Whole House Electrical Surge Protection
Has your home’s electrical system sustained damage? Do you need electrical repairs done? Are you looking for a home electrical contractor who is proficient in both surge and fault protection? Do you intend to upgrade or expand your house’s electrical system?
Meridian Home Services is a well-known woman-owned, veteran-led, local electrical company serving Grove, OK, and the neighboring communities. Our staff possesses the technical knowledge, and real-world experience to install whole home surge protection, expand and alter feeder and branch circuits, install ground and arc fault protection and much more.
If your home’s electrical system has been damaged or malfunctioned, contact our solutions advisor today.
Meridian Home Services Delivers Safe Electrical Repairs and Service:
- Electrical inspections, installation, and replacements
- Electrical repairs, installation, and replacements
- Lighting Fixtures installation and replacements
- Doorbell wiring installation and replacements
- Telephone and data cabling installation and replacements
- Computer and television cabling installation and replacements
- HVAC control wiring installation, replacements, and upgrades
- Branch circuit wiring installation, replacements, and upgrades
- Feeder circuit wiring installation, replacements, and upgrades
- Service wiring installation, replacements, and upgrades
- Photovoltaic (PV) solar systems installation and replacements
- Electric vehicle (EV) charging station installations and upgrades
- Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) installation and replacements
- Arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) installation and replacements
- Whole home surge protection installation and replacements
- Electrical sub-panel installation and replacements
- Electrical panel installation and upgrades
- Electrical service installation and upgrades
- Electrical load calculations
Electrical Surges – Do You Know…
Aging Infrastructure: The Challenge of Outdated Electrical Systems
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there are over 39,600 electrical house fires in the US on average each year, which result in over 430 deaths and an estimated $1.3 billion in property damage. Electrical distribution devices, such as circuit breaker panels, lighting fixtures, and equipment, are the main sources of loss. It’s interesting to note that attics and bedrooms are where electrical fires most often start. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports that the average age of existing homes in the US is 39 years old, with some areas having more than 60 years of service. Similar to any equipment, wear and tear calls for regular upkeep and sporadic repairs to be renewed. Regrettably, outdated domestic electrical equipment currently in use causes serious shock or burns to over 2,400 children annually.
Ensuring Safety: The Role of the National Electric Code (NEC)
The National Electric Code (NEC), or NFPA 70, is the industry standard for safe electrical installations and maintenance. Similar to other model building codes, the NEC undergoes periodic updates every three years with the aim of improving occupant safety by increasing the minimum installation standards. Proposed modifications to the National Electric Code are informed by the lessons discovered during investigations into fire and water damage. Home fire dangers may arise because most domestic electrical systems are 12 or more code cycles behind due to the age of existing housing. The frequency and intensity of severe weather and storm occurrences have steadily increased in recent decades, along with an aging electrical infrastructure. In particular, major spring storms with strong winds and rain, winters bringing extraordinary snow and ice accumulations, and summer heat waves all increase the risk of house fires and electrical equipment damage. In reality, the prevalence of damage to electrical equipment has increased to the point that many industry groups provide guidelines for evaluating, replacing, and repairing electrical equipment.
Upgrading for Safety: Recommendations for Electrical Equipment Repair
To help certified electricians determine whether equipment has to be replaced or whether electrical systems may be fixed, the National Fire Protection Association created a checklist. The suggestions in NFPA 70B, “Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance,” are the foundation of this checklist. Additionally, rules for assessing electrical equipment damaged by water were released by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). If activated, electrical equipment that has sustained water damage from strong storms may be very hazardous. Generally, electrical components damaged by water need to be replaced, while certain manufacturers may permit reconditioning and reuse. Lastly, UL has released a paper that essentially supplements NEMA rules for items that are submerged in water. While repairing electrical equipment, better fault and surge protection should be installed, as well as voluntary upgrades to some outdated equipment.
