When most people think about their household electricity, they think about the inside of their home. However, there can be a lot of electrical components present on the outside of your Las Vegas home. Taking adequate care of these components is a necessity to ensure the optimal functioning of your home’s entire electrical system.
GFCI Only Outlets
One of the most important devices to keep you and your family safe while using electricity is the GFCI outlet. Known formally as a ground-fault circuit interrupter, this device is easily recognizable by its square shape and TEST and RESET buttons. The main advantage of a GFCI electrical outlet over other standard outlets is that it constantly monitors the amount of electricity going through the outlet.
If voltage starts to spike, the GFCI will instantly stop power to the outlet. This is important for wet areas, like the outside of your home. If you happen to touch an electrified cord with a wet hand, this outlet can quickly disconnect the power so that you don’t get shocked and injured. All of your outdoor outlets should be GFCI outlets. Be sure to test them every six months to ensure that they’re working properly.
Keep Greenery Trimmed
Another vital component of keeping your outdoor electrical system safe is trimming back any greenery. If you have tall trees, they can force branches outward towards your power lines. You want to trim these branches before they ever get near the powerline to ensure that they never come into contact with the line. Letting trees overhang your powerlines can be dangerous as any branch that breaks off can have enough force to bring down the line powerline.
Always Call Before Digging
In some cases, you may have underground electrical wiring. This could be supplying power from the grid to your home or simply powering your irrigation system. Either way, you need to know where these lines are before you start digging. Fortunately, you can call 811 to have your local electrical company come out and mark where any underground wiring is located. This way, you can avoid digging them up by accident.
Weatherproof Boxes
All of the outdoor power outlets at your home should be installed in a weatherproof box. This helps to keep water, snow, and debris from entering the box where all of the powered electrical wires are. Additionally, any wiring that you find on the outside of your home should have conduit or another covering material. This will help to protect it from wet conditions as well as UV damage.
Only Use Outdoor-Rated Electrical Cords
It’s imperative to note that electrical cords can be rated for either indoor or outdoor use. Those rated for outdoor use have a thicker coating to protect them from outdoor hazards like rain or sunlight. If you plan on using an electrical cord outside, you need to ensure that you’re using a cord that is rated for outdoor use. It should be stated right on the cord’s label whether or not it’s rated for outdoor use. Additionally, it’s never a good idea to plug multiple electrical cords together.
Consider Having New Outlets Installed
If you notice that you regularly rely on an extension cord to power the various outdoor appliances you have, it’s likely time to consider installing new outdoor outlets. Calling in a licensed electrician can help you determine where and how many extra outdoor outlets you need. It’s better to be able to plug your appliances directly into an outdoor GFCI outlet than rely on an extension cord.
Be Careful with Ladder Placement
Whether you’re cleaning your gutters or stringing up new lights, you must pay close attention to where you place your ladder. You never want to place your ladder near an electrical line as it could potentially conduct electricity and cause you to be electrocuted. Ladders made of metal and some wood ladders made with metal reinforcement wire can easily conduct electricity when they come into contact with a powered electrical line.
Let the Professionals Help
Electricode offers outdoor lighting services for the greater Las Vegas area. We can also help with all of your smoke detectors, electrical panels, surge protection, EV charging, ceiling fans, indoor lighting, wiring, rewiring, inspection and electrical repair needs. Call us today to schedule an appointment with one of our highly experienced electricians.
