Tag: electrical safety

3 Cases When You Need an Electrician in Santa Monica

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

It can be fun to fix the little things around the house. It gives you a sense of pride and accomplishment. However, there are times when you need the services of a qualified professional. It should never be taken as an insult or make you feel silly that you need to call a professional, especially when you are dealing with something that is extremely dangerous or deadly in fact. Electricity is never something anybody should mess around with no matter how handy they may be. Only skilled, trained professionals like the ones at The Electric Connection should handle those jobs around the house that involve electricity.

Your electrician in Santa Monica has a few guidelines for you to follow when you are trying to determine whether or not you actually need to call a professional.

1-If you have an electrical outlet that is hot to the touch, is smoking, has black marks around the outlet or you can hear a crackling noise, you need the services of an electrician. Santa Monica residents should never let something like this go unchecked. It can be a serious problem and should be evaluated immediately. If you smell burning wires, which is rather distinctive, call an electrician immediately.

2-Wiring that is exposed is another serious problem that needs to be taken care of before a fire happens. This is something you probably know is a problem, but assume it will hold until you get an electrician out there. Please don’t put it off.

3-Breakers that regularly trip are an indicator of a bigger problem. If you cannot find an obvious reason for the tripping breaker, like too many appliances in use at the same time, then you need a professional to troubleshoot the problem. There could be a problem with the wiring and it needs to be taken care of quickly.

You can call The Electric Connection to handle any of these jobs for you.

Troubleshooting Tripping Breakers with Your Electrician in Glendale

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

If you have a breaker or several breakers that are tripping, there are some things you can do to keep it from happening. If you are not comfortable with trying to diagnose the problem, you can call The Electric Connection. We have skilled electricians who can certainly take care of the troubleshooting process for you.

Follow these troubleshooting guidelines from your electrician in Glendale to see if you can identify the problem.

1-Note what is plugged in when the breaker trips. It is possible the breaker is being overloaded. You will need to reduce the number of appliances running off of one breaker. Microwaves should be on their own outlet when possible. Do not resort to using several powerstrips that are completely loaded. This is another major draw and can overburden a breaker. If you need additional outlets or another breaker, give your electrician a call.

2-Your large appliances like the air conditioning unit, hot tub or dryer should all be on their own dedicated circuits. If this is not the case, call an electrician. Glendale homeowners will need the expertise of a certified electrician to take care of this situation.

3-Carefully check each appliance that is plugged in when the breaker trips. There may be an issue with the appliance or the wiring. Don’t use it anymore.

A breaker that trips often for no apparent reason should always be inspected by an electrician. It could be an indication of a bigger problem. Sometimes, the breaker will need to be replaced. In other cases, the electrical wiring to the outlet/s may be the issue. In any event, it is always a good idea to have an electrical inspection completed to check for any serious problems that could be a fire hazard. If you are interested in learning more about this, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Brighten Closets and Hallways with the Help of Electrician in Beverly Hills

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Your home is constantly evolving as you upgrade this, tweak that to suit your style and add little touches that make your home more compatible with you and your needs. Because your home is a major investment, you want to make sure all those upgrades are completed the right way and are safe. When you are thinking of the little things you want done, keep your electrician in Beverly Hills in mind. The Electric Connection has been taking care of customers for years and would love to help you improve your home.

When you think about some of the little things you can do around your house to make it better, you will probably discover a lot of it has something to do with electricity. Adding new lights to dim hallways, bathrooms and even closets is one common upgrade many homeowners aspire to do. A closet that is well-lit is practical as well as convenient. Those battery powered lights that are commonly marketed as a way to light up the small spaces are not always bright enough and they tend to go through batteries rather quickly.

Instead of the quick-fix, talk to your electrician about a long-term fix, like a new light fixture in the closet. This is the same for those hallways that tend to have only one light in the middle. The ends are always a little shady. Adding lights is one way to enhance the overall look of your home as well as the safety. Wouldn’t you feel better navigating a brightly lit hallway or digging through a closet where you can actually see the colors of the garments?

If you would like to brighten up the dark spots in your home, call your electrician. Beverly Hills home owners can give The Electric Connection a call to find out more about the options available.

3 Simple Electrical Updates Your Electrician in Santa Monica Can Do

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Upgrades to your home are a part of life. It can be fun and exciting to add a new feature to your home. It is easy for things to get stale or boring when you have lived in the same home for a long time. You can spice things up by adding a few new upgrades to your home that are easy and inexpensive. In fact, some of the upgrades can actually save you money.

Electrical upgrades should always be handled by a qualified electrician. Santa Monica residents can rely on The Electric Connection’s skilled professionals to handle any job, big or small. An inexperienced person should never attempt to handle electricity. The safety concerns are too great. Always hire a professional.

