Category: Outlets / Switches

How to Test a 240V Circuit

Posted on | by K Hopkins

test 240v240V circuits often serve heavy-duty appliances in the home like the dryer, AC, ovens, and water heater. When there is a problem with the circuit or electrical outlet, it becomes dangerous to use them. As a homeowner, a few basic tricks can help you assess your electrical components in the home and make informed decisions about them.

Read on to know how to test a 240V circuit.
A typical 240V outlet carries three slots or openings. There are two vertical or horizontal slots placed side by side with a middle third slot below the first two. The two slots that lie side by side carry 120V each. The third slot connects the outlet to the ground.

You will need a multimeter to complete the next steps. A multimeter measures the amount of volts running through a circuit. To use the multimeter, turn the dial up to 240V and attach the probes appropriately. Ensure that the red and black probes are completely plugged into the correct slots in the multimeter and are not damaged. Avoid touching the metal tips of the probes to avoid an electric shock.

With the multimeter inserted, check the reading displayed on it. Both slots should read 120V each and a total of 240V. If this isn’t the case, then one or both circuits may be faulty.

Reset the multimeter to 120V and switch the probes. Insert the red probe in any of the two vertical slots and the black probe in the ground slot. The multimeter should read 120V; otherwise, that circuit is defective. Repeat this procedure for the second vertical slot.
After testing the circuit and confirming any defect, the best action is to call an electrician to replace, repair, or provide other valid solutions. Practice basic precautions to avoid damage to your circuits or electrical hazards. These include switching off outlets when not in use and keeping them away from water.

Bad Outlets by Pasadena Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Electrical outlets are so common in a house, they can be easy to overlook. Because we all know how important electricity is to our daily lives, it makes sense you would want to make sure it is there when you need it. You also want to make sure it is safe. Electricity is a necessity, but it is risky when not used properly or when the wiring moving the electricity through the house is damaged or faulty. It isn’t all that uncommon to come across a bad outlet in a home explains an electrician. Pasadena homeowners can rely on the professional team at The Electric Connection to take care of any bad outlets around the house.

There are a few key signs you need to know so you can identify a faulty outlet before it becomes a serious problem.

1. Black streaks that shoot up the wall or down are a bad sign. If possible, turn off the breaker to the outlet and call an electrician in Pasadena to replace the outlet right away. An outlet that has these streaks can cause a fire whether there is anything plugged in or not.
2. If you smell burning wires, which tends to have a metallic, rubber smell, cut power to the outlet and call for service.
3. If an outlet doesn’t work at all, it is likely because the wires have either become disconnected or have no electricity running to them. Both are bad signs and need attention.
4. Snapping, crackling or other sounds coming from within the wall where the outlet is placed could be a sign of slow burning. Cut the power and get a Pasadena electrician to take a look at the wiring.
5. Outlets that are loose and wiggle need to be securely fastened to keep the wires from jiggling loose and possibly sparking a fire.

If you have noticed any of these signs, give The Electric Connection a call to take care of the problem for you.

Faulty Light Switches a Signal of Trouble by Santa Monica Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Light switches that aren’t working like they are supposed to are bad news. When you walk into a room and flip the switch to turn on the light and nothing happens, it is an issue. If you check the bulb and it works just fine, you will want to turn off the switch and turn off the breaker to the switch if possible. Then call an electrician in Santa Monica as soon as possible. The team at The Electric Connection has a staff ready, willing and fully trained that can help you get to the bottom of your lighting trouble.

There are some other key signs that can help you identify a faulty light switch. Think of these signs as a warning signal to get a professional Santa Monica electrician out to the house right away. If the light seems to flicker or maybe it goes off and on rapidly for several seconds or minutes, you have a problem. The light may appear to be much dimmer than it should be as well. This is because it isn’t getting the full electric current for one reason or another.

If your light switch is hot to the touch, melted or has black streaks on the wall, you have a major problem that requires the expertise of an electrician. Santa Monica homeowners will appreciate having the issue thoroughly investigated. In many cases, it is nothing more than a bad switch that can be easily replaced. In other situations, the wires are loose and just need tightening. In more problematic scenarios, the problem is the wire itself and the electrician will need to trace the wire to the circuit to find out where the problem lies. Don’t let those early warning signs be ignored. Call The Electric Connection as soon as you notice an issue.

When Outlets Don’t Work by Pasadena Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

It is not uncommon for a house to have an outlet that can be a little moody if you will. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn’t. Or maybe, you have an outlet that doesn’t work at all. You have searched everywhere for the magic switch that will send power to the outlet, but it just isn’t to be found. Many people don’t know this, but when an outlet doesn’t work when it had previously, it is a serious issue. It isn’t just an annoyance. It is a warning sign that you need to get an electrician. Pasadena homeowners who have one of these outlets in their home can call The Electric Connection to take a look.

