Best Electrical Safety Devices You Need to Have Installed in Your Home

What is electrical safety?

Electrical safety refers to the precautions and procedures that are taken to prevent electrical hazards and injuries from occurring in the workplace or at home. It involves understanding the potential dangers associated with working with or near electrical equipment and taking the necessary steps to minimize the risk of harm to individuals and property.

The dangers of electricity can be severe and include electrical shock, burns, electrocution, and even death. Therefore, it is essential to understand the various hazards associated with electricity and take necessary precautions to avoid accidents.

One of the primary concerns regarding electrical safety is the risk of electric shock. Electric shock occurs when an electrical current pass through the body, which can result in burns, cardiac arrest, and death. The severity of the shock depends on several factors, including the amount of current, the path of the current through the body, and the duration of exposure.

What is the purpose of electrical safety?

Electrical safety is crucial for individuals working with electrical equipment and those who are near such equipment. The purpose of electrical safety is to ensure that electrical hazards are identified and measures are put in place to minimize or eliminate the risk of injury or damage to property. 

Here are the key reasons why electrical safety is essential:

1. Prevent electrical shock

Electric shock can occur when an electrical current passes through the body, leading to serious injury or even death. Electrical safety procedures, such as using proper insulation, grounding, and circuit protection, can prevent electric shock accidents.

Read Also: Various Types of Circuit Protection Devices That Prevents From Electrical Losses

2. Protect equipment

Electrical safety measures can prevent damage to electrical equipment, ensuring it functions correctly and efficiently. Such measures include proper installation, maintenance, and grounding of electrical equipment.

3. Ensure compliance with regulations

Electrical safety regulations set by local authorities ensure that electrical equipment is installed and used safely. Compliance with these regulations can prevent injuries, fatalities, and costly penalties.

4. Minimize fire hazards

Electrical equipment, if not handled correctly, can cause electrical fires that can lead to property damage, injury, or loss of life. Electrical safety procedures, such as regular maintenance and inspection, can reduce the risk of electrical fires.

5. Protect workers

Workers who handle electrical equipment are exposed to electrical hazards, including electric shock and burns. Electrical safety measures, such as safety training and proper personal protective equipment (PPE), can protect workers from harm.

6. Increase productivity

Electrical safety procedures, such as regular maintenance and inspection, can help prevent equipment breakdowns and downtime. This, in turn, can increase productivity, reduce costs, and ensure that production runs smoothly.

The present world is heavily reliant on electricity for a variety of purposes - from running machinery and electrical appliances to charging devices, running servers, and more. Even at the household level, we use electricity as a readily available source of energy for lighting, cooking, heating, charging, and running electrical appliances like computers. Though electricity plays an important role in our everyday lives, electricity can often be a health hazard unless proper precautions are used.

In households, if left unchecked, electricity poses a significant threat to humans, especially children, and pets. Exposed wires or exposure to moisture can cause electrical accidents like electrocutions, fires, and short circuits. Moreover, in cases of electrical surges, the electricity flowing through live wires can suddenly rise to unprecedented levels, causing substantial damages to any connected device or appliance. During thunderstorms, a surge in electrical flow can cause permanent harm. 

Therefore, to keep your loved ones secure or prevent your expensive appliances from burning out, installing safety devices and precautionary measures in your home is important. Electrical safety devices like the MCCB Switch can effectively keep the flow of electricity in check, and ensure the electrical flow is secure. 

Let us discuss some of the best electrical safety devices from Schneider Electric that you need to have installed in your home.

Best Electrical Safety Devices for Home

Electricity is a fundamental part of modern life, powering our homes, offices, and businesses. However, it can also be dangerous, and electrical accidents can cause serious injuries and property damage. 

Fortunately, there are various electrical safety devices available that can help to minimize the risks associated with electricity. Here are three of the best electrical safety devices for the home.

