How to Use an Extension Cord safely

by R R

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Extension cord safety

With the growing number of electrical appliances and gadgets that we use nowadays, we sometimes find ourselves running out of outlets to plug them in. Thankfully, we have extension cords to fill this need, providing us with extra sockets for our demands. That being said, extension cords are undoubtedly one of the things that every household must have.

As useful as they are though, extension cords, when used improperly, can be the cause of many untoward incidents and mishaps. Thus, to ensure that we avoid any unfortunate incidents with using this device, here are some useful safety tips to bear in mind.

Don’t run electrical cords under the carpet. It is not always pleasant to see an extension cord running across the room, which is why many people often put them under rugs and carpets to hide them. However, this is not a good practice since you can step on them unknowingly and break the insulation, which can either result to electrocution, or the electric current burning up the carpet and ultimately, your home.
Don’t run extension cords in the middle of the room. Instead, place them along the sides of the wall. This will help to minimize the chances of you, your kids, or your pets on tripping on them and meeting an accident.
Use the appropriate extension cords. Extension cords come in different types and makes. There are extension cords which are specifically designed for indoor use, and there are extension cords that are designed for outdoor use. Never use an indoor extension cords for the outdoors, since they are not able to withstand outdoor weather so easily, and are not as properly insulated as outdoor extension cords.
Avoid “octopus” connections. Extension cords are designed with at least one or more sockets, but this does not mean that you need to plug everything there since this will cause an overload and be the start of a fire. In addition, avoid plugging one (or more) extension cords into another extension cord, for the same reason stated above.
Lastly, store extension cords properly. Rolling them up is recommended because there is less stress on the insulation and thus prevents breaking. Store them in a cool dry place as well, away from any source of moisture (like windows) or excessive heat (like the heating system).

The LED Bulb Upgrade

30Oct

by R R

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Lightbulb upgrades

The past few years saw the development of the LED (light emitting diode) light bulb. We have all heard about what they are and the benefits that they bring, which is why millions of people from all over the world makes use of them in their own homes and commercial establishments. However, despite the huge number of people who are using LED light bulbs, there are still a significant number of people who are not, and if you’re one of them, then here are two great reasons why you should get rid of your incandescent and CFL light bulbs and switch to LED.

It’s Good for Your Pocket

LED light bulbs can save you from a lot of expenses in the long run. Sure, they may be more expensive than your ordinary light bulb, but rest assured that whatever dollar you spend now in buying an LED light bulb will be well worth it.

LED light bulbs are known to last for a very, very long time – longer than the average lifespan of ordinary light bulbs. All things being equal, an LED light bulb can last you for at least five years or even longer, which will lessen your need to buy replacement light bulbs more frequently. Furthermore, LED light bulbs consume lesser amounts of electricity for the same amount of brightness that any light bulb gives. For instance, a 3 watt LED light bulb is just as bright as an 11 watt CFL light bulb, which means that for the same brightness, you would be consuming 8 watts less. Needless to say, your electricity bills can be reduced significantly.

It’s Good for the Environment

Since LED light bulbs consume lesser amounts of electricity, there will be lesser demands on electric generating power plants. That being said, these power plants will not need to burn and process coal, fossil fuels and natural gasses in order to provide the needed electricity to households. If all households were to use LED light bulbs, the rate of carbon emissions coming from these power plants will decrease dramatically, and thus help to alleviate our growing problems on greenhouse gasses and climate change.

If you really want to save money on your electric bills, and at the same time help the environment, then switching to LED light bulbs and using them in your home is the best way of doing so.

Common Interior Light Repairs

10Oct

by R R

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Interior lighting is one of the most important aspects of any home since not only do they provide functional lighting to illuminate our living spaces, but also work as decorative lighting fixtures that help to improve the aesthetics of our homes.

However, like all other things in our homes, lighting fixtures can also undergo several problems throughout their lifespan. Such problems can be caused by many factors, including the age of our lighting fixtures, and even some external forces like excessive moisture. Despite these, there are certain fixes that you can do yourself, although in some extreme cases, the aid of an electrician can be valuable.

When a light bulb is flickering, it may mean that the bulb has run its lifetime and needs to be replaced. Replacing a light bulb is basically something that you can do yourself. But first make sure that you have the right light bulb replacement in hand. To make sure, you may want to first unscrew the faulty light bulb, take note of its specifications and go to the store or bring the light bulb with you. Once you have the right bulb, simply screw it back on and everything should be working well again.

If the light bulb is still flickering, or at worst, wouldn’t light up, then the problem may be more than the light bulb itself, and a closer look at the lighting fixture components may be needed. For one, you need to make sure that the electrical circuit that leads to the lighting fixture is working. To do this, you can try the light bulb in other areas sockets and if it lights there, then there is a problem with the particular lighting fixture component.

