Electrical Troubleshooting In Los Angeles

Posted on January 25, 2021 | by K Hopkins

electrical troubleshooting Troubleshooting your electrical problems can be tough or easy depending on the nature of the problem or how much of an expert you are.

Electrical troubleshooting involves finding the source of a system malfunction and knowing how to repair it. Its electrical problem-solving that qualified electricians can perform.

Signs you need electrical repairs and a troubleshooting expert in Los Angeles

Regardless of if electrical problems come up in your commercial/industrial building or residential building, you will need a qualified electrician to find the cause and offer solutions. Some signs you need electrical repairs and a troubleshooting expert include;

Fuses blowing continuously
Lighting issues such as lights flickering, dimming, and so on
Loose power outlets
Buzzing noises
Sparks or arcs
Electric shocks
Burning smells
Equipment fails
Power system fails

Knowing an expert electrical troubleshooter in Los Angeles

An expert troubleshooter can find all kinds of fault regardless of if they are easy or complicated.
They can repair and replace only the defective components in the system
Expert electrical troubleshooters in Los Angeles can understand both circuits they are familiar with and those they are not.
They use the right tools to refine their skills and identify defective components in an electrical system
They are experienced and constant practice makes them more proficient.

What happens during electrical troubleshooting in Los Angeles?

Electrical troubleshooting in Los Angeles can be a smooth and easy process with the right professional. The electrician will gather as much information as he can about the problem you’re experiencing by asking questions. With this knowledge, he can get prepared with the right tools and approach. He will go through your electrical system to find the cause or source of the electrical issue. Once found, he will fix the problem and run tests to make sure everything works properly.

Can you troubleshoot electrical repairs on your own?

Yes, and no. It’s important to always leave electrical work to licensed electricians. This ensures safety in your home from electrical hazards and efficiency. With a professional at work to solve your electrical problem, you are likely to avoid any headaches on the same or other issues anytime soon.

On the other hand, for residential buildings, there are some common electrical problems that you can fix yourself. These include issues that require little to no troubleshooting experience. Some examples are;

Fixing a loose outlet plug
Fixing cut or damaged extension cords
Reassembling a broken light switch
Resetting the electrical breaker.

If you are in a commercial or industrial building and don’t have an electrical expert available, don’t attempt to DIY any problems that arise. The electrical system in a commercial or industrial building can differ significantly from that of homes, and a DIY gone wrong can have terrible consequences.

Some electrical problems you shouldn’t DIY include;

Lighting issues
Dead outlets
Warm outlets
Breakers tripping more than normal
Equipment fails
Power system fails

At the Electric Connection, all our electrical technicians are expert troubleshooters in Los Angeles first. They are trained in solving your electrical issues.

What Is A Main Panel Upgrade?

Posted on January 19, 2021 | by K Hopkins

los angeles panel upgrade In your utility room, basement, or designated area, you will find a big grey metal box known as the electrical panel. The box comprises a series of wires and circuit breakers that determine where power goes in your home.

An efficient or upgraded main panel determines the right amount of voltage to meter out and ensures power is distributed safely and properly.

A main panel in need of an upgrade is more inconvenient than you would imagine. Hence, when it becomes necessary, don’t hesitate on a main panel upgrade.

The options that come with an upgrade

Upgrading your main panel depends on your precise electrical needs. If you need to upgrade from a smaller panel to a big one, that’s one option. It might be because your current panel can no longer provide enough power. You may also upgrade to fix faulty or damaged parts of the panel. The options usually involved with an electrical panel upgrade include;

Getting a bigger panel to bring more power into your home
Upgrade circuits to meet current National Electrical Code standards.
Replacing damaged or old components.
Increasing the number of circuits so you can add more outlets.

Ask all the right questions first.

To upgrade your main panel, you will need to hire a professional electrician. The electrician should be licensed and experienced in panel upgrades.

But, before you dive into signing any contracts and starting the work, ask the right questions to confirm that you need an upgrade and what to expect.

This is relevant as you may want an upgrade for the wrong reasons. For example, some homeowners take on this project when an electrician performs the inspection to say you need an upgrade; you think your insurance company demands it; you’ve heard something scary about fuses; you experience lights dimming and flickering, and so on. Within this list could easily be someone trying to sell you a bill on what you don’t need and your fear.

