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Electrical Safety

Circuit Breakers
Circuit breakers that trip are usually in the "middle". When a circuit breaker trips you should turn off all lights and appliances on the circuit and turn them on one at a time after you restore power.   If a circuit breaker trips you should find out why before changing it.  If a defective appliance is plugged in a circuit breaker trips you should unplug the appliance and reset the circuit breaker.  If you notice a circuit breaker trips when too many appliances are turned on at the same time you should have additional circuits installed to avoid overheating wires in the walls.

Find out where you fuse box or circuit breaker panel is so you can find it in the event of an emergency!

Blown Fuses
Fuses blow when problems occur. When a circuit breaker trips you should turn off all lights and appliances on the circuit and turn them on one at a time after you restore power.   If a fuse blows you should find out why before changing it.  If a defective appliance is plugged in a fuse blows you should unplug the appliance and install the correct size fuse.  If you notice a fuse blows when too many appliances are turned on at the same time you should have additional circuits installed to avoid overheating wires in the walls.

Usually there is a visual indication a fuse has blown.  Many times the glass is black or the metal strip is broken.  In either case follow safe procedures for replacing the fuse and take corrective actions in order to avoid a house fire.   

Keep a good flashlight near the fuse panel with good batteries, changing a fuse in the dark or with a candle has the potential to be a disaster. 

If you are buying a home with a fuse panel you should keep in mind you may not be able to obtain insurance at normal rates so you should consider replacement with circuit breakers.

New Jersey home inspection clients with exceptional quality home inspections.   Michael Del Greco has over 12 years of New Jersey home inspection experience offering clients unbiased and thorough home inspections in New Jersey. Prior to starting Accurate Inspections, Michael worked as a construction manager where he coordinated the construction of single and multi-family homes as well as construction and renovation of commercial and industrial buildings. With over 20 years experience with inspecting homes and renovating homes, Michael Del Greco is one of the most experienced, Certified Home Inspectors in New Jersey. He taught the New Jersey Home Inspector Licensing Program at the Morris County School of Technology, he is a Licensed Home Inspector is a Member of the American Society of Home Inspectors, a Member of Garden State ASHI a Member of Independent Home Inspectors of North America. When it is time to hire someone for your New Jersey Home Inspection, you want Accurate Inspections, on your side. 

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File last updated May 21, 2012 * Copyright © 2012 All rights reserved by: Accurate Inspections, Inc. A New Jersey home inspection firm 56 Woodland Drive, Woodland Park (formerly West Paterson) NJ 07424 973-812-5100 providing New Jersey Certified Home Inspections in NJ, by New Jersey Licensed home inspectors. Inspector of record Michael Del Greco, New Jersey Home Inspector License GI 0121.