Electrician Los Angeles – Powering Your RV from Your Home’s Electrical System

Posted on March 8, 2013 | by K Hopkins

If you own an RV, you are probably always looking for ways to make life easier. One of the areas you may struggle with is providing consistent electricity to an RV. When you are staying in an RV park, there is often a power source—however, if you want to use your RV’s power system at home (to utilize it as a guest house, for instance) you may feel at loss as to what you need to do. Follow this advice from an electrician in Los Angeles and see what you need to do to “borrow” electricity from your home for your RV.

First, you must realize it is not as simple as just plugging your RV into your home’s electrical system. This will overload your power system, trip the circuit breaker and leave you scratching your head. If you see this as something you may do very often, you want to get in touch with Electric Connection—the electrician Los Angeles residents turn to—and let these experts set you up with an RV to home connection.

There are adaptors available but they will not provide enough electricity to do much other than operate the lighting in your home. You will need to install a long term solution. This is a project that can be done yourself; however, it is strongly recommended that you turn to a professional. It requires extensive wiring work that is not recommended for those not skilled in working with electricity. Essentially, you need a specific circuit that is dedicated to powering your RV.

If you are interested in powering your RV from the electricity in your home, contact Electric Connection today and let us work with you on this project. You will appreciate the experience, expertise and top-notch customer service you receive every time you call Electric Connection.

Electrician Santa Monica – A Listing of Common Electrical Terms

Posted on February 22, 2013 | by K Hopkins

Whether you are a do-it-yourselfer who feels confident in most household chores, or you are clueless about most household tasks, it makes sense to learn the basics when it comes to electricity. While you will want to contact an electrician in Santa Monica (Click Here), such as one from The Electric Connection, for any direct electrical work, you can at least have a better idea about the basics and be able to have a conversation when the electrician Santa Monica comes out to take care of your electrical repairs or installation. Learning these basic electrican terms is a great way to broaden your understanding of electricity.

Alternating Current – Electric current that changes direction when a change in voltage occurs.
Ampere – A unit of electrical current.
Arcing – Current that passes through the air, using air like a wire.
Circuit Breaker – An automatic switch that safeguards the electrical circuit from damage.
Conductor – Anything that carries an electrical current.
Current – An electrical charge carried by flowing electrons over a conductor.
Direct Current – Electrical charge that flows in a constant direction.
Fuse – A protection devise that interrupts current to a circuit.
Ground – A safe way to run current between a device to the earth.
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) – A device that detects excess current and stops the flow of electricity.
Insulation – A material that shields wires and cables due to the fact it is not good at conducting.
Junction Box – A plastic or metal container that houses electrical connections.
NEC (National Electric Code) – U.S. standard for installing wires and equipment in a safe manner.
Outlet – A point where an appliance gets its connection to the circuit.
Power – Electricity measured in watts or kilowatts.
Transformer – an electronic device that converts electric voltage to another voltage or current
UL (Underwriters Laboratories) – A non-profit organization that tests electronic devices for safety.
Voltage – A way of measuring how much energy is behind electricity.

Electrican in Pasadena Gives Tips to Save Energy During Computer Use

Posted on February 22, 2013 | by K Hopkins

One of the biggest energy hogs in your home or office is the computer and the peripherals attached to it. Luckily, there are many ways that you can save energy in your daily life by just making a few simple changes. If you are interested in more extreme changes, contacting The Electric Connection, your best resource for an electrician Pasadena knows and trusts, may be the best step. However, for now, next time you are using your computer, consider these simple tips to reduce your electric usage. (Read More)

Turn off your monitor if you will not be using the computer for 20 minutes or more.
Turn off the computer system itself if you will not be using the computer for 2 hours or longer.
Attach the monitor, printer and system itself to a power strip. Then, if you are not using the system for a long period of time, you can shut the entire strip down and prevent them from using power even when shut off.
Remember that turning off your equipment not only save the electricity the equipment uses itself, but it also reduces your home cooling costs because PC’s put off a large amount of heat.
Using the computer’s sleep mode or power management feature can make a big difference. ENERGY STAR estimates that using these features regularly on your computer can save you up to $50 a year on electric bills.
Do not confuse a screen saver with an energy saver. Screen savers may actually use more energy than not using one and power-down features do not always work hen you have a screen saver activated.

As you can see, these are very simple ways that you can save electricity and save money. Talk with an electrician in Pasadena from The Electric Connection and find out if there are other things you can do to save on your bill each month.

Electric Shower Info from an Electrician in Glendale

Posted on February 22, 2013 | by K Hopkins

In most cases, the water for showers or baths are heated using a water heater in the basement or other area of the home. However, there are certain situations where this is not practical. Especially if you travel, you may come across electric showers.

An electric shower has a special shower head where the water is heated directly at the point of use. There are pros and cons when it comes to these devices. Learn more about an electric shower and find out if one may be the solution to your warm shower needs.

