Tips for Electrical Safety at Home

Electricity is so important to the home that it is almost impossible to imagine life without it. It runs the lighting, entertainment appliances, kitchen appliances and so much more. Unfortunately, with such a wide variety of uses in the home, many people often forget that electricity can be quite dangerous and only remember that when it causes a fire or electrocutes someone. The following are some important electrical safety tips around the home that will keep you safe.

Unplugging items from the outlet

One dangerous habit that many people often have is pulling on the cord instead of the plug itself. Sometime, the fit of the outlet may be a little tight and it requires a little effort to pull the plug out. Avoid yanking on the string and grab the head of the plug from the outlet and pull it out.

Avoid overloading a single outlet

Today, we have adapter plugs that allow you to attach multiple plugs from different appliances and devices into one outlet, including USB cables! Plugging too many appliances into one outlet using an adapter or extension cord can damage your electrical system. It can also cause a fire in the home. If you have many appliances, use different outlets around the house or call your electrician and find out if you can get more outlets installed.

Tuck and fold electrical cords out of the way

There are so many hazards of leaving electrical cords strewn all over the floor. First, it could be confusing to find which cord belongs to which appliance and you may end up leaving the iron box plugged in for hours on end, which is a fire hazard. Pets and infants could chew on these chords risking electrocution. Finally, foot traffic can wear off the insulation on the cords leaving the live wires exposed. You need to fold and tuck away all electrical cords. You should also avoid placing them under the carpet in high traffic areas such as hallways and stairways.

Use safety caps on outlets

Children and pets in particular are a curious bunch and often end up stuffing all sorts of things into the power outlets, which is quite dangerous. Outlets that are not in use should remain covered with safety caps that prevent them from hurting children. Covering these outlets is also a great to save energy since the safety caps prevent cold drafts.

Trees around the home

You should remove tress and branches that are too close to power lines. Kids love to climb up tress, not to mention the number of animals that use these trees as a habitat. With power lines entwined in the branches of the tree, it is quite easy to get electrocuted with high voltage of electricity. Another risk is dead and falling branches that could cause a power outage in your entire neighborhood.

Keep electricity away from water

Water is a good conductor of electricity so you should keep all electric items away from water. When washing the floor, make sure every electrical appliance or chord is off the floor surface. Be careful about splashing water near the hood of your microwave and in case your home floods, switch off the electricity at the main power switch before draining the water.

Posted By: Blackstock Electric  http://blackstockelectric.com

Electrical Mistakes to Avoid When Remodeling your Home

Remodeling can be a very exciting experience but you don’t want to commit any of the following electrical mistakes. Electrical shocks and short circuits are deadly and you need to prevent them by making sure you avoid common electrical service mistakes. We are going to look at some mistakes that inexperienced electricians make during renovations that may cause serious shocks and potential fires. 

Stuffing too many wires in an electrical box

No experienced electrician will make the mistake of stuffing too many wires in the box because of the risk of overheating. The box size should be increased to facilitate the many different wires in order to avoid the risk of short-circuiting. Some homes have even experienced fire damage due to electrical wires that are stuffed in a small electrical box. 

Underground wiring

Many people make the mistake of using normal household wiring on the backyard or garden. There are specific cables and wires that are meant for underground wiring. Using the wrong type of cable or wire can cause a lot of potential risks. The underground wires need to have conduit protection at the top so that they do not easily get damaged by soil or pressure.

Using the junction box and clamps to protect wires/cables

Most people will not install these components because they seem to occupy too much space. However, when the renovations are done especially in the kitchens, junction boxes and clamps are important because they help to protect wires and cables that will be connected to kitchen appliances. Not only do they prevent damage to your electrical appliances but also ensure you don’t experience shocks and sparks when you connect the appliance to the electric supply. Having clamps and junction boxes can really help to maintain your electrical appliances.

Using extension cords as permanent wiring

This is often seen in outdoor spaces like on the lawn where one needs to use the sprinkler but there’s no power source. Using an extension cord as a permanent source of wiring is a very dangerous thing any homeowner can do. These cords are sometimes unable to withstand the load they are exposed to and may end up creating serious potential risks like house fires. If there is a need to use power outdoors, underground wiring should be done to facilitate this.

Cutting the wires too short

Many homeowners who choose to do their own electrical work during renovations end up making this common mistake. The issue with cutting the wires too short is that, you are more likely to make poor connections which end up becoming very dangerous. Make sure the wires are long enough to facilitate proper connections.

