A task force with the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) developed a toolkit to help educate electrical contractors in how to best assist their customers when it comes to best practices for electrical safety and technology in residential construction and renovation projects.

The free, downloadable Electrical Contractor’s Toolkit is available to all electricians, electrical contractors and any business in the electrical services involved in construction and renovation. It serves as a resource, providing up-to-date information about electrical safety, proactive tips to keep homeowners safe, the importance of electrical fire prevention technology and requirements, and the affordability of electrical protection. This information could be useful when discussing electrical safety with clients and explaining why professional electricians and contractors are needed.

Some of the content included in the kit includes:

• A homeowner’s guide to preventing electrical fires
• Proactive prevention
• A fact sheet about arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs)
• Tripping guide
  

Ashley Bryant Kees, chair of the NEMA LVDE AFCI Circuit Breaker Promotion Task Force, says the organization hopes that the electrical community will use these materials in their customer communications, including print as well as online and social channels, to educate the public about the importance of making sure their homes are protected and in compliance with National Electrical Code requirements.

“Many customers may know about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, but fewer know about AFCI requirements and how the devices detect and stop dangerous arcing in damaged wiring behind walls and in damaged electrical cords or appliances. Proactively installing this circuit breaker technology, along with following simple electrical safety tips, can help ensure whole house life safety protection for decades to come,” she said.

“Electrical contractors are on the front line when it comes to educating consumers about electrical safety in new homebuilding and renovation,” said Keith Waters, director of industry standards for Schneider Electric, Boston. “They do a great job and this toolkit will help elevate their communication efforts even further by providing current and easy-to-understand information to the audiences they serve.”