The Importance of Grounded Outlets

New homes tend to feature a different kind of electrical outlet in Columbus: one that is grounded and able to accept three prongs. Grounded outlets can help to make your home electrical wiring safer and more effective, which is especially important if you live with children. These newer types of electrical outlets will properly redirect electricity in the event of a short circuit, and they will safely power a range of different types of appliances while meeting certain code requirements. Continue reading if you would like to gain a better understanding of the importance of grounded outlets.

electrical-wiring

Redirect Electricity during Short Circuits

If you take a look around your home and notice that many of your electrical outlets have two prongs rather than three, you are not as safe as you could be from electrical malfunctions. The purpose of a grounded outlet—which has three prongs—is to send electricity to the ground in the event of a short circuit. If there is no third prong and a short circuit occurs, the electricity could be sent outwards towards you rather than safely to the ground. By grounding the electricity, your outlet will keep you safe from electrical hazards like shock and electrocution.

Safely Power Your Appliances

Since the importance of grounding is not the most recent concept, many appliances are created with this factor in mind. If you take a look at the end of the power cable for any given appliance, there is a good chance it will feature three prongs; the third prong on the power cable matches with the third prong on your grounded outlets. In order to plug a three-pronged electrical cable into a two-pronged ungrounded outlet, you will need an adapter.

Meet National Electric Code Requirements

Buildings have codes that they must follow to ensure that they are safe for use, and one code associated with electricity is the National Electric Code. In certain cases, your building may not satisfy the requirements of the code if you do not have grounded outlets. Fortunately switching to grounded outlets is safer as well as more convenient for your appliances.

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