An honest electrician can tell you if you really need an upgrade and why. If they don’t tell you why be sure to ask first before agreeing.

When it’s time for the upgrade, the electrician should also have ready,

A detailed electrical estimate of the cost of upgrading the main panel.
Permits sorted before any work can take place.
An installation date on a day with good weather.

What happens when it starts?

A main panel upgrade can be highly disruptive or not so much depending on factors like the work involved and your electrician. It’s best to know what to expect to stay prepared.

The power to your home will be turned off for a minimum of 4 hours to as long as the electrician estimates to finish. During that time your appliances should be unplugged. You can also avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer door until it’s over.

The electricians will need access to your home. They will work mostly around the area of the panel and possibly others like your water tank or meter area. If there is wiring involved, they would work room to room.

Complete Burbank House Rewire

Posted on December 29, 2020 | by K Hopkins

electrician rewiring a house in burbank The thought of a complete home rewire can be worrying to some homeowners. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

A complete Burbank house rewire can be less complicated than you think. Hence it’s important to know what to expect and how you can make this project go as smoothly as possible.

When would you need a Burbank house rewire

Regardless of where you live, the factors that make a complete house rewire necessary are always the same. And in most cases, it’s impossible to realize your home needs rewiring until certain problems occur or you are undertaking projects like remodeling or addition.

You would need a Burbank house rewire under any or most of the following conditions;

Lights flicker when you turn on power demanding appliances
You have old-fashioned wiring like cloth-covered wiring, fuse boxes, knob-and-tube wiring, and so on.
There are signs of overheating at the socket outlets
You are remodeling, renovating, or adding a new room.
Breaker trips frequently or more than normal
You are adding new demanding appliances
After an inspection by a licensed electrician who confirms your wiring is worn out.

What happens during a Burbank house rewire?

Things can get messy around the house because home rewiring projects can be disruptive. There will be wires, drywall and ceiling been cut into, and much more.
Electricians often rewire in two stages. The first is fixing wiring and cables, and the second is installing everything connected to a socket or switch.
You won’t have power for a while. The electricians will shut off electrical power to the home for safety purposes while working.
You don’t have to leave your home while it’s being rewired. You can move from room to room or live nearby if you can’t deal with the mess.
It can take anywhere between 2-10 days to rewire your home depending on how large your home is.
Rewiring gives you the chance to future proof your home.

What does it cost to do a house rewire?

With a project like this, you might have already guessed it can dig deep into your pocket. The cost of house rewiring can differ depending on factors such as;

Your location
If the house is occupied or vacant
Size of your home
Age of your home
The electricians you hire

It’s possible to spend up to $3000 rewiring a home in Burbank and much less when the factors come into play.

What if my home is already rewired?

It’s possible to discover that your home has already been rewired and is still in good shape for your use. The best way to tell is to call an electrician for an inspection, but if you’re just buying the home, you can look out for signs such as;

Fabric covered wiring
Old-fashioned Fuse box
Old round pin sockets.

If your home does need a complete rewire, there are benefits in store for doing it. Rewiring your home with professional electricians helps you stay safe, fixes grounding issues, and gives you the capacity you need as a modern homeowner.

How to Pull an Electrical Permit in Los Angeles

Posted on December 23, 2020 | by K Hopkins

pulling permit in los angeles Not all projects require a permit, but most electrical works do. In Los Angeles, it’s easy to pull an electrical permit if you meet all the requirements. Since pulling permits differ from state to state, we have put together the Los Angeles guide you need.

An electrical permit is an approval you get from your building department to go ahead with electrical projects in a home.

In Los Angeles, you will need electrical permits for any kind of electrical works. These include work related to;

All residential and commercial buildings
Installing a new electrical panel
Installing a new sub panel
New buildings or addition to a building
Any electrical installations over 600 volts.
Installations of lighting including exits lighting and security lighting.
Installations in hazardous locations.
New, expanded, or replaced electrical items
Installation of a complicated electrical system as determined by the Department, such as Emergency, Legally Required Standby, Fire Alarm, and Gas Detection Systems.

The Permit Process

To pull an electrical permit in Los Angeles, you must first file electrical plans with the indicated department. These plans and the first step are referred to as electrical plan check. Only when this plan check has been approved or deemed not required will a permit be issued.

