Power Overloading and Safety Tips to Avoid It

There is no such thing as unlimited in this world. All have its limit — even your electrical system has one. Also, bear in mind that having than what is required is an unwise choice, especially for an electric load.

Too much of anything is bad — you probably heard it from your parents giving you life advice. You might not think of it, but it is also true when you’re handling a household’s electrical connection. 

Did you know that you only have about a 100-amperage (amp) electric load in your place? Or 200-amp if you have a much larger area and more appliances. The electric load capacity in your homes or units depends on your equipment’s power demands. And exceeding the limit will result in power overloading.    

Power overloading is an electrical hazard every time you use appliances all at once, or lightning affects the transmission lines. It can cause catastrophic circuit failures and may eventually lead to a fire incident if not taken care of immediately. Thus, it is crucial to know some safety tips to avoid it from happening and save your loved ones from this danger.

Don’t Use Appliances All at Once 

As appliances demand power to function, each of their circuits has a limited load capacity (usually 15-20 amps). There are about 5-6 essential circuits in a house. But more are added if you have an electric stove, washing machine, dishwasher, and heating system — each need to have their own dedicated circuit. 

That said, it is vital to know what appliances are connected to a circuit to realise if you are overloading the system. And one way to avoid that is by making sure not to use devices simultaneously, especially if they consume too much power. Another way is to calculate your electric load capacity to know the limit of your circuit.  

Disconnect Devices During Lightning Strikes and Blackouts

Voltage spikes happen every time there is lightning, or when the power comes back from a blackout. They are culprits of a power overloading and damage your appliances that are still connected to outlets.

Its primary victims are devices with sensitive microprocessors such as televisions, computer, laptops, and mobile phones. So always remember to disconnect to protect.   

Install Surge Protectors

As stated, there are voltage spikes when there are cases of power overloading. One way to prevent this from happening is by installing surge protectors. They are safety devices that protect the circuit from experiencing voltage fluctuations, which can save your appliances’ internal parts and wiring. 

So if you ever forgot to unplug an appliance or a lightning strikes, a surge protector is your first line of defence against electrical overloading.    

Conduct Electrical Rewiring

You need to contact licensed level 2 electricians to conduct electrical rewiring. The process includes installing dedicated circuits and upgrading the system from aluminium wiring to copper wiring. These practices are safety precautions to avoid electrical overloading at all costs. 

Specifically, kitchen rewiring is crucial because most of the heavy-powered appliances such as refrigerator, microwave oven, and dishwasher need each of their dedicated circuits. 

Sign-up for Electrical Inspection

Most electrical wires are hidden and installed out of reach because direct contact from them can cause shocks and burns. So, you can’t really check if your connection is a victim of power overloading that can continually damage the system or cause fires. 

But don’t worry because you can call for Inner West Electricians to inspect your circuits. They can give professional safety tips and conduct electrical repairs to prevent overloading from happening.   

Conclusion

Power overloading occurs every time you exceed the circuit’s electric load capacity. It can be caused by heavy-powered appliances, lightning strikes, and returning power from a blackout. Also, it is an electrical hazard that can damage devices and wires. Thus, it is vital to know some safety tips to avoid it from happening.

Discussed in this article are some safety tips to prevent power overloading. Now, the welfare of your electrical system lies in your hands. And whenever you are in doubt how to handle it, Sydney Inner West Electrician is here to assist you with just a call away. 

Our expert electricians can guide you to safeguard your premise against power overloading. Moreover, we install surge protectors, conduct electrical rewiring, and inspect your connection — all at reasonable and affordable prices. 

Whatever your electrical concern is, we have the corresponding efficient solution! Don’t hesitate to call us (02) 8378 2829 or book an appointment here.