electrical wiring Archives

Electrical Issues in Los Angeles Homes

Posted on September 5, 2020 | by K Hopkins

Some electrical issues are more common than you think. They occur in almost every home with electricity and while they may be no one’s fault sometimes, it’s often because your electrical system is subject to getting worn out. Read on as we discuss the most common electrical issues in Los Angeles homes and how to handle them.

Broken light switch

A broken light switch in your Los Angeles home can be due to any number of reasons. It could be due to damage because the switch is old, improper wiring and circuit faults, or the switch may have been overridden.

To fix this, turn off the circuit breaker and remove the faceplate with a screwdriver. Turning off the circuit breaker earlier would help you identify which one is broken. Ensure there is no electricity in the wires and disconnect the switch to fix it.

Type of electrical issue – Harmless.

Cut extension cords

Extensions often come in handy in your Los Angeles home and can also easily get damaged. To fix a cut or damaged extension cord, cut off the old plug and peel back the insulation jacket to expose the wires. Strip each wire and connect/screw them to the new plug. Twist each wire and screw black to gold, green to green, and white to silver at the back of the plug. Close the plug.

Type of electrical issue – Harmless.

Flickering lights

This horror scene trick can never be good news. Flickering lights often indicate a more serious problem such as poor connections, sparks, overheating, and more. They should be looked at and fixed as soon as possible. Contact an electrician if you experience flickering lights.

Type of electrical issue – Hazardous.

Electric shocks

That unexpected zap when plugging in a device could either be no-problem news or bad news. Test the appliance by plugging into another outlet. A repeated shock indicates the appliance might have a fault or problem with your wiring. Call an electrician when you experience electric shocks to find the cause and solution of the problem.

Type of electrical issue – Possibly hazardous.

Loose outlets

Loose outlets can be easy to spot when you’re trying to plug in something. If it’s bad enough, you might have the outlet hanging out of the socket or wall. Turn off the breaker to stop power from coming through the outlet. Use a voltage tester or power testing tool to confirm there’s no power in the outlet. Remove the cover plate and add new outlet shims until the outlet can fit firmly on the wall. Screw the cover plate back in.

Type of electrical issue – Harmless.

Tripping breakers

Circuit overload is one of the biggest causes of frequent breaker tripping. This means that there are not enough power points in your home electrical system. Overload can lead to more than normal trips, which can be dangerous.

Calling an electrical technician is the best solution, as your electrical system might need an upgrade or repairs.

Type of electrical issue – Hazardous.

New Home Electrical Wiring Ideas

Posted on August 21, 2020 | by K Hopkins

A new home comes with the excitement of setting up things just the way you like them. You could be eager to try out different colors and textures; explore flooring options, window placement, and so on. Getting everything done to your liking is what makes your new home feel truly yours. But, in all your planning, it’s important to consider creative electrical wiring options that may come in handy sooner than you know.

Some electrical ideas to consider with a professional electrician include;

Speakers
Solar panels
LEDS
Electric fireplace
Towel warmers
Built-in WIFI
Security system
Remote access to some parts of the home
Indoor/outdoor home theater pre-wiring
Alarm systems.

Consider the cost

Figuring out your new home electrical wiring can mean looking at several options or ideas. This also means looking at a wide range of costs. The good news is, by making the right choice for new home wiring, you can always enjoy the value when you wish.

Generally, it can cost $100 per run of wire for a new home. The variation in price depends on factors such as the length of the run, the type of project such as rewiring, and more.

With a professional electrician, you can get reasonable prices for a dependable and reliable system.

Terms you should get used to

Electrical wiring can often sound confusing to homeowners. While you might not be able to grasp the entire idea of how home wiring works, it’s possible to get by with some basic knowledge. In wiring your home, a few terms to get used to now include;

F connectors – These can be described as screw-type connectors. They are useful for attaching video cables to DVDs, VCRs, and television.
Home-run wiring – With home-run wiring, you run a single wire/cable from a central location or panel to a specific outlet. It is the most common wiring scheme in modern homes.
Daisy-chain wiring – The daisy-chain wiring scheme runs a single wire from a central location or distribution panel to a series of outlets.
Category 5 wire – CAT 5 wire is a high-quality wire used for voice and data transmission.
Plain old telephone service (POTS) – POTS is the traditional style wiring used mainly for voice transmission, but it does not work so well for data transmission.