1. Voltage Protectors

Voltage protectors, also known as surge protectors, are devices that protect electrical equipment from power surges, spikes, and voltage fluctuations. They work by diverting excess voltage away from the equipment and into the grounding wire. This can help to prevent damage to equipment such as computers, televisions, and other electronic devices.

Voltage protectors come in various sizes and shapes, and it is essential to choose the correct one for the application. For example, a whole-house surge protector is designed to protect the entire electrical system, while a portable surge protector is ideal for protecting individual electronic devices.

2. Automatic Voltage Regulator

Automatic voltage regulators are devices that regulate the voltage of an electrical supply. They can help to protect electrical equipment from damage caused by overvoltage, under voltage, and voltage fluctuations. Automatic voltage regulators work by monitoring the incoming voltage and adjusting the output voltage to ensure that it remains within a safe range.

Automatic voltage regulators are ideal for homes located in areas with unstable power supplies or those that experience frequent power outages. They are also beneficial for homes with sensitive electrical equipment that requires a stable voltage supply, such as medical equipment or high-end audio systems.

3. Uninterruptible Power Supply

An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is a device that provides a backup power supply in the event of a power outage. A UPS typically uses a battery to provide temporary power until the main power supply is restored. This can help to protect electronic equipment from damage caused by power outages, such as data loss or equipment failure.

UPS devices come in various sizes and capacities, and it is essential to choose the correct one for the application. For example, a small UPS may be suitable for protecting a single computer, while a larger UPS may be required for protecting an entire home office or entertainment system.

• MCB and MCCB Switch

MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breaker) and MCCBs (Molded Case Circuit Breakers) are electrical safety measures frequently used across households. The MCCB electrical acts as a switch that maintains the voltage in the circuit at a fixed level and prevents excessive current flow. The fundamental purpose of the MCCB switch is to keep out unrestricted current from the connection which would otherwise cause damage to the connected appliance. During an electrical surge or an overload, the MCCB is triggered by higher voltages in the circuit. Once triggered, the MCCB causes the circuit to break, disrupting the flow of electricity to the connected device. 

MCBs and MCCBs have a convenient design so they can be easily installed across the circuit. At usual conditions, they do not interfere with the flow of current, nor do they hamper the performance of any connected device. However, they have a lower tolerance to electricity, ranging from 10 to 125 amperes, so they can be triggered before the electricity becomes high enough to damage any connected electrical device. MCB and MCCBs are budget-friendly; the MCCB 125 amp 4 pole price is affordable and easily purchased from Schneider Electric.

• Surge Protection Devices

As the name indicates, Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) are used to ensure a safe voltage limit across circuits. During power anomalies like thunderstorms and utility issues, electrical appliances and components around the house face risks of burnout. To prevent such accidents, SPDs are used as restraints that limit the surge voltage up to desirable levels. They also discharge the overload current to distant grounds before it causes any harm to the electrical equipment around the house. Surge protectors are excellent electrical safety devices and are available as individuals, or as whole house surge protectors. 

• Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters

Ground Fault Circuit interrupters, commonly known as GFCIs, are used to detect ground currents. They are solid-state trip units that are installed in the house as a protection for both humans and electrical appliances. GHCIs that provide people protection is designed to automatically detect residual electricity from ground faults. Upon sensing ground faults above 5 milliamperes, it triggers circuit breakers to restrict the flow of electricity immediately. It is popularly used across bathrooms and kitchens or around sources of water, preventing accidental electrocution. GFCIs designed for equipment protection are usually used to protect computers and heating equipment from electrical burnout or fires. They have circuit breakers that trip once the ground faults over 30 milliamperes.

In addition, self-closing outlet covers, safety plastic caps, cable management systems are superb measures to ensure electrical protection for your loved ones and expensive appliances around the household. Smoke detectors and alarms have grown popular over the recent years as well, as they are budget-friendly, and can issue warnings in case of smoldering and burning fires. 

Read Also: How Does The MCB Protect Your Home