Is Cloth Covered Wire a Fire Hazard?

Posted on February 20, 2020 | by K Hopkins

house rewire signs Electricity has been with us for decades. The industry continues to make new discoveries and update on former methods and as a homeowner, it might seem tasking to keep up. The good news is with every innovation comes safer, more efficient, and convenient electrical systems. You get to enjoy all the benefits still.

Cloth wiring

It might seem strange to some, but if you have an old home, it’s possible you have cloth wiring. Cloth wiring is exactly what it sounds like. They are wires sheathed or insulated in cloth. They are easy to spot because of the clothed exterior. This type of wiring can be found in homes wired anytime from the first half of the 20^th century.

Yes, at the time they seemed like a good idea and served their purpose. But as the industry progressed it quickly became clear that cloth wiring posed several risks to homes.

How did cloth end up on wires?

Electrical wiring of these modern times is often covered with PVC insulators. This protects from shock, short circuits, and arcing. These insulated cables are then run as a group into multiple-conductor cables or individually but still within a protective conduit. Plastic which is an ideal insulator for copper was yet to be invented at the time electricity was. Hence, all of these described above was unavailable. Cloth became a grand option.

In cloth-covered wiring, the conductors are first insulated with an early plastic better known as vulcanized rubber. After this, they were wrapped in braided cloth. They worked until the drawbacks set in.

Is cloth wiring a fire hazard?

Short answer – Yes. Long answer – It’s more than that.

Cloth wiring presents all sorts of dangers, especially in these modern times. For starters, the outer cloth sheath is prone to deterioration and so is the inner vulcanized rubber. Cloth wiring is also not only out of date but an easy target to be chewed on by rodents and rats. All of these leave the wires within exposed. This exposure can lead to arcing, short circuits, shocks, and ultimately fires. Electrical fires caused up to 440 deaths and 1,250 injuries every year for the period of 2012 – 2016. Even now, it leads to over $1.3 billion worth of property loss each year.

Having cloth-covered wiring might indicate your electrical system is not properly grounded. Older homes were improperly grounded at that time, and this poses even further risk to your home now.

What to do about cloth covered wiring?

If you notice you still have cloth covered wiring, it is likely time to consider an upgrade/rewiring project. It is a demanding project both financially and practically but in every way worth it for your safety and the safety of your property. An upgrade will provide you with replacements of any other aging material, a better electrical panel, GFCI outlet protection, grounding, modern three-prong outlets, and more.

If you are unsure about having cloth wiring in your vintage home, you can contact us here at the Electric Connection for an inspection.

Electrical Cord Safety

Posted on February 16, 2020 | by K Hopkins

Electrical cords are the cause of a lot of accidents and injuries around the home. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) estimates that about 4000 injuries and about 3300 homes have fire accidents as a result of misusing extension cords. There have been around 50 deaths and 270 people injured because of these incidents.

The most common cause of injuries is from tripping over these wires. This has resulted in fractures, contusions sprains, bruises, and lacerations. There are situations where the victims had to be hospitalized.

You do not want to be part of these statistics and the Electric Connection offers some tips on how to use extension cords properly.

Use extension cords temporarily and not as permanent fixtures. If the cords are used and taken away, the chances of you or others tripping over them are reduced drastically.
Do not overload an extension cord. The ratings of an extension cord indicate how much load it can carry. Knowing this will guide you on what kind of devices and how many devices you can connect to the cord.
Use the cord for its indicated use alone. An outdoor extension cord should only be used for outdoor purposes and vice versa. Outdoor cords are usually thicker and built to withstand weather conditions. Using the appropriate cord will help protect you from harm and reduce potential dangers.
Check each cord before you plug it in. You should inspect the cord for damages such as frayed wires or bent plugs. You should also check for anything that could lead to electrical shocks. If a plug is hot, do not plug it in.
Run extension cords in open spaces. When you are passing a cord, avoid running it through walls or ceilings. This will help reduce the chances of the cords overheating and posing a fire hazard.
Avoid placing the cords in places where the insulation might be damaged. There are situations where people run their cords between doors or windows or place them under home furniture. This is wrong as this might cause damage to the wiring and damage the insulation, leading to electrical hazards.
Use cords in areas with the least amount of people. Passing a cord through a door or a walkway poses the threat of someone tripping over it as these are routes people pass through a lot. You should run your cords along paths with the least human traffic.
High power devices are not to be connected to extension cords. Microwaves, heaters and the likes draw a lot of power and should be connected to outlets directly and not through cords. This will ensure your cords do not draw more than their rated power.

