The intricacies of electricity and how it works is not something that most people concern themselves with. As long as their devices power on and their appliances work, what else is there to think about? Here at Promise Electric, we want to take the time to dispel some common electricity myths that you might have taken to heart. Learning the truth can help you save money, reduce energy usage, and keep you and your family safe.
Myth #1 – Rubber Will Protect You From Electricity
We are big advocates for always hiring an electrician when dealing with a complicated electrical repair or renovation. They have the knowledge and equipment to keep themselves safe, even if the task is hazardous. If you were thinking of doing an electrical renovation on your own, you should know that the rubber gloves you put on provide less protection than you would hope. Rubber products, such as rubber gloves or insulated rubber clothing, contain many different fibers and materials that reduce the overall insulating effect of protection. A surge of electricity still has the power to conduct through the other materials and provide a deadly or damaging shock.
Myth #2 – Electrical Wiring and Power Lines are Insulated
Staying on the theme with electricity myths, many falsely believe that power lines are safe to touch. Every day around the world, millions of birds perch safely atop power lines, and construction work and maintenance routinely involve repairing or renovating old power lines. There are two main reasons why animals and workers can stay safe while touching power lines. If a bird is only touching a wire, the potential electrical energy between both of the contact points, the bird’s feet, are identical. The electrons have no reason to flow through the bird’s body and instead continue on their path through the wire. However, a bird touching the wire and a ground contact will be shocked. Workers who handle wires are always fully insulated or maintain no connection with the ground, possibly by hanging off of a rope or wire suspended from above. Don’t mess with any fallen electrical wires!
Myth #3 – All About Electrical Power Draw From Devices
A significant amount of energy is used in households by the assortment of devices commonly used in modern life. Many consumers misunderstand the best ways to reduce their power usage. For starters, powered-off devices continue to draw power, albeit at a reduced rate. Your TV or computer is still using roughly 50-75% of its power consumption when turned off compared to when used. The easiest way to remedy this problem is by turning off the source by utilizing a power strip with an on-and-off switch.
Furthermore, the initial startup of a device does not use excessive energy, so powering down your devices when not in use and restarting them when needed still saves a lot of energy compared to letting them idle throughout the day.
Myth #4 – The Third Pin On Your Outlet Helps Hold Plugs In Place
Even if this is incorrect, we do recommend installing three-pronged outlets , as three-pronged outlets provide significant safety benefits compared to the two-pronged versions. Even if the primary intention of the third prong is not to help with plug stability, that is an added benefit; this is one of the electricity myths that can be rated as half true.
Hopefully, you finish this blog with more knowledge about electricity myths than you started with. If you have any indication that you may have electrical issues and reside in the Sarasota area, call the master electricians at Promise Electric immediately. We know all there is to know about residential and commercial electricity. Don’t put your home or family at risk – call today.
