Wiring Hazards to Watch for by Pasadena Electrician

It can be difficult to know when the wiring in your home is not up to today’s current safety standards. It is a concern for many homeowners because of the serious dangers involved with faulty wiring. Home fires are often the result of bad wiring and in many cases, the homeowner wasn’t even aware there was a problem until it was too late. It only takes a small spark to cause a devastating fire. A spark happens when wires touch and in the right circumstances, the insulation pushed against the wires will go up in flames. Your Pasadena electrician has some information that can help you identify these hazards. You can always rely on the service at The Electric Connection for professional electrical help.

Some of the biggest clues are as follows;

*The age of the home. If it was built before 1960, you are likely dealing with outdated wiring—unless you know the electrical has been updated by an electrician in Pasadena.

*Flickering lights could mean a short. Shorts are bare wires that are not connected properly and could create a spark, igniting a fire.

*Outlets that don’t work suggest the wiring behind the outlet is not connected, which could be a serious fire hazard.

*Breakers that constantly trip for no obvious reason could mean a number of things, but it is always best to have it investigated.

*If you notice the smell of burning wires, which tends to be very distinctive, you have a problem that needs checked out.

These are some of the more obvious signs. If you suspect your wiring isn’t safe, call an electrician. Pasadena homeowners will appreciate an inspection by a professional that can identify any potential problems, making your home safer. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your electrical inspection or have your faulty wiring repaired right away.

Electric Safety for Outdoor Projects by Glendale Electrician

Summer is the time of year when you want to be outdoors doing something. It is a great time to make your outdoor living space a little better or maybe to build a space. Fixing the deck, taking care of loose fence panels or maybe building the kids that playhouse they wanted are all great ways to spend a couple of days off. Using power tools to complete those jobs makes it a little easier and faster. However, your Glendale electrician wants you to always be safe when working outdoors with electricity. The team at The Electric Connection has a few tips to ensure you stay safe while working on your outdoor projects.

1. Only use an extension cord that is rated for use outside. These will generally be orange, round and have a 3-prong outlet. The cord should be in good condition with no frayed or exposed wires.
2. Don’t use power tools if it is raining out or the ground is wet.
3. Do not string more than one extension cord together says an electrician in Glendale. You will lose a little electricity and risk damaging your power tools by trying to use a low current.
4. Make sure your outdoor outlets are protected from the weather. The outlets should also have ground fault circuit interrupters. If they don’t call an electrician. Glendale homeowners can have new, safer outlets installed that will protect them from an electric shock.
5. Pay attention to your surroundings. If there are powerlines over head, be extremely careful when moving ladders or carrying tools that may come into contact with the lines. If you are going to do any digging, call your electric company to have a quick inspection for any buried cables.

Outdoor projects are a fun way to spend your summer days. Don’t let a project turn into a safety nightmare. If you have any questions or need those outlets installed, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Preparing for Thunderstorms by Electrician in Santa Monica

electrician santa monicaA thunderstorm is an exciting occurrence and people tend to flock to the windows or their covered patios to watch nature show off a bit. The roll of the thunder and the flash of the lightening is exciting and makes for some pretty spectacular pictures if you can catch one. While a thunderstorm is something many people look to with a great deal of anticipation, it is important you take some safety precautions as well. Your electrician in Santa Monica has a few tips to help keep you safe as well as your home. The team at The Electric Connection is here to help as well.

1-Thunderstorms can cause electrical damage to the sensitive electronics in your home. The power surges and electricity that turns off and on can damage computers and the compressors in your refrigerator. It is a good idea to plug your computers and entertainment devices into powerstrips that offer some surge protection.

2-To protect your entire home from those surges, you can invest in a whole-house surge protection system installed by an electrician. Santa Monica homeowners can ensure anything in their home that is plugged in is protected from a power surge.

3-If you don’t have a surge protector, unplug everything you can when you know a thunderstorm is headed your way. This can protect those appliances and devices.

4-Stay away from tall trees, utility poles and other metal poles if you are caught outside.

5-Do not do the dishes or jump in the shower during a thunderstorm, the pipes can conduct electricity.

6-It is safest if you stay inside your home and away from the windows during a thunderstorm.

Thunderstorms are beautiful, but it is important you stay safe. If you would like a Santa Monica electrician to install a whole house surge protector, give The Electric Connection a call today.

DIY Projects Electrical Safety Tips by Beverly Hills Electrician

Spring and summer is the time of year we like to work around the house outside on the weekends. There are so many projects that we want to accomplish, we can tend to get a little rushed. When you are rushed, you overlook important safety precautions. DIY is a growing trend as people across the country new ways to recycle old stuff and make something new, useful and very cool. Take the pallet trend that is sweeping the nation. In order to make those awesome pallet signs and outdoor furniture, you need some tools. Before you pull out any power tool, your electrician in Beverly Hills has a few safety tips that will not only keep you safe, but ensure your project is a success with no injuries. The team at The Electric Connection can answer any questions you may have related to these tips.

