IDEAL SureTest 61-164 Instruction Manual

Branch Circuit Testing
Branch circuit wiring and testing practices are primarily code driven with little thought as
to why such stringent requirements are necessary. But these practices are necessary to
ensure safe and efficient branch circuits. Hidden problems within a branch circuit can
result in fire, electrocutions and equipment failure.
Fires
Based on the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the US Consumer
Product Safety Commission data, there was an estimated 406,000 residential structural
fires in 1997, resulting in an estimated 3,390 civilian deaths and 17,775 injuries.
Approximately 9% of the structural fires and 7% of the deaths were determined to be the
result of the electrical distribution system. Residential fires were by far the biggest
problem, accounting for 97% of all structural fires and 87% of deaths.
The most common cause of residential electrical fires is problems within the branch
circuit wiring. These problems resulted in 14,600 fires, 420 injuries and 110 deaths in
2
1997.
Electrical Electrical Fires Fires
Distribution Distribution
Installed Wiring Installed Wiring 14,600 14,600
Cord, Plug Cord, Plug 6,300 6,300
Switch, Outlet Switch, Outlet 4,900 4,900
Lamp, light Fix. Lamp, light Fix. 9,900 9,900
Other Other 4,600 4,600
Total Total 40,300 40,300
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Fact Sheet on Fire in the US and Canada, National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 1997
2
1997 Residential Fire Loss, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 1997
Testing for safe and efficient branch circuits
Written by Chad Reynolds, Product Manager,
IDEAL Test and Measurement Division
Injuries Injuries
420 420
320 320
160 160
350 350
10 10
1360 1360
Deaths Deaths
110 110
90 90
10 10
30 30
10 10
250 250
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