Electricity is one of those necessities that we tend to take for granted – that is, until something goes wrong. If you purchased an older Sarasota area home, there are many opportunities to upgrade your system before you have power issues, whether a comprehensive rewiring of your home, a new panel, or new outlets. One aspect of electricity in the home you may not have considered is replacing two-prong outlets with three-prong outlets. There are several benefits to this small but significant upgrade.
- Two-prong outlets lack grounding: Ground wires protect from electrical faults and surges by providing an outlet for excess energy. Ground wires also equip appliances and electronics with surge protection. When a surge occurs, and adequate grounding is present, the electricity overloads the fuse, trips the circuit breakers, and shuts off the circuit to avoid damage. The electricity is then sent into the ground underneath the house, where it disperses without causing any damage. However, basic two-prong outlets don’t have ground wires. Therefore the protection discussed above does not exist.
- Three-prong outlets meet the latest standards: Most state regulations do not require homeowners to replace their entire electrical system, as it can be a costly undertaking. Therefore, homes with two-prong outlets are not required to replace them with three-prong outlets. Still, the older outlets do not meet some current safety standards. Recent electrical codes require new construction to include grounded outlets, and those located near water must have a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). GFCIs can save lives, but this protection does not exist with a basic two-prong outlet.
- Two-prong outlets offer inadequate amperage: Homes built before 1965 were constructed with 30 or 60 amp fuse panels. 30 amp fuses can only provide 120-volt wiring, which often cannot support modern electrical requirements. 60 amp panels also can’t handle recent electrical system requirements, even though they operate on a 240-volt wire. Therefore, appliances may require too much electricity for these systems. Potential problems include overheated wires and blown fuses – both are fire hazards. Also, if the fuses continually blow, you will be replacing them far too often.
- Not only are two-prong electrical outlets old and outdated, but they represent more of a danger to homeowners than their three-prong counterparts. Plugging contemporary appliances into two-prong outlets can result in putting the entire electrical system under significant pressure.You may not think of your outlets as capable of causing electrocution and house fires, but they are critical components of your electrical system. If your outlets have black smudges, are hot to the touch, or are overloaded, you should call an expert electrician to replace them. Read more about GFCI outlets and other outlet issues here.
Promise Electric is a team of master electricians who are trained and dedicated to performing all levels of electrical services for residential homes and commercial businesses. If you have recently purchased a new home or it has been a while since you have had your electrical systems inspected, call us today. Understanding the elements and components of your home electrical system is important to keep your home and family safe.
Promise Electric is based in Sarasota, Florida.
