Why You Should be Wary of Electrical Faults

Why You Should be Wary of Electrical Faults

Why should you be aware of electrical faults?

  1. What are electrical faults?
  2. The causes and effects of electrical faults
  3. How you can prevent electrical faults from happening

 

A common concern of every transformer supplier is electrical faults. Not only are these dangerous, they also have the capacity to render transformers, and many other electronics completely useless. These electrical faults are incredibly dangerous and should be actively prevented to maintain a safe home or workplace.

You have to be knowledgeable about these in order to prevent them from happening. That being said, here’s a short discussion on what electrical faults are:

 

What are Electrical Faults?

Basically, an electrical fault is an imperfection in the electrical circuit that leads to the current deflecting from the intended path. It disturbs the normal flow of electric current and usually ends up damaging the piece of equipment or the circuit in general.

These interruptions in the electricity flow are very dangerous. Oftentimes these have enough power to inflict severe damage to your equipment and even cause death.

Considering only the basics of the nature of electrical systems, there are two principal types of electrical faults. They can be categorized as follows:

Short-circuit Faults – This happens when there is a failure with the insulation. This is the most common cause of electrical failures. Aside from being common, they’re also severe and can result in an abnormally high current through equipment. These will almost always lead to extensive damage to equipment and electronics.

Open Circuit Faults – This is a failure happens within the path of electricity. Electricity flows in a circuit — a continuous path that always goes back to its source. When an interruption is strong enough to break this path or stop the electricity flow at a point in that path, then an Open circuit fault happens. The voltage and currents will either change or cease to exist, and that sudden break in the circuit will likely damage the whole circuit.

 

The Causes and Effects of Electrical Faults

The Causes and Effects of Electrical Faults

There are a number of factors that can lead to electrical faults. Often, they’re related to the existing power system in an area. It’s important to know the causes of these faults so that you can have an idea on how to prevent them from happening to begin with. Take a look at these causes of electrical faults.

 

Equipment Failure

Probably the most common cause of electrical faults, defective electrical equipment should be considered dangerous no matter what they’re used for or where they’re placed. Devices such as generators, motors, transformers, switching devices, and the likes can cause short circuit faults simply by malfunctioning. The equipment might be too old for any use, or maybe its cables are already failing when it comes to insulation.

Human Error

Hand-in-hand with equipment failure are the more probable human errors that can happen from time to time. A single mistake in rating a piece of equipment or device or forgetting things after servicing or maintenance can lead to so many unnecessary and preventable short-circuit faults happening.

Smoke

Smoke, particularly from open fires, can cause the air to ionize and result in the surrounding overhead transmission lines to spark between the lines or between conductors to insulators. This can cause insulators to lose their insulating capacity due to high voltages.

 

After reviewing a few of the possible causes of electrical faults, here are the most common effects that result from them:

Overcurrent flow. When faults happen, the circuit affected would usually have a very low impedance path for the current flow. Because of this, a high current is drawn from the supply and provided to everything that’s connected to the circuit. This causes relays to get tripped, insulation gets damaged, and sometimes sparks might appear.

Loss of Equipment. Electrical devices, when not protected, are usually sensitive to electrical problems. In fact, they can be burnt completely when exposed to a heavy current due to short circuit faults. Oftentimes, short circuits can even lead to electrical equipment literally getting destroyed.

Electrical Fires. In the case of smoke and short-circuiting, there’s a high probability that it will result in an electrical fire.

 

How Can You Prevent Them from Happening?

How Can You Prevent Them from Happening?

Electrical faults are dangerous and should not be taken lightly. You can prevent it from happening by doing a few simple things in your home or in any establishment. Here are a few things that you can do to prevent electrical faults from happening:

Install GFCI Outlets

These devices are able to detect any imbalance in the amount of electricity that flows through an appliance. When it senses a sudden difference above or below what’s the standard deviation, it will automatically cut off the power going through. This will help protect equipment that is sensitive to electrical problems and also prevent them from short-circuiting.

Know Your Appliances

You have to know the appliances you use. Are they still relatively new, or are they old and starting to malfunction a little? Plug them in GFCI outlets and unplug them as soon as you’re no longer using them. The less they’re connected to the electric grid, the fewer chances they’ll be affected by an unforeseen electrical fault.

Use Protective Electrical Devices

Nowadays there are many devices that specialize in electrical augmentation and protection. Try installing these protective machines as they will make sure that your home will be safe from most electrical hazards. Some electronics you can try out are the Uninterruptible Power System, Automatic Voltage Regulators, Protective Transformers, and so much more!

 

Key Takeaway

Electrical faults are just one of the many electrical hazards that can be damaging to equipment and establishments in general. You have to be actively looking for ways to prevent these from happening. Being knowledgeable about electrical faults is the first step in making sure that you’re safe from these electrical problems.

