Wiring Archives

power strip overloaded with too many devices

What Does The Term “Short Circuit” Mean?

Posted on January 11, 2023 | by K Hopkins

Electricity has become a crucial part of modern life. It is used in various ways and in different situations of daily living. However, there are instances where working with electricity becomes dangerous. One of such is when you have electrical short circuits. In today’s article, we’d take a look at short circuits, including their common causes, signs, and helpful tips to help keep you safe.

What Are Short Circuits?

A short circuit is a harmful, hazardous, and terrifying occurrence that occurs when electricity goes awry.

In an electrical circuit, it develops when two of the conducting wires make an electrical connection with little or no resistance. This would lead the power supply to experience an overabundance of current flow and voltage streaming.

The excess electrical current will go around the circuit wiring and follow the path of least resistance back to the ground. Such a phenomenon can cause mishaps such as electrical fires, shocks, or mini explosions if care is not taken. This high risk is what makes short circuits extremely dangerous to human lives and property.

Types Of Short Circuits

Electrical short circuits are broadly divided into two:

Normal Electric Short Circuit
Ground Fault Short Circuit

In most cases, when an electrician says that you have a normal electric “short circuit,” they mean that a live wire made contact with a neutral one.

A “ground fault” short circuit, on the other hand, happens when a live wire makes contact with a grounded component of your electrical system, like the metal wall box or an appliance. There is significant leakage of electrical current in both scenarios.

So What Causes Electrical Short Circuits?

There are several factors that can trigger a short circuit in your home. Some of the most common causes include:

Electricity Overload
All other reasons for a short circuit originate from one singular factor – an excess of electricity in the circuit. To put it simply, high impedance is what causes a circuit to catch fire when too much current flows through it. Depending on the extent of the damage, this can cause electrical fires or power outages.

Poor Electrical Connections
Resistance in an electrical circuit will rise if wires are damaged or not securely connected. This can increase the temperature of the wiring which may cause electrical fires or shocks if left unattended. Also, wires can come into contact with each other and cause a short circuit if their connections become slack and sag.

Archaic Electrical Wiring Systems
Aluminum wire is still present in some homes built in the 1970s and earlier. Overheating and rapid wear make aluminum an unsafe and potentially dangerous alternative to copper in electrical applications.

Moreso, the sheer amount of electricity required by many modern homes would overwhelm any electrical system using the wiring standards of yesteryears.

Wet Electrical Wires
Short circuits can be caused when fluids such as water or other liquids make contact with electrical circuitry. The reason is that, thanks to water’s relatively good conductivity, electricity can move through the water and into the . Consequently, electrical wiring may get damaged or even trigger a fire.

What To Do When You Have A Short Circuit

Get in touch with a professional electrician if you suspect a short in your home’s electrical system. The electricians on our staff are among the best in the business and are ready to assist you. Learn more by contacting The Electric Connection at 818-446-0888 or visiting our website.

Extension Cord Storage Tips

Posted on July 25, 2022 | by K Hopkins

It may seem ridiculous to give safety reminders on how to store extension cords but lots of hazards have occurred because of the lack of extension cord storage. Think about it for a minute, do you own an extension cord? Where do you keep them? Are they safe and accessible where they are kept?

Do you want to learn storage tips for extension cords? Are you willing to learn safety tips for extension cords? We hope the answers in this article help you to stop underrating the importance of safety measures for your extension cord.

4 Safety Tips for Extension Cord Usage

Before you know how to effectively store your extension cords to prevent safety risks, below are safety tips you should consider while using an extension cord.

Avoid wet surfaces: Never use wet hands to handle an extension cord or plug in one on wet surfaces. You should also be wary of plugging in a wet extension cord to avoid electric shocks.
Pull the plug: While unplugging your extension cord, do not pull the cord rather pull the plug connected to the cord.
Avoid use on foot traffic areas: people can easily trip on extension cords so it is advisable not to be used on where there is a lot of foot traffic. You should also keep out of reach of children and Pets
Use good extension cord: You may be tempted to use damaged, frayed extension cords but don’t. It is risky to use these kinds of extension cords as they are hazardous. Also, you can avoid getting the extension pinched or damaged by not running it through a window or door.

