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7 ways to Extend the Life of Your Electric Wire and Cable
The electrical system is essential in our daily lives, and the entire system must be kept in good condition for the safety of the occupants and the home. If your wires fail, your entire system will halt, costing you time and money. Although all electrical systems will inevitably deteriorate with time and eventually require new electrical installation, we can still take certain precautions to ensure that wiring lasts as long as possible.
Practicing the basic guidelines below will increase the longevity of your cables:
1. Regular Check
Similar to personal health, your electric wires and cables should also be checked regularly. A routine check of your wiring can be beneficial, and you can perform it without assistance. A thorough inspection of your electrical system twice a year will help you detect a potential problem before it is too late. The earlier the issue is identified, the easier it is to remedy it and eliminate failure risks.
To check the wires, connect the multimeter to each end. When connected, the multimeter should provide a low value if a complete circuit is created and no issues exist. If the readout shows 'I,' it indicates a break
2. Carefully Handle Cable Reels
Large electric cables and wire reels should always be loaded safely and held upright on their flanges and blocks. Damage could result from negligent reel loading and unloading.
Additionally, cables and wires need to be packaged to be transported, stored, and installed securely without suffering damage. Rewinding the reel while using the proper drum diameter with a small bending radius is an important part of this operation to reduce overbending and damage.
3. Design Conduit Layouts Strategically
Conduit layouts should be planned so that bends are concentrated close to the end the wire is pulled from and minimized to lower pulling stresses. When high pulling tensions are estimated, it may be required to consider employing two or more pulls and perhaps cords splicing. In some circumstances, the pulling pressure from several directions should be calculated.
4 Be Cautious of Environment's Temperature
The temperature of the installation's environment must be taken into consideration. When installing cables in environments where the ambient temperature is anticipated to be lower than -10°C, such as a warehouse freezer, choose cables with a low temperature marking (such as -40°C). Reduce conductor flexing when handling and installing cable in environments with temperatures below -10°C. If the conductor needs to be bent, do it gradually and with a larger minimum bend radius.
According to experts, the wire should be kept in a warm environment (Warmer than 15°C for at least 24 hours) before installation. And to reduce damage, install your cable the same day it is removed from the warm environment.
4. Avoid Friction
Friction should be avoided since it slows things down and increases risks. Use caution to ensure that your installation preparation prevents dragging wires across uneven surfaces or sharp edges; laying the cable into place is always preferable. When removing wire into a raceway, use a high-quality pulling lubricant to minimize friction as feasible (a.k.a. conduit).
5. Avoid overloading
One of the common problems with household electrical systems is overloading. When using technology, it's critical to apply sound judgment. One should know how much electricity your appliances use and how much power your outlet offers because doing so can prevent accidents. Kitchen appliances should have their plugs because they use a lot of electricity. A power outage might result from overloading a circuit with many plugs.
You can also learn cable codes for emergencies. When installing cables, it is recommended to look for the markings "HL" for hazardous places and "SR" for likely exposure to direct sunlight. Additionally, when putting cables in long, vertical spaces like elevator shafts, large buildings, and grain elevators, remember to choose cables designed for vertical installations.
Replace the Damaged Wire
It's essential to inspect your electrical outlets regularly. If the outlet cover feels warm to the touch, there may be a problem with the wiring raising the temperature, which indicates danger. If you notice any damaged wires, you should have a qualified electrician replace them right away. Avoid covering the wires with tape to cut down purchasing costs.
Additionally, If you have any inquiries or worries, you can contact the company from whom you purchased your cable. They're likely to have the most recent information you need.
Conclusion
Wires are an essential part of modern life. Electric wires and cables can endure a very long time if installed correctly and are of excellent quality. However, you must contact a qualified electrician if any damage is found. You should be able to identify any damages and further increase the lifespan of your electrical wires and cables with the assistance of the information in this article. Additionally, this information will help you save money by avoiding the need to buy new wiring any time soon.