 The Shock Doctors ECRA/ESA #7001377 | |
Writing your Prescription for Electrical Safety
April 2010 |
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Income Tax Reminder
$$$ Remember to
claim your tax credit! Submit your receipts for all eligible work performed between
Jan 27th, 2009 -
Feb 1st, 2010 for your income tax preparation.
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Beat the HST
SAVE 8%!!!
Book before July 1st |
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News You can Use around Your Home".  Welcome to the "Spring Cleaning" edition of our newsletter.
Terry Carman |
| Spring Cleaning | | |
The receptacle beside the stove has spaghetti sauce splashed into the slots and it has been there for four months. Today you will clean it. Being smart, you ponder how to clean it safely.
 First, turn off the power to the receptacle at the breaker panel. If your breaker panel has been labelled correctly, you are still on the straight path to cleaning that spaghetti sauce-crusted receptacle. If it is not, you might want to make a small detour and tackle mapping your electrical system. |
| Cleaning the Receptacle | |
Turn off the breaker at your properly labelled panel.
Use your circuit tester to confirm no power to the outlet, then remove and wash the cover plate with warm soapy water and dry it thoroughly.
 NEVER spray a cleaning product into an electrical outlet. Use a spray cleaner on a damp cloth or toothbrush to clean the outlet before replacing the cover plate. Replace any cracked, painted or wallpapered cover plates as it is required by safety code.
Turn your breaker back on and firmly strike that job off your list. |
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The Unlabelled Panel | |
If your panel is unlabelled, you should leave the receptacle-cleaning path and take an unexpected daytrip.
Mapping your Panel |
Knowing which breaker controls individual devices is a matter of convenience now, but in an emergency, it can be essential and life saving. Now is a great time to get that panel mapped and labelled.
Breaker by breaker, receptacle by receptacle, light by light and appliance by appliance, the control map of your panel can be drawn. |
Before you start, know the # 1 Rule in the Panel Mapping Game! | |
Never "flip" breakers from on to off and back to on again. Allow at least 10 seconds for each direction to protect sensitive compressors and electronics. |
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Labelling Step 1 - Lights | |
Turn all the switched lights in the house on. One by one, turn off each breaker and note the breaker that controls each light. |
| Labelling Step 2 - RECEPTACLES | |
Using a circuit tester- not a nightlight or small appliance, test each receptacle  for power. Shut off breakers one by one, until power to the receptacle is removed. Note which breaker interrupted the power to that receptacle. Remember to test both the top and bottom portion of each receptacle to identify the receptacles that are wired as "splits" (controlled by 2 different breakers).Return the breakers to the "on" position and continue with the next outlet. |
| Labelling Step 3 - Equipment and Large Appliances | | |
Receptacles for the fridge, washing machine, dryer, furnace, electric hot water tank and sump pump should each have their own separate breaker that controls nothing else in the house. Identify breakers for the stove, dryer, and furnace by running the appliance and turning off each breaker until one kills the power to it. To identify the hot water tank or submersible water pumps, you need a proximity voltage tester and knowledge on how to use that device.
Your panel will now be mapped and labelled for your protection.
Well done! |
| Ask the Doctor | |
Q. Can I paint or wallpaper my coverplates to match my walls?
Doc Says:
Sorry, absolutely not! Painting coverplates and Outlets is forbidden by the National Fire Protection Act. Paint could potentially coat the contacts and cause a fire hazard. Similarly, wallpapering receptacle and switch covers is not allowed. The device could arc (spark) causing the paper to ignite. |
| Do YOU have a question for the Doctor? | |  If you have a question about the health of your electrical system or just wondering about a little "plastic surgery", ask the doctor: Just click below and send your question to terry@theshockdoctors.ca |
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Panel mapping special just $199 April & May Only
(Regular price $224)
 Enjoy convenience, safety and peace of mind by having The Shock Doctors expertly map and label your panel for you. They have the equipment and knowledge to get the job done! AND collect AIR MILES® reward miles at the same time!
| | ® TM Trademarks of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. Used under license by LoyaltyOne, Inc.and Progressive Electrical Services ltd. Offer Expires: May 31st |
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
Change to FEDERAL ecoENERGY Retrofit Grant Program
Only homeowners who booked a pre-retrofit evaluation by March 31, 2010, can receive a FEDERAL ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes grant.
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| For savings on eco-energy products check out this month's flyers from our local retailers. | |
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ECRA of the ESA |
Cheri 
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