Your residential electrical services are an important system within your home. They provide you with the power you need for your major appliances, heating and cooling system and charge those electronic devices you rely on each and every day. It is a complex system that consists of the grid connection typically from a pole to a circuit box on your house. From the main circuit panel, individual circuits run throughout your home and various outlets and fixture boxes to provide you with the connection you need to power your life.
It is important to understand how your home power works, as well as the widely held myths about your home electricity.
Understanding Your Home’s Electrical System
As mentioned, your home’s electrical system begins from a main power source, which is referred to as the electrical power grid. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the grid consists of over 450,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines. These lines begin at a power generating plant that transmits energy to local substations. From these substations, electricity is delivered directly into your home via pole lines that step down the power in order for it to be used.
A main circuit breaker located in your home (either on the side, in the garage or basement area) manages the flow of 200 amps of electricity (short for amperage) that flows to the individual circuits. The 200 amps is divided per each individual circuit to deliver the correct amount of power necessary. Your laundry room may operate on 20 or 30 amps of the 200 while your kitchen needs 20 amps and so on. Older homes may operate on only 100 amps and have a circuit breaker that may still use fuses (instead of the breakers found in newer homes).
Common Myths About Your Household Electricity
One commonly held myth about your home’s electricity is that the electricity flowing in the transmission lines is the same as the electricity in your home circuits. Transmission lines flowing from a local substation provide power to a broad range of electricity consumers. Your circuit main is designed to only accept the amount of electricity it is programmed for necessary to power your home (approximately 200 amps).
Another myth has to do with the amount of volts that may be safe to handle, particularly when performing an electrical repair around the home. The unit of measurement that you should worry about is not volts, which is a measurement of force, but amps. One amp of electricity is more than enough to cause death if you improperly handle your home’s electrical system.
Managing Your Electricity Use Wisely
Reducing your energy use in the home helps reduce the burden on the system and can help you avoid costly repairs. Look for certified energy efficient appliances for the home. The same goes for other appliances such as your air conditioning unit, water heater and lighting. Taking these steps can help you save money on your energy bills and reduce pollution.
If you require assistance with your home’s energy consumption or are in need of a Pittsburgh electrical repair, get in touch with the pros at Tudi Mechanical Systems. Having your electrical system checked by a professional electrician can help keep your home running and provide you with the power you need to keep your life running. Get your home’s electrical system performing up to par and call Tudi for all your Pittsburgh electrical repair needs.