1. Power tools tend to have short cords. If you must use an extension cord, use one that is appropriate for outdoor use. Do not connect more than one cord together. The cord should not be longer than 100 feet.
2. Plug any cords into GFCI outlets. This will ensure the electrical current will be cut off should anything interrupt the circuit. If you don’t currently have these outlets in your garage or outdoor work area, give your Beverly Hills electrician a call.
3. Never use a power tool that has a bad cord. If the cord is frayed, have it properly repaired.
4. If a tool trips a breaker, there is a good chance the breaker is overloaded. Find another outlet to use. If one is not available, consider having your work area upgraded with the help of an electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners can have a breaker added to their electric panel to help accommodate the power tools you want to use on your DIY projects.
5. Never use power tools in the rain. Wait for it to pass.
6. Never use power tools near power lines or electric wiring.

If you need new outlets or breakers to make your DIY a successful venture, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Pool Safety Tips by Santa Monica Electrician

Before you dive into the pool for the first time this summer, you need to take some steps to ensure it is safe. Whether your pool is in ground or one of the above ground styles, you will likely be using electricity to run your filters, pumps, lights and/or heaters. Everyone knows water and electricity don’t mix. Do what you can to protect yourself by ensuring there are no electrical hazards threatening your lives and the lives of your family members and guests who are hoping to enjoy a fun day at the pool. An electrician in Santa Monica has a few tips for you to follow. If you have more questions or would prefer a safety inspection, give The Electric Connection a call today.

1. Use GFCI outlets to plug in any of your pool equipment. If you don’t have any available, you can purchase portable GFCIs or have your current outdoor outlets replaced with the GFCI by a Santa Monica electrician.
2. Keep all electrical cords and devices at least 10 feet away from the pool to avoid any water splashing on the cord.
3. Never set your pool up under or near power lines.
4. Have any electrical equipment that will be used with the pool professionally installed by an electrician. Santa Monica residents will need to ensure everything, including the pumps, lights and heaters is properly grounded. This is best left to the professionals.
5. Keep outdoor outlets and receptacles properly covered to avoid any water splashing in or on the outlets.
6. Make sure you never pick up any of your electrical devices or handle the cords when your hands are wet or you are in the pool.
7. Have your pool inspected by an electrician before opening every year to make sure there are no potential threats.

If you are itching to jump in the pool, be safe and call The Electric Connection do a quick electrical inspection to ensure everything is safe and ready for you to enjoy your summer swimming.

Checking the Wiring by Los Angeles Electrician

Do you ever like to feel safe and secure while you are at home with your family? Of course, you do! Your home is where you should feel the safest. When you leave your home, you want to feel relatively comfortable knowing everything inside is safe as well. Everything you own is in there along with precious family treasures that can never be replaced. Taking precautions like locking your doors and windows and maybe using a security system are typical for giving you that safety you are looking for. However, an electrician in Los Angeles suggests you make sure your home is not in jeopardy from some hidden danger lurking out of sight. The electrical wiring in your home needs to be inspected and the team at The Electric Connection has a staff of certified electricians who can do that for you.

It is important your home has regular checkups. Identifying a problem before it can lead to disaster can save you a great deal of money as well as the hassle of dealing with an electrical fire. There are many new safety features that have become the standard when it comes to wiring new houses. It would be a great idea for you to have some of these features added to your own home by a Los Angeles electrician. Adding minor upgrades like GFCI outlets or replacing an old outdated electric panel is one way to make your home safer.

Old homes are lovely. The architecture and character is undeniable. In some cases, the home may have been in the family for several generations. The key is to keeping that treasure in great shape by having it gone through by an electrician. Los Angeles homeowners will feel safer and more comfortable knowing their home’s electrical wiring is in good shape and doesn’t pose any major risks. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your wiring inspection.

New Wiring a Job for Electrician in Beverly Hills

Photo of a Wire Stripper and Electrical Related Items

Shopping for new light fixtures, ceiling fans or even new outdoor landscaping lights is exciting. It is fun to update your home and make it just a little more attractive. In some cases, the new fixtures are a necessity. No matter what the situation is, it is absolutely critical that you only allow a licensed electrician in Beverly Hills to take care of the new installation of electrical fixtures. The team at The Electric Connection has the right person for the job.