3 Simple and Smart Extension Cord Storage Ideas For You

Below are some simple extension cord storage ideas you can try out in minutes with little or no cost.

Loop your Extension Cord
This is the method of looping your extension cords and then hanging them on a hook in your storage closet or garage. Be careful to loop them in the same direction to avoid tangling when you need them. If they are more than one, you may need to loop them separately on different hooks.
Also, ensure you use a sturdy hook so it can support the weight of your extension cords. Using this method, you can easily find your cords handy and safe whenever you need them.
Spool Method
Another method of storing your safe fashion is by spooling it around a cylinder tube, old electric wire spool, or anything in that fashion that can serve such a purpose. All you have to do is spool your extension cords around it in the same direction and you are good to go.Ensure it is not too tight or loose so it is not damaged or loose. You can easily stack it or put it in a cabinet without any safety risks.
Hang like a tie or belt
This is simple if you have a rotating belt and tie hanger. All you have to do is hang the extension cords like you would hand a tie or belt on the hanger and you are good to go. You can hang multiple cords like this, saving you space.

Did you find the safety and storage tips useful in helping you keep your extension cords safe and accessible? You can reach out to us at The Electric Connection for inquiries and questions concerning extension cords or any other electric concerns.

I Have A Shed Outside, Can I Add Electricity To It?

Posted on June 23, 2022 | by K Hopkins

Sheds are generally for simplistic purposes like a garden, a sit-out, or a workshop. Oftentimes, you can feel like there’s no need to add electricity to it. Using a hand or table lamp might be enough for you.

But whatever your shed is useful for, whether it’s a workshop, a workspace, or a garden, you’ll be needing some proper level of lighting so you can see, especially at night.

If you use your shed as a workspace, then you need that electricity more than ever.

Although using solar energy to power your shed will work perfectly, some people prefer the use of electricity, especially when they can’t easily opt for solar power.

Whichever way, it is possible to add electricity to your shed, but there are things you must consider first before doing this.

What to Know Before Adding Electricity to your Shed.

Permit

In the area where you live, you will need to find out what the rules and regulations are surrounding the installation and use of electricity on certain occasions, to avoid trouble with the authorities for going against neighborhood rules.

Power Hazard

Because a shed is not your home, you will not always be in there. So, adding electricity to a shed means there will be a possibility of a power hazard. How can you control that? Preventing or controlling this begins with running your electricity properly, in other words, ensuring that you are careful with how you fix the wires and run the connections.

To help set up your electricity safely, you’ll need an electrician to help you. Make sure that you only hire a licensed and experienced professional to handle this.

The Electric Connection is a great example of what kind of electrical contractor you should hire. We make sure all safety measures are in place.

What Kind of Electricity Should you Put in Your Shed?

This depends on several factors, like where your shed is or how close it is to your house. You may choose to connect the shed to your house electricity, use a solar panel, which is safe, or use a generator specifically for your shed, which is also safe because you have control over it.

Using a generator will require more maintenance because you’d need diesel; you’d need to service it if it gets broken, and you’d need space to mount it.

Using a solar panel will work for you if your shed is exposed to sunlight, and you have to consider the amount of wattage your shed can take before buying solar with the right capacity.

The final and most advisable option is connecting your shed to your stable home electricity. This way, the lighting in your shed is constant.

At The Electric Connection, our team of professional electricians are well-versed with electric installations of all kinds. This means that whichever option you go for, we handle the installation perfectly. Book a call with us to get electricity in your shed.

House Rewiring Importance

Posted on December 23, 2021 | by K Hopkins

Wiring is a critical part of the home that may cause hazards if not given proper attention. This means that you should not leave your home wiring to deteriorate and you should test your wiring every five years, whether or not you’re just moving in.

