University Daily Kansan / Thursday, February 2, 1989
Science
11
appliances clutter Melissa Williams' room in Elsworth Hall. A microwave stands in one corner. A stereo, television, makeup mirror, answering
machine and clock fit in another. Two curling irons a blow-dryer, blender and laver lay adhered on the floor. The room's electrical system also handles lamps on every wall, another clock, an electric blanket and a refrigerator.
Like many KU students, Williams, Atwood sophomore, has become dependent on these electrical appliances to make her life a little easier.
But electricians warn that these new-age gadgets may be overtaxing older electrical systems, such as the 1964 system in Ellsworth.
Such overloads are unsafe, can blow fuses and even can cause fires in many residence halls, apartments and houses, said James McWain, Lawrence fire chief.
McSain, Lawrence fire one. Last year alone, there were 23 electrical fires in Lawrence homes, and in April 1987, an electrical fire caused $4,000 damage to the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house, 1645 Tennessee St.
Causes for the fires ranged from short circuits in the wiring to receptacle overload and sparking extension plugs, according to a 1988 report from the Lawrence Fire Department. Damages were from $50 to $3,000.
Outdated systems
The problem can be found in older buildings that provide only a 60-amp service or, in the case of residence halls, circuits that operate on only 20 amps.
only 20 amps.
One amp is approximately 100 watts; therefore, a 60-ammp service could supply electricity equal to 60 one-hundred-watt light bulbs.
Such electrical systems were designed mostly to accommodate lighting, said Michael
Most rooms had one overhead light and a floor lamp, and if used in this combination, the electrical system would maintain itself, he said.
When electricity began using more appliances and requiring more electricity, the National Fire Protection Association changed the existing electrical codes and, in 1987, adopted ne codes that mandate a minimum 100-amp service in a single-family dwelling.
said.
"What has happened is that people are using twice the amount of appliances today as they did in the past," Lipp said.
lee in a slide. Lippa said the 1987 codes already were outdated, and that the association would provide updated codes in 1990.
Lawrence follows the 1987 codes, but probably won't adopt the updated codes until 1991. The codes are not enforceable by law, but an electrician could lose his license if he doesn't follow them.
Although most buildings more than 20 years old are inadequate by today's electrical standards, Lipp said he was especially concerned about homes that had been converted into multiple apartments, because each one operated on the same 60-amp service.
in the same boat? You have 12 apart.
'Here's the situation.' You have 12 apart.
ments with 12 microwaves, 12 stoves and 12 refrigerators, all of which could be on at the same time, which could cause a tremendous power overload," Lipp said.
poor. He said that some contractors had refused to work on older electrical systems, and he named Ninth and Ohio streets as one of the worst areas.
What has happened is that people are using twice the amount of appliances today as they did in the past.'
Michael Lipp Lawrence electrician
"Those houses are extremely dangerous and potential fire hazards," Lipp said.
Tim Pinnick, city building inspector, said that if a landlord knew that an electrical problem existed, and the building was inspected, the landlord could be held liable for faulty wiring.
tainly wring the strings, some cases, the city could order a building vacated and have the electricity shut off until the property owner corrects the problem.
Pinnick also said that if a building inspector suspected faulty wiring and was refused entry, he could obtain a warrant just like a police officer, despite the owners' wishes.
But he said the city would take such measures only three or four times a year.
Short of moving out, here's what to do to use your stereos, blow-dryers and other appliances safely:
DO
- make sure there are ground fault circuit interrupters in the bathrooms, kitchen, basement and outside the home.
■ make sure electric outlets can be used with three-pronged plugs.
extensions on cables with circuit breakers built in, or with aluminum or copper conductors. Such information is usually include on packaging.
- use No. 14 or No. 16 cords plugged into a ground fault interrupter receptacle for yard or power tools.
■ read the directions to learn how to safely operate the appliance, and use common sense.
■ limit use of extension cords. If you must use extension cords,
- make sure to use cords that can carry the amount of electricity the appliance requires.
That amount is usually written on the appliance cord.
DON'T
■ use temporary power taps extensively. Turn the power off immediately after use. The tap should be mounted on a wall in clear view.
■ let cords get caught under or between beds or tables. Don't use wires that are frayed or have breaks in the covering of the wire.
■ connect cords to the house or furniture with tape or staples.
■ connect one extension cord to another.
■ use cords that have not been completely uncoiled.
Warning signs
Possible signs of inadequate electrical system include:
tems include:
■ 15- or 20-amp fuses that blow regularly.
■ use of permanent extension cords. Perman-
ment these cords from one receptacle to
other to replace wiring is in violation of the
National Fire Protection Association electrical code.
- dimming of lights when appliances are turned on.
natively and adapters to increase the number of appliances plugged into a receptacle.
use appliances plugged into a receptacle.
of converter plugs to allow appliances with three-pronged plugs to be plugged into a two-prong receptacle.
■ flickering appliances. If this occurs, turn them off and have them checked immediately.
Blowout
Last year, Wayne Kruse, Herkimer sophomore, blew a circuit in his fourth floor room at Hashinger Hall because of overload.
Hashima, I said. "We had every appliance on in our room, and suddenly the lights went on and everything just shut off," Kruse said.
djusting just once, hardly was Krus's room affected, but his neighbor's room also lost electricity.
Ken Stoner, director of student housing, said that in an older residence hall such as Ells-
worth or Hashington, three rooms usually operated on one 20 amp circuit. . . .
operated on one 20-amp circuit.
Each outlet has two plug-in spaces, which makes 6 plug-ins in each room and 18 plug-ins between three rooms.
oetween three rooms.
"The problem occurs when students exceed the 20 amps in combination, because this overloads the circuit." Stoner said.
Stoner said that in the older buildings one could expect more problems because of fewer circuits.
cater. It is said that the halls did not allow appliances that were not Ul-approved or appliances with exposed heating elements, such as hot plates.
"We've been encouraging students to be extremely safety conscious," he said.
Story by Michele Logan
Illustration by Dave Eames
What it really means:
amp: a unit of electric current flow approximately equal to 100 watts.
watt: how much current an appliance needs to operate.
conductor: the part of an electrical system that actually carries the current, usually a wire, cable or bar made of copper or aluminum.
circuit: a series of conductors, forming a partial, branched or complete path for electrical current to follow.
fuse: protects electrical apparatus by interrupting the circuit when too much current flows through the wire.
receptacle: what you put your plug into. An outlet usually contains two receptacles.
adapter: it attaches to a three-prong plug to make it fit into a two-prong receptacle, or vice versa.
temporary power taps: an adapter that lets you put multiple plugs into an outlet.
ground fault circuit interrupter: a device that replaces an outlet. When it senses an imbalance in an electric current, it shuts the appliance off.
converter: it converts electricity to an adaptable form so appliances made in one country can be used in countries with different frequencies of electric current.
UL-approved: a designation given to products tested by Underwriters Laboratory if they meet safety standards.
circuit breaker: opens and closes a circuit automatically, breaking the electric current or restoring the flow.
Dave Eames/KANSAN