“Great power comes with great responsibility.” We know this line sounds a little cheesy, and we are sure you’ve heard it a million times. But when we’re talking about “power” or “electricity,” it all makes great significance.
We frequently hear about people suffering as a result of an electrical fire or electrocution and “Short circuit” is one of the primary reasons given for this. Most people dismiss it as a one-time occurrence and do not consider whether their own home is safe from electric fire and electrocution. However, as electricity consumers, we bear a great deal of responsibility to look after electrical safety.
Electricity can be our best friend if we use it correctly, but it can also be quite dangerous if we don’t. Humans find it difficult to visualize the flow of electricity. As a result, determining the extent of the harm it can cause is extremely difficult.
Cables and wires
When shopping for Cables, make sure to get one that is made of copper and meets good insulation standards. Please avoid using aluminum wires.
Wires are classified into two types: Single-Core and Multi-Core Processors. Single-core stranded wires are commonly used for house wiring and for connecting an appliance to the plug, multi-core wires are used.
A single-core stranded wires do not have protective sheathing whereas multi-core cable does. In many case, the copper conductor is insulated with PVC to prevent current leakage. For PVC insulation, there is an Indian Standard: IS 694. PVC insulation is classified as C1 if it is fire retardant and C2 if it is both fire retardant and smokeless.
When purchasing a cable, look for these categories. According to experts, the copper conductor inside a wire should be multi-stranded, this is done to allow more flexibility. Single strand wires are commonly used in panel wiring where the cable layout path is pre-fixed and is not normally disturbed.
The resistance of a wire determines the power loss in a power cable, and the resistance of a wire determines the cross-sectional area of the wire. As a result, it should ideally be the same for all copper wires with the same cross-section and as specified in the Indian specification.
How to safeguard your home from thunder and lightning:
Here are some pointers to consider if your home is not lightning-proof:
Rule# 1Unplug as many electrical and electronic appliances as possible if a storm is brewing.
If you leave them lying next to the socket, an electric current can still jump across!
To be extra cautious, double-check the electrical sockets, as well as the telephone and cable television connections. You can also install external and internal protection, but these two measures are quite expensive in comparison to the very low risk involved. Pulling the plugs of all appliances out of the sockets, on the other hand, is nearly impossible.
Consider your refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, and other built-in appliances. Ofcourse, you can turn off all circuits with the electrical mains switch, but then you won’t have any lights! Furthermore, you are unlikely to be at home during a thunderstorm. Therefore installing premium quality wires and cable and MCBs are very essential to safeguard your home.
External safety
A lighting conductor directs lightning to the earth and protects your home from direct lightning strikes, which can cause damage and fire. They are visible on towers, masts, and tall buildings. They are reasonably priced and must be installed by a specialist, and require regular maintenance.
A distant lightning strike, on the other hand, can cause indirect damage because it generates shock waves and overvoltage that can spread:
By conductivity
This usually happens when a surface cable (for electricity, telephone, or cable television) is struck by lightning and transmits the overvoltage to the home it serves. Fortunately, surface cables are scarce in Brussels.
A word of caution: At last here is a word of caution, make certain that your fire insurance includes coverage for caustic damage.
If you want to take it a step further, you can use a lightning conductor and an overvoltage conductor to protect your home, electrical installation, and appliances.
