Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets have existed since the early 1960s. However, millions of American homes still lack this vital technology. Although they're not necessary for every room, GFCI units offer multiple important advantages.
Benefits of GFCI Outlets
This equipment prevents or reduces electrical shocks, especially in moist areas of a home. It quickly terminates the flow of energy when shocks occur. Electrocutions have become less common since electricians Omaha started installing these outlets.
If an area is often exposed to splashes, spills, leaks or rain, you can benefit from using GFCI units. Always install them in crawl spaces, unfinished cellars, garages, wet bars, bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, porches and outdoor locations.
Another advantage of this technology involves grounding. Although proper grounding is still best, a GFCI receptacle can prevent shocks without it. Ground fault interrupters are particularly desirable when grounding isn't possible.
This type of outlet has the potential to prevent fires. A faulty appliance may spark flames as it delivers an electrical shock. You can avoid or reduce the severity of both problems with GFCI receptacles.
An outlet will trip circuit breakers less frequently if it uses this technology. You may easily reset it with the push of a button rather than walking to the breaker panel and finding the right switch to press.
Benefits of standard outlets
Regular receptacles aren't as sophisticated, so they cost somewhat less to manufacture. Residential electrical contractors may charge $50 or more to supply and install GFCI units.
Standard outlets occupy a bit less space than the alternative. This often makes it easier for electricians Omaha to install in walls, especially if you live in an older building.
A regular outlet doesn't require frequent testing; this saves a small amount of time. To ensure that it still works correctly, you should test a GFI receptacle every month by using its "reset" and "test" buttons.
The safety benefits of GFCI units certainly outweigh their disadvantages. Nevertheless, it still makes sense to save time and money by putting standard receptacles in bedrooms, halls and the living room.
It’s also important that you protect your electrical wall outlets. One of the biggest things when it comes to outlets is water. If you have water in our outlets it can harm you to plug something in. A quick fix would be to cover it with a childproof cover. In addition to preventing water from coming in, it prevents kids from stuffing the sockets with random items and it keeps dust, bugs, dirt and insects out.
One thing you should know about outlets is how you insert and remove plugs can make a difference. Don’t pull the cord, avoid any aggressive unplugging as it can cause damage to the socket or bend prongs on your cords.
If you have a dead electrical outlet, do you know what to do? The first thing you should know is that a common cause is a tripped circuit breaker or tripped GFCI. That should be the first thing you check. Let’s rewind, before you check the outlet you should try another item first. It’s common that a lightbulb is burned-out and the outlet works perfectly. If your outlets are the problem, you would want to call the professionals right away!
If you need an experienced residential electrician Omaha to install new outlets of any type, please contact our office in Omaha today.
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