The holidays mean vibrant light displays, multiple sessions of cookie baking, and warm and cozy indoor temperatures. Unfortunately, it also means a surged use of electricity, which could cause overloaded power circuits in the house.
Causes of Overloaded Circuits
There are many causes of overloaded circuits, especially during Christmas when power usage increases by 30% because of the light displays and appliances. Among these reasons are:
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Too many lights for display: Multiple light strings connected to the same line might overwhelm the source, causing significant damage to the power system.
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Less outdoor circuits: Using only one or two circuits for multiple strings of lights and other displays outside is unsafe. Sometimes, two or more outlets can be located on the same circuit, increasing the stress.
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Using extension cords for multiple appliances: Besides lights, Christmas also involves many appliances running simultaneously, like space heaters, game systems, TVs, kitchen items, and room styling items. Extension cords can provide more plug points but still use the same outlet. This can stress and overbear the outlet.
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Older houses: Many older homes need to be updated to the latest codes and systems, increasing the risk of overload and damage.
Implications of Stressed Power Systems
Overloaded circuits could be catastrophic if not fixed. Take a look at why:
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Bothersome: Overburdened systems cause multiple outages, interruptions and the need to replace parts. This could be inconvenient, especially for those working from home or having various Christmas baking and cleaning tasks.
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Fire risk: Electrical fire is a common effect of an overwhelmed line. This could be fatal to the occupants and cause significant impacts on the property. Despite many items such as electrical conduits and trunking safeguarding the environment from the circuits, fires could still happen if there is immeasurable stress on the system. Fires can also contribute to the occupants' spending on repair and damage, especially wasting money and time.
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Damage to appliances and the system: Circuit trips due to overloaded lines can harm the appliances, which would mean replacement and further unnecessary expenditure. You may need more money, especially near Christmas, which is another inconvenience to endure.
How to Stop This From Happening?
Fortunately, there are ways to avoid discomfort and catastrophes due to trips. Following these tips can help you make sure a safe and consistent supply and smooth Christmas celebrations. Below are some ways to safeguard the circuits:
Identify and Alternate Appliances That Use the Most Power
Assess the appliances in your home that are constantly plugged in and see if their usage is frequent. If it isn’t, remove those and only plug in those that are needed all the time, like heating appliances. In addition, you could also alternate the heavy-usage items so that they do not stress the line. For example, when the coffee maker is operating, you could switch off the TV or the microwave.
Avoid Using Extension Cords
Extension cords are meant to extend the length of an outlet for the convenience of using appliances located far away. However, many use it to multiply the number of items used without realizing that this is overbearing the circuit. Reduce using these cords. Instead, wisely alternate the appliances to optimize their usage.
Ensure Regular Maintenance
Maintaining a sound electrical system is vital to avoid a power surge that can cause outages. Therefore, hire professionals and commit to a consistent maintenance check. Besides ensuring the supply is up to date, these checks can also reduce repair costs. They could also avoid a hiked-up repair feed and disruptions to your holiday tasks due to the bottleneck effect for electrical repairs during the holidays.
Switch to Newer Energy-Efficient and Smart Appliances
If you use many appliances at once and are up for equipment upgrades, consider converting to smart appliances. You can set a timer for these items so they switch off when they’re not in use, reducing the load. You could also save on your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint. For example, the newer refrigerators consume 75% less energy than those in 1973 and can provide 20% more space.
Use Power Wisely to Ensure a Smooth Christmas Experience
Using electricity during the holidays is unavoidable. However, using it strategically and safely can avoid dangerous situations and keep the Christmas environment intact.
