AFCI Breakers and Receptacles

If there’s ever been a great time to be alive, it’s now. Technology is getting better every day, and it’s making life easier and more enjoyable. Just take a look around your house—flat-screen TVs, iPads, and computers are everywhere! We can even control the thermostat with our phones!

The AFCI Breaker

As technology has been advancing, so has the electrical industry that supplies all of these fantastic devices. One such advancement is the AFCI breaker. The AFCI breaker is the only breaker on the market that can prevent a fire. This special breaker keeps an eye on the electric current in your wiring, devices, outlets, switches, and other connected devices. If an arc happens, the breaker will detect it and shut off right away, reducing the chances of electric shocks or fires.

The AFCI Receptacle

The AFCI receptacle gives extra protection against dangerous arc faults that can come from devices plugged into the outlet.

Arc faults can happen in many places. They can happen in the walls, in the attic or underneath the home. Loose connections or faulty lamp wiring can cause arc faults, which lead to fires. That’s why it’s so important to have the protection your family needs.

According to some sources, there are over 165,000 fires caused by faulty electrical work. Many of these fires are due to electrical work that has not been installed to code and unwanted arcs.

An arc is so intense that it can create temperatures up to 10,000°F instantaneously. When an arc occurs, typically it affects the nearby material such as wood or insulation. In older homes, we have seen insulation that was made of chopped up newspaper. It’s easy to see how fires can start so fast.

If you have any questions or concerns about your electrical system and whether or not your home is safe, then call John's Electric today at (205) 426-0583 or use our online service request form. We’ll send an expert electrician to check out your system and make sure everything’s as safe as it can be.