Connecting wires without electrical boxes

Connecting wires without the use of electrical boxes is a very huge risk. When you leave the wires hanging, the connections can easily get damaged and cause short circuits. There is also the risk of loose connections when electrical boxes are not used. These loose connections will cause shocks and also expose the wires to different forms of damage.   

Posted By: Blackstock Electric http://blackstockelectric.com

Home Lighting Trends

You walk into the lighting section of any home improvement store and are quickly overwhelmed with the number of options available when it comes to lighting the interior and exterior of your home. Experts know the best tips for lighting that can provide both enough wattage for what you are doing and be flattering at the same time. They also know home lighting trends.

Let's begin by outlining the different kinds of lighting for each main room of the home.

Kitchen. They say that the kitchen is the heart of the home. It is also a gathering place when company is over. When preparing meals, it's important to have proper lighting. The key in the kitchen is to focus primarily on the overhead lighting. Additionally lower light sources (think under-cabinet lighting) can shed more direct light onto work surfaces.

Dining Room. The best tip for this room is to illuminate the table so that it is the brightest location in the room. You'll find that in the majority of homes utilize a chandelier light fixture. Lighting experts suggest not going any higher than 100 watts total on the fixture. If a sideboard is in the room, then matching sconces can add great lighting features to the space. Pendants are popular over island seating or alternatively recessed light can also provide the same basic effect.

Living Room. Lighting this room will vary a little bit more from one home to the next. For the most part, you want to use the general rule of thumb which is to light three out of the four corners. One of these lights should be directed towards an object that you want to stand out in the room. Some homeowners like to feature a particular piece of artwork whereas others may point it at a chair or other favorite decorative element. Floor and table lamps can also be utilized in the living room space to add additional reading or task lighting.

Bedroom. The bedroom lighting should allow for an atmosphere that is primarily for reading. Any type of track or recessed fixtures should be pointed away from the bed and not directly aiming at the bed itself. Reading lamps commonly are found on bedside tables which can help create a cozier and more relaxing atmosphere.

Bathroom. Most often the first thing that comes to a woman's mind when thinking about lighting in the bathroom is the best type of light for applying makeup. For a man, it may be shaving. Whichever the task is, lighting that flanks the mirror is the best option for the space. Additionally overhead lighting can help not to allow shadows.

Lighting Types

Now onto the various types of lighting primarily used in the home. When shopping for lighting fixtures you will find a range of prices and types varying from the cheap builder-grade lighting to the high-end and custom lighting features. No matter your budget, you will usually find options in flush mount, semi-flush, chandeliers, pendant, sconces, track and recessed.

How Many Watts Do You Need?

While the wattage will vary from one light to the next, the normal that you will usually find is 60 watts. Whether you are putting on make-up, staring at a computer screen or reading, a 60-watt light bulb will fulfill the needs. You will also notice a wide variety of bulb types when you are shopping on the lighting aisle. The normal types are LED, incandescent and fluorescent.

No matter which room of the house it is, the appropriate task lighting should be used. And, having a well-lit home can make a big difference in every-day tasks.

Posted By: Blackstock Electric   http://blackstockelectric.com

Making Your Home Electrical Safe

Recent surveys have shown that about three people die every day from electrical-related incidents in the home. Electricity is quite dangerous if not monitored or used the right way. Kids and pets are also at a high risk of suffering injuries due to electricity because they are the most unknowing and curious when it comes to dealing with electricity. Electricity can cause electrocution, damage appliances or even lead to electrical fires in the home. Electricity awareness and basic knowledge is very important to reduce these destructive, fatal and traumatic incidences with electricity. The following are some of the things you can do to stay safe.

Pest control

Pests, especially rodents, often attack the electrical wiring and cables in your home. They are often attracted by the rubbery outer coating and gnaw on it leaving the very dangerous wires exposed. You can easily get electrocuted if you touch or step on this wire. The damaged wires could also blow out household appliances. You need to ensure that your house is pest free for your own safety.

Safety covers

You can buy safety covers for outlets that are not in use. Children will often stick objects into the outlet to see what happens. It is very dangerous if the child sticks a conductor into the outlet because they will end up electrocuted. Sometimes children also plug in appliances such as iron boxes when no one is watching and this could potentially lead to a fire. These safety covers are designed to be tamper-proof making it difficult for your child or pet to remove.

Have a professional inspect your electrical system

Sometimes electrical problems develop unexpectedly. However, a professional can inspect and identify potential hazards with your electrical systems before they occur. The inspector will check the wiring, the power consumption in the home and the various electricity outlets. They can advice you on ways to control your consumption or even which appliances could be causing problems with your electrical system. You should call an electrician if you notice that the switch place is hot or your outlets are discolored by heat.

