If you own an older home, or even if you are having renovations done to a newer property, there may come a time that you’ll need to invest in an outlet installation for your Blue Ash, OH area home. When that time comes, will you know what to choose? It’s not as easy as just stopping at a standard hardware store and picking up the cheapest components you need. You’ll need to factor in what’s safest for your home as well.
GFCI and AFCI outlets are pretty common in homes today, but there is oftentimes confusion about what purpose either of these serves, and what the differences between the two are. Our team is here to answer any questions you may have. In the meantime, we’ve provides a brief guide below to help you learn a bit more about these electrical components.
The Difference Between GFCI and AFCI Outlets
Ground faults occur when electricity takes the wrong path to the ground—perhaps unintentionally through a human body. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets help to prevent burns, electric shock, and electrocution. Arc faults occur due to loose connections ore frayed wiring in your electrical system—so Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) outlets help to prevent electrical fires.
A GFCI outlet detects when an electric current has made contact with a human, or somewhere else it shouldn’t be, and instantly shuts down the circuit to stop the flow of electricity. Since water is an electric conductor, GFCIs are vital in areas where water and electricity may meet—bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, garages, and outdoors.
AFCI outlets function in a similar manner, but detect when electricity is leaking from the electric system, and then automatically shuts the electricity off before overheating happens. This prevents harmful electrical fires from occurring behind your walls.
Only Hire a Professional for Outlet Installation: Here’s Why
When a job requires handling electrical wires, it’s essential that you hire a professional electrician. The main reason for this is to ensure your safety, as well as to protect your property. When you hire a professionally trained and licensed electrician, you’re ensuring that the work is done right the first time, and that the technicians on the job have the skills necessary to handle anything that may go amiss during the job. Other benefits of hiring a professional include:
- Upfront Costs: Making a mistake can be costly. When you hire a professional to do the job, you’ll receive an educated guess on what the project will cost, and the peace of mind that the cost will never go much higher than that.
- Professional Work, Guaranteed: If something goes wrong after installation, but you either handled the project on your own or hired a general handyman, you might be at a loss of what to do next, and will probably find yourself paying for professional electrical repairs Hiring a professional from the get-go guarantees the work.
- Avoiding Hazards: Again, electrical work can be dangerous. If an electrical installation of any kind is not done correctly, it can lead to sparking, shocks, and even dangerous electrical fires. Hiring a professional is the best thing you can do for your home and for your safety.
Servall Electric Company is the service to call when you need exceptional electrical work. Contact us today to learn how we’re “Creating Sustainability through Bright Ideas!”
