A Shocking Intervention: The Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)

   

You’ve probably noticed them before: those little red and white buttons on a few of the outlets around your home - usually in the bathroom and kitchen. You may have even used them before. But a surprising number of homeowners are still in the dark about the true function of these two little buttons, called ground fault circuit interrupters, or GFCIs.

At A Watt Electrical & Specialty, we are here to help you understand and implement all the electrical service features your home relies on to function safely and smoothly. Safety is the primary function of the GFCI. In fact, GFCIs have saved thousands of lives and have helped significantly reduce the number of home electrocutions by about fifty percent. GFCIs are electrical safety devices that trip electrical circuits when they detect ground faults or leakage currents. A person who becomes part of a path for leakage current will be severely shocked or electrocuted. These outlets prevent deadly shock by quickly shutting off power to the circuit if the electricity flowing into the circuit differs by even a slight amount from that returning.

It might surprise you to discover how many Middle Tennessee homes and businesses do not have proper electrical protection in outdoor or wet locations. With the frequent rains and storms we’ve had this season, guarding from the hazard of an electrical shock is especially important.

A GFCI should be used in any indoor or outdoor area where water may come into contact with electrical products. The National Electrical Code requires that GFCIs be used in all kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoors. For optimum safety, GFCIs should be tested once a month to confirm that they are working properly.

How to Test Your GFCI:

1. Push the “reset” button on the GFCI to prepare the outlet for testing.
2. Plug in an ordinary light or plug tester (from Home Depot) into the GFCI and turn it ON. The light should now be on.
3. Push the “test” button of the GFCI. The light should go OFF.
4. Push the “reset” button again. The light should now come ON again.

If the light does not turn off when the test button is pushed, then the GFCI may have been incorrectly wired or damaged and it no longer offers shock the protection it was designed for. The knowledgeable electricians at A Watt Electrical & Specialty will be happy to help you protect your home and your family from the serious risk of electrical shock. A Watt Electrical does commercial and residential electrical wiring and repairs, as well as HVAC, plumbing, fire alarm installation, nurse call system installation, generators, phone system installation, door entry system installation, and computer networking. If you’re looking for a skilled, professional electrical contractor, contact (931) 219-2422 today!

To learn about special offers, click here:  http://franklinelectrician.com

Serving Brentwood, Nashville, Nolensville, Lavergne, Smyrna, Murfreesboro, Thompson Station, Spring Hill, Franklin, College Grove, Chapel Hill, Lewisburg, Fayetteville, Columbia, Pulaski, and surrounding areas

Choosing the Best Electrician for Your Project

Need a great electrician for an upcoming project or repair? Finding the right electrician is important. Choosing a dependable professional who will get the job done correctly and efficiently is not as easy as it sounds.   A Watt Electrical & Specialty  prides itself on it’s reputation for excellent workmanship and great customer service. But for new friends who may not know us yet, we thought we’d compile this list to guide you to in choosing the best electrician for your project.

1. Ask your friends.  Getting referrals from friends and neighbors insures firsthand experience with an electrician.  Doing a good job isn’t usually a one-time instance.

2. Research on the Internet.  There are plenty of sites online to find reviews of electricians, plumbers, carpenters, etc.  And while sometimes the reviews can get skewed with one person who had a bad experience, it’s not usually too difficult to discern if the person writing the review just wanted to complain, or whether the grievance they had is a through line in all customer reviews.

3. Get multiple quotes.  Asking for the full cost of the job and getting it in writing (or E-mail) before the job begins allows you to pick a price that works for you, and insures you won’t be upsold after the work is done.

4. Local or National?  Find out if the electrician you’re hiring for a job is an independent, local contractor, or if they work for a larger, national franchise.

5. Check for valid licensing.  Valid electricians carry licenses.  If the electrician you hired for a job doesn’t have a license, don’t hire them.

6. Check for insurance.  While all electricians must not have insurance, making sure the electrician working on your home has public liability insurance is a must, in case they have an accident while working on your property.

7. Check references.  If you feel there isn’t enough information online and you decide to go with an electrician who did not come at the recommendation of a friend, ask the electrician themselves to provide their own references.

A Watt Electrical & Specialty  does commercial and residential electrical wiring and repairs, as well as HVAC, plumbing, fire alarm installation, nurse call system installation, generators, phone system installation, door entry system installation, and computer networking. If you’re looking for skilled, professional electrical contractor, contact A Watt Electrical & Specialty today at (931) 219-2422 today!

To learn about special offers, click here:  http://franklinelectrician.com

Serving Brentwood, Nashville, Nolensville, Lavergne, Smyrna, Murfreesboro, Thompson Station, Spring Hill, Franklin, College Grove, Chapel Hill, Lewisburg, Fayetteville, Columbia, Pulaski, and surrounding areas