One of the many benefits of a super-fast Tipmont internet connection is all the smart devices you can connect in your home. Some are frivolous; look up smart toilets if you dare. But others have practical, even life-saving functions.

Earlier this summer, I received an email from my insurance company (State Farm) telling me I was eligible for a free device called Ting, aimed at preventing electrical fires. Trent Johnson, a West Lafayette-based State Farm agent, says electrical fires amount to nearly $1.5 billion in annual home damage and take hundreds of lives each year.

“Electrical arcing was the heat source in approximately three of five home fires involving an electrical failure or malfunction,” Johnson said. “What can be done by homeowners to mitigate potential electrical fire risks?”

That’s where the Ting comes in. Ting plugs into any open outlet in your home, connects to your WiFi and begins monitoring the voltage in your home via a free app. The device will send you a notification if it detects any hazards.

The Ting app also tracks and displays real-time voltage (V) in your home. An important distinction to note is the difference between service and utilization voltage. They work together but are influenced by different factors.

Service voltage is the voltage Tipmont delivers to your meter, typically at an average of 120V. Tipmont’s engineers constantly monitor our system to ensure the delivery of a safe amount of service voltage to your home.Utilization voltage is everything that happens between Tipmont’s meter and your home’s outlets.

Normal utilization voltage in your home typically varies plus or minus 10% from the 120V average. If you have concerns about power quality at your residence, please call us. But remember: There are many secondary voltage factors as well, including loose connections, damaged wires and faulty appliances.

According to Johnson, there are over 140,000 Ting sensors installed in homes insured by State Farm nationwide as of September 2022. Ting partners with many home insurance providers, so contact your insurance agent to find out if you are eligible for a Ting device. Otherwise, Ting is available for $99 at tingfire.com.