Light Fixtures

Updating light fixtures can give your home a whole new look, while saving money at the same time. There are numerous ideas you can incorporate into your space to liven it up depending on your wants and needs. Recessed and track lighting tend to be the most popular choices and are relatively inexpensive.

Ceiling Fan

Adding a ceiling fan to a bedroom or living area is also an ideal way to help cut your electric bill while adding comfort to your home. Most ceiling fans are equipped with lights and can replace an existing light fixture. These are great for circulating the air during the stuffy summer months and moving the warm air throughout the home during the cooler months.

Install Bath Fan

A bath fan is essential to keeping wood-damaging moisture at bay in the bathroom, which is prone to mildew and mold growth due to the damp conditions. Today’s market includes numerous styles and varieties that include lights and heaters.

If you are interested in giving your home a bit of a facelift without undergoing a major remodel, call your electrician in Santa Monica today. The Electric Connection is here to serve you and would love to speak with you about your upgrade needs.

Light Up the Outdoors–Electrician in Santa Monica Says

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

When you think of landscape lighting for your yard, you may think of those little lights that stick in the ground and light up pathways or flower beds. While those are certainly an option and are very pretty, those are just one kind of light you could use in your landscaping.

Your Santa Monica electrician is here to tell you the possibilities are endless when it comes to creating a visually appealing yard during the nighttime hours. The Electric Connection has the staff needed to complete the smallest lighting job to the biggest. Let your imagination run wild. Lights can be strategically placed to highlight certain areas of your yard like a flower bed, garden, statues or water features.

Lights can be placed on timers to save you the trouble of turning them off and on. This also ensures your home is well-lit, even if you are away. Lights around your home are an excellent safety feature that homeowners truly appreciate. If you have lots of shrubbery, which is an excellent spot for people and animals to hide in, it is a good idea to illuminate the dark area with some kind of landscape lighting.

You can choose between soft, subtle lights that light up the area under a tree or shrub and will not invade your windows or brighter security lights aimed at driveways, doorways and pathways. An electrician in Santa Monica can install the lights as well as connect them to your home’s main source of power. This ensures you never have to worry about the switch accidentally being shut off or messy cords that can get unplugged or become tripping hazards.
If you would like to learn more about how an electrician can help make your landscaping look beautiful as well as enhance safety, please call The Electric Connection today.

Be Safe, Electrician in Pasadena Recommends Hard-Wired Smoke Alarms

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

We do a lot to protect our families when they are at home. We lock the doors at night, make sure there are no safety hazards like broken stair rails or exposed pools. Have you ever thought about your smoke detectors? Sure you probably have a couple in your house, but have you checked the batteries? It can be hard to remember to replace the batteries every six months. Fortunately, there is an option your electrician in Pasadena can help you out with.

The professionals at The Electric Connection can explain why hard-wired smoke detectors are so important. This type of device is connected directly to your home’s power so you don’t have to worry about regular battery changes. Plus, you don’t have to worry about somebody “borrowing” the batteries and not replacing them right away.

When the smoke detectors are wired into the home, they are interconnected. Meaning, when the smoke detector in the kitchen goes off, the one in the upstairs bedroom and garage also goes off. In the event of a fire, this can give occupants in the home several extra minutes to get out. Every minute counts when there is a house fire. Your Pasadena electrician can install the detectors in any room you request.

Along with hard-wired smoke detectors, a carbon-monoxide detector is also a good idea. One in the garage and on every floor of the house is typically the standard. These are especially important if you burn any fuel within the home or leave cars running in a garage. Carbon monoxide is odorless, tasteless and colorless. It is crucial to your family’s safety to have one of these valuable devices installed.

Add another layer of protection for your family and give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule an appointment to have your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed.

Electrical Safety Inspections by Burbank Electrician Prevents Accidents

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Whether your home is old or new, you are likely the kind of homeowner that wants to make sure the house is safe for your family. One of the major concerns many homeowners have is the safety of the electrical wiring. You must rely on the people who originally worked on the construction of the home to have done it safely and correctly. Older homes may have been safe according to the standards of years gone by, but we have better, safer ways of wiring homes today.

A Burbank electrician can help give you peace of mind by conducting a thorough electrical safety inspection. The Electric Connection is a company Burbank home and business owners have come to rely on and we would love to help you ensure the safety of your home.

An electrical inspection will be able to determine if there are any issues or concerns that a homeowner will need to address. Older homes are liable to have outdated wiring that will need to be updated. GFI outlets can also be used to replace older outlets. Any light fixtures, outlets and switches will all be investigated to determine whether or not they need replacing or upgrading in order to meet today’s safety standards.

