The In’s & Out’s of Electrical Safety Products

GoPower Electric Services – Safety Products

Electricity is a major cause of home fires. As each year goes by, Americans continue to use more energy in their homes. At the same time, the electrical systems in many existing homes have become outdated, and are unable to handle these demands.

GoPower Electric offers safety/code inspections for residential and commercial properties. Give us a call, we are here for you!


Safety & Code Inspections

Be Safe! Have your home or business inspected before you have a problem. GoPower Electric offers homes and business inspections to help you make good decisions. Safety inspections cover all areas of your home that receives electricity. It will also cover and check all grounding and bonding of circuits, branch circuits within your home, wiring methods and related items.


GFCI Receptacles

A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet is a special type of circuit breaker that can automatically shut off power directly at the outlet when it detects an electrical fault. … Damp areas can make you prone to dangerous electric shock. Installing a GFCI outlet can greatly reduce the risk of injury. GFCI should be tested every 30 days and replaced every 10 years.


GFCI Circuit Breaker

A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is a specialized circuit  with a built-in breaker. GFCI “circuit breakers” can control multiple outlets from the electrical circuit panel. These devices are designed to prevent shock in the event an electrical device comes in contact with water. You will typically find these outlets in kitchens and bathrooms, but also near pools and anywhere else where electricity is used near water. GFCI should be tested every 30 days and replaced every 10 years.


Tamper Resistant Outlets

Tamper-Resistant-Receptacle (TRR) look just like regular outlets but have an interior cover that will open only when the two prongs of a plug are inserted simultaneously. This prevents children from sticking something into one of the slots and getting burned or electrocuted. New homes built in 2017 must have tamper resistant outlets per NFPA code 406.12. Give GoPower Electric a call, it would be our honor to help keep you and your family safe.


AFCI Receptacles

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI) were made mandatory by the NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) in 2014 (code 210.12)
Have you updated your home with one of the newest safety devices? AFCI receptacles help protect you and your home from electrical arcs which can result in fire.


AFCI Circuit Breakers

Have you updated your home with one of the newest safety devices? AFCI Circuit Breakers help protect your home from electrical arcs which can result in fire. AFCI electrical circuit breakers are just that, they help protect a complete electrical branch circuit. Some breakers manufacturers also offer “smart technology” which can help you track your electrical usage. Give GoPower Electric a call for more information or click here for more on “Smart Home Services” 


Home Surge Protection

Surge Protection Devices divert damaging voltage transients, or surges, away from electronic equipment. Transients are diverted away from sensitive micro circuitry, providing protection against catastrophic failure.
Have you ever had to have your A/C capacitor replaced? Most likely the capacitor failed due to an electrical surge or surges. Not sure which is worse, the cost of having your A/C repaired or the inconvenience of not having A/C.  Either way, GoPower Electric can get you fixed up.
 
The 2020 NFPA made Home Surge Protectors a code compliance item in new construction. 


Smart Home Devices

Smart Home Devices (SHD) that can provide a real piece of mind while saving electricity. Do you own a vacation home? Do you have an elderly parent or friend? Adding an SHD allows you to be alerted if an oven, coffee pot, curling iron or anything that concerns you about being left on. At the same time SHDs will notify you if something isn’t working. Now how safe it that? Plus the additional piece of mind. Win-win! 

Improve Home Safety with AFCIs

Electrical failures or malfunctions were the second leading cause of U.S. home fires in 2012-2016, accounting for 13% of home structure fires.

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Electrical Safety Products

Electrical Safety Products - GFCI - AFCI

GFCI, AFCI Explained

Wondering what the difference is between a GFCI and an AFCI? We’ll lay it all out for you. 

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is a special type of outlet that detects imbalances in the electrical current. When it identifies an unbalance they automatically shut off power to that outlet. This is to prevent damage and diminish the risk of electrical shock. GFCI outlets are ideally used to prevent electrical shock and damage when water comes in contact with the outlet – it’s basically shock insurance!.

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) Is a special type of outlet that senses unintentional arcing condition in a circuit. Arcing creates high intensity heating at the point of the arc. Resulting in burning particles that can exceed 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Over time the heat can ignite surrounding material such as wood framing or insulation. What causes an acing situation? A frayed electrical cord, loose plug  or socket and in some cases, a new wall fastener that has damaged the electrical wire behind the wall. 


To some it up – GFCI is designed to help protect you from electrical shock. The GFCI  is designed for wet locations (bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms, garages, outside) and AFCI is designed to prevent fire and it is used in primary dry locations (living areas). Both devices are required in new homes by the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) .

Please keep in mind, just because you do not have one of the shown receptacles in the discussed locations, it doesn’t mean that you’re not protected. These devices are also designed to be fitted in the circuit breaker at your electrical panel. Give GoPower Electric a call and we can inspect/test and go everything with you.