A few tips to guide your new home electrical wiring

You need the service of the right electrical technician to help with suggestions on the best ideas and providing an adequate wiring service. Some tips to help you work through the entire process of new house wiring are listed below.

Decide on a budget and time frame for the wiring you need. Some ideas may be good to incorporate now, and others can wait for later.

Ask for references from the electrician you hope to work with. Find out about his past work with them, how their wiring works, and if the electrician can provide your service.

Identify your wants and needs beforehand but also be open to suggestions on what works from your electrical contractor.

How to know if Cloth Covered Wiring is a Fire Hazard?

Posted on August 15, 2020 | by K Hopkins

Cloth-covered wiring is generally considered a fire hazard, and in some situations, it can make getting home insurance tougher than it has to be. If your home is an old home or you intend to buy an old home, it’s relevant to note that it might have cloth wiring installed.

Why cloth wiring is considered a fire hazard

Unlike modern wiring, cloth wiring is covered in cloth and this material tends to deteriorate over time. The cloth insulation can become brittle, damaged by insects or rodents, and so on. All of these lead to exposing the wires underneath and this can lead to fires.

It has also been discovered that cloth is a poor insulator unable to hold in heat from wires subjected to the demands of modern homes. Cloth-covered wiring may also lack grounding, which makes your electrical system unsafe. The cloth insulator may contain asbestos, which is a hazardous substance to breathe in.

Identify cloth covered wiring

If you are unsure about having cloth-covered wiring, you can look out for the cloth material or any of the following brand names;

Essex, Dutrax, Cablex, Cirtrex, Cres-Flex, KFlex, Triangle PWC, Southwire, Phelps Dodge, and Paraflex.

How to know if your cloth covered wiring is a fire hazard

Just having cloth covered wiring doesn’t spell doom for your electrical system. Some cloth-covered wiring are in good shape and with minor modifications can continue to serve your home. Here are the steps to take to know where you stand with cloth-covered wiring in your home.

Call the professionals

An experienced and licensed electrician is the professional you need to hire to determine the state of your electrical system. The electrical technician will confirm that the wiring is indeed cloth covered wiring and inspect the system to reveal any potential problems. This helps you save money on unnecessary repairs or nonexistent problems. If the electrician discovers that your cloth-covered wiring is a fire hazard, it saves you from future trouble and helps you take timely action.

What to do if your home’s cloth covered wiring is a fire hazard

After calling a professional to determine the status of your home’s electrical system, you could get good news or not so good news. If the electrician has discovered that the cloth covered wiring is a fire hazard or presents any other danger the best option will be to replace the wiring.

Rewiring your home will cost a substantial sum but it is well worth it for your safety and a reliable electrical system. The electrician you hire for this project should be both experienced and licensed. Agree on all details such as cost, time, and more with the electrician before starting the project. The cloth wiring should be replaced with modern wiring which often uses PVC insulators. The wiring should also be up to code.

Don’t wait until cloth wiring has caused electrical fires and put your home in danger. Call an electrician today for an inspection.

Do I Need A Permit To Replace an Electrical Outlet?

Posted on August 3, 2020 | by K Hopkins

This question would often come up if you are considering doing some electrical work yourself. While DIY is great and even cost-effective for some tasks around the home, electrical works are very different and some rules apply.

There are several reasons you might need to replace an electrical outlet. From outlets not being installed where you need them to having faulty outlets are all good reasons. However, the first thing to remember is that electrical works are best left to licensed and professional electricians. If you have no experience or skills to perform the work yourself, then do not attempt it at all.

You will require a permit to replace an electrical outlet. Read on to see how this works.