Install additional outlets

You should avoid using extension cords and power strips as much as possible. They just increase the risk of electrical faults. In case you have more appliances, you should install additional outlets or for stationary appliances, move the outlet closer to the appliance. In case you have to use extension cords, make sure they are certified to handle the amount of voltage from that outlet.  Use the extension cords only for emergencies and put them away when they are not in use.

High traffic areas

In case you do your own wiring or use extension cords, you should avoid running the wires along high traffic areas. You should put power cords under rugs or furniture and you should nail them to the baseboard. High traffic areas increase risk of electrocution, especially if the wire insulation becomes worn out leaving the live wires exposed.

Posted By: Blackstock Electric http://blackstockelectric.com 

Choosing Commercial Electricians

Regardless of your business type, finding qualified professionals when you need them is the key to a successful business. Choosing commercial electricians is no less important. It should be remembered that most commercial electricians have a specialty of some type. This is one of the reasons that it is important to know the issues before you seek out help.

Decide if you are choosing commercial electricians for new construction or upgrading old buildings. Maybe you are looking for help with repairs of current electrical work. These things are important to finding the right professional. If you are looking for an electrician you may want to consider contacting your local Electrical Contractors Association for a listing of local contractors.

According the Georgia Board of Construction Industry Licensing Board, for example, there are over 8,000 non-residential licensed contractors in the state. This can make choosing commercial electricians for your project a bit overwhelming. It is encouraging to know that Georgia state laws, under Chapter 14 of Title 43, require that electricians earn a state license before they are allowed to work as an Atlanta area electrician. Confirming that the contractor you are considering is fully licensed can be done by contacting the Secretary of State in your state.

It is very important that you are honest with the potential contractor about your timeline and your expectations. In addition, they can work with you more easily if they are given information up front regarding your budget limitations. When choosing commercial electricians for your project, whether you are rewiring an entire office building or building new condos and need full electrical, getting a quote before you make a choice is essential.

All electrical contractors should have a full grasp of the 2011 National Electrical Code (NEC) to ensure that they are performing in compliance with national regulations regarding both installation and repair. This code changes on a three year basis and is considered to be the "bible" for all electrical contractors, regardless of specialty.

Another part of choosing commercial electricians for your project is ensuring that they can provide excellent references. This should be an easy process for the contractor and allows you to see how previous customers felt about their final work. You could also confirm with the local licensing board and Secretary of State that there have been no complaints filed against the contractor you are considering. They are happy to provide this information and you can actually find some of it online. The right professional commercial electrical contractor will help you get the job at hand done swiftly and safely.

Posted By: Blackstock Electric http://blackstockelectric.com

What Your Electrician Should be Telling You

Electricity supply is a crucial part of your household. Your household appliances depend on electricity to run. You need electricity to warm your shower water so that you can get ready for work. You need electricity to run the air conditioning and heating. In short, your household cannot exist without electricity. Electricity also happens to be dangerous. If wiring and installation is done improperly, you expose your household to great risk. As such, when choosing an electrician to do your electric work for you, you need to pay attention to the information they are giving you. This will help you determine whether they are indeed suitable for the job.

Qualifications

Even before you delve into matters of the actual problem at hand, your electrician needs to prove that they are trained and licensed to provide the services you need. Cross-check this information with the necessary bodies. Remember it is very easy for rogue professionals to lie about their qualifications.

What’s wrong?

Your understanding of the electric problem is based on your layman’s knowledge. However, a good electrician will explain to you in as much detail as you want, what exactly is wrong with whatever you need fixed. This way, they will walk you through the process of fixing the problem, including how much this will cost you. And speaking of cost, another thing your electrician should be telling you is…

How much you will be charged for everything.

Your electrician should break down the charges for all services rendered and materials used. It is not acceptable for an electrician to give you a block fee without explaining what the individual costs that add up to the total figure are. Your electrician should also be transparent about their charges, and should not add additional costs that weren’t initially discussed to your bill.

What your options are.

As far as materials go, there are different options that are available for electric work. Based on your needs and your budget, your electrician should be in a position to advise you on which is the best and which cheaper alternatives are available, to suit your budget if need be.

Who they have worked for before

You should talk to the past clients of the electrician, to find out whether they can vouch for him. If an electrician is reluctant to provide their past client list, take that as a red flag. Any professional who is proud of their work will be more than happy to have you speak with the clients they have offered their services to.

How to avoid similar problems in future.

If the problem at hand is something that could have been avoided, your electrician should tell you how to do so. They will not let you run into the same problem with an intention of making more money off you.

