How To Stay Safe Around Downed Power Lines - Do’s and Don'ts

 

After a strong wind or strong storm, it is much more likely that you will encounter a downed power line - a power line that has fallen to the ground. Lowered power lines can seriously injure or even kill someone who touches or approaches them. Stay safe by making sure you know all of the following instructions about these electrical hazards.

If you face a downed power line while walking ...

DO NOT touch the power line with your body or any other object. Always assume that the line is "powered", which means it can injure you with electricity. Touching a power line can easily injure or kill you if an electric current is running through it. Simply looking, you can't tell if the line is plugged in or not, so always err on the side of caution.

DO NOT keep your distance to avoid electric shock through the ground. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, ground around power lines can be activated up to 35 feet away.

DO NOT touch a person, animal or object that has touched the power line. While leaving them there can be painful, you could also get an electric shock by touching them or walking within the energized area. 

 

You must immediately notify the emergency services of reduced power lines.

TRY to keep others away. By keeping a safe distance yourself, warn anyone you see who could unknowingly enter the energized area.

DO shuffle away from a downed power line if you are too close to it. You can avoid a strong electric shock by taking small steps and always keeping your feet together and in contact with the ground.

At Theodille’s Electrical Services, the safety and comfort of our customers are our top priorities. For all the necessary electrical maintenance Saint Lucia, contact us today.

Visit https://theodilleselectricals.com/  for electrical Installation Saint Lucia  .

Ways To Spot A Bad Light Switch

 

Every homeowner has dealt with a bad light switch in the past. However, most people expect their lights to work as expected and are really surprised when they flip the switch and nothing happens. Wouldn't it be great if there was a way to spot malfunctioning light switches sooner or later, so they don't surprise us or throw us out of our daily routine? You are lucky there is! Continue reading the five main ways to spot a bad light switch, and remember to call our Industrial Electrician Saint Lucia electricians for all your lighting needs.

 

Top Ways to See If You Have a Bad Light Switch

 

●     Switch sparks: Sparks are quite the last thing you want to get from any component of your electrical system. In the case of a light switch, a small spark may sometimes appear when it is turned on. This is called a "load arc" and occurs when the light switch connections are disconnected. However, if the spark has occurred more than once, is accompanied by an audible sound, or if there is a lot of spark coming from your switch, we can guarantee that there is a problem in your hands. A sparking light switch can cause smoke and burns at best and an electrical ignition at worst, so if one of your light switches sparks, be sure to replace it as soon as possible.

 

●     Switch feels warm: Occasionally, the switch feels a little warm when you turn off the lights, especially if they are turned on for a long time. However, for standard toggle light switches, this warm feeling is never a good sign. Call an electrician immediately to replace the light switch if you feel heat escaping.

 

●     The switch makes strange noises: To express the obvious, light switches are not designed to make noise. If you hear a kissing, clicking or popping sound coming from your light switch, or the "snap" we mentioned above, there may be something wrong with the internal components and the switch will need to be replaced.

 

●     The light does not always turn on: If the light does not always turn on, there is a good chance that it is a light bulb, not a switch. However, if you replace this bulb and the light fixture continues to operate inconsistently, it is possible that your problem is the switch.

 

Theodille’s Electrical Services is here to take care of your switches

Our highly trained team can provide electrical switch repair and wiring, and we offer great financing and special offers. Call today to take care of your light switches - we promise that our electrical wiring Saint Lucia   experts will never leave you in the dark!

 

Things You Should Never Plug Into A Power Strip

 

If you lack electrical outlets, a power strip can be a convenient solution - up to a certain point. Most people are unaware that power strips are only designed to work with electronics that use relatively little energy, relatively speaking. A power strip can safely handle AV equipment or low-power household items such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, or lamps.

However, if you connect a device or appliance that requires a lot of electricity to operate, you run the risk of overloading the power supply and causing an electric fire. Keep in mind: even small electronics can require more power than you think.

NEVER PLUG THESE THINGS INTO A POWER STRIP

Never connect these items to the electrical strip, avoid electric fire.

 

●     Large kitchen appliances (refrigerator, dishwasher, etc.)

These devices are so powerful that they can easily overload poor and low power. Connect large appliances directly to the wall. Do not use a multi-socket converter to add more things, otherwise you may trip over the circuit. These large devices need their own special socket.

 

●     Small kitchen appliances

When quoting "Size doesn't matter." Smaller devices need a lot of electricity to perform their tasks, so like larger devices, they should have a dedicated outlet when they're in use. This applies to microwaves, coffee machines, blenders, toasters, toaster ovens, rice plates, slow cookers, etc.

 

●     Hair styling tools

This is another thing that surprises people. Hairdryers, flat irons and curling irons get a lot of energy to get as hot as they do, so it's safest to put them in a wall socket. If you are styling your hair near a wet sink or other wet area, it is advisable to use a GFCI outlet.

 

●     Extension cords and other power strips

By connecting one power strip to another (a dangerous practice called “daisy chain”), you can very easily overload the circuit and start an electric fire. The same thing can happen by attaching an extension cord to an electrical strip or vice versa.

 

Do you need more space to add things? At electrical maintenance Saint Lucia, we offer safe, professional wiring and outlet services in Saint Lucia and surrounding areas.  If you are looking for an industrial electrician Saint Lucia , we offer experienced services , covering everything from simple repairs to new build electrical design and installation. To know more visit https://theodilleselectricals.com .

Most Common Myths About Electricity

 

Urban legends, superstitions and myths: make sure it's fun to talk about, but when talking about something as serious as your electrical system, it's important to separate fact from fiction.

Fortunately, our qualified Industrial Electricians Saint Lucia  will meet all your power supply needs. Keep reading for the most common myths about electricity.

 

●     Batteries contain electricity: When you insert the battery into any electrical device you use it, the electrolyte is converted into ions, which are then discharged to power the device. Thus, although energy is stored in the battery in the form of chemical potential energy, the electricity itself is not stored in the battery.

 

●     The size of the cable affects the amount of electricity flowing through it: Some people assume that longer, thinner cables can transmit more electricity because the current is exposed to less resistance. The size of the cable does not affect the amount of current transmitted. Instead, the actual amount of electricity transmitted through the cable depends solely on its source.

 

●     Output of low voltage electricity is not dangerous: Everyone knows that the amount of high voltage electricity is dangerous, but what about low voltage discharges? Some assume that the lower the voltage, the safer the discharge. However, this is not always the case. Low-voltage electric shocks can be dangerous, as can high-voltage charges, and can cause serious injury and death.

 

●     Generators are a great way to generate extra electricity: Generators are a great way to use extra electricity, especially in emergencies when you have lost all power. The  name "generator" is a bit misleading, as these devices actually do nothing. Instead, generators convert electricity by absorbing mechanical energy and converting it into electrical energy. This energy can then be used to power your house, but the generator itself does not generate it - it transforms.

 

●     Appliances stop consuming electricity when you turn them off: This myth is that electricians have been warning homeowners for years. It is true that switching this switch turns off some electrical devices. However, some devices may still consume power due to standby or ghost consumption. You can see this when you switch off the device, but you still see the small red indicator light on. In standby mode, power consumption is distributed to all devices with an LCD panel, light or clock. Fortunately, more and more homeowners are becoming more aware of ghost consumption and are doing their best to prevent its bill from increasing.

 

Learn more about electrical wiring Saint Lucia  by contacting Theodille’s Electrical Services.