Preventing short circuits

Power cords are (usually) protected by an insulating layer of plastic or rubber. The insulation layer can be damaged by, for example, water, dust, heat and/or drying out of the protective layer. If the insulation layer is damaged, electricity can flow from the wire to places where it should not be. This can be caused by direct contact with another wire or device, but also by damp wiring or rust. As a result, the electric amperage becomes too high and the wires too hot, which can cause a fire. Some tips to prevent short circuits from power cords:

• Never touch exposed cables!
• Check regularly that the protective layer of electric cables is not damaged. Check this also when buying second-hand products.
• Never run cords under doors, carpets or tarpaulins for example, to prevent them from being damaged.
• Never use power cords to hang anything.
• Always hold on to the plug when you want to remove it from the socket, do not pull the plug out by the cord.
• Make sure you never nail or staple power cords.
• Do not roll up power cords too tightly to avoid breaking or damaging them.

Homes are usually equipped with multiple power groups. Each group in a house or building is responsible for part of the power supply. If too many devices draw current from one group at the same time, the group can become overloaded. In the meter box, there are fuses that pop in the event of an overload or short circuit, in order to prevent fire. However, it is better to prevent a short circuit from occurring and the fuses in the meter box from popping. Therefore, pay attention to the following:

• Do not connect too many appliances to the same power group. For example, using the oven, microwave, fryer and hotplate at the same time through one power group can cause a short circuit.
• Never use multiple power cords in a row, to prevent overuse of one power group.
• Plug large power users directly into the power socket rather than an extension cord or power strip.

Careless use of equipment is a common cause of short circuits. Therefore, before using an electrical appliance, always read the user manual. You can also reduce the risk of short circuit or fire by keeping appliances clean. For some appliances there is additional advice:

• Cell phones can give off heat when they are on the charger. Therefore, never place a cell phone on the bed while it is charging. Also, unplug the charger as soon as the phone is charged.
• Ensure adequate ventilation behind your refrigerator by not placing it directly against the wall. Regularly clear the back from dust to prevent fires.
• Some appliances generate heat when they are on standby. Therefore, it is always better to turn these appliances off rather than on standby mode. This includes coffee machines, televisions and computers.
• Use a microwave only to heat food or drinks. Fires frequently occur due to improper use of a microwave.