The role of a permit in electrical projects

Permits and building codes are designed to protect you and your home by ensuring that a project is done safely and correctly. An inspection which is the last part of any project involving a permit helps to enhance this safety by spotting mistakes and preventing extensive repairs.

When it comes to electrical work and electrical permits for homeowners going DIY, it’s important to note the following;

Only the owner and occupant of a home can obtain a permit to do the work themselves. This means as a homeowner looking to DIY you cannot perform any electrical services on a house about to be sold, on rent, lease, or exchange. Only a professional electrician can pull a permit and perform the electrical service in all situations.

When is an electrical permit required?

As a landlord or homeowner, you may not require a permit to replace electrical appliances or perform maintenance on existing installations. Other electrical works that usually require a permit include;

Install or alter any permanent wiring or electrical device
Installing a new electrical outlet or light fixture
Install additional wiring in your home.
Installation of a receptacle for a garage-door opener
Converting a fuse box to a circuit breaker
Installing or altering low-voltage systems such as security alarms

You can always call the local building department in your area to clarify any uncertainty on what electrical projects require a permit.

What do I need to do to get an electrical permit?

An electrical permit is only issued by your local building department. After confirming that your electrical project requires a permit that can be obtained by you, the first step is to complete an application. The permit application is usually offered in-office and some jurisdictions offer it online or via fax.

Next comes the permit fee, which depends on the complexity of your project. After the permit is issued you can perform the electrical work. An inspection should also be scheduled as soon as possible to complete the process.

Electrical codes, restrictions, and rules.

Part of the reasons why hiring a professional electrician for your electrical needs is safer and preferable to DIY is their knowledge of current electrical codes. Before you attempt any electrical work, get updated on the dos and don’ts of the NEC.

Can a Homeowner Replace Electrical Panel?

Posted on July 28, 2020 | by K Hopkins

Your home’s electrical panel is the source of electricity to your home. It is where the power from your utility company is distributed across circuits, outlets, and all areas where they are needed in the home.

All too often, homeowners try to DIY some electrical services and the short answer to the topic question is yes. The long and safer answer, however, is no.

An electrical panel should only be replaced for reasons such as the following;

The panel is faulty
The panel is old/ you live in an old home
It’s not up to code
You need to add a new appliance, renovate your home, or need more power.

Why an electrician should replace an electrical panel?

Replacing the electrical panel can involve rewiring the home as well. It also means having to deal with permits, a dangerous amount of electricity, and so on.

An electrician should be one to replace or repair an electrical panel because they are trained, experienced, and knowledgeable on the project. An electrician knows the safety measures to put in place to protect himself and your home while working on such a demanding project. Electricians are updated on the latest National Electrical Code information. They are insured to cover any injury or damage gotten from the project – which is unlikely for a homeowner.

Taking directions or advice on the process from online sources still means you are unsure or uninformed about what you’re doing and this could lead to fatal injuries and fire.

What you need to know before replacing your electrical panel?

You will need a permit. A panel replacement is a serious electrical project that often requires the technician performing it to pull a permit.

In some states, it’s illegal for a homeowner to do electrical works themselves. You would be unable to pull a permit in this situation. You would also need to get the final work inspected.

It goes further to when or if you intend to sell your home. Some states require that homeowners provide a list of all modifications or repairs done to the home without a permit.

Before you take on replacing the panel yourself, it’s important to first check with your local laws and know what’s legal or required.

Learn the safety measures involved and understand the steps well before starting the project.

While many homeowners can replace their electrical panel, most choose to leave it to the professionals. The cost and hassle of hiring an electrical technician for the project are worth it when your safety is on the line. A professional replacement guarantees a reliable system and no conflicts with the law. You can get an inspection, sell your home smoothly, and enjoy your upgraded electrical system as you want.

With experienced electricians such as The Electric Connection, a panel replacement can be affordable and stress-free. We do our best to make this less worrisome or intrusive on your part. Start by scheduling an inspection to confirm if your panel should be replaced or repaired.

