These Myths about Electricity Will Shock You | Electricians in Myrtle Beach, SC

3/8/2019

Centuries have passed us by since Benjamin Franklin first conducted his experiment with a kite in a thunderstorm all the way back in 1752. Even though this is the case, there are still a lot of myths out there about this gift to mankind. Well, your electricians in Myrtle Beach, SC would like you to grab some popcorn and read on ahead to experience a shock.

Misconceptions about Electricity Accordingto Electricians in Myrtle Beach, SC

1.   Do Batteries Store Electrons or Electric Charges?

This is one of the oldest running jokes in the social circles of electricians in Myrtle Beach, SC. Homeowners believe that batteries have free forms of electrons floating inside them – but this is quite far from the truth.

The truth is that batteries have a sort of a chemical soup inside them that is also known as an electrolyte. This chemical soup is stored between the two terminals of the battery known as the electrodes (the negative and positive sides).

Our electricians in Myrtle Beach, SC would like homeowners to know that when these batteries are connected to devices such as a flashlight, then the electrolyte discharges electrons from its terminals. This is how the flashlight receives its power from batteries.

2.   The Current of Electricity Will Depend on the Thickness of the Wire

Electricians in Myrtle Beach, SC don’t particularly blame homeowners for this misconception as it is alright to believe that more space inside wires will allow for more electricity to travel through. Even though it seems correct in the same sense as a 4 lane road will allow more cars to pass through than a 2 lane road.

Our electricians in Myrtle Beach, SC will, however, like you to know that this is not how electrical currents behave. These can be compared to rivers. The wide points of the river are where the river is slow and the narrower points are where they flow fast. Even though this is the case, at any given point of the river, the same amount of water will pass through.

3.   Electricity Has No Weight or Mass

Since it isn’t possible for people to look at electricity with their naked eye, they automatically believe that it is safe to assume that it is just a substance that travels from point A to B without any mass. Electricians in Myrtle Beach, SC will tell you that this is somewhat true because even the current of the river has no weight or mass.

The fact of the matter, however, is that electric charges are made of flowing particles known as electrons and each of these has their individual weight and mass. These weight indexes, however, are so minute that it will be very difficult to detect.

4.   Low Voltage Shocks Can’t Be Dangerous

Parents that are raising small children always seem to be concerned about forks and wall outlets. Even though this is the case, they don’t hesitate to correct their children if they take out batteries from their toys. This is because they believe that only high voltage can be dangerous for their children. Well, electricians in Myrtle Beach, SC would like to tell you that this is also a myth.

Voltages aren’t the unit of measure these parents need to be worried about. Instead, they should be worried about the unit of measure for electricity which is the amperes. This unit of measure should be checked in order to determine whether an object has the potential to harm or kill a human being.

If the right conditions exist, even a battery with just 12 volts can cause serious harm to users. The best example of this can be seen in the case of car batteries.

5.   Rubber and Wooden Object Are Great Insulators of Electricity

Whenever you are doing any form of electrical work around your home, your first approach will be to take of jewelry and then put on rubber shoes and gloves. Even though taking precautions is a good practice, they are quite insufficient and may still be prone to accidents.

Our electricians in Myrtle Beach, SC would like homeowners to know that unless products mention otherwise, every household item has the potential to be a conductor of electricity to some degree. Only pure rubber is a great insulator and most rubber gloves, shoes and other products are commonly mixed with additives for durability and strength.

Believe it or not, even wood can be a good conductor of electricity in the right conditions.

6.   Generators Create Electricity

It isn’t uncommon for homeowners to believe that backup generators are a great item to have on a rainy day because they can create electricity. Does it though? Well, electricians in Myrtle Beach, SC want you to know that generators transform mechanical energy into electrical energy.

An easy way of comprehending this is that the human heart does not create blood – it merely pumps it around the veins of the body. In the similar fashion, generators simply facilitate the flow of electrons created via mechanical energy and thus provide electricity when homeowners need it.

7.   Electricity Travels at the Speed of Light

At a very early age, most people begin associating electricity with the lightning they see in the sky. This is naturally where the misconception originated from that electricity moves at the speed of light. Even though this statement is almost true because electromagnetic waves move at 99% of the speed of light when they are attracted to a conductor, it is important to know that electrons move very slowly.  They move at only a few centimeters every second!

Mister Sparky Myrtle Beach

So there you have it folks, these are the most common myths that our electricians in Myrtle Beach, SC have noticed amongst most homeowners. From their knowledge of electricity, however, you may have been able to deduce their standards of education and experience.

This is why you should trust our expert electricians in Myrtle Beach, SC for all electrical solutions and repairs in your home. Go ahead and call (843) 213-6610 to book an appointment or visit our website to find out more.