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How
Electrically-Savvy are You?
What you don't know about electricity can be shocking! In addition to safety issues, a basic understanding of electricity can help you select the best electrical devices for your home and reduce your energy bill as well.
The Leviton Institute helps you test your knowledge with the following true/false quiz on
electricity:
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Dimmers simply absorb energy from light bulbs and don’t save you any money.
False. Dimmers don't absorb power. They control the amount of time a bulb is on and off 120 times a second, but your eye can't see this. A dim setting limits the time the bulb is on. A bulb dimmed to 50% uses approximately 25% less power and lasts approximately 20 times longer, saving both on lighting energy and bulb replacement
costs.
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Dimmers cannot be used to control ceiling fans.
True. Dimmers can damage fan motors. Only fan speed control units can be used with ceiling fans. They are usually available with the same styling and features as dimmers but are safe for fan motors.
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Ground
Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) offer the same protection that circuit breakers do.
False. Circuit breakers are designed to trip when a severe short causes high levels of electrical current to flow through your wires. GFCIs provide protection from ground fault. This can occur when current leaking from a damaged appliance travels to ground through a person touching the appliance. Ground fault current can be lethal, but is typically not high enough to trip a breaker. A GFCI is designed to trip when it senses a relatively tiny amount of ground fault
current.
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A 1200-Watt appliance draws 10 Amps of electrical current.
True. Light bulbs and appliances are rated in Watts, while electrical wiring is rated in Amps. Divide the Watts by 120 (the household voltage) to arrive at the amperage rating. In this case, 1200 Watts divided by 120 Volts equals 10
Amps.
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Only a licensed electrician can test a GFCI.
False. Using a simple procedure you should test your GFCIs monthly. Plug a lamp into the GFCI and turn it on. Press the Test button—the GFCI should trip causing the light to go off. Press the Reset button on the GFCI and the lamp should go on again. This confirms that the GFCI is working properly. If the GFCI does not trip (shut off the light) when you press the Test button, there is an electrical problem and you should contact a licensed electrician.
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12-gauge wire is rated to carry more electrical current than 14-gauge wire.
True. The larger the diameter of wire, the more electrical current it can carry. What is sometimes confusing is that the larger the diameter, the smaller the wire gauge. For example, 14-gauge wire is rated for small electrical tools and appliances, but larger power tools require 12-gauge wire.
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If a plug keeps falling out of a receptacle, use pliers to spread the plug blades farther apart.
False. When a receptacle no longer holds a plug firmly in place, the half-inserted, live plug is a serious shock hazard, especially for children. When a receptacle is old or worn out by excessive use, its contacts no longer properly grip a plug. Any receptacle in this condition must be replaced.
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Surges can enter your electronic equipment through phone and cable connections.
True. Surges that can damage your PC, television, video recorder and answering machine can enter through phone, data line and cable connections. Use surge protective power strips that not only provide the maximum amount of powerline protection, but also offer protection for phone, data and cable lines. These multi-purpose surge strips are available in home centers, electronic stores and a variety of retail outlets.
Source: Leviton Institute
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