If you do not take time to choose a good electrician, you will be placing your entire household at the risk of injury, fire and even death. If your electrician is not telling you the above things, consider that a sign to keep searching for a good electrician.

Posted By: Danny Blackstock    http://blackstockelectric.com/

Top 5 Things to Consider When Choosing an Electrician

When getting electrical work done around the home, it is highly necessary that you take time to ascertain that you are getting the electrician who is best for the job. If electrical work is done shoddily, you increase the chances of someone getting hurt or your house burning down. You cannot afford to be careless when choosing an electrician. Here are some things you should consider:

Licensing and insurance

Ask your electrician if they are licensed. A license guarantees you that the electrician has been authorized by the regulatory bodies to offer their services, after having passed the necessary courses and done the prerequisite practical work. Be careful when checking an electrician’s license; the license must approve the electrician to carry out the work you want done. Remember that some licenses come with restrictions. Also, it is important that you choose an electrician who is insured. You do not want a situation where mishaps happen and you are left recovering from losses on your own. Insurance is paramount.

Qualifications and experience

Different electricians come with different qualifications, experience and even accreditation. Depending on the work you want done, you should choose an electrician who fits the bill perfectly. A Master Electrician comes with a guaranteed 3-year experience and a 12-month warranty on workmanship. If you choose a Master Electrician, you can rest assured that you will be getting the highest standard of workmanship and electrical safety.

Recommendations

Ask family or friends to recommend a good electrician whose services they were happy with. Getting an opinion from someone who has had electrical work done by a particular electrician is invaluable, as it tells you whether that electrician can be trusted to perform or not. You could ask an electrician to give you a list of their references, and then call these referees to ask what their experience was like.

Pricing

While it is not wise to choose an electrician based on price alone, you must ensure that you are getting value for your money. Ensure that you communicate clearly what kind of work you want done, and the exact fittings and materials you want used, so you can get a quote that is accurate. And speaking of quotes, ensure you get at least 3 quotes before settling on an electrician. Ask the electrician to give you a quote that breaks down the prices, as this will help you when making comparisons.

Professionalism and communication

A good tradesman communicates clearly with his clients, and conducts himself in a manner that speaks of his professional standards. If you notice that an electrician is sloppy in appearance and conduct, you might want to start looking elsewhere. If he arrives late, and didn’t bother to call in advance and inform you of his impending delay, you are likely courting trouble.

In a nutshell, this is what you should be asking yourself when choosing an electrician:

Is the electrician licensed and insured?

Does the electrician have experience in the kind of job you want done?

Has someone recommended the electrician to you?

Are you getting value for your money?

Does the electrician have a professional attitude and appearance?

Posted By: Blackstock Electric http://blackstockelectric.com

Qualities of a Good Electrical Company

When you want some electrical work done around your house, it is crucial that you choose an electrical company that understands all your needs and caters to every one of them. Many homeowners are hesitant about inviting a tradesman into their home, and naturally so, because they worry about whether the person will do more harm than good. Thankfully, with a few guidelines you’ll know how to land a reliable electrician.

Licensed and insured

They should be licensed to provide electrical services to clients. It is very important for a company to have the necessary licenses because it means they have been given the go-ahead by the regulating bodies to provide the particular services listed on the license. On top of this, a company should be insured so that you can rest assured that any unpredicted damages will be properly taken care of.

Value for money

Many companies will charge you a lot of money and then go ahead to offer services that are not commensurate with their exorbitant charges. A good company should be fairly priced and break down the cost of services into bits that you can easily understand. This way, you know exactly how your money is being spent. It is important that you clearly communicate the exact kind of work you require and the exact fittings and materials you wish to have, so that there can be no misunderstandings when you are getting your quote.

Qualifications and experience

The electricians representing the company should be in a position to offer quality workmanship that is unmatched. Whether you are looking to get your basement worked on, or wish to get some work done for a remodel, you must be sure that you’re getting exactly what you want.

Recommendations

Recommendations are a great way to find someone reputable who can offer you the kind of services that you need. Find out if the company gets repeat business and referrals from existing clients. This is definitely a sign that the company is doing something right. You can ask for references so you can speak to the clients yourself. Hearing about someone’s positive experience might be all the convincing you need.

Fair prices and timely response

When you need an electrician, it is usually in the face of an emergency. As such, you do not wish to be given the runaround or have to wait for hours. They should respond to your call in a timely manner, and offer you services at reasonable rates because the ultimate goal must be to satisfy you and earn your loyalty.