Installing new electric fixtures in your home can be dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing. For your safety and the ultimate safety of your home, a Beverly Hills electrician should take of the job for you. This allows the professional to inspect the existing wiring and identify any issues that should be taken care of before progressing further with the job. It also ensures the new fixture is safe to use and will not pose an electrical hazard. A job completed by a professional is always going to look better than a DIY by someone who isn’t truly familiar with the project. This is your home after all, doesn’t it deserve the best?

There are far too many things that can go terribly wrong when an inexperienced person tries to do the job of an electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners that try to do the job themselves or hire a fly-by-night handyman are risking their homeowners’ insurance should something do go wrong. Using an company that is licensed and bonded is going to protect you and your interests. While it may be tempting to try to complete the task on your own, only allow a professional to touch your electrical wiring. You can count on the professionals at The Electric Connection to get your job completed safely.

Tripping Breakers Explained by Los Angeles Electrician

Have you ever started the dishwasher while trying to make a quick breakfast in the microwave or with the toaster only to have the entire kitchen go dark? Or maybe you are running a space heater and it shuts down with no warning. Tripping breakers can be a real annoyance. The frustration of having to reset clocks or reprogram your electronics is not cool, but a tripping breaker goes beyond being just an irritation. It can be a major warning sign that there is trouble brewing in your electrical system. Your Los Angeles electrician wants you to take your tripping breaker seriously. The team at The Electric Connection can help you get to the bottom of the problem.

To help you understand why a tripping breaker is a bad thing, your electrician in Los Angeles will explain a bit. When a breaker trips or shuts off, it is because it is likely on the verge of overheating. The tripping or cutting of power to the outlets that are in use on that circuit, is a safety mechanism. If the breaker didn’t trip, the breaker would overheat, spark and cause an electrical fire. Constantly resetting a breaker that is tripping is risky. The breaker is protecting you and by forcing it to stay on, you are putting your home at great risk of fire.

The reason the breaker trips may be something as simple as the circuit being overloaded explains an electrician. Los Angeles residents, you have too many appliances drawing too much electricity at the same time. A remedy would be to unplug items and do a little rearranging to lighten the load on one breaker. Another option would be to have another circuit breaker installed so you could distribute your power needs. If you have a tripping breaker, give The Electric Connection a call and have it checked out.

Replacing Outdated Wiring with Beverly Hills Electrician

Old houses have a certain charm that appeals to home buyers. The idea of living in a piece of history is exciting. You get to appreciate some very fine craftsmanship. Maybe the house is one you have purchased or maybe it has been in the family for generations. No matter what the case may be, there are going to be a few things you will want to bring up to the new codes and standards set forth for home construction. Back in the day, our grandparents didn’t have even half of the electric appliances we have today. A Beverly Hills electrician can help you maintain the look and original craftsmanship of the home while making it a little safer. The team at The Electric Connection can help you modernize the electrical wiring in your hold home.

It isn’t only for convenience sake that you will want to consider upgrading your electric panel and adding additional outlets. It is a safety concern explains an electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners that live in homes that are more than 50 years old need to think about the outdated wiring that could be a very serious fire risk. The wiring back then was often insulated with cloth, which is extremely dangerous. The cloth disintegrates, leaving the wires bare. All it takes is one little touch of a bare wire to ignite a fire.

Breaker panels that are outdated can also be problematic. Breakers that trip are indications of a major problem that needs the attention of a qualified electrician in Beverly Hills. You can still maintain the charm and the old style of the home and its features while having the electrical wiring replaced. It is an investment that ensures the old home will be around for years to come. Give The Electric Connection a call today and get your wiring inspection completed.

Safety Matters by Electrician in Los Angeles

There are so many dangers in our world it is hard to actually prevent them all. We do what we can to keep our families safe. Wearing seatbelts in the car, looking both ways before crossing a street and keeping working smoke detectors in the house can go a long way to preventing a tragedy. These are little things that cost nothing, but are so important. They are extremely valuable. Your Los Angeles electrician would like to help you take the safety of your home one step further with the addition of hard-wired smoke detectors and GFCI outlets. The crew at The Electric Connection can provide you with a professional tech who will get the job done quickly and neatly.

Hard-wired smoke detectors are nice to have because they are wired directly into your home’s electricity. You are not completely dependent on a battery that may have went dead the day before or is too weak to sound the alarm when smoke from a fire is detected. Your electrician in Los Angeles recommends having one on at least every floor. If your home has an attached garage, it is a good idea to have one in there as well. All of the alarms will go off if any one of the detectors picks up smoke. This can go a long way to giving your family the time to get out.

Another safety feature every home should have are the GFCI outlets in the bathroom and kitchen areas. These can quickly be installed in place of the old, standard outlets by an electrician. Los Angeles homeowners will appreciate the fact the outlets automatically trip the second there is any interruption in the circuit that often occurs when water is introduced. This can prevent accidental electrocution. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your safety upgrades.