If you are pretty handy with electrical systems, you can open up the fixture and try looking for any worn out or loose wires in the electrical box. These are located at the back of the lighting fixture and all ceiling lights and wall lights like sconces as well as small down lights and pendant lights.

However, for bigger and more complicated lighting fixtures like chandeliers, you may want to call in a professional electrician to help you dismantle them and check what is wrong.
Fixing your interior lighting may be difficult depending on the type of lighting fixture you have and the complexity of the problem. You must also make sure that you are performing the repairs safely if you plan to do it yourself in order to avoid any unfortunate accident.

5 Electrical Safety Tips Everyone Should Know

24Sep

by R R

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Although we are all aware of the dangers of improperly dealing with electricity, there are some instances when we tend to forget about or ignore them completely. Thus, it won’t hurt us to be reminded of them time and again – for safety’s sake.

Don’t Put Wires under Carpets
Some people who want to run wires across the room but do not want them to be hanging on walls, or want to keep them hidden often run them under the carpet. This may make sense on the aesthetic side, but not on the safety side. By doing so, you increase the chances of you stepping on them and break the insulation and expose the wires. The next time you step on them, you may get electrocuted.

Don’t Overload Sockets and Outlets
Some people just have too many appliances and gadgets that they want to plug in and use all at the same time. Thus, they resort to plugging so many devices into one socket and create their own “octopus wiring”. This is never a good idea, because overloading can cause the electrical circuit to burn up and result to unwanted fires.

Unplug All Appliances When Not in Use
When not in use, it is wise to unplug all appliances because even if they are turned off, as long as they are plugged in, current is still running on them. This practice is not only safe but also saves you some money. Before you go to bed, be sure to unplug all electrical appliances that are not needed to run 24/7, with the exception of the refrigerator perhaps.

Pull the Plug Properly
Some people often remove the plug by yanking at the cord, which is not a good idea because it can cause the cord to break, damage the plug and the outlet and even cause fires. To properly remove a plug, hold the plug itself and pull it out straight – never try to wiggle them out of the outlet.

Water and Electricity Don’t Mix
There are some instances where people tend to mix electricity and water sometimes unintentionally, like plugging in the blower with wet hands after showering or after they come dripping wet from the pool. This is never a good idea since this is a major cause for electrocution. Make sure that you and your hands and feet are completely dried before touching any electrical appliances.

What Types of Appliances Require a Dedicated Electrical Line?

05Sep

by R R

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Not all appliances are created equal – some will require 220V while others will require 110V – and plugging the wrong appliance into the wrong plug or line will most likely result in a very frustrating consequence. Plug your 220V appliance to a 110V socket, and it won’t work as you desire. Plug a 110V appliance onto a 220V line, and you either burn your appliance or get an explosion. Anyway, always remember to read the manufacturer’s instruction before plugging anything into any socket to avoid mishaps and disappointments. To help lessen your worries, it is worth your while to know and familiarize yourself which appliances require a 220V line, and so here is a list of some of them.

Kitchen Appliances
Most kitchen appliances require a 220V power line, mainly because they are heavy duty appliances and require enough electrical power in order to run. This includes your cooking appliances, namely the electric stove and the microwave oven. Some (not all) electric thermos also require 220V, especially if they are made in foreign countries (plugging it in a 110V socket will take a long time for the water to heat up hot enough for a decent cup of coffee – if it heats up at all). Refrigerators and heavy duty freezers will also require a 220V line, and so will dishwashers and disposal units (although the last two can be wired on a single circuit).

Laundry Appliances
Washing machines, especially the heavy duty ones (like those used in laundry shops) must also be plugged into 220V sockets, so do dryers of the same built and make.

Heating and Cooling Systems
Water heaters, whether it be gas or electric, will require 220V to run, as well as other heating systems that you installed in your home. Cooling systems like air conditioners and others also need 220V, and on a side note, it is best to have a dedicated line or circuit for each of these.

Outdoor Appliances
Aside from your outdoor lighting fixtures and wall outlets, some appliances or fixtures used in the outdoors require 220V in order to run. These include pool heaters, Jacuzzi (if you’re lucky enough to have one), fountains, and appliances that you use in the workshop like welding machines, power saws and the likes.

When Should You Update Your Home’s Wiring?

19Aug

by R R

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Updating your home’s electrical wiring can be a very expensive endeavor, but considering all the benefits that come with it, every penny is surely worth it. However, being so expensive, you don’t want it to be replaced if there is no actual need to do so, so in order to make sure that you won’t be needlessly spending money, here are some considerations taking note of.