You should only buy extension cords suitably rated for the load you want to power. If you are connecting multiple devices to an extension cord, you should ensure that their total load doesn’t surpass the cord’s rating.

The Electric Connection can and will provide professional assistance for electrical situations around the home. You can contact us for additional details and questions.

Our Electricians Appreciate Your Feedback

Posted on February 8, 2020 | by K Hopkins

electrical reviews Feedback is a vital part of any company’s growth and progress and at The Electric Connection, our electricians appreciate your feedback. We constantly seek to hear your thoughts on your experiences, our services, and the things you think we could do better or cut down on. This information is of great value to help us serve you and all our customers better.

Why your Feedback is Important

Your feedback goes a long way to help us improve our services. At the Electric Connection, we strive to provide only the best electrical service and leave our customers satisfied and happy. With your feedback on how you feel about this service or your experience with our electrical technicians, we can always better understand what works and what doesn’t. Your opinion lets us know if we are meeting or perhaps exceeding your expectations and these negative or positive words help us serve you better.

The Electric Connection is a customer-focused company and so we consistently measure your satisfaction. If you are satisfied you can always depend on us for your electrical needs and refer our services to friends and loved ones. Your feedback ensures that we do not disappoint when you refer us. We keep all our customers happy with the information we get from them.

Our company is all about us and you. We want you to rest assured that we value your opinions and appreciate your feedback.

Your feedback can come in any form such as a review, a message to us when you call or and an email, or fill a feedback form. We take all comments and any information you leave seriously as it is how we can hear your opinions.

We believe there are always ways we could do better and that is why we value your feedback so much. All requests are taken into consideration. We have a highly efficient system and transparent procedure that helps us prioritize your feedback after evaluation and even combine them with our insight and ideas for top-notch results.

Part of our culture is listening to our customers. Our electricians appreciate your feedback.

The Electric Connection Earns 2019 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Posted on February 6, 2020 | by K Hopkins

The Electric Connection Earns 2019 Angie’s List Super Service Award
Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

Los Angeles, CA, 2/6/2020 – The Electric Connection is proud to announce that it has earned the home service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award (SSA). This award honors service professionals who have maintained exceptional service ratings and reviews on Angie’s List in 2019.

“Service pros that receive our Angie’s List Super Service Award represent the best in our network, who are consistently making great customer service their mission,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “These pros have provided exceptional service to our members and absolutely deserve recognition for the exemplary customer service they exhibited in the past year.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2019 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include maintaining an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade and review period grade. The SSA winners must be in good standing with Angie’s List and undergo additional screening.

The Electric Connection has been listed on Angie’s List since 2005. This is the 15 year The Electric Connection has received this honor.

Service company ratings are updated continually on Angie’s List as new, verified consumer reviews are submitted. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in multiple fields ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

For over two decades Angie’s List has been a trusted name for connecting consumers to top-rated service professionals. Angie’s List provides unique tools and support designed to improve the local service experience for both consumers and service professionals.

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The Electric Connection of Los Angeles has been providing homeowners and businesses alike with expert electrical services for over 35 Years. We’ve built a company of highly experienced, certified electricians to serve your electrical needs. There’s plenty of competition throughout Los Angeles, but we make it our policy to treat our customers the way we would want to be treated. That has gained us a great reputation. We’ll provide you with quality work at honest prices.

Free Electrical Advice

Posted on February 2, 2020 | by K Hopkins

We are only able to provide advice to residents and business owners in the Los Angeles area. Please call us at (818) 446-0888 for more information.

over the phone electrical help The electrical system of a building is important to its function and efficiency. But with so much use to bear and the factors involved with getting a solid electrical system, electrical issues and questions often occur. Not every electrical issue or question comes at a financial cost. You can get free electrical advice that directly answers your immediate minor need.