If you’ve been wondering if you should embark on a rewiring project for your home or not, here are a few things you should know about house rewiring and its importance.

When Should I Consider Rewiring?

When your home needs rewiring, it will often display signs that may indicate that it is time for a house rewire. If you’ve noticed any of these, you might need to get in touch with an electrician quickly:

Weird electrical noises like crackling or buzzing
Circuit breakers or fuses blowing too often
Odd discolorations around sockets or on plugs
A burning smell from sockets
Constant light flickering
The house is up to 25 years old
old-fashioned Fuse box
Lead, fabric, or rubber cabling insulation

Importance of House Rewiring

For Safety
This is the number one importance of house rewiring. Your house should be safe from fire or electrical hazards, and shocks that may result from power fluctuations because of wires without insulation. Bad wiring is also bad for your appliances, your wires may melt and burn too.
Separate Circuits
One reason why a home rewiring is better is that it lets you establish different circuits for some of the important appliances in your home, like the deep freezer, security alarm system, or water heater. This protects the vital appliances from being affected when the other less vital appliances cause the switch to trip.
Protection From the Elements
In unfavorable conditions like heat waves, wires with insufficient coatings or brittle plastic insulations may be hazardous. When you rewire, you get the opportunity to replace these old wires with new ones that have better insulation. This way, you won’t have to worry about unfavorable conditions like heat.
Improves Value
Just in case you have plans of ever putting your home up for sale, a rewiring may help you sell at top market price. It adds to the overall value, appeal, and safety. You may also include motion sensor lighting, security system, dimming lights, and anything else that could improve your home value. It is advisable to not wait until the wiring becomes a problem, take the initiative, and upgrade.

If you’re purchasing an older property, it is in your best interest to check the wiring condition and ask for an electrical inspection certificate that is up to date. If the seller cannot produce this, then request a wiring assessment by an electrical contractor before purchasing the property. At The Electric Connection, not only do we handle electric wiring inspections, but we also handle house rewiring. A rewiring project can be expensive, but it’s worth it for all the benefits.

If you know you need to do this, don’t hesitate to call us and begin your upgrade process sooner.

Signs for a Long Beach House Rewire

Posted on June 28, 2021 | by K Hopkins

It’s important to pay attention to changes in your electrical system. The subtle signs that try to let you know on time that there’s a problem before things spiral out of control.

The reason this matters is to keep you and your family safe from safety hazards like a fire. Did you know that each year the U.S. fire departments respond to at least 25,900 home electrical fires? Reports from the U.S Fire administration show that these fires result in hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries, and billions in property loss.

Electrical fires are sometimes to blame for many of these incidents.

The best way to protect your Long Beach house is to never ignore the signs, especially when they indicate the need for a house rewire.

Here are some signs you need a Long Beach house rewire –

Blown fuses or tripped breakers
Your breakers might trip once in a while to protect your appliances from a sudden electrical surge. When this happens, it’s easy to get everything back to normal by resetting the breaker. However, if your breakers are tripping frequently, then that’s a problem. It’s the same with blown fuses when you use a fuse box.
Flickering or dimming lights
When your licks flicker, dim, or buzz like something out of a horror movie, then it’s worth looking into. Note when this happens- is it when you turn on an appliance? Switch on the lights? The details will be important for your electrician to know.
Frayed or chewed wiring
This is usually caused by pets and rodents and is a dangerous shock hazard. Frayed or chewed wiring can also lead to further damage to your electrical system.
Burning smells
A burning smell near an outlet or electrical wiring is the most obvious sign of electrical problems in a home. It’s an unmistakable smell that should be responded to immediately. Quickly turn off your breaker if you discover such a sign.
Scorch marks or warm outlets
Like burning smells, this sign is also easy to spot and highly dangerous. It can lead to a fire in the home. Turn off the breaker and call an electrician in Long Beach.

