Electrician Santa Monica – What Are Electrical Circuits?

Posted on October 19, 2012 | by K Hopkins | 1 Comment

An electrical circuit is the necessary pathway required to provide power to your appliances, gadgets and electronics. Each circuit is a closed loop system that is formed by wires, a power source, load, a switch and some sort of circuit protection. The electricity flows from the power source, into the circuit and ultimately into the object that it is plugged into. After the electricity has provided the necessary power to the device, it then flows back to the original electrical source, allowing the circuit to keep the electrical current flowing in a smooth manner. There are three different types of electrical circuits: the parallel circuit, the series circuit and the series-parallel circuit.

How Do They Work?

An electrician in Santa Monica installs an electrical panel that is then broken into several circuits that provide power to your home. Whenever you plug a device into an electrical outlet, or flip a switch, you are accessing electricity that is flowing through that particular circuit. By plugging in or flipping a switch, you are essentially completing the circuit. This allows power to flow freely from the positive terminal of the power source, through the wire, and back to the negative terminal. This allows us to provide on-demand electricity to our light bulbs, televisions, appliances and other electronics.

Types of Circuits

The simplest type of circuit is the series circuit, because it provides only one possible path for electrical current. If this circuit is broken at any point along this path, none of the devices on the circuit will work. A parallel circuit, on the other hand, contains more than one path for electrical current. If one of the paths is broken, electricity can still flow to other portions of the circuit. A series-parallel circuit combines these two circuit types. Some portions of the circuit are parallel, and some are attached in series. If one of the series circuits breaks, it will shut off power to anything in that circuit. If a parallel circuit breaks, all other parallel circuits will continue to function as normal.

As an electrician Santa Monica, The Electric Connection installs and maintains electrical circuits on a daily basis. For more information, or questions about our services, visit our main website at www.theelectricconnection.com.

Electrician Pasadena – What Should You Do If There’s an Electrical Fire?

Posted on October 19, 2012 | by K Hopkins | 1 Comment

Although most electrical fires start very small, they can quickly spread into almost unmanageable proportions. This is especially true if the fire starts behind your walls. This can lead to a fire becoming very large before you even realize that it is there. Your best protection against an electrical fire is to prevent it from happening in the first place. If you must deal with one, however, you should always be prepared to take the proper course of action. Whenever faced with an electrical fire, your own personal safety is the number one priority. If the fire is too large for you to contain, or is growing too quickly, evacuate everyone out of the home immediately until a fire crew can make the area safe again.

If you are in a position to control the fire, start by shutting off all power to your building. Simply go to the electrical panel and shut off the main breaker until the fire is under control. If you do not already know where this is, find its location and make sure that it is never blocked or obstructed. Once the power has been shut off, you can attempt to smother the fire with a Class C fire extinguisher or baking soda. Do not ever throw water on an electrical fire. Water conducts electricity, which can result in you or someone else becoming electrocuted. Whenever the fire has been controlled, do not turn your electricity on until an electrician in Pasadena has inspected your wiring for safety. The last thing that you want is for a second fire to occur in the same place.

When it comes to using electricity in your home and businesses, your safety is more important than any other factor. Learn how to use your electrical system safely so that you can avoid any electrical fires, shocks or other mishaps. For more tips and information on fire safety and services, visit The Electric Connection website at www.theelectricconnection.com/.

Ask an Electrician Glendale – What Is a Live Wire?

Posted on October 19, 2012 | by K Hopkins | 1 Comment

Any wire that is referred to as “live” or “hot” is one that is carrying electrical current. If you come into contact with a live wire, it can result in electrical shock, because the body will function as a ground and the electricity will flow across the path of least resistance (your body) to reach the ground. If there are exposed electrical wires near you, whether in your home our outdoors, you must exercise caution. Always assume that any downed electrical wire is live.