Pros

An electric shower works well in homes that have low water pressure because the electric shower also has a built-in pump to increase the pressure. Additionally, if you are trying to conserve energy, an electric shower uses less electricity than a water heater that is constantly heating the water whether it is being used or not. A final benefit to using this type of shower is that in areas where the temperature is cold, a traditional water heater may not be able to get the temperature as high as it needs to be.

Cons

The only main con to using an electric shower is that it requires some additional electrical work, (Click Here). Luckily, if this is something you want done, contacting The Electric Connection, an electrician Glendale, is an easy way to get the job done. Some people worry that having electrical parts near the shower is dangerous. However, there is a grounding wire, and if the system is properly connected there is no more risk using this shower than there is with any other shower.

If an electric shower is something you wanted to add to your home, call an electrician in Glendale from The Electric Connection today, and let us help you with the choice and installation of an electric shower.

Burbank Electrician Explains Top Ways to Save on Your Electric Bill

Posted on February 22, 2013 | by K Hopkins | 1 Comment

In today’s tough economic landscape, the idea of saving money on your electric bill is especially appealing. By following a few simple tips you will find that your monthly bill will shrink—giving you additional money to do the things you want to do. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Use Fans – Fans use much less electricity than air conditioners. Installing an attic fan or even ceiling fans around your house can help you keep the AC use to a minimum. An electrician in Burbank from The Electric Connection can help with the installation project. (Click Here)

Use Energy Saving Bulbs – An energy saving bulb can produce as much light as a typical bulb but at a significant energy savings. These bulbs cost more up front but cut the electric bill by a significant sum.

Use Power Strips – Most electronic devices use power even when turned off because they remain in a standby mode. If you plug many of your products into power strips and flip the switch off at night you can reduce energy use.

Eliminate Appliances – Do you need all the electric appliances you use? Are there any you could replace with gas-powered appliances? Look over your appliance use and see where you can make changes.

Replace Old Electronics – Older electronics often use more electricity than newer ones. Newer products follow Energy Star standards so they are cheaper in terms of energy consumption. Replacing appliances often saves money in the long run.

Turn Down the Water Heater – If you use an electric water heater, you may not need it as high as it is. See if you can turn it down a few degrees and save money from heating costs.

Saving electricity isn’t just about reducing the impact on your wallet, it is good for the environment too. Contact The Electric Connection, the electrician Burbank residents trust, today and see what other changes may help your bottom line too.

Grounding Precautions from an Electrician in Beverly Hills

Posted on February 22, 2013 | by K Hopkins

We almost all work with electricity on a day to day basis, but do you really think about the precautions that are in place to assure your safety? One of these precautionary measures is electrical grounding. Years ago, grounding was discovered as a way to protect individuals from becoming electrocuted in using normal electrical appliance. For instance, think about your refrigerator. If something went wrong and you happened to touch it, the electricity would flow through you, and you would be electrocuted.

Grounding wires the electrical item to the ground itself. So if something went wrong, the electricity is pulled away from the machine (and you) and into the ground. In the past, this had to be done individually for each item. However, technology has advanced now where grounding precautions are built into electronic devices around the home. When you plug in the device it is already essentially grounded and you are protected.

If you use any older electric products around your home, or you suspect the grounding is not working properly, you may wish to get in touch with an electrician in Beverly Hills from The Electric Connection and let him or her help you make certain the object is properly grounded and not a danger. Taking these safety precautions can make a big difference and protect you and your family from an accident involving electricity.

Spend some time looking over your electric items and make sure you are properly protected. Then call The Electric Connection an electrician Beverly Hills residents trust (Website). Not only can one of these experts help you with grounding and other safety concerns but with installation, repairs and whole-house electrical renovation too. Safety is always important when dealing with electrical implements, so choose a company that is willing to go the extra mile to protect the important people in your life. Not only can one of these experts help you with grounding and other safety concerns but with installation, repairs and whole-house electrical renovation too. Safety is always important when dealing with electrical implements, so choose a company that is willing to go the extra mile to protect the important people in your life.

Santa Monica Electrician – Considerations when You Lose Power

Posted on February 5, 2013 | by K Hopkins

Whether it is from storms or a fault in your home’s wiring, when the power goes out life gets difficult. Hopefully, you are able to talk to your Santa Monica electrical company and power is restored quickly. However, it is important to prepare yourself for the worst. Consider the following tips to make your next power outage more bearable. In the meantime, contact a Santa Monica electrician, such as The Electric Connection, to see if there are improvements you can make to your home’s wiring system to reduce the chances of a power outage.

Power Outage Tips

Avoid using candles during a power outage; a flashlight is much safer.
Keeping a battery-powered radio handy and listen to local programming. This can allow you to track the weather and prepare safety measures.
Turn off all electrical equipment that you were using when the power fails. This prevents a power surge when the power returns.
Try to avoid opening your freezer or refrigerator. This keeps the food within at a lower temperature.
Do leave one light turned on, so that you know when the power comes back.
Do not run a stand-alone generator in your home or garage—only use a properly installed outdoor generator.