Other signs of a home rewire are:

Loose outlets around the home
Living in an old home with old and outdated wiring
Using multiple extension cords
When there are ungrounded, two-pronged outlets in the home
If you’re making home improvements or adding new appliances
If your home has knob and tube or aluminum wiring

How to know for sure that you need a house rewire

Although these are all signs of faults in your electrical wiring, it is important to let a licensed electrician confirm. Hire a Long Beach electrician for an inspection to tell you if you simply need repairs or a full house rewire.

How Long Can A Pasadena House Rewire Take?

Posted on June 16, 2021 | by K Hopkins

When it becomes necessary to rewire your Pasadena house, you might have several questions about the project. One of the first things homeowners want to know is how long the house rewire takes. It’s important to know this, especially because of the disruptive nature of the project.

What happens during a house rewire?

A rewiring project involves replacing damaged or old wiring in the home with new and updated wiring. If you’re extending or renovating your home, you will need both new wiring and improvement on the existing wiring.

Depending on your specific needs the Pasadena house rewire can also involve upgrading your electrical panel and new installations.

The project is messy and involves two stages. In the first stage, old cables and wiring are removed and new ones installed. The second stage is where everything is properly fitted and made live.

Full home rewires usually happen when the house is empty. But for some homeowners, it’s preferable to stay in one room while the work goes on in other rooms.

At the end of a rewiring project in your Pasadena home, you will have a reliable electrical system that can serve your needs as a modern home.

How long can a house rewire take?

Several factors affect how long a house rewire may take. They include:

Scope of work – Rewiring may mean changing your electrical wiring for a new one, but the scope of work often differs for every home. If you live in an old home, you might need an electrical panel upgrade, new installations like changing outlets, GFCI, and so on. Even for modern homes, an electrical panel upgrade can become necessary for higher capacity. Faulty electrical components will also be repaired during a house rewire. So these make up the scope of work that influences how much work is to be done plus how long it would take.
Will you stay in the home during the project? – A Pasadena house rewire can move much faster if you vacate the home during the project. Staying in the home means the electrician will have to restore power every night or even while working in the day. It’s a bit more stressful having to limit the work environment during rewiring and this can slow down the work.
Size of the property – A single room rewire can be completed much faster than an entire house. Houses with smaller sizes also take less time than bigger houses to complete a full rewire.
The number of contractors working – It takes more than one electrical contractor to complete a house rewire and the bigger the scope of work or size of your home, the more electrical contractors you’ll need. The number of electricians can affect how long the work takes. More electricians typically mean the project moves faster.

Other factors include time taken for preparation and so on. A full house rewire takes an average of 5-10 days or more to complete. Only your electrician who has seen the home and knows what is involved can give you a more specific time range for your project.

Do I Need An Electrician to Rewire My Malibu House?

Posted on June 1, 2021 | by K Hopkins

Staying in a beach city enjoying the awesome weather and thrill of celebrity mansions is a great way to live. However, persistent electrical problems can put a strain on your almost-perfect living.

Rewiring your Malibu house can be the best way to end any persistent electrical problems. To be sure, call an electrician to inspect your home and describe any issues you’ve observed. The electrician will confirm if you need a house rewire.

Now, if you’re past this point and you’re trying to decide if you need an electrician to rewire your Malibu house, keep reading to find the information to help you make the right choice.