Live wires in your home are normally color coded, according to the region that you live in. This means that the live wire in your electrical system could be black, brown or red. This lets you know that the wire that you are looking at could possibly be energized with electrical current. In your home, this live line is always balanced out with a “neutral” wire. The electricity will enter your appliance from the live wire and exit through the neutral wire.

Because of the way that electricity flows through a circuit, it is important to remember that both live and neutral wires can be energized with electrical current. In order to increase the safety of many appliances, it is common for an electrician in Glendale to install a polarized outlet, where one hole in the socket is larger than the other. These holes correspond to properly sized prongs in your power cords to ensure that you are providing live power to the correct part of the circuit. To further improve safety, some outlets also include a ground connection, giving any excess electricity a safe path from your electrical system into the ground. This connection can greatly lower your risk of electrical shock.

If you have any questions about grounded electrical systems, live wires or any other electrical issues, head on over to our website at www.theelectricconnection.com/.The Electric Connection is always more than happy to help.

Ask an Electrician Burbank – What is an Electrical Short?

Posted on October 19, 2012 | by K Hopkins | 1 Comment

Whenever you have a short circuit, it means that there was an accidental path created in your existing circuit, which generated a connection that was not there before the short occurred. Electricity will always follow the path of least resistance, which means that it will almost always follow this new path, rather than its intended path. This typically results in an abnormally high level of electrical current. The most common type of short is when two bare wires cross, such as when old insulation deteriorates, causing a loose connection which allows two wires to touch.

An electrical short is not something to take lightly. This increased current generates a great amount of heat, which can lead to sparks and fire. One way to identify an electrical short is by hearing a popping sound whenever that particular circuit is turned on. This is the sound of the electricity taking the path along the new connection that it has found, causing the circuit to experience a sudden overload. Smoke, flames and melting fixtures can follow, leading to larger fires and risk of shock in the immediate vicinity.

Another common source of electrical shorts is improper wiring. This can occur if the metal lining of a particular switch or outlet touches one of the wires. An electrician in Burbank must always find and fix shorts caused by damage, such as storm damage.

The most important thing to do whenever you have a short is to address it immediately. Because of the potential severity of this situation, call an electrician right away to have them inspect and fix the problem for you. A short left unrepaired can lead to more extensive damage, resulting in a much higher cost than if you had fixed the problem whenever it was first detected. For more information on electrical troubleshooting and our services, visit our main page (Click Here).

Electrician Beverly Hills – What Is The National Electric Code?

Posted on October 19, 2012 | by K Hopkins | 1 Comment

The national electric code was designed and implemented to create a national standard for electrical wiring, equipment and related practices. This document creates a basic set of guidelines that must be followed by electrical contractors to make sure that electrical systems are safe, secure and standardized nationwide. This allows your electrician in Beverly Hills to work on nearly any electrical system in the country without having to learn new techniques and technologies. When it comes to troubleshooting, maintenance and general care, having this set of standard rules makes an electrician’s job much easier and safer.

The National Electric Code that is used in the United States was first published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Although the code is not mandated on a federal level, most state and local authorities require that it be followed in all electrical installations. Every three years, the NFPA publishes a revision of this document in order for it to remain current with modern information and changing field practices. Within the document, you can find recommendations and guidelines for everything ranging from installing bedroom outlets, to properly positioning an electrical transformer. The National Electric Code strives to give detailed guidelines for any wiring task that you can imagine.

Electrical safety is by far the top priority of the NFPA in publishing and maintaining the National Electric Code. It is for this reason that so many local officials choose to mandate this code by law, thereby keeping the residents in their region safe and reducing their liability in regards to electrical wiring issues. By adhering to these standards, The Electric Connection and any other electrician Beverly Hills can safely and efficiently install, repair and maintain the electrical systems in their area to ensure that power is provided in a consistent, safe and standardized manner. To learn more about the different types of electrical tasks that we do, Click here to visit our website.

