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Aluminum Wiring

May 28, 2015 by Grassroots Leave a Comment

In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s copper prices rose and contractors/electricians switched from copper to lower costing aluminum wiring. Although no longer common for distribution circuits, aluminum wiring is still used today in certain applications. For example, 240 volt circuits for stoves and dryers. It sometimes is used on the main service entrance wire from the road to the house. These use multiple strands of wire.

Concerns that have arisen with aluminum wiring are with those that use a single solid strand of wire, for example, when connected to devices (e.g. receptacles, light fixtures) that were not designed for aluminum, or, where aluminum and copper wires are attached together. In these cases a reaction can occur causing the connections to fail, perhaps become disconnected, and/or, potentially overheat, spark and catch fire. Symptoms of this can sometimes be seen in the discolouration of receptacles, flickering lights, or the smell of hot plastic insulation.

The conductivity of aluminum is not as good as copper so a different, thicker, gauge wire must be used. For example, today the most common copper wire size is 14 gauge. The comparable aluminum wire size used was 12 gauge.

According to a 1997 Safety Notice from Ontario Hydro, it states that: “Aluminum wiring in residential installations will operate as safely as any other type of wiring if the proper materials are used and it is installed as per the manufacturer’s instructions and the Ontario Hydro Electrical Safety Code.”

Special care must be taken to ensure, for example, that connections are made to receptacles that are suitable for aluminum wiring. Further, where aluminum and copper wires are connected that proper paste/flux, and/or, the appropriate wire connectors, are used.

Regardless of the wiring type used, no circuits should be over loaded or over fused.

Suspect a problem?  — Have a qualified electrician check:

  1. Terminations at devices without removing or disturbing them.
  2. Cut back any damaged aluminum conductors and join these to a copper tail using a connector approved for use with aluminum. These connectors are coloured either brown or purple, depending on the manufacturer. The copper tail is then terminated at the terminal screws of an ordinary device (which includes approved receptacles, etc.). Or, cut back any damaged aluminium conductors and re-terminate at a new device bearing the appropriate marking. For example, devices bearing the mark CO/ALR are approved for use with aluminum wiring.
  3. Panel board terminations for signs of overheating.
  4. Fuses present for heavy loads are temperature sensitive type (D or P).

If a home has aluminum wiring and you suspect problems may exist further professional advice from a qualified electrician experienced in repairing aluminum-wiring concerns is recommended. We recommend that you also ascertain from your insurance broker that they will insure a building with aluminum wiring.

Filed Under: All, Building Systems, Electrical, Information Bulletins, Insurance & Legal Tagged With: aluminum wiring, electrical safety, hydro safety

Arc Faults & Ground Faults – Suggestions & Tips #19

July 10, 2015 by Grassroots Leave a Comment

arc_fault_ground_fault

Arc faults & ground faults are not the same!

You may already be familiar with a ground fault, that’s when electricity travels outside its intended path looking for the shortest route to the ground. If you are grounded (touching the ground or something resting on the ground, like a ladder) and you touch something that is energized your body becomes that shortest route to ground. You can also become part of the path to ground by touching water and electricity. Either way, you could be hurt or worse yet, die.

On the other hand, an arc fault is caused by damaged, overheated or electrical wiring / devices placed under too high a demand. They can also occur with older frayed / cracked wires or if a nail damages a wire in a wall. As homes are being transformed by the demands of new electrical devices, many existing homes are not equipped to handle this resulting in a greater risk of arc faults and arc-induced fires, a cause of a large percentage of home electrical fires and deaths.

You can increase protection from ground faults and arc faults by using Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI) and Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI). They do not perform the same function however…

  • GFI receptacle (pictured left above) protects people against severe or fatal electric shocks
  • AFCI (pictured right above) is a device that replaces the standard circuit breaker in your home’s electrical panel protects against fires caused by arcing faults.

Changes in the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) made AFCI’s required on bedroom circuits in new home construction, and now the 2015 Canadian Electrical Code requires all branch circuits with 125 volt receptacles rated 20 amps or less to be protected (with exceptions). However, many existing homes lag behind in keeping up to date as there is no requirement to install them in older homes…but it makes sense to do so. The 2008 edition of the US National Electrical Code (NEC) had expanded requirements for AFCI installation to additional areas of the home, including dining rooms and family rooms.

AFCI’s should only be installed or replaced by a licensed, qualified electrician. They should be tested after installation and once each month to make sure they are working properly. Follow the device manufacturer’s testing instructions. If the device does not trip when tested, it should be replaced.

Filed Under: All, Electrical, Safety & Environmental, Suggestions & Tips Tagged With: arc fault, electrical safety, fire hazard, ground fault, shock hazard

Electro Magnetic Fields (EMF) 101

July 8, 2015 by Grassroots Leave a Comment

There have been numerous studies published on Electro Magnetic Fields (EMF), which indicate that extremely low frequency magnetic emissions may present serious health risks. Occupational exposure to these emissions has been associated with elevated death rates due to leukemia, brain tumours, an across-the-board decline in the immune response system, other cancers, as well as, central nervous system concerns. Exposure during pregnancy has been associated with significant increases of miscarriage and increases in infant mortality. It has also been associated with an increase in suicide.