Electrical permits in Los Angeles can also only be issued to an electrical contractor with the appropriate license, the property owner, and or an agent representing either the contractor or the property owner.

Why it’s important to pull a permit when necessary?

Pulling a permit in Los Angeles may seem like a hassle to you, but it’s necessary if you want to avoid certain unfriendly situations. Electrical work carried out without a permit is considered illegal. Such unpermitted work can cause even more problems in the future if the option of a resale comes up. There’s also no assurance that the work was done up to code.

Where can I obtain the permit in Los Angeles and how much time is involved?

You can obtain an electrical permit from the local Building and Safety District Office serving your area. For online permits, you can go through Los Angeles County’s Electronic Permitting and Inspection (EPIC LA).

For simple projects that do not require a plan check, you can get an express permit when you apply online.

For small-medium projects, a plan check can take 45-60 minutes and as the projects get larger, plan checks extend to even weeks.

After obtaining the permit, the permit expires within 12 months if work has not started from the time it was issued.

It’s possible to get an extension on your permit, but that might require an extra fee.

How to make obtaining an electrical permit in LA easy

Start by hiring a professional and licensed electrician for your electrical needs. It’s legal, easier, and safer to let this experienced technician pull the permit for your project. All you will need to do is likely to bear the cost.

Licensed electricians can get permits faster and pass inspections easily too. They are also updated on current codes, and this saves you any future problems.

Troubleshooting Your Tesla Wall Connector

Posted on December 16, 2020 | by K Hopkins

As reliable as your Tesla Wall Connector may seem, it’s not far-fetched for problems to come up. Sometimes these issues are easy to troubleshoot on your own. Other times, professional help may be needed. Here are some tips and troubleshooting solutions for your Tesla Wall Connector.

No lights on your Tesla Wall Connector

When you turn your Wall Connector on, the indication of power is the lights. If that doesn’t happen it means you have a power supply problem with no power coming from the breaker panel. This applies especially when your Wall Connector has been working fine before.

To solve this problem, check that the power supply is on. This needs a minimal knowledge of your breaker panel and how it works. It usually involves flipping a breaker back into the on position. If nothing changes, it’s likely time to call an electrician.

The electrician will remove the Wall Connector and check that there is voltage present and fix any issues with the breaker panel that may be the root cause.

The Wall Connector shows a solid red

If you have been using your Tesla Wall Connector for a while, seeing a solid red will stand out to you because the Wall Connector usually comes on with a green light. A solid red can mean a few things and none of them are good news. It could mean the Wall Connector is bad or has an internal fault. Either way, a repair or replacement becomes necessary.

What you can do to solve the situation is to first try turning off the circuit breaker. Wait for a few seconds after before turning it back on. If the solid red light persists, then it’s time to contact Tesla.

One red blink to seven red blink

A red blink code pauses for one second and then repeats itself. The good news is from one red blink to seven red blinks, your Wall Connector can give some indication of what problems need to be fixed.

One blink means there’s a GFCI interruption because of an unsafe current path. There might be damage somewhere.

Check the Wall Connector itself, the handle, cable, and vehicle charge port for signs of contact with water or damage. Call an electrician right after to fix the issue.

Two red blinks mean a ground assurance fault has been detected. Call a certified Tesla electrician to handle this. The electrical technician will have to see if the Wall Connector is properly grounded and check all physical connections alongside.

Three red blinks present a different problem, which is a rise in temperature. This can quickly become a fire hazard and should be attended to by an electrician as soon as possible. You can confirm the issue by checking if the faceplate and cable handle are warm to the touch.

In contrast to what you might be thinking, it doesn’t get worse with four red blinks. Four red blinks simply indicate lost internet connection, and you can check the Wi-Fi settings, router, and signal strength to handle this.

Five red blinks mean an issue with power-sharing communication and can be sorted the same as four red blinks.

Six and seven red blinks generally mean an overvoltage or poor grid quality and need either an electrician or Tesla’s assistance.

Contacting Tesla

We recommend that our customers get in touch with Tesla technical support before contacting us or another electrician. We’ve had several customers recently have to have their Wall Connectors replaced by Tesla due to some kind of manufacturing defect. They can help you troubleshoot and do a diagnostic test. Please call 650-681-6133.