At the Electric Connection, our professional electricians are always available to receive your calls and provide consultation free of charge during office hours. These are experts with great troubleshooting experience who can answer all questions.

For further insight to help you solve your electrical needs without any charge please look to our informative posts here.

For over the phone quotes on your electrical services, also reach out to us with this contact information (818-446-0888).

What electrical jobs are safe for you to perform?

Electricians are trained to assess risks and prioritize safety. In all situations, it is always better to call an electrician but at the same time, there are a few simple electrical jobs you can perform. These include:

Replacing a fuse
Changing an electric bulb, tube, or starter in a fluorescent light fitting
Resetting a circuit breaker or safety switch

It is important to be well informed before undertaking any of these tasks. Also, take precautions such as turning off the electricity supply and avoiding injury.

What electrical jobs are not safe for you to perform?

If you get tempted to DIY any electrical tasks, it should be none of the following:

Changing pre-existing electrical wiring
Changing the plug on a lead
Repairing any of your electrical appliances
Electrical wiring installation
Replacing light switches or powerpoint
Why use a licensed electrician?

Several people die yearly from electrical accidents that could have been prevented if handled by a professional and licensed electrician. A license helps you rest easy with the assurance that the electrical technician knows what he is doing.

How Can I Find a Good Local Electrician in Los Angeles

Posted on January 28, 2020 | by K Hopkins

Finding an electrician is easy but finding a good electrician can be tough if you don’t know where to start.

Los Angeles is a booming city and like other cities similar to it, you get a good dose of the good, the bad, and the ugly on a regular basis. However, the right information can save you all the trouble especially when it comes to your electrical system.

The benefits of not hiring just any electrician but a good local electrician in Los Angeles include:

Better assurance of your electrical safety
Professional service
Proper pricing and value for your money

Here are some top tips on how to find a good local electrician in the bustling City of Los Angeles.

Do a search through Angie’s List and other similar platforms
When you are looking for a good electrician, you have to look towards someone or a company that is reputable. Gaining information on the reputation of a contractor or company can involve a lot of factors but a search through Angie’s List, HomeAdvisor, Better Business Bureau and more can give you some insight on the company or contractor you are looking to hire. Learn more about them from these platforms.
A recommendation is not all you need
Have you ever hired someone your relative or friend claimed was a nice guy only to receive poor quality work? Yes, it happens and it only goes to show that hiring a good electrician has to do with more than your relatives’ recommendation or the fact that the contractor ‘seems like a nice guy’. Always weigh the appropriate factors first.
Can the electrician explain his task in plain English?
We have all met those contractors that can’t or won’t explain what they are doing. They might say you wouldn’t understand or speak gibberish till you give up trying to understand. When you meet such electricians avoid them because chances are they don’t really know what they are doing. A good electrician will be able to explain his task in plain English.
Don’t hire based on price
Going with the cheapest price is often the worst mistake you can make when deciding on an electrical technician to hire. The best way to identify and avoid a ridiculously cheaply priced service is to shop around. Find out what two or three contractors will charge for your electrical needs. If you get quotes such as $50, $100, $150, and $100 from four technicians then you should be suspicious of the $50 one. Getting value for your money is more important than been scrooge. It hardly ends well.
License
An electrician must have a license, but there are different types of license. A journeyman license is one and there is also a master electrician license. A good company should have both electricians and licenses. Peruse the license thoroughly to ensure it wasn’t rented and that both electricians and mostly the master electrician actually works for the company.

You can also skip all of this and contact us at The Electric Connection where you get only the best electricians with professional service.

Why Hire a Professional Los Angeles Electrician

Posted on January 23, 2020 | by K Hopkins

hire los angeles electrician The right question should be, why not hire a professional Los Angeles electrician? L.A is a beautiful city with lots of action, celebrities, and so on to take up your time and energy. Why include DIY electrical projects to the mix?