An outlet that seems to have its own ideas about when it is a good time to function is a sign there is some wiring issues behind the wall. You can’t see it and you may not see any actual danger signs, but they are there. The most likely cause of an intermittently working outlet is the wires that bring the electricity to the box have become loose. Your electrician in Pasadena will need to pull the outlet from the wall to take a look. Despite how dangerous it is to have loose wires touching insulation or one another, it is a relatively easy fix.

In more serious situations, the outlet isn’t working all the time because the wiring in general is bad. If rodents have gotten their little teeth sunk into the plastic coating around the wires, it can cause serious problems, like an electrical fire. Your Pasadena electrician will have to do a little more investigating to look for the cause. It is better to know the problem than to continue to ignore it. If you have one of those outlets in your home, give The Electric Connection a call right away.

Upgrading the Outlets to GFCIs with Pasadena Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

electriccon_11_5There are always things that need to get done around the house. Some of those jobs tend to be more obvious than others. Things like repainting the walls, fixing the brick pathway or oiling squeaky door hinges tend to be more obvious. However, there are some little things that deserve our attention as well. Little things that are silent, but ignored or used improperly, they can become extremely dangerous. We are referring to the electrical outlets in the home. Little, insignificant and rarely focused on outlets pose a threat explains your Pasadena electrician. The team at The Electric Connection wants you to know you can help make your home a little safer by giving those outlets some well-deserved attention.

There are too many homes that do not have the GFCI outlets in the kitchen and bathroom areas. These outlets have been designed to trip the breaker within a split second of the circuit being interrupted. This one little feature can save lives by preventing electric shock. If you are not sure what the outlets are or whether you already have them or not, a quick visual will tell you the story explains an electrician in Pasadena. A GFCI outlet will have 2 small buttons in the center of the outlet between the top and bottom plug-ins. If the circuit is interrupted, you will want to unplug whatever device triggered the trip and push the reset button.

This one small feature is an important safety feature, especially when water is nearby, like the kitchen or bath areas. It is an inexpensive, quick upgrade that could save lives, prevent minor shocks and electrical shortages that could result in a fire. If you are ready to make this minor change, call your electrician. Pasadena homeowners will appreciate the additional safety precaution. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your GFCI installation.

Electric Outlet Warning Signs by Burbank Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

electriccon_09_3Outlets are seemingly innocuous parts of any home. They blend right into the walls and we hardly even know they are there. We often hide them with furniture or décor and never give them a second thought until we need to plug something in or unplug a device. It isn’t like we give them daily inspections or even monthly evaluations. Why would we? They do nothing. Or do they? Those outlets are not always as innocent as they may look. Sometimes, they are extremely dangerous and when you hide them, they can get away with a lot and you won’t know until it is too late. An electrician in Burbank wants you to be wary of those outlets and pay attention to any warn signs that indicate something may not be right. The team at The Electric Connection can give you more detailed information if you need it.

Burning wires have a very distinct, acrid smell. If you ever smell something a little off in the home and it seems like it is coming from a wall, you probably have a serious fire hazard explains a Burbank electrician. Plugging in and unplugging cords over and over puts stress on the tiny wires that give the outlet electricity. They can become loose. They touch each other or the insulation and slowly burn. This is how home fires are started. Other obvious signs of trouble are;
*Black streaks up the wall or around the outlet
*Blackness around where things are plugged in
*Outlet doesn’t work or only works at times
*Sizzling or crackling noise coming from the outlet
*An electrical shock when things are plugged in
*The outlet feels hot or the wall around the outlet feels hot

Don’t ignore your outlets says an electrician. Burbank homeowners need to call The Electric Connection right away if they suspect there is any trouble.

Adding Dimmer Switches by California Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

electriccon_08_7Light switches are so common we rarely think twice about them. We walk into a room, flip the switch without looking and carry on. In the middle of the night or first thing in the morning, the light that comes on in an instant is a bit of a shock to eyes that have not quite adjusted. Lights are often a little too much for certain occasions and you are forced to choose between too much or too little. Or are you? Your California electrician has a better idea. The team at The Electric Connection can help you take control of the light in your life by installing a dimmer switch.

For a long time, dimmer switches were a common feature for chandeliers installed in the dining room area. This allows you to dictate just how much light you want to shed over the dinner table. Cheery breakfasts and lunches are best served with plenty of light. Evening meals that are meant to help you unwind or connect with your friends and loved ones over a delicious entree are best served with low light. It gives the space a more intimate feel.