Do I Need A Panel Upgrade When Purchasing a New Refrigerator?

Posted on July 24, 2020 | by K Hopkins

A refrigerator is almost a must-have in modern homes and as such various models hit the market every day trying to meet up with homeowners’ needs. When you purchase a new refrigerator, it’s fine to wonder if there will be any complications with your home’s electrical system.

Your home’s electrical system and panel precisely might seem like superheroes who never tire but make no mistake, it has a limit to what it can take.

There are several reasons you might need a panel upgrade with or without your purchase of a new refrigerator. They include:

More power

An old home yet to be rewired likely has a 60-100 amp electrical panel. Modern homes typically have a 150-200 amp service and larger homes can even invest in a 400 amp service. As you would observe the capacity for home panels seems to increase over time. It’s only natural following the constant introduction of various home appliances on the market. Hence, when adding any home appliance it’s important to ensure you have sufficient power.

An upgrade gives you more power and the flexibility to do this without the worry of putting stress on your electrical system. If your amperage is insufficient for new additions, the breaker will trip frequently and be at risk of electrical issues. Power-hungry appliances in any home often include air conditioner, electric clothes dryer, electric range, hot tub, and refrigerators. An upgrade becomes necessary for you to enjoy a safe system with the freedom to add new appliances.

Faulty wiring

Flickering or dimming lights, sparking or discolored power outlets, burning smells, and more are warning signs that indicate faulty wiring. Your home electrical wiring was built to last, but not forever. As the wiring deteriorates with use, the need for rewiring and upgrade can come up.

Old-fashioned fuse box

Circuit breakers and fuses perform the same function, but fuses are outdated because of their limitation to one-time use. While circuit breakers have to be reset after tripping to prevent a short circuit, fuses melt and disrupt the flow of power. Fuse boxes are often found in old homes and you will need an upgrade to change them.

Despite these reasons, only an electrician, like those at The Electric Connection, can determine if an upgrade is what you need. Upgrading from a lower amp to up to 200 amps can cost up to $3000. The project usually requires a permit and will be inspected after completion.

Refrigerators and your electrical panel

Refrigerators come in different design, styles, and sizes, but they all typically require a dedicated 115 or 120 volts with a properly grounded branch circuit. This should also use a 3 prong grounding type receptacle, protected by a 15 or 20-amp circuit breaker or time-delay fuse. If you are plugging your refrigerator in with a generator as the power source, you will need to know the wattage. You can find the exact figures written on the refrigerator’s rating plate. Make your calculations using volts x amps = wattage.

A fact to note is that the amps or wattage needed to start the refrigerator is 3 times its running amps or wattage.

How Can I Run Electrical Wire through Finished Walls

Posted on July 20, 2020 | by K Hopkins

More often than you would like, the need to run electrical wire through finished drywalls comes up. You could be remodeling or just trying to move your outlet. The problem is, running electrical wires can seem like rocket science to DIYers.

The easiest way to fish wires and cables through finished walls is to contact a professional electrician. In the meantime, here are the steps to fish like a pro.

Start by turning off the power to the area you are working in. Next, determine the path your wire will take, including the start and end of the location of the wire. Clear the area if needed.

Using a stud finder, check the whole wall cavity for obstacles. These include duct beams, ductwork, abandoned headers and so on that can make your task highly frustrating if unnoticed. Mark the spots and avoid cutting a hole over any studs.
Try to determine what the obstacles are, as this may affect your work. For example, if you have insulation in the wall it can make running the wire difficult. You also don’t want to discover much later in the process that pipes to the bathroom go through that wall.
Measure and draw the lines for the hole you will cut through the drywall. Be sure to keep the piece as you would need it later.
Drill a hole on the other side using a flex bit drill. This tool also helps you drill the hole from several feet away. Don’t drill too close to the wood and ensure the hole is wide enough to insert your wires.
Shove in your glow rod and attach your wire to the eyelet at the end. Working with this tool makes it easier to see in dark areas. In choosing glow rods you must know the variation in sizes come with distinct advantages. Thinner glow rods are more flexible, especially in making sharp turns. Thicker rods are good for working across long distances.
Feed-in more than enough wire to ensure there’s enough to hook on to. Once you grab hold of the wire on the other side, keep up to six feet extra while hooking it.
If you lose your wire and can’t seem to find it, use an inspection mirror and flashlight with a lot of patience to find it.
If you have to drill through studs or joists on the wall, drill through the center at least 1.25 inches from its edge.
When wiring through unprotected holes or fire blocks, ensure to seal up the holes after with a fire-resistant caulk product.