Just in case you are wondering what’s so special about hiring a professional electrician in the most populous California city, here are several reasons.

Save on cost

Have you ever tried to do something on your own and ended up buying a part that wasn’t needed or didn’t fit? That was money you could have saved or used for another purpose. Hiring a professional electrician who knows what he’s doing when he sees your electrical system can help you avoid wasteful spending like that.

It’s comforting

When you go to the hospital to see the doctor, don’t you feel safe knowing that he is experienced and trained for his job? How would you feel giving yourself treatment or prescription? You could have a headache just thinking of how unsure you are with what you are doing. It’s the same with hiring a professional electrician. You feel safe and comfortable knowing you hired someone with all the training and knowledge. You won’t fret at night wondering if something would go wrong with what you did.

Prevent accidents and house fires

Taking on an electrical project without training or proper knowledge can lead to mistakes. Electricity may seem friendly because it’s such a huge addition to our lives, but it is dangerous when not handled properly. A mistake can cause electrocution (mild or life-threatening). It can also cause a fire.

Efficient work

A professional electrician’s work will be smooth, neat, effective, and satisfactory. You can get exactly what you want or need. The right professional makes sure your work lasts as long as it should to save you cost in the long run.

Protect your appliances.

A professional electrician knows what you need to protect your home. They can upgrade your wiring, install surge protection, identify an electrical fault, and so on.

When you need to choose a professional electrician in Los Angeles

Now that these benefits have you convinced, you must wonder what to do when you need to choose a professional electrician in Los Angeles.

Start by getting proof of their certification and license. Check past clients for their experience and long-term results. Check reviews. Check customer service, costs, and more. There are several electricians in Los Angeles, but finding quality and superior service for pocket-friendly prices is vital.

What is the Cost to Upgrade Your Electrical Panel in 2020?

Posted on January 7, 2020 | by K Hopkins

panel upgrade cost 2020 It’s just annoying to live in a home that does not have enough power. The voltage will drop frequently, and this can be damaging to your electronics. Situations like this indicate that you need to upgrade your electrical panel. Other reasons why you might need to upgrade your panel include:

Living in an old home
Adding new appliances
Expanding the home
Experiencing frequent breaker tripping, buzzing or crackling, flickering lights and more
Your insurance provider wants it done.
To meet up to current electrical codes and standards

The benefits of an upgrade include:

Improved electrical safety and efficiency
More power in the home
Use of any appliances you need.
Satisfy electrical codes and requirements and your insurance provider.

The disadvantages of an electrical panel upgrade include:

Costly to carry out
The process can be messy and intrusive to your comfort and home structure.

What an upgrade will cost:

Upgrading an electrical panel is first a serious project both financial and in the service itself. Upgrading to either a 100 amp or 200 amp panel can cost anywhere from between $800 – $3000. The exact amount depends on several factors which we will discuss below.

What influences the cost for an electrical panel upgrade?

Materials– The materials for the upgrade always contribute to the cost. The process will need materials like wires, fittings, and so on. Your electrician will give you a clear view of what is needed depending on other factors with your upgrade.
Labor– An upgrade is a tedious work and some electricians charge by the hour or per the job. Sometimes, other components of your electrical system will need to be fixed or replaced. These could be the circuits, grounding, wiring, fixtures, outlets, and more. This will increase labor costs. If the walls need to be taken down completely, that will matter too.
Amperage of the new panel– Is it a 100 amp or a 200 amp? This also influences cost.

Other factors might be if the panel has to be moved.

Who should upgrade an electrical panel?

A licensed and experienced electrician should be the one you call for an electrical panel upgrade. The electrician will first confirm that an upgrade is what you need and then proceed to consider all the necessary factors. He will give you the total cost, get a permit, and the project can begin.

How about DIY?

Changing a light bulb can be a DIY project. Installing a ceiling fan can also be a DIY project, but upgrading an electrical panel is NOT a DIY project. It requires knowledge of electrical codes and standards. It requires training, a license, permits, and experience. If you skip getting a permit, you can be fined for this. It is equally dangerous for someone who is unsure of what they are doing, as mistakes could cause fires and electrical shocks. It also requires the right tools and equipment.