Note: For Wall Connector installations where you have breakers tripping, it may likely be an issue with the setting in your Wall Connector which you need to commission.

For WiFi commissioning support:

You may contact Tesla at 877-961-7652 between the hours of 8am to 5pm Pacific time Monday through Friday. Please be sure that you are home with the Wall Connector, you have the TPN (the part number), the TSN (the serial number), and you have connected the Wall Connector to the internet prior to calling. One of the troubleshooting steps is to get the Wall Connector, if it is a gen 3, to the internet. Please select the link below which will direct you to our website which includes the directions on connecting the Wall Connector to the internet. If the Wall Connector was installed the Online Orders department will not be able to assist with an exchange, however we will be able to complete the troubleshooting steps and if the troubleshooting doesn’t work then it may qualify your system for replacement.

How to Understand, Recognize, and Remove Cloth Covered Wiring

Posted on December 5, 2020 | by K Hopkins

house rewire signs, outlet on fire Cloth-covered wiring is a common subject that many homeowners end up faced with. It is often synonymous with old homes and you may not even know you have them. Read on for all you need to know about cloth-covered wiring in this article.

Understanding Cloth Covered Wiring

The simple description for cloth-covered wiring is electric wiring insulated or covered with cloth/fabric material. If it sounds old school, know that it is indeed old school and was the norm between the 1950s and 1970s. It seemed like a good idea at the time, especially since it was affordable and there were no better options.

After the decades of using cloth insulation for electric wiring, plastic insulation was discovered and refined and became the standard for all wiring needs. Cloth-covered wiring is now considered as an electrical hazard because of their many shortcomings.

Why cloth-covered wiring became bad news?

Using cloth as an insulator quickly proved dangerous because cloth material can deteriorate over time. The more brittleness and deterioration occurs, the higher the risk of an electric fire from the heat produce by wires.

Cloth is also an easy target for rodents and insects that can chew on it and expose the wires underneath.

In addition to these drawbacks, some cloth-covered wiring is further insulated with asbestos. Asbestos is known as a dangerous carcinogen to humans. Hence, like the cloth covering wears away over time, the asbestos breaks down and becomes airborne. This puts human lives at risk.

There is also the common issue of cloth wiring not being properly grounded. This presents even more danger to lives and property.

Recognizing Cloth Covered Wiring

Check for knob-and-tube wiring. Knob-and-tube wiring was also widely used at the same time as cloth covered wiring. It comprises ceramic knobs and tubes used for running wires through the walls. This wiring is also considered outdated and unsafe. If you have knob-and-tube wiring, then you likely have cloth wiring because cloth was often used for insulating knob-and-tube wiring with a rubber outer covering.
Check for the manufacturer. You can find the manufacturers or brand names of cloth wiring companies on the cloth-covered wiring. Many of these companies are no longer in business or have been sold off to other companies. Some names to look out for include:
- Narax
- Ammcoflex
- Cirtrex
- Dutrax
- Cres-Flex
- Hatflex
- Essex
- Triangle PWC
- Southwire
Call an electrician. If you are still in doubt or unable to recognize the wiring on your own, it’s best to call a professional electrician or home inspector. These experts will recognize cloth-covered wiring easily and will tell you if you need a house rewire.

Removing Cloth Covered Wiring

It’s good to know that not all cloth covered wiring spell danger for your home or building. The best way to know if you need to remove your cloth-covered wiring is to call an electrician. In cases where you need to remove and replace the outdated cloth-covered wiring in your home or building, this can only be completed by a licensed electrician.

Virtual Events in Los Angeles

Posted on November 25, 2020 | by K Hopkins

If virtual events were hardly a big deal before, they sure are now. Several guidelines to help protect everyone from the pandemic have made it impossible to enjoy most events in public as we did before. Consequently, many scheduled events have been canceled, some postponed, and others going virtual.

In Los Angeles, there are still many things that give a sense of normalcy. Our safe and efficient electrical services at The Electric Connection are one of such. Plus a wide range of virtual events available through various channels or media.

