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An investigation into whether a failed electrical surge protector led to a Stittsville house fire on Monday should not cause homeowners to worry their own homes might go up in smoke any time soon, a safety expert says.
David McConnell, general manager of the Electrical Safety Authority of Ontario, which enforces the province’s electrical safety code, said Wednesday that while “every device has its limitations,” especially during a storm or power failure, he’s rarely seen a house fire caused by surge protector failure.
A surge protector, which can be built into a home’s electrical panel, is intended to absorb a power surge that might happen because of a hydro issue.
“It’s almost like a sponge that you’ve squeezed tight,” McConnell explained. “You put it in the water and … slowly loosen your grip. What it’s doing is absorbing that surge ahead of your property to protect it … from ruining all your (plugged in) appliances.”
The Electrical Safety Authority has partnered with the provincial Office of the Fire Marshal to investigate the cause of the Stittsville fire that sent two firefighters to hospital. McConnell wouldn’t give comment on details of the investigation but did say that if an electrical surge to a home is strong enough — most likely from a lightning strike to a power line — it might cause a disruption to the surge protector as well.
“It’s up to the homeowner whether or not they want to install one,” he said.
Even so, McConnell said, newer homes are more likely to be equipped with surge protectors, and it’s far better to have one than not.
Electrician Liam Sheridan said he couldn’t think a single time a surge protector has failed during his nearly 10 years working at Imperial Electric.
“Or course there’d be a potential, but it’s a very slim chance,” he said. “There are different types of surge protectors, but they’re all tested and approved, so they should all work.”
McConnell said that if homeowners are concerned about the stability of their electrical panels in light of the Stittsville fire, they should contact a licensed electrical contractor to ensure everything is working properly.
And if a power surge is suspected, safety systems — including carbon monoxide and smoke detectors — should also be checked.
avanderzwan@postmedia.com
查看原文...
David McConnell, general manager of the Electrical Safety Authority of Ontario, which enforces the province’s electrical safety code, said Wednesday that while “every device has its limitations,” especially during a storm or power failure, he’s rarely seen a house fire caused by surge protector failure.
A surge protector, which can be built into a home’s electrical panel, is intended to absorb a power surge that might happen because of a hydro issue.
“It’s almost like a sponge that you’ve squeezed tight,” McConnell explained. “You put it in the water and … slowly loosen your grip. What it’s doing is absorbing that surge ahead of your property to protect it … from ruining all your (plugged in) appliances.”
The Electrical Safety Authority has partnered with the provincial Office of the Fire Marshal to investigate the cause of the Stittsville fire that sent two firefighters to hospital. McConnell wouldn’t give comment on details of the investigation but did say that if an electrical surge to a home is strong enough — most likely from a lightning strike to a power line — it might cause a disruption to the surge protector as well.
“It’s up to the homeowner whether or not they want to install one,” he said.
Even so, McConnell said, newer homes are more likely to be equipped with surge protectors, and it’s far better to have one than not.
Electrician Liam Sheridan said he couldn’t think a single time a surge protector has failed during his nearly 10 years working at Imperial Electric.
“Or course there’d be a potential, but it’s a very slim chance,” he said. “There are different types of surge protectors, but they’re all tested and approved, so they should all work.”
McConnell said that if homeowners are concerned about the stability of their electrical panels in light of the Stittsville fire, they should contact a licensed electrical contractor to ensure everything is working properly.
And if a power surge is suspected, safety systems — including carbon monoxide and smoke detectors — should also be checked.
avanderzwan@postmedia.com
查看原文...
