances that use 1,000 or more watts, such as air conditioners, refrigerators, microwave ovens, and electric heaters. Avoid plugging them into the same outlet or circuits so they do not exceed 1,500 watts for each outlet or circuit. Usually the wattage requirements are listed in appliance manufacturer's instructions.
    The presence of a switchboard protects the electrical wiring system in your home and it comprises the main power switch, along with a number of fuses or circuit breakers. Each fuse or circuit breaker corresponds to a different area of wiring in your home. In the event of an electrical fault, the fuse will blow or the circuit breaker will trip. The power to the corresponding area of the house will be shut off and prevent overloading or fire. The main difference between a circuit breaker and a fuse is that a circuit breaker can be reset, whereas once a fuse blows out it must be immediately replaced.
    Before you replace a fuse, always turn off the main power switch and all appliances and lights that are on that particular fuse. Always replace a fuse with the correct current rating. A fuse with too high a current rating could allow excessive current to flow through the circuit, leading to overheating and fire.
    It is always a good idea to know what each fuse or circuit breaker protects. Switchboards are normally labelled. If yours is not, next time you have electrical work done, ask your licensed worker/electrician to do this for you. This can save you time in identifying a blown fuse or which circuit breaker to switch off, should the need arise.
    In less time than you may think, the electric circuits in your home can become damaged or wear out through general wear and tear. It's important to get them inspected and tested at regular intervals of at least once in ten years, to check if they're still safe to use. If you are moving home, you need to know about the electric circuit in your new property. Be extra cautious if the property is old as it runs a higher risk of having faulty wiring.
SOME KEY INDICATORS THAT SHOW THE PROBLEMS LURKING IN YOUR ELECTRICAL WIRING: Whenever you turn on an appliance, such as a dishwasher or clothes. washer, the lights in your home dim Fuses blow or circuit breakers trip off frequently. Your television picture shrinks or fades when lights or appliances come on.
SAFETY TIPS TO ENSURE PROTECTION OF YOUR WIRES: Always buy good quality household wires, which carry ISI marks. Identify locations for switchboards in advance so that they would not obstruct while decorating rooms. Proper earthing should be done for the entire house. Each power board should have a separate fuse. Connect wires carefully and joints should be properly covered. Only registered electrical contractors should be engaged to carry out the electrical wiring / installation. Entire network and material should be designed to avoid unnecessary/excess power losses during transmission.
The author is Chairman & Managing Director, KEI Industries Limited