If you're a rural homeowner who maintains a few acres beyond city limits, there are important safety tips that can make your use of electricity safer and more efficient.  While electricity is our safest form of energy, the absence of electrical codes in many rural areas means that homeowners must take greater responsibility for recognizing unsafe wiring and other hazardous conditions.  Here are a few guidelines that can save lives, property and money.

If You Don't Have A GFCI, Get One

A ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) can protect you from a fatal shock.  Unlike fuses or circuit breakers that depend on heavy overloads and short circuits to function, GFCI's sense even small electrical faults and instantly cut-off power before people or equipment can be hurt.  

GFCI's come in several forms.  Some are designed to replace standard wall outlets, others are portable units built into an extension cord for use with hand tools.  The National Electrical Code requires that GFCI's be installed in garages, bathrooms, and on outdoor receptacles for new homes or additions.  Particularly with outdoor electric use, a GFCI can be a lifesaver.  With your feet on Mother Earth,  you are a better grounding path for fault current.  Also, wet outdoor areas add risk when operating hand tools, power washers, hedge clippers, and lawn trimmers.  Around pools, use GFCI's with recirculating pumps, on lighting circuits, and all receptacles within 20 feet of the pool.

Where can you buy ground-fault circuit interrupters?  Look for them at most hardware stores, home centers, and electrical supply outlets.

Inspect The Wiring In Buildings

If you have a detached shop, storage building, or livestock barn, specific wiring materials and methods are needed to prevent premature corrosion and system failure.  Residential-type fixtures are not designed for these buildings, which often have dusty, moisture conditions.  Receptacle outlets, switches, and light fixtures that are designed for homes may work for the first few years, but then they become a ticking time bomb waiting to fail.  An electrician with experience in wiring barns will know the type of enclosed corrosion-resistant fixtures to use.  Another resource is the Agricultural Wiring Handbook, a 100-page reference for planning wiring in farm buildings, shops, grain/feed storage areas, and livestock barns.  A second reference, Electrical Wiring Systems for Livestock and Poultry Structures ($9.50) is specifically targeted to enclosed poultry, swine and dairy buildings.  This booklet (18-pages) explains the wiring required by the National Electrical Code for livestock buildings, and has a list of approved wiring components.  

Your electrical system deserves just as much attention as your machinery or other equipment.  A quick inspection could save you from a costly fire, or possible injury to family members.  Call your electric power supplier for additional assistance.