Is there any ways to prevent electrical fires at home or even in the car? I'm a little short with this electrical stuff. I've heard horror stories where an improperly installed car audio system (or any car eletronics) can cause an eletrical fire and overloading those multiple socket surge protectors can also cause fires.
Eletrical fires
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Originally Posted By: toytundranator
Is there any ways to prevent electrical fires at home or even in the car?
The short story is YES: Just make sure everything is done properly!
Originally Posted By: toytundranator
I'm a little short with this electrical stuff.
Pun intended? If so, *well played*.
Originally Posted By: toytundranator
I've heard horror stories where an improperly installed car audio system (or any car eletronics) can cause an eletrical fire and overloading those multiple socket surge protectors can also cause fires.
Those horror stories, whether they involve auto installations, home, power strips or anything else almost always involve some human error (be that in the form of laziness or irresponsibility during installation, or misuse) and/ or faulty componentry (attn: moribundman --- I already know "componentry" is not a real word).
If you are unsure of anything involving electricity, the only responsible thing you can do is to have someone experienced handle things for you. Look over his or her shoulder, ask questions, Google it and gradually you will develop enough of an understanding so that it's distinguishable from magic.
Is there any ways to prevent electrical fires at home or even in the car?
The short story is YES: Just make sure everything is done properly!
Originally Posted By: toytundranator
I'm a little short with this electrical stuff.
Pun intended? If so, *well played*.
Originally Posted By: toytundranator
I've heard horror stories where an improperly installed car audio system (or any car eletronics) can cause an eletrical fire and overloading those multiple socket surge protectors can also cause fires.
Those horror stories, whether they involve auto installations, home, power strips or anything else almost always involve some human error (be that in the form of laziness or irresponsibility during installation, or misuse) and/ or faulty componentry (attn: moribundman --- I already know "componentry" is not a real word).
If you are unsure of anything involving electricity, the only responsible thing you can do is to have someone experienced handle things for you. Look over his or her shoulder, ask questions, Google it and gradually you will develop enough of an understanding so that it's distinguishable from magic.
Originally Posted By: jldcol
Componenrty seems a real word. Please do not help mori man, tis bad enough on own.
I dunno - My spellchecker was all over it.
I did find this from dictionary.com, however:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/componentry
Anyhow, let's not hijack the brother's thread over this crazy language of ours.
Componenrty seems a real word. Please do not help mori man, tis bad enough on own.
I dunno - My spellchecker was all over it.
I did find this from dictionary.com, however:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/componentry
Anyhow, let's not hijack the brother's thread over this crazy language of ours.
It's not the language that's crazy, it's the use or attempts of same that's really nuts. Sort of back to OP, get/use smoke alarms in home, get/use arc fault breakers, fire extinguishers, and maybe get a dalmation for the car, good for fire and theft.
I knew Bob Vila would have something useful fo contribute.
The best way to make sure you're OK is to add up all the watts for all the things you use, make sure not to overload your cords or spike protectors. Many spike protectors have a built-in circuit breaker to prevent overloading. Another good practice is to make sure your wall receptacles aren't loose-arcing often occurs there as well. A little common sense goes a long way.
Know the amp draw of stuff. Two toasters in one outlet running concurrently overload it... but twenty "wall wart" chargers in extention cords in power strips isn't an issue.
The electrical code has updated over the years; if you have an old house it met the code when it was built but there could be improvements in safety since then. (Alternatively the craftsmanship back then was better-- which counts for a lot) Stuff that's improved recently include ground fault outlets even over the 1st generation of the things.
I secretly wonder if fire marshalls declare a fire to be "electrical" when it's truly unknown. A coworker was a fireman years ago and took a class... where they show you how to ID a wire that shorted together. A clever arsonist would know how to disguise the scene... I just have a hunch.
The electrical code has updated over the years; if you have an old house it met the code when it was built but there could be improvements in safety since then. (Alternatively the craftsmanship back then was better-- which counts for a lot) Stuff that's improved recently include ground fault outlets even over the 1st generation of the things.
I secretly wonder if fire marshalls declare a fire to be "electrical" when it's truly unknown. A coworker was a fireman years ago and took a class... where they show you how to ID a wire that shorted together. A clever arsonist would know how to disguise the scene... I just have a hunch.
Don't use aluminum wiring. If your house already has aluminum wiring, rip it out and replace it with copper.
insulation chafing = bad
Originally Posted By: oilyriser
insulation chafing = bad
In what kinds of situations would insulation would chafe?
insulation chafing = bad
In what kinds of situations would insulation would chafe?
wires running around corners in a moving vehicle can rub through, over time
Fuses are good. Even better when they're properly sized and installed close to the source of power. Some people think that they're optional. Those are the people who have fires.
Grounds are good, too. Again, some people think that they're optional, because the appliance works without it. These are the people with the extension cords that have the 3rd prong busted off.
Quote:
Insulation started to fall off the underhood wiring of my ford contour, a common issue with that car.
Those harnesses were made by Yazaki with the wrong type of insulation for underhood use.
What's funny is how difficult it is to get the right type of wire for underhood use. You won't get it at Autozone or Pep Boys. NAPA might have it, at least it's in their catalog.
There was a similar problem with Romex (NM) cable made prior to 1983. It only had 60C rated conductors and the heat from light fixtures deteriorated the insulation. Newer Romex (NM-B) has 90C rated conductors.
Grounds are good, too. Again, some people think that they're optional, because the appliance works without it. These are the people with the extension cords that have the 3rd prong busted off.
Quote:
Insulation started to fall off the underhood wiring of my ford contour, a common issue with that car.
Those harnesses were made by Yazaki with the wrong type of insulation for underhood use.
What's funny is how difficult it is to get the right type of wire for underhood use. You won't get it at Autozone or Pep Boys. NAPA might have it, at least it's in their catalog.
There was a similar problem with Romex (NM) cable made prior to 1983. It only had 60C rated conductors and the heat from light fixtures deteriorated the insulation. Newer Romex (NM-B) has 90C rated conductors.
Quote:
I secretly wonder if fire marshalls declare a fire to be "electrical" when it's truly unknown.
Over on http://www.electrical-contractor.net someone suggested that.
I secretly wonder if fire marshalls declare a fire to be "electrical" when it's truly unknown.
Over on http://www.electrical-contractor.net someone suggested that.
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