Old Homes and Old Wires Don’t Mix
If your house was built around the earlier half of the 20th century, then you can be sure that your house’s electrical wiring system needs updating. Older electrical wiring systems make use of ancient materials which are no longer deemed safe by fire departments and home safety inspectors because of the following reasons:

• They are most likely worn out. If you haven’t had your electrical wirings replaced in the past few decades, they are most likely to be worn out right now due to the normal wear and tear that all electrical systems go through. Aside from that, rodents may have also chewed on your wires (yes, they do that) and these exposed wires can pose serious fire hazards.

• They are unable to meet our needs. Compared to the past, we demand more from our electrical systems nowadays. Before, the only things that require electrical power are simple appliances like TV, radio, and lighting fixtures. Now, aside from these, we also have microwave ovens, water heaters, air conditioning systems, computers, and not to mention the number of gadgets and mobile devices that we have to charge every day. All these require more efficient power systems, and older electrical systems usually aren’t capable of this.

Plan for the Future
As mentioned earlier, updating your electrical wirings can cost a lot of money, so if you are going to spend, be sure to spend wisely. That being said, it is often better to consider using high grade electrical materials that will still be acceptable and able to handle our electrical needs 10 years from now. Remember that innovation is moving pretty fast these days, and before you know it, you will have more appliances that need to be plugged and installed. To be able to effectively plan this out, it would be a great idea to consult a professional electrician who can help you plan an electrical system that will keep your house and appliances powered for years to come.

Being an Electrician: The Tough Job of Making Other’s Life Easy

07Aug

by R R

0

As we live in a modern world, it is no coincidence that electricians are some of the most sought after handymen nowadays. We always need their expertise and working knowledge of electricity to help power our homes, businesses and properties.

Despite this demand (which can appear to be very appealing to many people who are looking to start a career as an electrician), this is also considered to be one of the most difficult jobs in the world, and for good reasons.

First off, electricians handle one of the most powerful elements we have in the world today – electricity. When dealt with inappropriately, it can result in serious injuries like first, second, or even third degree burns and other similarly agonizing injuries. At worst, electrocutions can cause immediate death. Whenever electricians work, they always put themselves at risk of these threats, sacrificing life and limb in order to live up to their duties of providing electricity to our properties.

Second, it is a fact that not all clients are nice. If you have a contracting firm for instance and are called upon to conduct electrical repairs in a house, there are chances where you’ll get to meet rude and irritable customers who seem to look down on blue collar job people. This is never good in anyway, but as a professional you have to act as civil as possible and not retort in anyway unless you were completely provoked. Yes, there are clients who are like this, poking their noses at your work while you work, pointing out something that they read on the internet (as if you don’t know what you’re doing), and even asking you to work faster because they’re going to be late for a dinner date – “but make sure you get that done right or else I’m going to call your boss!”

One of the toughest jobs anywhere in the world is servicing people and their needs, and sometimes, the scenarios are not so pretty. As an electrician, you will have to learn how to deal with such difficulties in the most appropriate manner possible, and protect your reputation as a professional electrician. It is quite unfortunate to be treated so small by some snub-nosed client, but things do get better once you have completed the job successfully and prove your worth.

Steps to Choosing the Right Electrician Services Company

23Jul

by R R

0

Truth be told, it is often easier to find an individual electrician to help you with your electrical needs, especially if you know one personally, or have a friend who does. If you don’t, then you’d have to resort one of the many electrical service company listed in your Yellow Pages or has an office in your area. However, you may often find that dealing with a company is quite different from talking with your neighborhood handyman, and thus you’ll need to follow a series of steps which can somehow help alleviate this problem.

Credentials Are Important
When you choose to hire an electrical services company, you need to take some time in checking and ensuring that they have the appropriate credentials and qualifications require by the state and the law. Reputable electrical services companies will always be proud to present their state licenses and certifications when you ask to see it, and if they don’t, you may want to start looking for another electrical services company. Remember that the risks involved in low quality electrical work is tremendous and can result to loss of life and property.

So Are References
It never hurts to ask a neighbor or a friend for some references and recommendations if they have any, but you should still take it upon yourself to do your own research. You want to look at the company’s history and make sure that they have good records in the area they service.

Learn about Their Employees
The employees and staff of electrical services companies often reflect the kind of service that the company provides. You are not out of your bounds to ask about the licenses and qualifications of each of their electricians, and you can even conduct a background check for any anomalies the company has been involved in or any reports of inappropriate behaviour about their staff (e.g. smell of alcohol when reporting to the site of work).

Ask for a Contract
Any legitimate electrical services companies will ask you to sign a contract with them before they do any actual work on your property (except in cases of free inspections). When they do, be sure to read all information written there, including insurances and others. If something is not clear to you, be sure to ask them for clarifications, especially with regards to the fine print.