Electrician in Burbank Advises – Avoiding Electrical Faults and Fires

Posted on October 2, 2012 | by K Hopkins | 3 Comments

Although you may not think that an electrical malfunction is liable to happen to you, studies have shown that the majority of all house fires result from some sort of electrical malfunction. Furthermore, many of the homeowners affected by these fires reported that something seemed somewhat wrong, but unimportant. As a result, the issue was ignored, leading to a catastrophic fire. Because of this, it is very important to address any electrical odors or other issues that could eventually lead to dangerous shock or fire. Never underestimate the power of your electrical system, and be familiar with the signs and symptoms below that could signal a dangerous electrical problem.

Frequently Tripped Circuit Breakers

If a circuit breaker in your home trips constantly, you should treat this as a potentially serious electrical issue. Whenever this happens, there are a variety of things that you can do. You should, however, start by calling an electrician in Burbank to discuss the problem. Your circuit breaker is designed to stop the flow of electricity into your home whenever dangerous or inconsistent levels of electricity are detected. This could happen because of an overloaded circuit, short circuit or ground fault. Check to see if your circuit is overloaded, and then call your electrician. This could be much more than a minor annoyance.

Outdated Electrical Systems (Fuse Boxes)

If your home is still equipped with an older fuse box, you should call your Burbank electrician to have them perform an electrical service upgrade. Because these systems were not designed to handle the electrical load that we require today, fuses blow frequently and can result in dangerous situations.

Other Warning Signs:

Burning smell when operating an appliance
Warm, discolored or sparking electrical outlets
Being shocked by an appliance
Constantly flickering or dim lights

You owe it to yourself to keep your electrical system as safe as possible. If you experience any of these signs and symptoms, or just feel like something might be wrong, call The Electric Connection today.

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Los Angeles Electrician – A Few Reasons You Should Call an Electrician

Posted on October 2, 2012 | by K Hopkins

Keeping your home and family safe is a high priority for every homeowner. One of the best, yet often neglected ways to ensure their safety is to make sure that all of your home’s electrical components are in safe and good working order. When it comes to electricity, being safe is always far better than being sorry. Rather than worrying about loose wires, short circuits and other potentially dangerous situations, work with an electrician in Los Angeles to make sure that your home is as safe as it possibly can be.

Attempting to solve electrical problems on your own can not only put you in immediate danger, but can also make the problems worse than they were to start with. While it is perfectly fine to replace light bulbs, flip breakers back on and perform other similar simple tasks by yourself, tackling anything that has to do with wiring or the other electrical components in your home should be left to the professionals.

If you have a breaker or breakers that trip frequently, then it is time to call a Los Angeles electrician. This can be a sign that you may have malfunctioning appliances, or an overloaded circuit. This might mean that you need to address a problem with a particular appliance, or your electrical service in general. In some case, a small panel upgrade can add additional circuits to your home, allowing you to more evenly spread the load.

Regardless of whether you are faced with an electrical issue or if you need to have electrical components such as a whole house surge protector installed, your safety and the integrity of your home depend on the skills and experience that only a licensed, professional electrician has. For any questions, or to talk about your electrical jobs and problems, give us a call today at The Electric Connection. We’ll look forward to hearing from you.

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Santa Monica Electrician – Hiring an Emergency Electrician

Posted on September 24, 2012 | by K Hopkins | 4 Comments

Something could go wrong with your electrical system at any time. Whether you experience an issue with your wiring system, or an error that has occurred as a result of an appliance or other gadget, it is important to leave these important repairs to a professional. Rather than risking your life trying to fix a complex electrical issue on your own, you should take full advantage of the 24/7 emergency electrical services in your area. Most electricians, including The Electric Connection, offer emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You may need to call on an electrician in Santa Monica at odd hours for a variety of reasons. Natural disasters, poor wiring, overloaded circuits or appliance malfunctions are some of the most common reasons that electrical systems stop working properly. In certain circumstances, these events can make your home and electrical system unsafe until an electrician has solved the problem. In other emergency events, loss of power could lead to a potentially dangerous or uncomfortable situation, depending on the weather and special considerations such as medical equipment and food storage. If you feel that your electrical issue is an emergency, don’t hesitate to call your Santa Monica Electrician.

