Tag: electrical wiring

Beverly Hills Electrician – The Importance of Surge Protection

Posted on | by K Hopkins

Were you aware of the fact that your home electrical equipment is frequently bombarded by very brief spikes in electrical power called power surges? These surges can slowly burn up the inside of your electronic devices, leading to a shorter lifespan than you should normally have. Although the most dangerous type of power surge comes from outside of your home and could destroy your devices in one fell swoop, this type of surge only accounts for about 30% of all power surges. The other 70% of power surges are generated from within your home. These surges are caused by some of your larger appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners.

A large power surge causes very fast, widespread damage. This can cause your wiring to burn up, devices to short circuit and motors to seize. Whenever you think of power surges, this is typically what comes to mind. The majority of power surges, however, remain unnoticed until your device meets an early end. This type of incremental power surge slowly eats away at the components of your electronics until they no longer function.

While it may seem like there is not much that you can do to prevent this, there is. One of the best ways to prevent against both large and incremental power surges is with surge suppression systems. This includes a combination of both local and whole house surge protection. For the largest level of protection, you should have your local electrician in Beverly Hills install a whole house surge protector. You can then protect especially sensitive devices with their own individual surge protectors.

By protecting your home from power surges, you help to ensure that your devices have a long lifespan. This not only keeps everything running as it should, but also saves you money in the long run. If you have any questions about whole house surge suppression, or would like to schedule an appointment for installation, get in touch with any of our technicians at The Electric Connection. You can also learn more from the resources at The Electric Connection website .

Glendale Electrician – Why Copper Wires?

Posted on | by K Hopkins | 1 Comment on Glendale Electrician – Why Copper Wires?

Whether you know it or not, copper wires are the most commonly used type of wires in our home electrical systems. Why is it that your electrician in Glendale and any electrical utility company values the use of this type of wiring over all of the other technologies available? The simplest answer is that copper wiring is just the best solution for the job. Copper wiring is extremely ductile and malleable. Furthermore, it has superior heat and electrical conductivity. Because of these properties combined with the fact that it is robust and rustproof, copper wiring is a nearly perfect material for any electrical wiring. The properties outlined above allow copper wiring to carry our electrical currents over distances that are much longer than wires made up of other materials.

By far, the most desired property of copper wiring is its incredible conductivity. When compared with other non-precious metals, copper comes out on top in regards to conductivity every time. Because of its robustness, it can also carry a larger amount of electricity for the particular diameter of that wire. What this means for an electrician as that copper wiring will experience less loss as the electricity moves through it. To further add to its case, copper wiring has the chemical makeup that make it highly resistant to the harsh environments that many wires must stand up to. It can withstand many different elements, is corrosion resistant and will not rust. For this reason, it is highly prized as an ideal electrical conductor.

Chances are, the walls in your home are filled with copper wires of all different shapes and sizes. Your Glendale electrician took great care to plan out and install a system that was ideal for the needs of your home. Because copper wiring was used, you can be assured that they will last for many years to come, all the while providing you with a high quality electrical current.

If your home has aluminum wiring or any other wiring materials in it, please don’t hesitate to contact The Electric Connection. You can read more about electrical wiring at our company website at www.theelectricconnection.com.

Pasadena Electrician – Home Wiring Inspections

Posted on | by K Hopkins

Because of the rich history of home ownership that we have in the United States, the country is still the home to any number of homes that were built before most Americans were even born. Through preservation and careful maintenance, there are even homes that were built in the Victorian Era and prior. Although these homes are often prized for their historical significance, the electrical systems within can be very dangerous if they have not been brought up to date with current standards. Testing electrical outlets for proper operation and flicking light switches on and off is typically not a sufficient level of testing for an electrical system, especially when the electrical system is potentially very old.

Most homes built prior to the 1940s were constructed with knob and tube wiring, that has not been used for many years. Whenever you move into a home, you should not take it for granted that the previous owner took the time and care to have all of the electrical components upgraded to safer, more current technologies. This is one of the reasons why you should have your own electrician in Pasadena come out to do a full home safety inspection.

A full home electrical safety inspection can end up saving you and your family extensive time and money in the long run, especially if it is able to identify any key problems with your current electrical system. During an electrical safety assessment, a technician from The Electric Connection will come out and do a full check on your electrical system. During this time, we will discover whether or not you have any outdated wiring systems, an ungrounded electrical system, or an undersized electrical panel. If we discover any issues, we will put together an action plan to address these issues.

For more information on getting in touch with our team, or to learn more about the potential issues you could be facing, read through the resources at The Electric Connection website at ww.theelectricconnection.com.

Burbank Electrician – What Exactly Does an Electrical Contractor Do?

Posted on | by K Hopkins | 4 Comments on Burbank Electrician – What Exactly Does an Electrical Contractor Do?