Electricity and electrical supplies and appliances are an integral part of every home. If you find yourself in the situation where you need an electrician who understands all your needs, and responds to them when you need them to, get the right company for the job beforehand. Electrical emergences can be unnerving but you will have an easier time knowing that there is someone you can rely on at all times, because you never know when you will need them.

How to Find a Qualified Electrician for Your Needs

Locating a reliable and trustworthy electrician can be an uphill task especially if you have no idea where to start. Whether you need electrical work around your office or you have some emergency at home, you need a competent electrician with the ability to provide you with superior workmanship and first class service. However, this won’t happen automatically. You will need to consider certain factors.

Ask around

Start by speaking to your colleagues, friends, relatives and neighbors to find out whether any of them hired an electrician in the recent past. Chances are they will recommend a few names to you especially if the electrician did an excellent job for them. When they give you references, make a point of asking questions regarding the nature of the problem the electrician fixed, how long it took to fix it and so on. You want to contact someone who will fix your electrical task quickly and effectively.

Licensing and insurance

The last thing you want is to hire an electrician who is not legit. If they value their business, they should not take long to get out their license when you ask for it. This will give you peace of mind. In addition to licensing, you should confirm whether the electrician is insured. If by mistake, he drops and break the neck while fixing lights on your ceiling, you should not get into trouble as long as the technician is insured.

Experience and qualification

Once you contact the electrical company and you are certain that their electricians are insured and licensed, go ahead and ask about their qualifications. Do they have training in electrical related fields? Hiring a knowledgeable electrician is imperative. How long have they been working? Many years of experience prove that the company has superb skills and expertise to fix your electrical issue in no time.

Pricing

Before deciding to hire a professional in this field, price will play an essential role. However, you should not decide based on the price alone. Look at the services provided by several companies and review each of them. You should go for a company that offers quality services at reasonable prices.

Ask for references

Ask the electrical company for a list of references. After getting a number of references from them, do not assume that everything is in order. Instead, take your time to contact a few of the references to evaluate the quality of service the company provided them. It is also prudent that you visit online forums and independent review sites to gather more information about the electrical company before hiring their services.

Do not forget that there are numerous electricians out there, all of them claiming to offer the best service. The challenge is not all of them will do high quality work or offer excellent customer service. That is why you need to take time and vet them before you finally decide to work with one. This will be important because you may want to work with the electrician in future.

How to Perform Electrical Troubleshooting

There are many ways to determine whether there are electrical issues in your home. Some of these signs can be easily ignored. Consider something like flickering lights or a tripped circuit breaker. Many homeowners assume that these things are normal and will never call in an electrician to identify the root cause. It could be a faulty wiring or poor connection that can cause electrocution and endanger your family members.

So it’s always best to keep an eye of these electrical issues before they escalate. Know when something is wrong and put your safety first. Do not start fixing electrical problems or touching live wires in a bid to determine what’s wrong. Here’s how you can perform electrical troubleshooting while putting your safety first.

1. Determine if there are any devices that are not working. There are cases where the device is simply broken and the issue has nothing to do with your electrical outlet. You need to turn off the device and try to use it on a different outlet. If it still doesn’t work then it could be the device that has a problem.
2. Find out if your neighbors are having a similar problem. The electrical issue you are having could be widespread. Talk to your neighbors to find out if they are also experiencing the same issue for instance, the flickering lights. It could be an issue with the power company.
3. Find out if there could be a problem with your fuses or circuit breakers. Circuit breakers often trip when there is a power overload. This tripping is meant to protect you and the electronics in your home from getting damaged.
4. If you realize that one of the circuits has a problem, the best thing would be to turn off the faulty circuit. Shutting it down until the electrician comes will ensure that everything in your home is kept safe.
5. The next step would be to call in an electrician to come and inspect your home. You can request for an electrical audit where the electrician will look at the whole wiring and be able to recommend changes that will keep your home secure. You may be advised to invest in a new wiring for the entire home in case the existing one has deteriorated. Doing this may seem like an expensive undertaking but it is worthwhile considering the money you save and enhanced safety.
6. Most importantly, take measures to improve the electrical usage in your home and maintain safety. For instance, one of the issues that may be triggering the circuit breaker trip is plugging so many electronics on the circuit. There are electronic items such as hairdryers that drive a lot of power and are likely to overload a circuit when used with other electronics. There are other electronics like space heaters that may cause overheating of the wiring. You need to avoid these measures if you want the new wiring to last. Ask the electrician to explain what measures you can take to keep your home’s wiring in proper condition.

Posted By: Blackstock Electric http://blackstockelectric.com