Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters: What if GFCIs Did Not Exist?
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) were first introduced in the bathrooms of homes as required by the 1975 edition of the National Electrical Code. Prior to 1975, only outdoor receptacles and receptacles near swimming pools require GFCI protection. Since then, GFCI requirements grew as in-home electricity use and the amount of potential contact with water […]
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters: Preventing Electrocution Since 1973
Year Estimated Number of GFCI Protected Homes Total Electrocutions Consumer Products Electrocution 1968 – 1,048 481 1969 – 1,148 495 1970 – 1,140 565 1971 – 1,065 531 1972 – 1,088 484 1973 – 1,149 585 1974 – 1,157 521 1975 12,993,400 1,224 562 1976 14,370,600 1,041 433 1977 16,027,700 1,183 510 1978 17,895,200 984 […]
Home Safety Devices – Renovate Your Home to Code
The National Electrical Code is revised every three years and outlines the minimum requirements for safe electrical installation. Many older homes may not have an adequate electrical system to meet the electrical demands of today. If you’re renovating your home, make sure to have the following electrical safety devices installed to maintain an electrically safe […]
2020 National Electrical Code
Major Changes to the 2020 NEC The National Electrical Code sets the minimum standard for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection to keep people and property protected from electrical hazards. The NEC is revised every three years using public input, commentary, and technical sessions. With the introduction of the 2020 code, there have been 16 […]
Tamper Resistant Receptacle – Increasing Your Home’s Value and Safety
There are many ways to increase your home’s value, but did you know that making safety improvements could be an economical way to add value to your home? Building Codes: Homes built or renovated to the latest and stricter building codes are more likely to fare better than homes that are not to codes during […]
Commercial and Industrial Surge Protective Devices
Protecting your Business from Downtime and Data Loss Surges can occur in any facility and according to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, 80% of all surges originate inside facilities. The National Electrical Code Requires Surge Protection In: Emergency systems Elevators & Escalators Wind Electric Systems Industrial Machinery Fire Pump Controllers Type of Surge Protection […]
Surge Protective Devices
Protecting Your Electronics Protecting Your Home The 2020 National Electrical Code now requires Surge Protective Devices in new or renovated homes. Learn how these devices protect your home and your electronics. What is a Surge? A power surge is a brief overvoltage event that can damage electrical devices and is a common cause for the […]
National Electrical Code: Understanding the Electrical Safety Cycle
The Electrical Safety Cycle, built from codes and standards, is the first line of defense against potential electrical hazards. The Electrical Safety Cycle Identifying the Problem Government agencies and testing laboratories provide statistics, data, and research to identify emerging safety issues Identifying the Solution New technology is created to mitigate hazards not addressed in previous […]
National Electrical Code: Understanding the Code that Keeps Us Safe
Electricity is everywhere and it affects every aspect of our lives. However, it isn’t until we lose power that we realize just how much we take electricity for granted. Codes and Standards help us use electricity in a safe and efficient manner. What is an Electrical Standard Standards serve as the foundation of our electrified […]
Workplace Fatalities and Injuries 2003 – 2016
The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) uses the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries (SOII) to distill information specifically pertaining to fatal and nonfatal occupational electrical injuries. Each year the ESFI publishes electrical injury information in tabular and graphical form on our website. The […]
Electric Shock Drowning – Water and Electricity Don’t Mix
Electric Shock Drowning (ESD) severely injures and kills people every year. ESD occurs when faulty wiring sends electric current into water, which passes through the body and causes paralysis, which could ultimately result in drowning. How to Avoid Electric Shock Drowning Locate and label all power switches to the pool, hot tub, spa equipment, and […]
Overhead Power Line Safety
In 2016, 53% of all fatal electrical injuries occurred in the Construction industry. The Construction industry remained the leading source of fatal electrical injuries with 81, more than four times the contribution of the second-highest source, Professional and Business Services. Learn how to work safely near power lines with these simple steps: Locate all overhead power […]