The Use of AVRs & Step-down Transformers for Overseas Filipino Workers

The Use of AVRs & Step-down Transformers for Overseas Filipino Workers

Why should OFWs get AVRs and step-down transformers?

  1. Optimal Device Function
  2. Protection from Voltage Problems
  3. For Home and Family Use

 

The primary function of an AVR, or Automatic Voltage Regulator, as its name suggests, is to regulate voltage. Oftentimes likened to a voltage stabilizer, these two are almost identical if not for very specific differences. Transformer suppliers in the Philippines explain their difference as follows: A voltage regulator is designed to provide a constant voltage at a given output, regardless of the changes in the prior load current. A voltage stabilizer, on the other hand, provides a constant voltage on a specified output regardless of changes in the incoming voltage.

Technically speaking, a voltage regulator is overall better, while the voltage stabilizer can be more specific at times.

Because of this, it’s a well-known fact that AVRs are practical to have, especially if you’re an OFW. When there’s a difference between the required voltage of appliances and the source of power, AVRs are what you need!

Many OFWs who bring their own devices and gadgets practically need to have an AVR as well for all the right reasons. Here are several reasons why OFWs need AVRs!

 

For Optimal Device Function

For Optimal Device Function

Every electronic device has a set voltage requirement. This indicates the amount of voltage it needs to function at an optimal state. Any lower and the electronics will suffer a few hiccups or become slow. Higher voltages won’t mean better performance, rather it might actually damage the device because of overvoltage.

Why is it important to be wary of voltage requirements? Because there are different voltage levels in different countries.

The most common ones, 110v, 120v, 210v, and 220v are the usual standards. As it may seem, there’s a large difference between 110v and 220v.

In the Philippines, most devices are designed to operate with 220v while in Western countries, most devices require 110v. Step-down transformers are perfect for this because it’s primary function is to lower the voltage level to a certain amount. In this case, it can lower 220v to 110v in an instant. They also double as a voltage protector so you can enjoy twice the benefits with one device!

This makes all the difference to OFWs who work in western countries because most of their devices work to get powered optimally with 220v outlets. However, in a country that has only 110v outlets, you’ll always experience undervoltage when you’re plugging into an outlet—potentially damaging your devices.

That being said, with the help of voltage regulators, you’ll be able to plug in your device and automatically get the voltage that you need.

This will help appliances and chargers’ function at their best capabilities.

 

For Protection from Voltage Problems

There are many factors that might lead to voltage related problems, particularly under- and overvoltage. Oftentimes they’re not bad enough to warrant repairs. However, constant exposure to these will have a significant effect on your devices.

Undervoltage occurs when your device is not able to receive the minimum required voltage in order for the device to function properly. This can lead to electronics becoming underpowered, unable to function normally.

Overvoltage, on the other hand, happens when the voltage received exceeds the normal values required which can cause insulation damage to the devices. When left unwarranted, these can lead to short circuits and other damaging effects.

Most of the time, these conditions happen because of unforeseen voltage fluctuations caused by different circumstances—oftentimes on the side of the electricity provider. Some of the more common causes include the following: voltage surges, lightning, and power overload.
Again, automatic voltage regulators are probably the best countermeasure against this for specific appliances because it takes into consideration all these instabilities of voltage and compresses it into something more consistent. By doing so, it protects the devices plugged into it from the damaging effects of experiencing under- and overvoltage.

 

For Home and Family Use

For Home and Family Use

One of the most important reasons why OFWs need an AVR is the fact that they will be in the midst of appliances and devices from two countries. And unless they have the same standard for voltage, you’ll definitely need at least one AVR for you and the family you have back home.
A lot of the times, you’ll be bringing devices and appliances back with you from the country you’ve worked at. And that would mean you’ll have some electronics that require different voltage levels.

Because of this, automatic voltage regulators will probably become a staple in your home because of all the appliances that need it. But that also goes for you as the one who’s working overseas. You will need the help of an AVR for you to safely and optimally charge your phone, tablet, or laptop which you use to stay connected with your family.

Nowadays, your phones or your tablets make it incredibly easy to talk with your family over long distances. However, as accessible as it may be, you still need to take care of your devices so that it will last a very long time.

 

Key Takeaway

The life of an OFW is hard. Living in one country while thinking of your home can get unforgiving at times. With that being said, one thing that’s a constant anywhere you go is electricity and electronic devices. Both of which are important in keeping you safe and connected.

Be sure to buy an AVR from your nearest transformer supplier in the Philippines so that you’ll have a safe and optimized way of powering up your gadgets wherever you go!