Quick Tips
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The Right Tree in the Right Place
Trees and Electrical Safety
Maritime Electric is committed to providing safe, reliable electrical services. Our ability to do this may be affected by trees located in proximity to power lines.
We perform tree trimming to prevent:
- Large branches from falling onto a power line, as this sometimes happens during storms.
- A tree branch from contacting a power line and causing a fire.
- Power outages from fallen trees.
To avoid serious injuries and even fatalities do not trim trees around power lines. This should only be performed by trained professionals with the proper tools and equipment. Contact us for more information.
Plan Before you Plant
When planting trees remember the following:
- picture the tree at its full size height and width,
- take into account the size, height and width of the tree when fully grown, account for wind sway and plant appropriately,
- avoid planting trees near a power line, and
- avoid planting trees near underground power lines.
If you are not sure where to plant your trees contact us before you begin digging.
Generator Safety
Safe installation
- The Prince Edward Island Electrical Inspection Act requires that a licensed electrician install stand-by generators.
- Contact a qualified electrician to connect your generator directly to your electrical system.
- A wiring permit is required to do this work.
- Electrical codes require that a stand-by generator connected to your household electrical system must be controlled by a transfer switch.
- Never connect your generator to a wall socket or directly into your electrical system. This could cause injury or death to the general public and to utility workers working on your power lines. It can also cause severe damage to your generator once the power is back on.
Safe operation
- Before you begin using your generator, read and follow the generator instructions.
- Your generator emits deadly carbon monoxide fumes. Do not operate the generator indoors or within an enclosed space.
- To stop generator exhaust fumes from entering your home through your windows, doors or fresh intake areas operate your generator in an outdoor well-ventilated and dry place.
- You may be electrocuted if you operate your generator in wet weather or under wet conditions.
- Do not touch the generator if you are wet or standing in water.
- Do not cover an operating generator.
- Keep children away from generators at all times.
- Only connect cords to your generator that are rated for outdoor use, are proper wire gauge size and appliance load, and are in good condition.
- Refuel your generator only when your generator is turned off.
What to Know More?
A Guide to Stand by Generators (35 KB)
Surge Protection
Power Surges are brief disturbances in your electrical service which may have a damaging effect on electrical equipment.
Common Causes of Power Surges
Common causes of power surges are lightning, ice and wind storms, vehicle accidents involving power poles and lines and animals contacting electrical equipment.
Common causes of power surges inside the home are faulty wiring, appliance motors cycling on and off, improper or faulty grounding and neighbors using large electrical equipment.
Protect Your Electronic Equipment
Whatever the cause, it is important to remember that the sophisticated circuitry found in today’s electronics, such as televisions, microwaves, video equipment and computers can be irreparably damaged by power surges. This damage can occur all at once or gradually over a period of time.
Protection Devices
Surge Suppressors protect sensitive equipment from damage. To purchase a reliable plug-in Surge Suppressor you can expect to pay from $30 to $80. Don’t confuse Surge Suppressors with Power Bars.
Power Bars are simple multiple-outlet extension cords. Some may even have a circuit breaker but they do not normally suppress electrical surges. Therefore power bars do not provide protection.
Purchasing Surge Suppressors
When purchasing a Surge Suppressor consider only those models that indicate that they meet the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 11449 standard for Transient Voltage Surge Suppression (TVSS). TVSS and 1449 are both recognized symbols of acceptance standards for Surge Suppressors.
Make sure that the suppressor provides protection for each of the three wires: Line to Ground (L-G), Line to Neutral (L-N) and Neutral to Ground (N-G).
Surge Suppressors ‘let through’ certain voltages and are rated accordingly. A level of 330 is the standard. Choose a model with a voltage peak no higher than 330 volts.
Remember that power surges can enter your home through telephone and cable lines. It is important to provide protection for these entrance points as well.
Contact a Qualified Electrician
This information on Surge Suppressors is intended as a guideline. For further information about Surge Protection, contact your electrician or local retailer.
