Parkway Electric Company - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Questions:

Do I need to install Surge Protection for My Home?
Is Aluminum Wiring Safe?
Why Do I Need to Ground My Electrical System?
Is Knob and Tube wiring safe?
why my electrical wiring need to have grounding system?

Answers:

Do i need to install Surge Protection for My Home?
You may not realize it, but your stereo system, home computer, television, VCR, microwave oven -- anything with internal electronic circuits -- is under attack every day. The attacks are silent, but destructive. Surge protection or surge suppressor blocks or shortens to ground voltages above safe threshold.
Is Aluminum Wiring Safe?
Primarily in mid 1960s to late 1970s, many electrical contractors used aluminum wire because of high copper price. Since then a number of electrical fires have been attributed to aluminum wiring. Many building codes have been rewritten to not allow the use of aluminum wire for branch circuit wiring in houses. Two problems associated with aluminum are a) When higher current flows through aluminum wire, it expands and when less or no current flows through it , it contracts. after many occurances of expansions and contractions very slowly, but progressively connections become a bit loose and causes small arc and heat build up which gradually deteriorates insulation and eventualy causes short circuit. b) When aluminum comes to contact with other metals such as copper, it corrodes and causes the resistance of connection to go up and that in turn causes heat build up, deterioration of insulation and short circuit.
Why Do I Need to Ground My Electrical System?
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Is knob and Tube wirng safe ?
Knob and Tube wiring was standard method of wiring in 1880-1930s. in this method of wiring porcelain knobs support the wires running along joists and porcelain tubes provides for separation from wood when wires run through holes made in the joists. Currently many insurance companies will not issue new homeowner policies unless all knob and tube wirings are removed. Others require a certificate stating that Knob and Tube wiring is in safe condition. Here are some of the problems associated with Knob and Tube wiring: a) No Grounding b) Since it was designed for usage befor 1940s, Knob and Tube wiring lacks the ampacity required by loads in modern houses. c) It is susceptible to abuse by homeowner who use a larger size fuse to avoid repeated fuse blowing and therefore causing overloading and overheating wires and therefore damaging the insulation which may cause short circuit and fire.
why my electrical wiring need to have grounding system?
Grounding makes your wiring system much safer. In an ungrounded system, if for any reason hot wire come in contact contact with metal frame of the appliance or fixture makes it live and as soon as you touch it, your body will make a perfect path for electricity to be discharged to ground. In a grounded system as soon as hot wire contacts the frame of appliance, a large amount of current flows though the ground wire and causes the breaker to trip and shut down the power. This tells you that something is wrong and you need to check your wiring. Also surge protectors wont work as well on ungrounded wiring.