You go to plug in your handheld mixer in your kitchen to make cupcakes. You have to choose between a two-prong outlet next to the sink and a three-prong outlet at the end of the counter and you think it doesn’t matter because there really is no difference, right? Wrong. Not all outlets are the same. The three-prong outlet is safer because it has a grounding wire.
Here are five other common electrical myths and the truths that bust them wide open.
The type of light bulb doesn’t affect the amount of electricity used.
There are many types of light bulbs to choose from and they are not created equally. Halogen, LED, fluorescent, and incandescent are some of the most common types. LEDs use the least amount of electricity, are the safest because they do not get hot, and last the longest for use in your home. They may not be the cheapest, but they last a long time and will save you money on your electrical bill.
Turning an appliance off means it doesn’t consume electricity.
Even if you are not using your microwave, something is powering it to make the time appear, so it is still consuming electricity. The same is true for all appliances. Unless it is unplugged, there is still current flowing into the device. Of course, it is a very small amount, but it is still there. The best way to conserve electricity is to unplug devices, like computers or printers, when not in use.
During a lightning storm, you should seek shelter by a tree or lay on the ground.
Both suggestions are not good ideas. This is because you are a better conductor than wood, even wet wood, so if lightning strikes a tree, there is a strong chance of it jumping to you. Laying on the ground may sound like a good idea because lightning is attracted to tall, isolated objects, but if the ground is hit, you will be affected by the ground current. The best thing is to run until you reach a vehicle or building. And although you may think it is the rubber tires on your car that keep you safe during a lightning storm, it is actually the structure itself that offers protection. Tires are good insulators because they are made from rubber but because there are other materials in the tires too, they still conduct a small amount of electricity.
Copper is the best conductor.
While it is true that various forms of metal including copper are very effective conductors, silver is the best conductor for electricity. Aluminum and gold are also strong conductors. Stainless steel is not as good as these other metals because of the alloys mixed with the iron. Besides metals, water is a very good conductor. Remember to never use electrical products near water, like blow drying your hair in the bathtub, because the current will flow right through the water to you.
Power lines keep you safe from electricity.
Although power lines indeed keep electricity away from streets and houses, the lines themselves are not safe for you to touch. They are live even when they fall on the ground and are separated from the other lines and the poles. It is never safe to approach a power line and if you see one damaged, you should report it right away.
Summary
Most misconceptions have a kernel of truth, and myths about electricity are no exception. It is good to separate fact from fiction so that you know how to stay safe and responsibly use electricity. It is all around us and even inside us, and because we rely on electricity for our standard of living, we must treat it with respect.
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