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Although you rely on electricity on a daily basis, your household electrical system may seem like a mystery to you. As far as most people know, when they plug in a device and power it on, it springs to life almost like magic. There’s no magic to electricity, but it poses quite a few risks to untutored homeowners. To mitigate your chance of injury, here’s what you should know about electrical volts.

Understanding Voltage & How It’s Measured

Electrical charges move through the wiring in your home to power appliances. Voltage, the force that pushes electrical current between two points, is measured in volts. It’s not the same as current, which is how quickly an electrical charge flows through a system. 

When it comes to measuring voltage, special tools are required. A voltmeter is one type of tool. It measures the change in electrical potential between two different places. Voltmeters can be set to measure alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC).

High Voltage vs. Low Voltage

household electricalDesignating devices as either high or low voltage helps prevent injury and even loss of life. When performing work on a household electrical system, an electrician needs to know if the voltage is high or low.

High-voltage devices have a force greater than 1,500 volts or 1,000 volts for DC and AC currents, respectively. The electricity flows through low-voltage devices with less force.

In most cases, high-voltage wiring will be found in a residential setting only in the connection between the power lines on your street and your household electrical system. Inside the home, appliances are low voltage to prevent injury from electrocution. Although you may receive quite a shock from a malfunctioning toaster, it’s unlikely to do major damage. 

 

Regardless of the voltage rating of home appliances and wiring, use only quality supplies and appliances when making repairs or upgrades. Residents of Washington, IN, trust A & R Home Center for all their hardware needs, whether they’re rewiring a garage or installing a new light fixture. Stop by or call (812) 254-7018 to speak with an electrical specialist about your next job. You can also check out their selection of electrical tools and supplies online.

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