Insights from Electrician Service Experts
As an electrician service provider, we’ve discovered over time that many property owners believe in electrical safety “facts” that are actually just myths. Whether you’re a homeowner or a residential/commercial landlord, you need to be aware of these myths and ensure they won’t put you and your property in harm’s way. We’ve listed some of them below:
Myth #1: Wearing rubber gloves and shoes will keep you safe.
Rubber is a great insulator — but only if it’s unadulterated. Once mixed with other substances, rubber loses its insulating properties and becomes an excellent conductor.
Unfortunately, ordinary rubber-soled shoes and household rubber gloves aren’t made of 100 percent rubber. This comes from the fact that manufacturers mix rubber with other substances to make the gloves and shoes more durable and more comfortable to wear. So, even if you’re wearing rubber gloves and shoes when doing electrical tasks, you’re not fully protected from electrocution. This is why it’s best to leave electrical projects to electrical service experts: aside from having the right skills and knowledge, they have access to professional-grade personal protective equipment that keeps them safe while doing their work.
Myth #2: Wood is a great insulator.
Wood isn’t a powerful conductor, but the fact is that it can still conduct electricity. This is particularly true if the wood gets wet. Because of this, you have to be careful when you’re working with electricity around plants and wooden objects. Never rest a wooden ladder on overhead power lines, and avoid using a wooden stick to knock down a kite, ball, or any other toy that has been tangled up in a power line.
Myth #3: All extension wires are safe to use.
Ask any electrical contractor, and they’ll tell you that there are two important things to know about extension cords: 1) some are for indoor use only, and 2) their amperage rating should match the appliance that’s plugged to them. So, if you use an indoor-use extension cord to power outdoor appliances, you can end up creating a safety hazard. This is also true if you use a low-amperage extension cord for computers and other major appliances.
Don’t fall for these electrical safety myths! If you’d like to get more tips, or if you need help with an electrical project, get in touch with Electro-Tech's LLC and use our electrician service in Detroit, MI. Call us now at (313) 520-1212!