Electrical Upgrades for Festive Holiday Lighting
Holiday lighting typically puts a lot of strain on the electrical system, which may give out under pressure.
Holidays and celebrations are the perfect time to go all out with lighting decorations to enhance the cheerful mood. However, holiday lighting typically puts a lot of strain on the electrical system, which may give out under pressure. Moreover, it can create a potentially dangerous situation, resulting in short circuits, electrical fires, and injuries.
Let's discuss why and how homeowners should upgrade their electrical systems.
Prevent accidents
Although most electrical systems are perfectly safe, few provide the support necessary to power on additional lights. The National Fire Protection Association reports staggering figures. Approximately 150 homes burn down due to faulty holiday lighting each year, leaving eight killed and 14 injured on average. With suitable electrical upgrades, homeowners don't have to worry about these issues.
Remain vigilant and consider installing new circuits before untangling the lights and setting them up around the home. This is good practice for those with subtle decorating plans but especially for those who prefer more extensive lighting.
Safeguard the circuitry
Understanding a home's circuitry paints a detailed picture of how much pressure the outlets can handle. Standard home circuits usually work without difficulty between 15-20 amps. Generally, the power draw should never exceed 20 amps. Therefore, most contractors advise drawing the line at 16 amps to prevent complications.
However, homeowners should know whether their wiring can operate correctly on 20 amps when the holiday season rolls around—for example, putting 16 amps over wires that can only support 15 can quickly become an emergency. The breaker and wiring could overheat and lead to a fire. In case of a short circuit, the breaker should cut the power off, provided it's functioning correctly.
Sometimes upgrading the circuits isn't sufficient to protect the home. Those who have noticed frequent short-circuiting problems should reach out to an experienced contractor. They'll inspect the electrical panel and wiring and determine whether they can handle holiday lighting.
Know how many amps the fixtures draw
Homeowners can calculate how many amps their holiday lights require. The numbers will show whether applying more pressure on the outlets is safe. The simplest way to reach an accurate figure is by dividing the wattage by the voltage. For instance, plugging a 1000-watt appliance into a 100-amp outlet works out to 10 amps. If the outlet has a 15-amp limit, this number is already too close for comfort.
Those planning a big light show should consider the appliances and fixtures that are already running to avoid overwhelming the outlets. The safest option is to install new circuits.
Consider switching to LED solutions
LED lights are more energy-efficient than standard holiday options. They require less wattage, and homeowners can enjoy more lights while reducing their energy consumption.
Safety first!
Installing new circuits requires special tools and experience, so homeowners should steer clear of DIY electrical projects. Instead, they should contact a trustworthy contractor who will ensure that all the holiday decorations meet the safety standards.
Zimmerman Electric is here to serve your residential and commercial electrical needs throughout the Phoenix Valley metro area. Call us today if you need electrical work performed 602-497-3365.
