Signs of Aging

The Shock Doctors

ECRA/ESA #7001377

July 2012

In This Issue

Receptacle deterioration

Hazards

How to spot a worn receptacle

JUST FOR FUN...

AIR MILES Rewards Program

First 3 people to respond with the right answers to the 2 questions below win 5 AIRMILES REWARD MILES

TRUE OR FALSE

1. Problems with aluminum wiring are almost entirely related to points of connection.

2. In a lightning storm you are safer on golf cart than in a bus.

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Who the

Docs Dote On...

(Guys we think are just great)

Who do you rely on when you need something for your home beyond your electrical work?

We rely exclusively on these two folks for OUR home service projects:

Building Unlimited

and

Silas Home Service Contractors

Last Month's AirMiles Quiz Results!

1. Dust and pollen will not affect garden solar light recharging. False - Add these to your dusting duties!

2. You can run power to your garden shed by using outdoor direct burial armoured cable and make sure it is 18" down in gardens and lawns, cloaked in gravel and warning tape.

True - Don't leave any death traps for the gardner!

Congrat's to last Month's Happy Winners:

Keith Carson

Ken White

Rob Crewe

We are very lucky in Canada to enjoy some very high Canada standards in the electrical industry.

If the product bears the mark of the UL-c or the CSA (Canadian Standards Association) it has passed rigorous testing. These associations ensure our equipment is sturdy, safe and well made. However, these seals of approval do not mean that you can expect your electrical devices to last forever.

Electrical outlets, switches and even electricians eventually wear out.

This month learn how to tell when they have reached their useful limit.

Terry portrait

Terry Carman

Chief of Staff

The Shock Doctors

Receptacle deterioration

Last month our neighbour was painting his daughter's bedroom. He removed the cover plate from her wall receptacle to prepare for painting and the front half of the outlet fell out of the wall into his hand. This left only the back half of the outlet still attached to the wires. Recognizing he had unprotected access to live electricity, he cut the power to the receptacle at the electrical panel before proceeding with his repairs.

Fun Fact: This would have been a far easier task for him if his home was equipped with a breaker panel instead of an old fuse panel.


When the receptacle was originally produced, the front and back halves were pressed together and it was expected that they would remain joined. The molded plastic had become brittle over the years, and with repeated use the two halves finally let go allowing the receptacle to fall to pieces. The cover plate became the critical component holding the entire device together.

Problems with aging
The danger with this receptacle is that the loose pieces disrupt the ability of the electricity to flow smoothly, causing arcing and hot spots.

How to spot a worn out receptacle

The realistic lifespan of a properly installed electrical outlet is about 20-25 years. Ones that are poorly installed with loose connections wear out much sooner. A good test to see if your receptacle is deteriorating is to plug in an appliance and then gently pull it back out. If the receptacle is in good shape, the plug should be held snugly in place. If it gives no resistance as you remove the plug from the socket, this is the clue that the receptacle has worn out and is in need of replacement.

Both receptacles and electricians have less resistance as they age. The first is not so good, the second definitely for the better.

*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

Deck of Cards

Greetings!

If you have an electrical project in mind, don't procrastinate. July is the right time. For our e-newsletter readers only, during July, draw a card from the deck and receive the value of your card as your percent savings! 2-10 = 2-10% (any draw below 5 gets ONE CHANCE to draw again.)

Jack=11%, Queen=12%, King=HST, Ace = 15%

ECRA of the ESA #7001377

Yours for trouble-free receptacles!

Cheri