LA Food Bowl

The food bowl you’ve always known involved gathering together over a meal. It is targeted at celebrating restaurants and promoting a sense of community. With COVID-19 restructuring the way we do everything, it’s not possible to hold the food bowl event as before. Hence, a virtual version was created alongside a donation program to hold the LA Food Bowl where you are. The event is scheduled for October 17th and features a Cook-a-thon with 30 chefs and celebrities. There’s also a tasty takeout list to keep you satisfied and help local restaurants through this time.

We Can Teach You That

Traveling during this time is possible, but traveling safely is what you need to do. LA Times travel writer Christopher Reynolds will show you How To Travel Safely (If You Must) in a virtual event come October 27, 5:00 pm. This event is part of a new virtual series – We Can Teach You – hosted by the LA Times. You can stay updated with this virtual series to gain new and useful knowledge. This travel safe course will include;

How to reduce risks as you travel post-pandemic
How to fly safely
Day trip ideas
Real-life stories/experiences traveling since March
Advice from local and state officials
Update on travel restrictions both locally and internationally.

Eat See Hear

Just as it sounds, this virtual show is about a good meal and a good watch or show. The Los Angeles Times kicks off another season of Eat See Hear. You will receive highlights for food trucks and restaurants across LA with the perfect menus for a SHOWTIME Sunday lineup.

Festival of Books, Stories, and Ideas

For the last 25 years, the LA Times has brought the Festival of Books, Stories, and Ideas to book lovers, authors, and others interested. Now, due to the pandemic hosting a physical event won’t be possible but that isn’t stopping this 25th festival of books from happening. The event has gone virtual beginning October 18th and lasting over the next 4 weeks. You can follow the festival on social media and secure your virtual seats for this free event.

More and more events are scheduled every day to ensure you keep going and not miss a thing.

Rewiring a Beverly Hills Home

Posted on November 23, 2020 | by K Hopkins

electrician pulling wires in beverly hills home Your Beverly Hills home wiring is vital for electrical safety and functionality, and in some situations where it becomes inadequate, you will need to rewire your home.

Rewiring can be a major project, but with proper planning and the right professional, it can be completed successfully and quickly.

Choosing a pro or going DIY

When it comes to any electrical works, you will always be encouraged to hire a professional electrician. Sometimes it might seem like an expensive option you can do without by going DIY. See the pros and cons of doing it either way to make the choice for rewiring your Beverly Hills home.

Hiring an electrical technician (PROS)

It keeps you and your home safe
The electrician obtains the permit
An experienced and licensed electrician is up to date on local codes
Inspections can be passed immediately and smoothly
Professional electricians have insurance that protects you from responsibility if anything goes wrong.
Cheaper in the long run
Rewiring by an experienced electrician is much faster
Get a quote on your house rewire from a professional

Hiring an electrical technician (CONS)

A costly option initially
It might be hard to find a dependable electrician

DIYing your rewiring project (PROS)

Saves you money initially
You can rewire your home at your preferred pace

DIYing your rewiring project (CONS)

You will spend time – as much as weeks- planning and doing the dirty work like running wires, cutting, drilling, installing, and more.
You will need to know the local electrical codes
Obtaining the permit falls to you and passing inspections can be tougher when you DIY.
DIYing your Beverly Hills home rewire puts lives and properties at risk.
You take responsibility for anything that goes wrong and often permits require that you must stay in the home where you DIYed for a year.
Insurance companies can deny your claim based on electrical works done as DIY projects

Understand what it involves

Every homeowner’s needs differ in home rewiring. The only way to know what will be involved in your home rewire is to call an electrician for an inspection. You might need to replace your breaker with a bigger one if it is undersized. Older homes often used breaker panels of 60-100 amps, but modern homes use 100-200 amps and sometimes more. The reason for this change is that modern homes have far more electrical power demands/appliances than older homes. Also, safety codes have changed over time to accommodate electrical needs.

The rewiring project can also include replacing old outlets and fixtures, GFCI, and proper grounding.

Your electrician will inform you of any repairs, replacements, upgrades, and more relevant to your home rewire.

What to expect when rewiring your home

Rewiring can be disruptive. It’s almost expected because you will have wires been run through the house, holes drilled in the walls, opening ceilings to give the electrical contractors access, and so on. It can get messy and the electrical power to the home will be shut off while the work goes on.

The good news is, the right electrician can complete a home rewire quickly and in a hassle-free manner. Contact us today for your Beverly Hills home rewire.