An electrician is someone who is able to fix and install electrical components, while an electrical contractor is a company or individual that employs a team of electricians to take on a variety of electrical tasks. These groups of tradesmen are responsible for performing all types of electrical work, including installing, removing and repairing electrical wiring. For a new construction electrical job, an electrical contractor will review the building’s blueprint, put together a basic plan for its electrical system and place a bid for the project.

In general, each electrical contractor will specialize in one or more types of electrical work. Each different electrical specialty has its own rules, regulations and techniques that an electrician in Burbank must follow. Here are some common specialties for electrical contractors:

Electrician Contractor

Electrician contractors do electrical work on residential and commercial properties. This includes installing fixtures, switches and outlets, electrical service installation and upgrades and other common electrical tasks. These contractors must pass a special certification test and meet state licensure requirements. Each electrician reports to and works in conjunction with an electrical contractor who will inspect and certify the work that they do.

Low Voltage Contractor

A low voltage contractor does electric work less than 600 VAC. This includes alarm installers, computer network engineers and alarm installers who deal with telephone, computer use and other nominal voltage systems.

Outside Plant Contractor

Outside plant electrical contractors are responsible for maintaining and installing the high voltage transmission lines that run between electric company facilities. This type of electrical contractor must not only be licensed, but also heavily trained in this specialized type of wiring. Because of the dangerous nature of this type of electrical work, only highly specialized and experienced contractors may participate in this type of electrical work.

While many electrical contractors specialize in a particular type of work, there are many who have compiled teams that can tackle a very wide variety of tasks. For your next project, don’t hesitate to give us a call or visit The Electric Connection website.

Electrician Pasadena – How to Know When You Need an Electrician

Posted on | by K Hopkins | 1 Comment on Electrician Pasadena – How to Know When You Need an Electrician

Though there are a variety of different electrical tasks that a handy homeowner can tackle on their own, taking on a job that is too complex or difficult for you can be deadly. If you do not know exactly what you are doing, or if you have to work with the electrical wiring in your home, we highly recommend that you have a professional electrician in Pasadena do the job. If you familiarize yourself with some of the most common signs and symptoms of wiring problems and other electrical problems, you will know when it is time to give us a call.

The following are some of the most common signs of more serious electrical problems:

  • Breakers Trip Frequently – If your breakers trip or fuses blow often, it could be a signal to you that something is not working properly. You are either dealing with an overloaded circuit, or even more serious wiring issues. Either way, you should have your electrical system looked at as soon as possible to ensure its safety.
  • Hot Electrical Outlets – If you have an outlet that feels hot to the touch, unplug anything that is connected to it and do not use it anymore. This is a clear sign of overheating, which can be caused from wiring problems or an overloaded circuit. Call The Electric Connection immediately.
  • Exposed Wiring – Although you may think that this is common sense, it is typical to procrastinate even when it comes to exposed wiring. This should be treated very seriously, as it could result in electrical shocks, electrical fire or even death.

You should never procrastinate in having your electrical system inspected by a professional electrician Pasadena. This is because even small problems can result in huge dangers. Keep your home and family safe by knowing, recognizing and responding to these signs of wiring issues.

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Electrician Los Angeles Can Light up the Spaces in Your Home

Posted on | by K Hopkins

If you need to add more light to the dark corners of your home—whether they are inside or outside—an electrician who specializes in custom lighting projects might be exactly what you need. The projects done by a licensed electrician can be customized to include all types of home lighting, including interior lighting, recessed lighting, landscape lighting as well as security lighting.

Your first step is deciding what style of lighting fixtures you’ll want to add to the interior or exterior of your home. Along with functionality, remember to choose lighting fixtures that complement the style of your home decor.

Once you’ve made the decision on what style of lighting fixtures you want, there’s one more step before finding the right electrician in Los Angeles.  That step is to purchase the lighting fixtures that you want to have installed. Now that you’ve made all of the decisions, it’s time to find the right electrician. Los Angeles residents and business know that they can count on The Electric Connection as a reliable and professional electrical contracting company that’s been in business for over 30 years.

We’ll be able to quickly install your new interior lighting or outdoor lights for you.  We’ll even rewire your entire home for you if necessary and bring your old wiring up to the current code requirements. We have years of experience when it comes to wiring installations as well as any other types of electrical services you might need such as new outlets, ceiling or bath fans, panel upgrades and more.

We’re fully licensed, bonded and insured electricians, and we’ll do it right the first time. Come visit us at: www.theelectricconnection.com today and see what we can do for you!

 

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

Posted on | by K Hopkins | 1 Comment on Electrician Pasadena – What Should You Do If There’s an Electrical Fire?

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 | by K Hopkins | 1 Comment on Ask an Electrician Glendale – What Is a Live Wire?

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 | by K Hopkins | 1 Comment on Ask an Electrician Burbank – What is an Electrical Short?

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 | by K Hopkins | 1 Comment on Electrician Beverly Hills – What Is The National Electric Code?

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.