The Importance of an Electrical Service Disconnect
It's given that electricity is essential in the modern home. Electricity is what powers your lights and all your appliances at home - from your personal computer, television, and air conditioning unit down to your rice cooker.
However, electricity can be a lethal but invisible threat, should you leave it damaged and malfunctioning. Some households leave their electrical wiring, plugs and other electrical components unattended. They wait for alarming noises and visual signs of danger such as smoke, electrical fire outbreak, and power outage before they take action.
The fact of the matter is that not all electrical damage or malfunctions will manifest as arcing wires with all the noises and visuals to warn of danger. This can be quite fatal to you and your family at home, particularly when you come in contact with certain surfaces or objects that are electrically charged as a result of electrical damage.
In such cases, electrical service disconnect can keep you and everyone in your humble abode safe and sound. You can also have an electrical service disconnect, should you need to conduct maintenance, repairs, or upgrades to your home. So what exactly is electrical service disconnect? We'll learn about what electrical disconnect entails and how important it is to your home.
Electrical Disconnect in a Nutshell
In a nutshell, an electrical disconnect is the main switch that isolates all wirings in a home or a building from the source of power coming from the utility power service. Typically, all electricity from the public utility or power company flows into a home stop at the utility meter and is isolated at the electrical disconnect. This electrical disconnect is the main circuit breaker within the home's main electrical service panel. It may consist of a breaker switchfound in its own box on the exterior of a home or property.
Importance of Electrical Disconnect
Shutting the electrical disconnect is one way to put a halt to the flow of energy from the power source to your home's electrical panel. This implies that a service disconnect is a means to shut the power off between the facilities of the service utility (your power company) and the premise wiring (your property's electrical system). An electrical disconnect is important for two main reasons, as follows:
- You can have an electrical disconnect, should need to carry out home maintenance , repairs, or upgrades.
- The disconnect can be used to help lessen the risk of rescue personnel being injured or electrocuted, should there be a fire breaking out or flooding in the area.
Staying Compliant with Code
When it comes to complying with local codes, households are required to have their electrical service devices in readily accessible, easy-to-find locations outside the structure or adjacent to the main electrical panel. It must be clearly and permanently labeled. It should not be installed in a bathroom as well. Moreover, it should also be able to withstand environmental conditions if located outside of the house.
Substantial code and safety considerations are involved with the installation, maintenance, and repair of an electrical service disconnect. That said, it's best to always hire a licensed electrician for any work involving an electrical service disconnect.
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