A mains cable can be described as a cable connecting an
electrical appliance to the mains supply which is usually in form of a wall
socket. The mains cable is perhaps the most visible part of the electrical
structure in a household and by virtue of this, proper safety measures should
be taken when it comes to it. In view of this, the following are some safety
tips for running the mains cable within a home.
Electrical appliances should be located near a wall
This is the first rule when it comes to a mains supply. Positioning electrical appliances in the middle of a room is considered as being dangerous since this brings about the need for a cable to be stretched across the room in order to access a wall socket. This will bring the cable directly into human contact increasing the chances of an individual tripping over the cable.
To avoid such a scenario, electrical appliance should be placed within close proximity to a wall preferably near a socket.
Clip the mains cable to a wall
Clipping a cable onto a wall is also another safety measure that should be put in place when it comes to mains cable. However, it is recommended that this be done for appliances that are permanently located and chances of them being shifted are minimal. Some of these appliances include fridges, TVs and hi-fi systems. Appliances that are being constantly moved around such as hair dryers and iron boxes should not have their cables clipped to a wall. When clipping a cable to a wall, care should be taken not to damage the insulating material of the cable.
Use supply extensions
The use of supply extensions is highly recommended. Extensions are basically electrical sockets that contain a number of plug-ins for use by the male plugs. An extension is highly recommended for use in areas that have electrical appliance within close proximity to each other, one such area is the living room. The extension should be positioned in an out of the way location.
Run the mains cable under the carpet
Running of cables under the carpet is a great idea when it comes to electrical safety within a household. The carpet acts as a form of insulation for the mains cable and also hides the cable from curious children. An extension cable can also be run underneath the carpet.
Cabling for appliances within wet areas
There is a wide range of appliances used in areas with a lot of water such as bathrooms, kitchens and toilets. These appliances include shavers, dryers and even iron boxes. As a rule, these appliances should be plugged in only when being used and unplugged immediately after use. The mains cable for these appliances should be regularly checked for defects that might emerge due to constant handling.
Mains supply in children's bedroom
The mains supply for appliances such as night lamps within child's bedroom should be wired in such a way that the cable is not visible.
By taking the above mentioned tips on mains supply safety into consideration, an individual is assured of relative electrical safety within a home.