As we mentioned earlier you can call up the services of an experienced electrician to help you do this efficiently. If any problems come up during your process, contact an electrician regardless.

Should I Worry About Cloth Wrapped Electrical Wiring?

Posted on July 10, 2020 | by K Hopkins

The wiring in your home has a lot to do with your home’s electrical safety and capability. A professional electrician knows how to not only ensure this but to also see that your home’s electrical wiring is up to standard.

Cloth wiring is a subject that comes up more often than you would imagine because there’s hardly any shortage of old homes. Read on as we discuss what it means and more.

What is cloth wrapped electrical wiring and how to identify it?

Cloth covered wiring is exactly what it sounds like – wiring covered in a cloth material. This type of wiring was used mostly in homes built before 1960 and before plastic-covered wiring became the norm. At that time, cloth covered wiring was the standard. It was efficient and served the electrical needs of buildings. Some still do so today. This era also made use of the wiring system knob-and-tube. Both cloth covered wiring and the knob-and-tube system are outdated and not up to the standard of recent times. In many ways, both pose risks and homeowners with old homes are always encouraged to confirm the wiring they have.

You can identify cloth covered wiring easily at a glance. You can also lookout for a knob-and-tube wiring system that may indicate cloth-covered wiring. For even easier identification, here are some common brands of cloth covered wiring. You can inspect the wires to see the brand name;

Essex
Cablex
Cres-flex
Dutrax
Kflex
Narax
Roflex/Romex
Ammcoflex
Hatflex
Triangle PWC
Southwire

The risks of cloth covered wiring.

Prone to damage and wear and tear.

As expected with cloth material, cloth covered wiring can be chewed on by rodents and even damaged by insects. This can lead to exposure of the wire and electrical arcing, which is dangerous. Cloth wiring is also prone to wear and tear due to brittleness. The longer the wear and tear go on, the more the wires within are exposed. This then poses the risk of electrical fires due to electrical arcing.

Insufficient insulation in modern times.

Proper insulation is vital to prevent heat from building up in the wires and creating a fire hazard. Cloth covered wiring is not effective at providing proper insulation. In modern homes especially, this lack of proper insulation can be dangerous.

No grounding

Cloth covered wiring alongside the knob-and-tube system lack safety features like grounding. While this doesn’t make the wiring unsafe to use, it means there is no ground protection for your appliances against power surges.

With cloth wrapped electrical wiring being outdated, not up to recent codes and standard, and posing risks, it’s right to worry about them in your home. Some cloth covered wiring may be in good condition and reasonably safe, but only a professional electrician can determine that. If you live in an old home or suspect you have cloth covered wiring, contact a licensed electrician for an inspection.

The best solution to unsafe cloth covered wiring is rewiring the home to standard.

What To Do If You Hear Electrical Humming Sound In Wall?

Posted on July 7, 2020 | by K Hopkins

No one likes to experience mysteries in their own home. When it comes to hearing a humming sound, it can be both confusing and even as terrifying as a scene from a horror movie.

Humming sounds can almost seem like they are coming from everywhere in the walls or nowhere in particular. But the fact is, if you have heard an electrical humming sound more than once, then it’s likely there and some electrical component is to blame.

We will discuss some possible causes of an electrical humming sound in the walls and what you can do about them. It’s also important to know that in most cases the electrical humming sound can be a warning sign of other problems.

