Steve Breton, Master Electrician and owner of Breton Electric, is quoted a number of times in the following article in the January 13 edition of the Angie’s List online magazine! Read it here:
http://magazine.angieslist.com/electrical/articles/home-electrical-fires-increase-during-winter.aspx
And, here are the original questions posed and the answers that Breton Electric provided to the author of the article:
1. Why is there an uptick in home electrical fires during the winter?
ANSWER: The misuse of extension cords with portable heaters is a major cause of residential fires during cold weather, although holiday lighting also poses a danger. In addition, holiday gatherings can increase the loads on appliance circuits and thus “bring to light” issues that otherwise go undetected.
2. Can you explain how electrical fires in the home tend to start?
ANSWER: One example: extension cords are rated for different load applications. If an extension cord is overloaded, it could very well melt and arc and spark before it trips a conventionally protected circuit. Other common causes of residential fires that we often see are improperly installed lighting fixtures, loose connections going through outlet circuitry, and, most common, the use of light bulbs that exceed the fixture’s maximum wattage rating. A good remedy for this last issue is to use CFL and LED bulbs.
3. What can homeowners do to prevent a home electrical fire?
ANSWER: Use properly sized extension cords and do not overload the circuit. And, always hire a reputable licensed electrician for all electrical installations, including fixtures and outlets Also, upgrade residential circuitry to arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) and ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection as per 2011 National Electrical Code requirements.
In my opinion, properly installed and maintained AFCI and GFCI protection will eliminate virtually all threat of residential electrical fires and electrocution.
4. When you make routine service calls, do you notice a lot of overloaded circuits/outlets in customer’s homes? Explain?
YES. Older kitchens typically do not have enough dedicated appliance circuits to accommodate our modern gadgetry. Also often lacking is a dedicated GFIC circuit adjacent to the bathroom basin (required by code) so as to accommodate turbo-charged hair dryers and other grooming tools. J
Other overloading situations are typically caused by window air conditions, sump pumps, treadmills, and auxiliary freezers and refrigerators, along with the above-noted portable heaters used during cold weather.
Last winter, a tree fell on the power lines in my backyard and they fell to ground, still live. The city electric company came out and moved the lines but then told me to call an electrician to hook everything back up. I was surprised that the electric company didn’t handle the entire job. (I live in Indianapolis so this may be a local issue, I’m not sure.
1. What does a homeowner need to do if they find power lines in their yard?
ANSWER: Do not touch any downed wires. Call your power company so that they can address immediate safety issues, then call a licensed electrician to appraise and repair any damage to your electrical service. Note that most power companies will not restore power until your electrical service has been deemed safe by your local town or city electrical inspector.
2. What is the role of a city electric company vs. an electrician in this situation?
Typically, the power company is responsible for the lines from the electrical grid to the point of attachment to the building. From there on, it is the homeowner’s responsibility. FYI, in general, linemen are not trained or licensed to do work beyond their system.
