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If You Blow a Fuse, What Should You Do? Electrical Safety Quiz

Carolina Country marks May as electric safety month by offering you a safety quiz. Take the quiz and see how well you score. It’s fun, and it could save your life.
  1. True or False: If your basement floods, it’s OK to walk there if you wear rubber boots.
    Answer

  2. The best way to keep small children away from electric wall outlets is:
    1. Plastic caps that plug into the outlets.
    2. Tape over the outlet.
    3. Tamper-resistant outlets that
      shut from behind.
    4. All of the above.
      Answer

  3. True or False: Power strips prevent electrical surges from affecting my electronic equipment.
    Answer

  4. What are Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)?
    1. A GFCI is placed underground to interrupt lightning from entering a building.
    2. A GFCI device is installed in your electric circuits to constantly monitor electricity for any loss of current.
    3. A GFCI sends a printout to identify which electric circuit is at fault for causing a power outage in your house.
      Answer

  5. If you see a downed power line or low-hanging power line, you should:
    1. Move it out of the way and call your local electric cooperative.
    2. Stay clear and call the electric cooperative immediately.
    3. Don’t worry about it because your cooperative already knows about it.
      Answer

  6. How much voltage is needed to hurt or kill people?
    1. 120 volts.
    2. 240 volts.
    3. More than 240 volts.
    4. Any voltage.
      Answer

  7. If a household fuse blows or a circuit breaker trips, the first thing you should do is:
    1. Call your electric cooperative.
    2. Determine what caused the fuse to blow or the breaker to trip.
    3. Open your breaker box or fuse box.
      Answer

  8. If you have a lot of electronic devices and appliances at work in one area of your house, which is the best way
    to power them?
    1. Connect them all to a power strip with a surge suppressor.
    2. Plug in only the one you intend to use.
    3. Have an electrician add wall outlets.
      Answer

Answers

  1. Answer: False. This is dangerous. Do not go into a flooded area where electrical equipment or cords may be.
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  2. C. The shutters behind new tamper-resistant (TR) receptacles will not open. They don’t allow access to the contacts unless a two-prong plug is inserted, and they shut when the plug is removed. This ensures that hairpins, keys or other household objects will be locked out. Ask your electrician.
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  3. Answer: False. Only power strips or surge protectors that have an internal circuit breaker will cut power during a surge. These units will trip the breaker to prevent overheating if the power strip is overloaded or shorted. Find out more from your cooperative.
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  4. Answer: B. If the current differs from that returning, the GFCI quickly switches off power to that circuit. They can prevent electrocution and severe shock. They can be installed anywhere, but the National Electrical Code requires them in receptacles for bathrooms, kitchens, garage walls, crawl spaces, unfinished basements and most outdoor receptacles. They are installed by qualified electricians.
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  5. Answer: B. If you see a downed power line or a low-hanging one, you should stay clear and call your electric cooperative immediately.
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  6. Answer: D. Any voltage can hurt or kill people.
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  7. Answer: B. Determine what caused the fuse to blow or the breaker to trip before replacing or resetting. If you can’t find out, call an electrician.
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  8. Answer: C. Heavy reliance on power strips means you have too few outlets for your purposes. Have additional wall outlets installed where you need them.
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