Why hire an electrician to rewire your home

Legal reasons
A house rewire is a complex project that often requires a permit from your local authorities. The permit is important to ensure that all local codes and safety protocols are followed in the project. In most cases, the permit can only be pulled by a licensed contractor or electrician. If you choose to do the work yourself, it’s either illegal or restrictions will apply.
These restrictions include:
- You must remain in the residence at least a year after the project
- You could be persecuted if someone gets hurt due to improper work
- The building must not include any commercial or industrial components such as a public meter.
- If the home isn’t yours but that of a close relative, you’re not allowed to complete any additional low voltage work.
- After the project, you must hire an electrical inspector to check that5 the work is up to code and issue you a Certificate of Compliance.
The best option is to save yourself the headache and let a licensed electrician in Malibu complete the work.
To avoid risks and stay safe
DIYing your electrical rewire can put you and your family at risk. Accidents like electrocution, shocks, and fire can occur from improper handling or faulty wiring. Electrical rewiring is a complex and dangerous project which is why only experienced electricians know how to reduce risks and follow proper procedures.
Prevents failed inspections
One of the most common problems with DIY work is failed inspections. When you’ve completed a project that requires a permit without the permit, an electrical inspection will be required.
The inspector checks for compliance with safety protocols and updated codes. Most DIY house rewires often fail this inspection.
If you want to sell your home, a buyer would also use an inspector to check the electrical system of the home. If the inspection fails, the buyer won’t proceed with purchasing the home. You may end up fined for a violation. In situations where faulty electrical wiring is found after the purchase, you may be persecuted.

Hiring a professional electrician for your Malibu house rewire is the better choice. Aside from these reasons, there’s also the scope of work and electrical knowledge you need to complete the rewire. A Malibu electrician is safer and cheaper in the long run.

Rewiring a Santa Monica House Room by Room

Posted on May 25, 2021 | by K Hopkins

Living in a beautiful city like Santa Monica, you’ll want to make sure your house is efficient as it should be and this starts with your electrical wiring.

You can rewire your home if the current wiring no longer serves your needs or if there are problems with your electrical system.

Either way, you’ll need the help of a professional electrician in Santa Monica to get this done for you. Since rewiring can be disruptive and not everyone has options when it comes to making quick living arrangements, you might want the work done room by room.

It’s possible to rewire your home room by room with an experienced electrician. These are the steps involved –

Find and turn off the breakers to the electricity in the room you will start with. If the breakers are not labeled, then you will need someone to help you check as you turn off the breakers one by one. Be careful while doing this. After finding the correct breaker, double-check by testing the outlets in the room for electrical power.
Unscrew the outlets, switches, and lights in the room to remove the wires. Pull out the disconnected wires by unscrewing them from the terminal screws or using wire snippers. Some wires may be stapled to studs or ceiling rafters. If this is the case and you don’t have access to the studs, cut the wires and leave the rest in the walls.
Draw up your new circuitry and remember to add anything you need now that you didn’t have before.
Cut a hole in the wall for each installation and remember to give room for nailing the electrical boxes you install to a stud.
Run the wires through the holes using fishing methods and access from your attic or basement. This is often a two-man job.
After pulling the wires through the electrical boxes, strip the ends of the wires to connect the device you want to install. Finish your installation and complete the wiring to the breaker.
Switch the breaker back on to test everything. If there are any problems, turn it off again to adjust.
Repeat the process for each room and you will successfully rewire your Santa Monica house room by room.

Tips for a successful house rewire in Santa Monica

Identify all the materials you will need before the project starts.
Speak to more than one licensed and experienced electrician and choose based on expertise and ability to perform the rewire perfectly.
Note all the changes or special requirements you have beforehand.
Have extra cash for unexpected costs.
Test everything before signing the job as complete and paying the balance.
Get a permit if required and an inspection after.
Don’t try to go cheap on important parts of the project. A rewire might seem costly at the moment, but remember it will serve for years if done properly.

Pasadena House Rewire Tips

Posted on May 13, 2021 | by K Hopkins

If you stay in your Pasadena house long enough – especially an old home – you will have to rewire sooner than later.

A house rewire comes with benefits that outweigh the complexity of the project.

It helps to reduce the risk of life or property in your Pasadena home, renew your electrical connections, and bring your home up to today’s electrical codes. Rewiring your home can even help you save on things like your home insurance premium, the electrical bill, and future electrical spending.

Here are some quick things to note about a Pasadena house rewire-

This project differs greatly from your usual electrical needs in that a house rewire usually takes a few days.
House rewiring is not a suitable DIY project because it’s complex and dangerous for inexperienced hands.
Within the time of your house rewire, different parts of the house will be without electricity.