Where do EMF come from? — Electricity is the unseen helper of our times. It’s taken for granted most of the time but it may be harming us. EMF is stronger relative to the strength of current, and its intensity falls off quickly with distance from the source. If currents leaving and entering are a home not equal, an “inequity” can create a magnetic field along the service drop — where the electricity is fed into the house. Commonly, the current enters the home by way of a transformer on a hydro pole which reduces the voltage to the service drop and on through to the meter. From here it travels throughout the home’s wiring, receptacles, fixtures, appliances, etc. It then returns through the electrical panel to exit back to the pole on the street. Some current can even travel along the grounding wire attached to the home’s water pipes. This can in turn travel underground to the next home. Homes located near high voltage overhead transmission lines can be a concern as well, as lighting rods are typically attached to them. The electric power industry is looking for ways to reduce the publics’ exposure to the lines’ magnetic fields. Currently there have been no acceptable levels of EMF emissions set down by any governing bodies in North America.

How serious can EMF be? — While we are still unsure about the effects of EMF certain precautions are being taken. In July 1991 the Swedish government adopted standards restricting emissions from computer monitors. In 1992, the Karolinska Institute in Sweden released a study showing a connection between proximity to power lines and various cancers, most notably childhood leukemia. The New York City Board of Education adopted even stronger restrictions. The East York (Toronto area) Board of Education permanently closed a kindergarten room and moved to a portable. The Toronto Board of Health formally adopted a policy for avoidance in 1993. In 2002, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and part of the World Health Organization (WHO) concluded that: “ELF magnetic fields are possibly carcinogenic to humans, based on consistent statistical associations of high level residential magnetic fields with a doubling of risk of childhood leukaemia. Children who are exposed to residential ELF magnetic fields less than 0.4 microTesla have no increased risk for leukaemia.”

Some common household items that can produce EMF include — Microwave Oven, Electric Range, Heated Aquariums, Plug-in Analog Clocks, Blow Dryer, Heated Waterbed, Electric Blanket, Electric Baseboard Heat, Table Fan, Fluorescent Light, Cellular Phone, Electric Space Heater, Computer Monitor, Knob & Tube wiring.

What can you do? — Large scale studies now underway may eventually resolve some of the uncertainties left by early research. Until the final results are available, be informed about EMF, test & monitor regularly for its presence and practice prudent avoidance.

Filed Under: All, Information Bulletins, Safety & Environmental Tagged With: cancer, electrical safety, electro maagnetic fields, ELF, EMF

Student Housing & Your Child’s Safety – Suggestions & Tips #122

July 10, 2015 by Grassroots Leave a Comment

college students returning to school

Do you have college or university students heading off or returning to school? Now is the time to talk safety around the house and to be on the look out for the tell tale signs of problems with their student housing living accommodations.

If you’ve got kids living in college or university off-campus rental units, wise parents can help their children determine if their accommodations are safe. Here are just a few things to look out for:

  • ensure sufficient there are working smoke alarms & carbon monoxide detectors – it’s the law. We recommend at least one of each per level and per bedroom. Are they interconnected with other tenant’s rooms or adjacent building units so they will “go off” if a fire starts in their rooms / units?
  • call the local Municipality to find out if the property is zoned correctly for its intended use e.g. as a rental property, rooming house, multi-tenant use
  • aside from tenants insurance, obtain a Certificate of Insurance from the landlord that sufficient insurance coverage is in place for its use.
  • contact the local Fire Department / Fire Marshall to ensure the property has been inspected recently and that there are no outstanding work orders.
  • ensure electrical wiring is safe e.g. lights don’t flicker; cover plates are present on receptacles / switches; electrical panel, fuses / breakers are in good working order; no exposed wiring or unsecured receptacles / switches are present; and, that proper ground fault / arc fault protection is present.
  • ascertain gas appliances have been properly maintained and are safe for operation e.g. the heating system (furnace); cook top / oven / stove; barbeque; and, fireplace .
  • is the wood burning fireplace or wood stove safe to use? Has it been cleaned / maintained properly? Is the insurance company aware of their presence?
  • is there a hot tub or pool available for use and if so what safety measures are in place regarding them.
  • is there any water / moisture penetration into the building?
  • are decks / balconies supported properly and secured properly to prevent collapse?
  • are handrails and guardrails well secured and an appropriate height, with balusters / spindles spaced properly?
  • are there environmental concerns such as mould, asbestos, lead, etc.?

Not sure what you should be looking for with your children’s student housing? Need help? Get your son’s / daughter’s house, apartment  or residence inspected BEFORE they move in, and better yet before they sign the lease!

We can help to make your child’s time away at school safer … contact us!

Filed Under: All, Insurance & Legal, Safety & Environmental, Suggestions & Tips Tagged With: asbestos, balconies, decks, electrical safety, furnace, gas appliances, mold, mould, rental apartment, residence, safety, student housing, wood stove

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