Reach out to us at The Electric Connection for inquiries on upgrades.

How to Get Reviews as an Electrician

Posted on January 2, 2020 | by K Hopkins

get more reviews as electrician Perhaps the reason your potential customers always choose the competition over you is nothing more than online reviews. Research says that a whopping 86% of customers read reviews for local businesses before making a decision. In recent times an equally large number of customers decide based on good reviews.

How do you think this plays out for your company who probably don’t keep tabs on their online listings? Or ask for reviews? Or respond to the reviews they get?

Not a good picture is it. Reviews are a part of all businesses now and apparently, they are here to stay. The question is how you can get in on this business trend and get reviews as an electrician.

Read on to know.

It starts with establishing your online presence

Reviews end up on your website or review sites like Yelp and Google my Business. Claiming your listings on any of these sites helps you control your review game. Have a social media presence as well where customers can easily reach out with comments. Social media makes it easy for you to see the signs of a fire before it starts – if you know what I mean. By being in control of your online presence you can direct customers to leave reviews on these sites or minimize the damage of a negative review.

Provide excellent service and customer experience

It’s easier to get reviews and positive ones when you provide excellent service and customer experience. Go the extra mile to ensure you are certified, experienced, and insured. Arrive promptly, well dressed, and perform a neat job. Customers value and enjoy services that are smooth, stress-free and courteous. Strive to create a wow impression from the first touchpoint you have with the customer. Electrical services that turn out efficient and hassle-free are great initiators for positive reviews. When this is covered then you can have the confidence to move on.

Ask! Just Ask!

Several review platforms are against soliciting for reviews from clients, but mostly they are against using incentives or forcing clients to leave reviews. After a job well done, you can use emails, cards, letters, or face-to-face contact to remind the client to leave you a review. Infuse humor, politeness, and make it easy by sharing a quick link to your review page.

Many customers who have a good experience often forget or are reluctant to leave reviews. But the troublesome ones or those who feel they have had a bad experience won’t skip a beat. They will find you anywhere and review you. So you see asking is of the essence to reel in as much good as you can.

To make things easier, use a program like The Review Generator to automate review requests and follow ups.

Reviews attract reviews

There is something called the herd mentality and for humans, it’s just sheer nature. People like to follow the crowd. If everyone is buying groceries from the store down the street, then others assume there must be something good going on there so they join the crowd too. The more reviews you have the more you can actually get because people get the impression that your services are so good all your clients leave reviews. They literally can’t wait to leave theirs too.

When the reviews do come, be sure to respond consistently and promptly. Showing your presence and connection encourages other clients to leave reviews too.

Free Electrical Over the Phone Help in Los Angeles

Posted on December 23, 2019 | by K Hopkins

over the phone electrical help Electrical problems are sometimes difficult to avoid in a home and they can be caused by a lot of factors. For example, some electrical components may develop a certain fault, some parts may get old, or be installed incorrectly in the first place. Home accidents can also cause electrical problems. It goes on and on.

When an electrical problem occurs, homeowners are often advised to reach out to an electrician. If you are usually worried that hiring an electrician will attract a significant cost, then it’s good to know that you might just get the service you need for free with over the phone help.

The numbers say that about 25% of service calls can be avoided with over the phone assistance. Many common home electrical problems are easy to solve without the experts coming all the way to your home.

These electrical problems can be on your wiring, repairs, installations, and so on. Whatever it is, it might just be solved with a free electrical over the phone help.

At the Electric Connection, our in-office electrician is available during call hours to attend to your over the phone needs. Our in-office electrician has years of practical experience, is licensed and qualified to answer any questions and provide the complete assistance you need.

We take troubleshooting seriously and offer you the best help.

Aside from the free electrical over the phone help, we also have a ton of resources and electrical tips you would find useful. Just look around for more blog articles like this and you might find the information you need.

If our in-office electrical observes that your electrical issue might need a service call, you would be informed as well. We assure you of the best customer service, professional and excellent service with your electrical issue, and pocket-friendly prices.