Medfield, MA GFCI Outlet Upgrade and Installation
GFCI Outlet Upgrade circuit interrupters or GFCI outlets prevent serious electrical shocks. They also reduce the risk of an electrical fire. GFCI outlet installation is an inexpensive way to prevent electrical shocks in your home and a great way of bringing your house up to building code standards.
What Is a GFCI Outlet?
Although you may not know their official name, you have likely seen a GFCI outlet before. A GFCI outlet is an outlet that has the ‘test’ and ‘reset’ buttons near the receptacle.
GFCI outlets protect homeowners from electrical shocks by monitoring how much electricity is flowing into a single circuit. As soon as the GFCI outlet detects an imbalance in the flow of electricity in the circuit, it cuts off power to the outlet.
Your home is required to have GFCI outlets in:
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Garages
You will also find GFCI outlets in laundry rooms, utility rooms, and outdoor receptacles.
Many homeowners in Medfield, MA, are choosing to remodel or renovate their homes. When doing this, they often find older outlets that can be updated to GFCI outlets. Not only will these new GFCI outlets bring their homes up to code, but they will also protect them from shock and electrical hazards.
If you live in an older home and are looking to update your outlets, trust Paul Macrina Electrical Contracting, Inc. with your outlet installations.
How to Reset a GFCI Outlet
If your GFCI outlet senses an electric imbalance, it will stop the flow of power to your outlet. To restore power to your outlet, press and hold the “reset” button on your GFCI outlet.
How to Test GFCI Outlet Performance
GFCI outlets monitor electric currents to keep you safe. They are designed to cut off power flow and prevent electrical shocks. Because GFCI outlets are so important for the safety of you and your family, we recommend that you regularly test all of the GFCI outlets in your home.
Test your home’s GFCI outlets by following these steps:
Step One: Press the “test” button to stop any electrical flow to your GFCI outlet.
Step Two: Plug in a small device that uses a small amount of electricity. Night lights are a good choice for this. If your night light does not turn on, you can be sure that a current is no longer flowing to this receptacle.
Step Three: Simply press the “reset” button and power will once again begin flowing to the outlet.
If your GFCI outlet fails this test, schedule an appointment with Paul Macrina Electrical Contracting, Inc. we will replace your GFCI outlet so that it can continue protecting you and your family from electric shocks and hazards.
The Benefits of a GFCI Outlet Installation
Although GFCI outlets are required in many rooms, homeowners also install them for their many benefits. Benefits of a GFCI outlet installation include electrical shock prevention and electrical fire prevention. GFCI outlets can also protect your electrical devices from damage.
Electrical Fire Prevention
Electrical fires are far more common than most homeowners realize, and can be caused by a number of things. GFCI outlets can prevent them from ever occurring.
Electrical fires tend to happen whenever the wiring in your home ages. Whenever the wiring in your home gets too old, the insulation can begin to deteriorate. With time, this damage can cause your home’s electrical currents to leak. These electrical leakages can then lead to shock hazards and even spark electrical fires through your home’s outlets.
Studies show that home electrical fires account for approximately 51,000 fires each year. Installing a simple GFCI outlet can keep your home safe and reduce your home’s risk of electrical fires by 80%.
Electrical Device Protection
Just as they can cause electrical fires, electricity leaks can also damage your appliances and electrical devices over time. If continued over time, electricity leaks can shorten the life of your electrical devices.
A GFCI outlet will prevent damage to your electrical devices by preventing electricity leaks. They will trip anytime there is a leak and will work to keep the same amount of power running through the outlet.
Where to Avoid Using GFCI Outlets
GFCI outlets are helpful in most rooms of your home, but there are certain receptacles that they should not be installed in.
Common appliances that are not compatible with a GFCI outlet include:
- Refrigerators
- Freezers
- Stoves
- Dryers
Appliances such as these generate electromagnetic interference that will only trip a GFCI outlet. A standard electrical outlet installation will be beneficial for many of these types of appliances.
Small appliances with heating elements can also trip a GFCI outlet. These include irons, blow dryers, microwaves, and toaster ovens. A GFCI outlet will also trip if too many items are plugged into it with an extension cord.
Professional Electrician Near Me
If you are looking to protect your Medfield home with professional electrical outlet installation, contact Paul Macrina Electrical Contracting, Inc. Our team can provide professional outlet installation for your home, as well as guidance for any electrical questions you may have.