Reasons to Upgrade to a 200 Amp Service

Posted on November 20, 2020 | by K Hopkins

You certainly love the confidence and convenience of plugging in any appliances you need whenever you need them. You love this so much that it becomes easy to forget that your electrical panel cannot give more than its capacity.

According to experts, electricians, recent electrical codes, and homeowners who have had unique experiences, the standard capacity for an electrical panel is a 200 amp service. If you have less, then you probably require an upgrade. Here are all the reasons why.

Amps and Your Electrical Panel

The industrial grey box in that safe, dry area of your home distributes electrical power across circuits that serve you. This box is the electrical panel or breaker box, and every panel has its dedicated capacity. Depending on how much power you need, your electrical panel can be between 100-400 amps.

Old homes often used 60-100 amps panels because they had fewer electrical demands. Using similar sized panels in these modern times can be insufficient for your home needs. It can lead to fire hazards, lights out, faulty appliances, and much more.

Why upgrade to a 200 amp electrical panel

To enjoy increased capability and safety

Electrical panels often work at a certain maximum capacity. This helps to ensure the safe working of the panel. Going over this safety threshold can not only cause your breaker to trip, but can also lead to a fire caused by overloading circuits/outlets.

More circuits

With an upgraded 200 amp panel, you get enough room for dedicated circuits. This further improves electrical safety and allows you to run an increased number of appliances and more power demanding appliances without your breaker tripping.

Future demands

Switching to a 200 amp breaker is one of those good decisions that helps you prepare for the future. With this service upgrade, you can add new devices, remodel your home, and do much more without worry.

Everything is just easier

Another solid reason to upgrade to a 200 amp service is the increased efficiency you get to enjoy. Everything is simply much better and easier with a 200 amp panel. The panel is easy to reset and repair with compatibility for GFCI circuits.

How to know you need an upgrade

Breaker tripping frequently
Dimming lights, especially when appliances are turned on
Buzzing or crackling sounds.
Breaker won’t reset

Always confirm the exact source of your electrical issues from your electrician.

Humming Noise from Electrical Panel

Posted on October 30, 2020 | by K Hopkins

You are right to worry about suspicious buzzing or humming electrical noises around your home. Electrical systems are designed to work quietly, offering you power and efficiency with no hassle.

Your electrical panel controls the power supply in your home while keeping you safe from electrical hazards. Hence, any annoying or worrying sounds from the panel could indicate problems of different kinds. See what these noises could be and what they might mean below.

A light buzzing sound

By a light buzzing sound, we mean a faint buzzing sound from your breaker. It’s not the type to keep you up at night or be highly noticeable. The cause is often current flowing through the breaker, like water flowing in some direction. This light buzzing sound is generally normal and harmless. But, if it gets louder or involves clicking and other horror-movie sounds, be sure to call an electrician.

Medium humming sounds

This sound is louder and more obvious than a light buzzing sound. It can take various forms such as a sizzling noise, sparking, a clicking noise, or a humming breaker. So you can hear sizzling sounds with occasional sparks and this certainly means something is wrong with the circuit breaker. The cause may be frayed and loose wiring which is incredibly dangerous and an electrical hazard. It is necessary to call an experienced electrical technician to replace and repair the wiring quickly.

Loud and continuous buzzing sounds

Now, this is what keeps you up at night. Constant loud buzzing sounds can be disturbing because they are loud. The cause often stems from the breaker not tripping when it should, and this, in turn, indicates that the breaker is bad. Your electric breaker shuts off the power supply during a power surge to protect your home. But when it fails to do this the flow of current to the wires increases leading to a buildup of heat, the loud buzzing sound, and an electrical hazard. Circuit breakers go bad for several reasons such as wear and tear and a faulty panel. This humming noise should not be ignored, and an electrician should be called immediately.

A buzzing and humming sound is normal if…

The sound isn’t loud as we have described above.

If the buzzing sound starts right when your AC comes on but stops once the appliance is working smoothly.

Trying to solve this electrical issue yourself can be very dangerous. Therefore the first and safest way to solve humming and buzzing noise from your electrical panel is to call a licensed and experienced electrician.

It may be time for an electrical panel upgrade — contact an electrician for more information.