questions & answers about electrical devices

SERVING THE TRIAD FOR
OVER 40 YEARS

24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

This page will answer some common questions we often receive about electrical
services in general.

Q: What is an arc fault?
A: An ARC FAULT is an unintentional electrical discharge - a problem that even the most safety-conscious
homeowner can't always avoid. That's because arc faults are usually caused by undetected problems:
Damaged extension cords. Improperly installed wall receptacles, electrical cable pierced by picture-hanging
nails.

Q: Why is an arc fault dangerous?
A: An arc fault may ignite combustible materials and cause a fire - These small arcs will often not trip a fuse
and circuit breaker. Furniture, especially beds pushed against electrical cords often cause this prob lem.

Q: What can I do to prevent arc faults?
A:.You can avoid pushing furniture against electrical cords causing sharp bends or kinks, don't pull an
electrical cord from an outlet by holding the cord and not the plug, don't set heavy objects on electrical cords,
etc. You can't prevent all arc faults, however, there is a device that can stop them-by interrupting
the electrical current before any damage is done. It's called an Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter
(AFCI), and it electronically detects any arc fault and stops the flow of electricity in a fraction of a second. No
electricity, no heat, no fire. And, by tripping on a specific circuit, the GE AFCI helps you identify the source of
the problem right at the load center. Do fuses and circuit breakers serve the same purpose as AFCI's?
No. Fuses and circuit breakers cannot detect low-level arcs. Only AFCIs are specifically designed for that
purpose. Are AFCIs required by the National Electrical Code? Yes. As of January 2002, arc fault circuit
i interrupters are required by the National Electrical Code on all new bedroom circuits. But, you can protect you
existing home too! By installing GE AFCIs now, you can get peace of mind from their added fire protection.

Q: Power Loss
A: A POWER LOSS may be caused by a winter storm, a summer brownout,t tree falling on a power line - or any
unforeseen event that cuts off the power to your electrical system.

Q: How can I prepare for this type of occurrence?
A: You can install a backup power system, consisting of a generator and a transfer switch.

Q: How does a generator work?
A: When the power goes out, a generator creates electrical power without using a utility's electrical source.
Typically, a generator is run on fuel, like gasoline,diesel fuel, natural gas or LPG. When a generator is installed
in your home, a transfer switch automatically disconnects your electrical panel from the electric company's
lines and connects it to the generator . The generator panel is then connected to circuits for critical electrical
loads - furnace, refrigerator, lights, sump pump, etc. - that you designate need to remain on during a power
loss.

Q: What do I do when I lose power?
A: NOTHING--an emergency standby generator operates automatically. The generator senses the utility power
loss and makes this switch even if no one is home. It also monitors whent the power comes back on and will
automatically switch power back on through your automatic transfer switch.

WARNING: Be very careful if you use a simple camping type generator without an automatic transfer switch
during a power failure. Plug your lights or appliances directly into the outlets on the generator and do not
attempt to connect it to the power panel, Generators connected directly to the panel can power the downed
electric lines and seriously injure or kill a utility company worker who is unaware there is power on the line.

Q: What type of generator is right for my home?
A: The first step in purchasing a generator is to identify the things you absolutely cannot live without during a
power outage. Usually high on the list will be the refrigerator and the freezer, a well pump, the furnace fan if
you have natural gas or oil heat, or maybe some lighting.

Central Triad Services can share more details with you, just give us a call to find out how you can protect
yourself against power losses.

Q: Surge Protection
A: Surges and transients are momentary spikes in electrical voltage. These surges or transients can enter a
home through the incoming electrical line, telephone line, and even the cable TV or Internet line.

Q: Where do they come from?
A: At one extreme, a surge can be generated by a nearby lightning strike. At the other, transients can come
from the motors in your electrical appliances when they turn on and off during everyday operation. Harmful
surges also are produced by electric utility power switching designed to meet changing energy demands.

Q: What can they do?
A: While a lightning strike can cause immediate and severe damage, low level surges will, over time, degrade
electronic components and shorten the life of computers, home entertainment systems, telecommunications
devices and, increasingly, even kitchen and laundry appliances.

Q: What can you do?
A: You can protect the investment in all of your electronic devices with a family of surge protectors. While
surge strips protect one electronic device, there are many products that can protect all the connections in a
home - and this is what Central Triad Services recommends. When whole-home devices are used in
combination with surge strips, your electrical devices receive maximum protection.

Q: How do surge protectors work?
A: Once in place and connected to your load center, telephone service or cable service, surge protectors
redirect surges to ground and dissipate the energy. The surge protection selected must be UL rated on
response time (where lower clamping voltage is better) and surge rating (where the greater the surge current
rating, the longer the surge protector will last).

Q: What surge protector is right for me?
A: Each type of surge protector focuses on a particular type of wiring: electrical, telephone or coaxial cable.
There are two AC power surge protectors, allowing you protection regardless of the brand of load center in
your home. Ask your local Central Triad Services what type of protection is right for you and your home.

Note: While surge protectors will protect against surges generated when lightning strikes nearby, no surge
arrester can guard against a direct hit. The energy is too great.

Have more questions, Just give us a call and let us help.