Mains Hum

The mains hum is either a humming or buzzing sound made by electrical wiring or equipment. The sounds occur at 60 hertz (for humming) and 120-180 hertz (for buzzing sounds). They are common with large appliances built with a motor. A good example is a refrigerator. Also, a magnetic field from outside the home can create and increase a mains hum in your audio systems. A mains hum is normal and harmless unless the hum becomes a loud buzzing sound. When this happens, you should contact your electrical technician.

Circuit Breaker

There are a few reasons why a circuit breaker may cause a humming or buzzing sound in your electric system. These include an overload of current. When a circuit breaker conducts more electricity than it can normally handle, it should shut off. When it fails to automatically shut off the current overload develops an audible buzzing sound. The solution is to turn off the electricity to your home and replace the breaker. Improper or incorrect wiring to a circuit breaker can also lead to buzzing sounds.

Wiring Problems

If your electrical wiring is the source of the electrical hum within the walls, it could be from a wide range of causes. Only an electrical technician can inspect this and point out the specific source of the buzzing sound. An example of sources of buzzing sounds due to wiring problems are improperly grounded wires.

Light Fixtures

A light fixture can make a humming or buzzing sound if the bulb is faulty or being used on a dimmer. Sometimes the fixture type is also to blame. Fluorescent light fixtures are also known for often making humming sounds. You can fix this problem by changing the bulb or fixture. If the sound persists, then call an expert to fix the problem.

Since a humming sound could be an indicator of other issues in your electrical system, it’s best to call an electrician when you notice these sounds. The electrician can better identify where your electrical hum is coming from and why. They can also fix the problem.

Avoid taking up fixing the electrical hum in the walls as a DIY project to avoid accidents or harm to life and property,

Wiring For the Future: Audio & Video

Posted on July 2, 2020 | by K Hopkins

For your home wiring system, there is such a thing as pre-wiring or wiring for the future. This simply means applying pre-wiring tips that may become vital in the future for adding categories like audio, video, home security, network & Wifi, cable, satellite, and internet.

In many cases, homeowners who install home wiring themselves or the technicians they hire neglect pre-wiring for the future and this can cause difficulty later on. Pre-wiring is important to do the heavy lifting in your home whenever you need it.

Here are some tips on how to hire a house for the future. If you won’t be carrying out the project, these tips let you know what to look out for with your electrical contractor.

Cover any exposed wiring

In wiring a house, most professional technicians aim to make the system smooth and neat. If you are lucky enough to have this professional approach, that’s great. But with or without this, you can take an extra step to cover any exposed wiring in your home wiring system. Wrap the wiring in plastic bags and hold them firm with a tape. This protects your wiring as other contractors work around the home.

Use low voltage boxes when you can

Although high voltage boxes seem more popular, low voltage boxes are ideal for installing volume controls or when you need to run HDMI cables. They are a more convenient option and suitable for AV wall plates. You should install them where possible.

Install a speaker wire

Good sound is a thing of excitement for homeowners. Audio or speaker systems can be installed in the future easily and affordably by running 4-conductor speaker wire. A 4-conductor wire differs from a 2-conductor wire as it has four separate wires that give you room for up to two speakers. Besides running this wire for whole-house speaker systems, you can keep volume controls in mind too.

Have backup

For modern home theaters, HDMI is the standard connection often used. However, some not so pleasant experiences can show you that it’s always best to have a backup. An HDMI house wiring for the future can come up with issues like not working and that just defeats the whole aim of pre-wiring. The solution is to run two CAT6 cables along with the HDMI cables as a backup for future use.

Install conduits

Cable conduits are not the same as electrical conduits and they often come in handy for running speaker wires, network cables, and cable wires. Install conduits during construction and terminate them into junction boxes. Cover them with faceplates and that’s the end of that until they are needed.

How about going wireless?

There’s nothing wrong with a plan to go wireless in the future. While this is great, wired connections are often faster and suitable for high-traffic applications. To ensure you can enjoy the speed of wired connections and use of applications like Ultra HD use wired connections such as CAT6 or Category 5e for your future proof home wiring.