You can have that same luxury of light control in every room in the house. There is some very minimal electrical wiring that will need to be done. It is a fairly easy switch to install a dimmer in place of your existing light switch. You can have one in the living room that allows you to turn down the lights while you are watching television. Another in the bathroom gives you the ability to have low light for those middle of the night visits instead of blinding light that wakes you up and interrupts a good night’s sleep. An electrician in southern California is ready to help. Just give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your dimmer switch installation.

Outlet Replacement Isn’t a DIY Says Burbank Electrician

Posted on | by K Hopkins

electriccon_july_3Doing things around the house is a satisfying chore. Sure, it can be a lot of work and it may not have the same finished quality as a professional, but you can still look at the walls you painted, the pavers you put down or the new sod outside and acknowledge you did a great job. Those are all jobs that have some wiggle room when it comes to following the rules. You don’t have to worry too much about your safety or the safety of your home if you made a few minor mistakes. That cannot be said of any of those seemingly little projects around the house that involve electricity. You can’t take the risk of messing with the electrical work in your home if you are not properly trained. You must hire an electrician in Burbank, like those at The Electric Connection.

The risk of you hurting yourself doing something that appears simple, like changing out an old outlet, is very high when you don’t know what you are really doing. It isn’t a time for guess work or “good enough.” It needs to be done right. In fact, if you happen to make a mistake that results in a fire, your homeowner’s insurance may very well refuse to pay the claim. The very fact that the outlet resulted in a fire can be blamed on trying to handle a job that should have been taken care of by a certified electrician. Burbank homeowners don’t need the hassle and stress worrying the DIY job they did is done correctly.

It may seem like an expense you can avoid, but it is always best to be safe than sorry. Hiring a Burbank electrician will give you peace of mind that the job is done right and you can feel safe in your home. The cost of the electrician is well worth it when you look at the grand scheme of things. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule any electrical jobs you have been thinking about doing yourself.

Adding Outlets and Switches? Hire Trained Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

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Adding Outlets and Switches? Hire Trained Electrician

There is really nothing more frustrating than putting toast in the toaster, walking away and coming back to what you think will be some warm toast only to discover the appliance wasn’t plugged in. When you have to share outlets in the kitchen, bedroom or living room, it is a lot of extra work. You can’t use this if you want to use that or you have to perform some acrobatic maneuvers to reach the one available outlet. Stop the frustration and call a California electrician to give you a hand. You can have new outlets installed so you aren’t forced to constantly plug and unplug appliances. The Electric Connection has a team of electricians that can help you.

Having new outlets installed by an electrician is something many homeowners are taking advantage of. One of the most common outlet additions is one or two installed halfway up the wall in the living room. With the trend in flat screen televisions and surround sound systems being hung directly on the wall, it eliminates the unsightly cords running down the wall. The mid-wall mounted outlet gives the room a much cleaner look. Adding additional outlets to the kitchen to accommodate all of your appliances will make meal prep a breeze and means you can have several helpers in the kitchen using various appliances at the same time!

You can also have additional light switches installed if that is your issue. Walking into a dark hallway when the light switch is at the opposite end can be hazardous. Having additional switches in rooms with two entries is a safety measure you will appreciate. You will be amazed at the difference a little electrical work can do to improve the functionality and safety of your home. Give The Electric Connection a call today and let our electricians help you make your home life a little easier.

Hidden Dangers Behind Your Outlets by Glendale Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

electricon4_3-16Your home is the place where you feel safest. It has all your creature comforts. Things like your favorite chair where you sit and watch television or play on your laptop. While you are sitting there, feeling comfortable, you may be in danger. If your laptop charger is plugged in, you are at risk of electrocution if the outlet is hiding a dangerous situation. Your television and all electronic devices that are plugged into a bad outlet are at risk of being short-circuited and possibly ruined. An electrician in Glendale is here to tell you that a single faulty can be extremely dangerous. The team at The Electric Connection has trained professionals that can identify problems and then take care of them.

It takes very little for an outlet to become unsafe for regular use. Outlets in older homes are at a higher risk of being faulty, especially if they were wired with cloth insulated wiring. Over time, the cloth frays and falls away and the wires are bare. Plugging things into the outlet and unplugging mildly disturbs the outlet, which can result in the wires touching. This can create a spark that can start a fire or cause an electrical shock when another device is plugged in explains an electrician. Glendale homeowners who have felt a mild or major shock when using an appliance plugged into an outlet, need to have it investigated immediately.

Another problem that may cause an outlet to become dangerous are rodents. Rodents have a strange desire to chew electrical wires. They can chew through the wires, leaving them exposed and arcing. Again, this leaves you prone to an electrical fire or electrocution. Your Glendale electrician can do a fairly quick inspection to identify any hazards. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule a home inspection to determine whether or not your outlets are hiding a dangerous secret.