Any experienced firefighter in Atlanta will definitely have a horror story to narrate because of a fire that was caused due to electric shorts and the absence of an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) to protect the home. With more than $638 million worth of Atlanta property being lost in electrical fires last year, it doesn’t come as a big surprise to see people hiring Atlanta electrical contractors to install AFCI circuit breakers in their homes for protection.

An arc fault interrupter works by closing the electrical circuits as soon as it detects an electrical arcing situation. AFCI is also capable of detecting unknown wiring problems that may exist in your home and protect you from fire hazards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) endorses the use of these devices, as they have tested them and found them to be effective in discovering arcs and stopping the fires from breaking out.

Arc faults can happen in your homes for numerous of reasons like damaged wires, damaged or misapplied appliance cords, receptacle leakage, loose or wet electrical connection, shorted/stressed/overheated wires etc. The problem of arcing is commonly seen in older homes because of the aging and degradation of electrical wiring.

An AFCI is often confused with a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter or GFCI. While a GFCI protects you from electric shocks, it is the AFCI that is useful to prevent the fire breakout caused due to arching. A combination unit will soon hit the market to address both problems simultaneously.

Do I need an AFCI in my home to protect me? If your mind is still searching for the answer to the above question, then here are some reasons that will help you make a quick decision:

• Standard circuit breakers will be benefitted with the added protection of AFCI against arcing faults.
• The 2008 National Electric Code has made the use of AFCI compulsory. It is now mandatory to use this device with all 120 V and 15-20A branch circuits that are supplying power to outlets located in your bedrooms, dining area, family rooms, dens, sun rooms, recreation rooms, and all other places.
• Lower insurance premiums are another benefit of installing arc fault circuit interrupters in your home.

An electrician in Atlanta can easily replace the circuit breakers in your home with AFCI breakers and make your home a safer place to live in. Install AFCI to protect your home and to enjoy a peaceful sleep at night.