If you are experiencing any trouble with outlets not working, lights flickering or a burned wire smell, it is a good idea to call an electrician in Burbank immediately. These are all signs there is a problem. It is crucial to the safety of your family and the investment in your home to have any electrical problems investigated. The Electric Connection can help put your mind at ease by inspecting and fixing any electrical problems that may be discovered during the course of the inspection. In many cases, it is a simple fix. However, left unchecked it could become a major issue, resulting in a home fire.

Do You Really Need an Electrician? Electrician in Santa Monica Answers

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins | 1 Comment on Do You Really Need an Electrician? Electrician in Santa Monica Answers

It is completely understandable you would want to try and save a few dollars by completing some of your home repairs on your own. This is a very noble idea and in many cases, it is an absolutely fabulous way of staying within your family’s budget. It can actually be very rewarding to fix the little things around the house like a leaky faucet or a squeaky door.

However, there are times when it is better to be safe than sorry. When dealing with serious electrical problems in your home, you should never attempt to handle the situation on your own. Your electrician in Santa Monica is there to take care of these potentially dangerous problems. Electricity is not something anybody who is not trained should ever handle.

Some times when you will need to call an electrician include;

*Installing or replacing light fixtures is a job that seems easy enough, but is actually quite technical. Not only will you be dealing with electricity, you may also have to do a bit of construction. Fixtures that will require a new electrical outlet can be extremely tricky to handle.

*Upgrading or adding a thermostat to your furnace or air conditioner is another job that requires electricity knowledge.

*Installing ceiling, bath or attic fans requires wiring the fan into an existing power supply. However, there are many times an additional outlet will need to be added, which is definitely a job that should be left to an electrician. Santa Monica residents can call the experienced and professional crew at The Electric Connection to handle those small jobs that require a certified electrician.

It does not make sense to try and save a few dollars when your safety and the safety of your home are put at risk. Please take the time to call

New Hot Tub? Electrician in Beverly Hills Explains Electric Panel Upgrade Needs

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

When you plug something into an outlet in your home, you probably don’t really take the time to think about where the electricity to power your appliance comes from. You plug it in, it works. But, what do you do when it doesn’t work?

Homeowners are constantly making improvements to their home. This may include upgrading or installing a new air conditioning unit, replacing the old fridge with a newer, more family-friendly model or adding a hot tub to the backyard. If you have already made these investments or are considering making them, you should contact your electrician. Beverly Hills residents can rely on the professionals at The Electric Connection to provide fast, friendly and knowledgeable service.

An electrical inspection will be needed to determine whether or not your existing electrical panel can handle these much larger items. Hot tubs, AC units and larger power tools will need more power than the typical appliance. If you have a newer home, it is a fairly simple process for an electrician to install the outlet needed to power the new item.

Older homes may need an electrical panel upgrade to support the electricity demands. An additional breaker may need to be added. In fact, this is may apply to newer homes as well, depending on the service that was put in during construction of the home.

If you have already hooked up a new refrigerator or stove and notice you seem to be tripping breakers, it is likely you need an upgrade. This is a sign there is too much draw on a breaker or that a breaker is weak. An electrician in Beverly Hills will be able to determine what the problem is during the inspection. If you are ready to take care of those tripping breakers or have more questions about what it takes to get your new appliance properly wired, give The Electric Connection a call.

Cloth Wiring Explained by Electrician in Los Angeles

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Are you living in a home that was built before 1950? If so, you may have a potential fire hazard on your hands that you cannot see. Wiring in older homes is often an antiquated system know as insulated cloth wiring. While it may be perfectly safe in some houses, it can lead to problems down the road. If you are not sure if you have cloth wiring, you will want to call an electrician. Los Angeles homeowners can rely on The Electric Connection to provide prompt service.

An electrical safety inspection will determine whether your home has cloth wiring and whether or not it should be replaced. If you are noticing problems with the power in your home, like lights flickering, outlets not working and etc…it may be an indication the protective cloth around the wires is fraying. Overtime, the cloth becomes brittle and decays. This ends up leaving bare wires that can certainly become a major risk.

Your electrician in Los Angeles will be able to advise you the best course of action to take. If you are planning to do any remodeling or upgrading light fixtures, it is highly recommended you replace the old wiring in your home. During the inspection, the electrician can also check for the old knob-and-tube wiring. This is more common in homes built before 1935. This type of wiring involved the use of ceramic tubes and knobs. It is not safe and is not allowed in new construction anymore.

If you suspect your older home may have either one of these types of wiring, it is certainly better to be safe than sorry. Home fires started by faulty wiring are a preventable tragedy. The professionals at The Electric Connection are ready to help you make this big decision. Give us a call today to schedule your inspection.