While you may be somewhat apprehensive at first, hiring an emergency electrician is normally just as easy as hiring one during normal hours. Simply call the office, or a special 24/7 emergency line, and describe your problem. Before you know it, someone will be out to inspect and fix your electrical system. While you are waiting, resist the urge to tinker with the electronics yourself. Doing so could lead to further damage or even injury. For fast, certified and professional emergency services, don’t hesitate to call The Electric Connection. We’re always available to help out during an electrical emergency.

Pasadena Electrician Advises – Upgrade to Energy Star Appliances

Posted on September 24, 2012 | by K Hopkins | 3 Comments

As the world’s population has grown and technology has expanded, our dependence on our electrical systems has become higher than ever. Because of this, each home must use more and more electricity in order to maintain life as they are accustomed to. While this brings many great things, such as simplified everyday tasks and a variety of entertainment options, it also means that we are contributing to many harmful environmental practices on a greater level. In order to combat this, the US Government has created the Energy Star rating to certify appliances that meet a certain level of energy efficiency and usage. When upgrading your appliances, it is highly recommended that you choose these energy efficient models to both reduce your carbon footprint and lower your energy bills.

What Does Energy Star Mean?
Whether your appliance requires special installation by an electrician in Pasadena, or if you can just plug it in and go, an Energy Star rating means that the equipment that you are installing is high quality, energy efficient and built to last. There are a variety of rules and regulations set out to help determine whether an appliance meets these standards. Each appliance’s performance and energy consumption are measured against the current standards in order to make this determination. As a result, you can be assured that any Energy Star Appliance that you purchase will be much more efficient than a similar unit that is not rated.

In addition to your standard appliances, such as refrigerators, air conditioners, dishwashers, ovens, washers and dryers and heating systems, you should also be on the lookout for more mundane Energy Star rated items such as light bulbs. These bulbs and other products are tested in the same manner that your appliances are to ensure that they meet a high standard. For more information on reducing energy consumption, or for help upgrading your electrical system to handle new appliances, give us a call at The Electric Connection. Click here to visit our website.

Beverly Hills Electrician – The Importance of Home Electrical Safety

Posted on September 24, 2012 | by K Hopkins | 2 Comments

Your electrical supply is one of the most important components of your home. Because it is used so frequently, we often take a properly functioning, safe and consistent electrical supply for granted. Because it has become such and integral and normal part of our everyday lives, it is easy to forget how powerful and potentially dangerous electricity can be. By knowing the basic rules of safe and effective use of electricity, you can greatly reduce that chance that you or a family member will be injured as a result of improper electrical usage.

When it comes to ensuring the electrical safety of your home, there are many things that you can do without the help of an electrician in Beverly Hills. Your number one goal is to reduce or eliminate any electrical safety hazards in your home. Be smart when using any electrical device. This includes extension cords, light bulbs, hair dryers and anything else. It only takes one mishap to cause some serious damage.

Here are a few tips:

Unplug It – Whenever you are not using a device or appliance, unplug it and safely stow the wire. This will remove it from your electrical system, while also eliminating any standby power draining that the device was guilty of.
Ventilate – Many of your devices generate a certain amount of heat, and require adequate ventilation space. This includes televisions, computers, ovens, microwaves and many others.
Follow Instructions – If your device has special instructions in regards to usage and placement, follow them!
No Extension Cords – Extension cords, when used as a permanent power solution, can become very dangerous hazards. Have your Beverly Hills electrician install a more convenient outlet instead.

Keeping your home and its electrical system safe is one of the most important things that you can do as a homeowner. To address any specific safety issues, feel free to call The Electric Connection at any time. Your safety is one of our top concerns.

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