Prepare Ahead by Keeping the Following Items on Hand

Flashlights
A portable radio
Batteries for flashlights and radio
A supply of fresh, bottled water
A small amount of food that does not require refrigeration or electricity to prepare—canned goods are an excellent choice.

If you are ready to make changes to your home’s electrical system, call the expert electrician in Santa Monica—The Electric Connection. You can also reach the company by searching for “electrician Santa Monica” and visit the website at ElectricConnection.com . One of our experts will be happy to discuss your power options.

Pasadena Electrician – Benefits of a Residential Generator

Posted on February 5, 2013 | by K Hopkins

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you were to lose power in your home? For most people, the inconvenience would be enormous. Food spoils, temperature control is an issue, security devices fail and you may even lose access to certain methods of communications. A certified Pasadena electrician can help you prevent these issues by installing a residential generator.

What is a Residential Generator?

A residential generator safeguards your home from the perils of power failure. It is on standby until the time you need it. It operates on natural gas or propane energy and kicks in when the main source of electricity is interrupted. It is a good investment for those who would not be able to handle an extended period of time without electricity. An electrician in Pasadena, such as one from The Electric Connection, can explain more about the benefits.

How Does the Generator Activate When Needed?

The generator is installed by a Pasadena electrical contractor through an electrical transfer switch. The switch “watches” the home’s energy source. When there is an interruption, the switch signals the generator, which in turn activates. When the main power is reconnected, the switch once again signals the generator—this time to shut off. The switch makes certain there is never more than once source of power to your home.

Choosing a Generator

Searching the web for electrician Pasadena to find someone to talk about your generator needs is the best way to go about choosing a generator. It is important to remember that generators come in different sizes, so depending on the square footage of your home, you may need a larger or smaller generator than someone else needs.

If you think a generator may be the right choice to solve your home’s power problem, call The Electric Connection or visit us at ElectricConnection.com to talk to a Pasadena electrician about your options today.

Glendale Electrician – Fun Facts About Electricity

Posted on February 5, 2013 | by K Hopkins | 2 Comments

It seems like nearly everything operates on electricity today. All the modern conveniences and necessities that drive the world rely on electricity to keep them going. While we take for granted that when we plug in our television, for instance, it will power on and allow us to watch our favorite shows, there is actually a lot going on behind the scenes. While you will call a Glendale electrician, such as The Electric Connection, with any major problems, it is nice to understand the basic facts about the electricity you use on a daily basis— such as AC and DC current.

Facts about Electricity

Electricity travels at or near the speed of light. It would take less than two seconds for a light bulb to turn on if you had the switch on earth.
Nearly everyone knows that Thomas Edison invented the light bulb—he also opened the first electrical power plant just three years later.
Static electricity can create up to 3000 volts of power.
Nearly 70 people each year on average are killed by lightning strikes.
One lightning bolt creates enough electricity to service 200,000 homes.
The two types of electricity are static electricity and current electricity.
Electrical current is measured by an ampere , better known as an amp.
The earliest recorded notation of electricity occurred in the time of the ancient Egyptians—well before Benjamin Franklin’s experiments.
Speaking of Benjamin Franklin, he may not have discovered electricity, but he did prove the lightning is a form of electrical energy.

These fun facts barely scratch the surface of the information out there when it comes to electricity and other forms of power. If you have more in-depth questions, search for electrician Glendale by visiting The Electric Connection’s website at ElectricConnection.com or getting in touch with us today.

Beverly Hills Electrician – The Benefits of Whole Home Surge Protectors

Posted on February 5, 2013 | by K Hopkins | 1 Comment

A power surge is something you never expect, but can have drastic consequences for your home or place of business. A surge can be so small you do not notice it all, it can cause a flicker in your lights or it can cause damages as great as that from a lightning strike. An average claim from a surge-damaged house costs thousands of dollars. However, there is a solution. An electrician in Beverly Hills, like one of the experts from The Electric Connection, can install a whole house surge protector. Understanding these surges, and how a surge protector works, can save you thousands in damages and possibly save your life.

Causes of a Power Surge

The main thing people think about when they hear the term power surge is a lightning strike. Oddly enough, this is far from the most common. According the Surge Protection Institute, an estimated 80% of power surges start inside the house—often from a major appliance as it cycles on and off. These small surges can affect other sensitive electronics such as Plasma TVs and computer equipment. A Beverly Hills electrician can help you identify which of your devices may be susceptible to such damage.

Surge Protectors

You may be familiar with a small surge protector in which you plug a computer or other item to protect them from surges. This is a great solution as it is affordable and something you can do on your own. However, there is an even easier way to protect all your equipment. Contact a Beverly Hills electrical contractor and ask about the possibility of installing a whole house surge protector. A whole home surge protector will protect against up to 50,000 amps of current. It diverts the excess current and diverts it via the house’s grounding.

If you think a whole home surge protector may be the right choice for your house, search for electrician Beverly Hills and visit The Electric Connection’s website today.