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IBEW
Local 98 Holiday Safety Tips
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When
you unpack your holiday lights for another season, it only
takes a few minutes to look them over and make sure they’re
okay. The following tips can help you make sure all your
lights and decorations are ready for plugging in…and it’s
from the experts! Everyone at IBEW Electricians Local 98
wishes you and your family a happy, healthy and safe holiday!
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Outlets (Indoors
and Outdoors)
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Check receptacles indoors
and outdoors for worn connections. If plug ends for
cords and appliances can be pushed in or pull out
with little or no pressure then the receptacle needs
to be replaced. This type of loose connection can
heat up under the load connected to the receptacle.
Outlet testers are also a good way to check that your
outlets are safe and properly grounded. |
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GFCI protection
All
receptacle outlets outdoors must be protected with
a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter). This
protection can be accomplished by using a GFCI receptacle
or circuit breaker. If your Outdoor receptacles
are not GFCI protected, any cords, tools or decorative
lighting plugged in represent the potential for
electrical shock to you, your family and friends. Portable
type GFCI protective devices are readily available
at all Electrical Supply centers, Home centers and
Hardware stores.
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Note
that the National Electrical Code requires GFCI protection
for all 120-volt receptacle outlets in dwelling units
(your home) located on your kitchen counter, bathrooms,
outdoors, in unfinished basements, garages, attics,
crawl spaces and rooftops.
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Cords
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All
extension cords must be inspected prior to use.
The cord should not be brittle or worn in any way.
Cords must also be inspected for cuts and tears
in the cord jacket and conductor insulation. All
three wire cords must have a ground prong on the
male cord cap. All extension cords must be listed
by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory such
as UL (Underwriters Laboratories). All extension
cords must be used in accordance with the marking
on the cords. These markings should include the
maximum load in watts for the cord. Markings should
also include an indication of the permitted use
of the cord such as “Indoor Use Only” or “Approved
for Outdoor Use”. |
Note
that extension cords approved for use outdoors should
never be placed with connections on grade level. Water
will accumulate on the ground in the form of snow, ice
and rain creating an electrical hazard.
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Adapters
The use of an adapter to plug a three wire cord
or appliance into a two wire receptacle outlet represents
a dangerous condition. Three wire cords and appliance
cords have a connection to ground known as an equipment
grounding conductor. A two wire type receptacle
represents an older wiring method without an equipment
grounding conductor. GFCI protection should be used
for all loads from a two wire device. |
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Note
that the National Electrical Code requires in all dwelling
units (your home) a receptacle outlet with an equipment
grounding conductor or double insulated equipment for
all refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, clothes-washing,
clothes-drying, dish-washing machines; kitchen waste
disposers; information technology equipment (computers
etc), sump pumps, electrical aquarium equipment, hand-held
motor-operated tools, stationary and fixed motor-operated
tools, light industrial motor-operated tools, hedge
clippers, lawn mowers, snow blowers, and wet scrubbers.
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Decorations
All electrical light strands, movable figures, trains
etc. must be listed by a Nationally Recognized testing
laboratory such as Underwriter Laboratories (UL).
Secure electrical cords on indoor decorations to
prevent children or pets from tripping or playing
with them. Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees,
house, walls or other firm support to protect from
wind damage. And
remember to turn off all lights on trees and other
decorations when you go to bed or leave your home.
Lights could short out and cause a fire. |
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