When you go to plug in your laptop you should be able to do so without fear of electrocution. The same applies to plugging in a hairdryer or another electrical appliance. A big factor in providing that peace of mind for you can actually lay with your home’s outlets.
We know it might sound strange but it’s true. Your outlets are important not just for providing power. They are vital to your safety and the safety of your home overall. That is why you should know at least a bit about what outlets go where to ensure your home runs well and is as safe as possible.
Not all outlets are the same
Believe it or not, there are different types of outlets out there that you need for your home. There are two key types, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters and Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters, that you need. These outlets both serve the purpose of delivering electricity but offer different safety measures to make them ideal for certain situations.
You need a GFCI outlet in your bathroom
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) are outlets made for specific areas of your home that see higher levels of moisture and humidity. These are the outlets you’d want in your bathroom, laundry room, garage, or even as an outdoor outlet for those holiday lights.
GFCI outlets are meant to help prevent electrocution or burns. When a GFCI outlet detects that it is receiving more electricity than it is putting out, it will immediately switch the circuit off to protect anyone around from electrocution.
AFCI outlets are great for the living room
Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI) are the other type of outlet that you need in our home. These are ideal for areas that don’t see much humidity and moisture but do see plenty of use. Think of places like your living room, home office, bedroom, etc. The purpose of an AFCI outlet is going to be protecting your home from an electrical fire. Much like a GFCI outlet, when an AFCI outlet detects a problem, it shuts off the circuit, cutting off the flow of electricity to prevent electrical wires and other components from overheating and creating a fire risk.
See? We told you they were important.
Outlet installation should be done by a professional
Outlets may not seem like something that requires expertise to handle but trust us when we tell you they absolutely should be handled by an electrician in Birmingham, AL. There is plenty that can go wrong if someone inexperienced tries to install or replace a faulty outlet and that can mean major safety risks for your home and its residents.
Avoid the risk and stay safe by trusting your electrical services in the hands of trained professionals like the ones on our team. We can provide the work you need ranging from rewiring to installing outlets and more.