Tips for rewiring your Pasadena home-

Upgrade the electrical panel

This might already be part of your house rewiring project, but if not, you should consider it. Upgrade your electrical panel to one with a larger capacity. This can save you money and the stress of actually doing it all over again in the long run. If your home is an old house, it might run on a 60amps panel which is dangerous and insufficient for a modern house needs. ‘

Upgrade to at least 100 amps but up to 200 amps is much better as a way of future-proofing your wiring.

Think months to years ahead.

House rewiring in Pasadena isn’t something you do often. Rewiring a home is only necessary under certain conditions that often take a long time. So it’s best to get it right now. Consider future-proofing your home by thinking ahead to appliances you might install with time. Homes are growing smarter if anything so, wiring for WI-FI, sound, lighting, pool, gadgets, and so on can be included. Discuss this with your electrician before the project starts.

Don’t hire just anyone

The electrician in Pasadena you hire will determine the success of the house rewire. For your safety and to get value for your money – because house rewires do cost significant sums – make sure you don’t hire just anyone.

Hire a licensed electrician who is recommended by others. Ensure that the electrical contractor is familiar with your case. If you live in an old home, hire someone who has rewired old homes. Get a detailed contract and proof of certifications like insurance before signing and paying the deposit.

Get the installations right

The electrician must include some basic installations during a house rewire. They include three-pronged outlets, GFCIs, and dedicated circuits. Don’t cut corners on these as they are relevant for your safety.

Figure out clean up

You will probably have a messy home on your hands after the house rewire. You can avoid this by planning ahead. Discuss with your electrician about clean-up as some contractors can make arrangements for that. If not, plan to either DIY or hire a cleaning team.

Can Your Rewire Part of a Glendale House?

Posted on May 3, 2021 | by K Hopkins

There is such a thing as a partial rewire, and sometimes it’s all you need to get your Glendale house back to normal with an efficient electrical system. Let’s take a closer look at what’s involved in rewiring part of a house.

Reasons for rewiring only part of your Glendale house.

Electrical overload

Your electrical installation should be able to manage the electrical demand in your home. However, if the installation was wrongly selected with incorrect cables and switch gears then it may be unable to bear the electrical demand. This can lead to electrical overload over time. The weakest parts of the installation can then become brittle and hot. With such a dangerous system you will need a partial rewire in your house to replace the affected parts.

Contact with water

Water and electricity simply don’t mix and this is why your electric installations must be placed in dry areas. But if for some reason your electrical components were installed in a damp wall or have somehow come in contact with water, you might need to rewire part of your house to fix this quickly.

Damp environments can cause electrical parts to rust and deteriorate.

Age or loose connections

Your electrical system grows weaker with age. Sometimes, you may need partial rewiring because the parts need changing due to age, wear, and tear.

Loose connections also play a part by deteriorating quickly.

Not up to code

Electrical codes guide on how electrical installations should be done and what is considered safe or sufficient for a home. It’s not uncommon to find that many installations are not up to code either due to getting outdated or when you DIY your installations. A professional electrician can ensure your electrical system is compliant because they have the knowledge and experience to do so. DIYing your electrical system means not having this. Insight to guide you

Rodent problem

Rodents in the home can be annoying, and it gets worse when they chew on cables and other electric installations. The damaged wiring will have to be replaced.

Confirming you need to rewire part of a Glendale house

Only a licensed electrician can confirm if you need a partial rewire from your home. Regardless of if you observe these signs or not, let an electrician inspect your home to determine this.

What is involved with a partial rewire in a Glendale home?

A part rewire is just like a whole house rewire. The project is complex and usually involves the following-

The electrical power in the part of the house to be rewired will be turned off.
There will be deafening noises of grinding, chiseling, and so on.
It gets messy with dust that can stay in the air for days.
A partial rewire can cost less than a whole house rewire depending on your home needs.

If you need a house rewire in Glendale or an inspection to confirm, you can always count on us to help.