Ways to Find a Good Electrician

09Jul

by R R

0

It is a fact that one of the most common reasons for fires in residential and commercial establishments is faulty electrical wirings and bad electrical jobs. Thus, you should be careful in selecting which electrician you choose to service your home or establishment in order to protect yourself, your family, and your property from untoward incidents. But with all the many electricians out there, how do you find a good contractor?

Ask for Referrals

The easiest way to find a good electrician is by asking a friend, family, neighbor, or anyone you know whom you are close with, especially if they recently hired the services of one. Be sure to ask about the costs involved, but more importantly, ask how satisfied they were with the electrician’s work. If it has been months since they hired the electrician, be sure how well is the repaired electrical system holding up and if it still works as promised by the electrician. Remember to contact that electrician if they were satisfied with his job.

Browse the Yellow Pages

Yes, folks, despite the modern era, phone companies still distribute yellow pages to their subscribers. If you don’t have one, go and borrow one from your neighbor. Reputable and established electricians are more than proud to have their business and contact number posted on the yellow pages.

Look Online

If you don’t like thumbing through the pages of the directory, then you should go online and conduct your search there. Just be sure to include in the search box your location (e.g. best electrician in New York, etc.) You’ll find that you’ll be presented with more options, and this kind of makes the search a bit more challenging. However, you can always go and join a forum for people who are hiring or hired an electrician before. They can provide you with an electrician’s number, or they refer you to some electrical shops where you can also do you inquiry.

These are just some of the most popular ways of finding a good electrician. Utilizing the methods outlined above will make the search easier, and thus get the job completed faster.

Electricians and Why They Are Not Like Other Tradesmen

23Jun

by R R

0

To clarify, electricians are classified as tradesmen. Wikipedia defines tradesmen as “a skilled manual worker in a particular trade or craft not in the liberal arts, “learned professions” or agriculture. Economically and socially, a tradesman’s status is considered between a laborer and a professional with a high degree of both practical and theoretical knowledge of his or her trade.” Thus, electricians, carpenters, boilermakers, plumbers and others are all considered tradesmen.

So what distinguishes an electrician from all other tradesmen?

Knowledge of Electricity

This is probably the most distinguishing characteristics of electricians that separate them from other tradesmen. Electricians are trained and educated in the art and science of electrical systems, from installation to assembly, drafting and interpreting blueprints and more. An electrician spends years studying, training and keeping updated with the latest trends in electricity.

Licenses

Electricians are required to prepare for and to pass a licensing examination in order for them to obtain their license and be able to practice their trade. Other tradesmen, like carpenters for instance, may opt to acquire a contractor’s license or not, yet they would still be able to practice carpentry in some states. Some other tradesmen like landscapers, house painters, and laborers are not required to have licenses in most states.

Diversity

Electricians are also one of the most diverse groups of tradesmen available. Electricians can be classified into different categories, from outdoor linesmen, to residential electricians and even voice, video and data installers and others. Although all these require the basic electrical skills and knowledge to complete, electricians are still required to undergo special training or apprenticeship before they can be entrusted the job.

All tradesmen, often referred to as blue-collar workers, are all different when it comes to the type of work they perform. However, they are all highly-trained and skilled in what they do. Electricians differ from other tradesmen in terms of their knowledge in electrical systems, they may also undergo longer education and training period before they are able to practice their trade, but they are equally as important as other tradesmen out there.

Blog Posts

How to Use an Extension Cord safely

Extension cord safety

The LED Bulb Upgrade

Lightbulb upgrades

Common Interior Light Repairs

5 Electrical Safety Tips Everyone Should Know

What Types of Appliances Require a Dedicated Electrical Line?

When Should You Update Your Home’s Wiring?

Being an Electrician: The Tough Job of Making Other’s Life Easy

Steps to Choosing the Right Electrician Services Company

Ways to Find a Good Electrician

Ask for Referrals

Browse the Yellow Pages

Look Online

Electricians and Why They Are Not Like Other Tradesmen

Knowledge of Electricity

Licenses

Diversity

Search Here

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OUTDOOR LIGHTING – THE BASICS, PART I – Outdoor vs. Indoor Lighting – Things to Consider:

OUTDOOR LIGHTING – THE BASICS, PART II – Outdoor Light Bulbs – What Kind to Use?

Winters Electric

Blog Posts

Extension cord safety

Lightbulb upgrades

Ask for Referrals

Browse the Yellow Pages

Look Online

Knowledge of Electricity

Licenses

Diversity

Search Here

Recent Posts

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Popular Posts

Winters Electric