Tag: electrical wiring

Cloth Wiring Concerns Addressed by Glendale Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

electricalBS (24)Your home may not be safe for you to live in. Wiring is one of the leading causes of home fires every year and in many cases; it is completely preventable. Homes that were built before 1950 were probably built with the common electrical wiring at the time—insulated cloth wiring. Today, we know that method isn’t safe. The cloth frays and deteriorates overtime, which can leave wires bare. Bare wires that touch or touch insulation can create a small spark. A small spark is all it takes to cause major devastation. If you are not sure what kind of wiring you have, give a Glendale electrician, like those at The Electric Connection, a call today.

Just because your home was built before 1950, it does not necessarily mean it has cloth wiring. There may have been wiring upgrades done over the years. The best way to determine whether or not it is the old style wiring is by having an electrical inspection by a qualified electrician. Glendale homeowners will get the full story about the wiring hidden behind their walls. An experienced electrician will know what to look for and be able to tell you what you need to do to make your home safe.

It isn’t only an electric spark you need to be concerned with when dealing with cloth insulated wiring. There is also an increased risk of electric shock. Your appliances and gadgets are also at risk of being damaged with wiring that is not properly insulated. Many of the older, cloth insulated wiring jobs were not properly ground 60 years ago. This is another area of concern for homeowners. All of these issues and concerns will be addressed by the electrician during the inspection. The electrician will outline what needs to happen to bring your home up to today’s standards. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your electric inspection.

New Shops Need Burbank Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

bigstockphoto_Chair_22955If you recently had a pole building or shop put up on your property, you are probably debating to have it powered with electricity or stick with a generator. There are clearly some real benefits to a shop having electricity. If you are simply using the building to store items, than electricity is probably not a major concern. However, if you are planning to use your shop to work on various hobbies or use it to repair vehicles, electricity is extremely helpful. You will need a Burbank electrician to go about completing the wiring process. You can depend on the team at The Electric Connection to help you make your shop complete with electricity.

Depending on the amount of electricity you need in your shop, you may need to have a sub-panel installed. This is something your electrician will discuss with you and advise you on. If your home is already using the majority of the breakers available in your existing panel, you will need an upgrade or an additional panel installed to run the shop. The size and type of the tools you will use in the shop will influence your decision.

Once you have decided on the electric panel situation, the next stop is to discuss outlet placement with your electrician. Burbank shop owners can decide how many outlets they need in the shop. You may even need a 240-volt outlet to run certain heavy machinery or to plug in a Level II electric car charging station. These are all options for you to consider when you make the decision to hire an electrician. Lighting is yet another element you will want to think about. Typically, a single fixture is installed along the ceiling and then several lamps will be used to illuminate specific work areas. If you would like to discuss running electricity to your new shop, give The Electric Connection a call today.

New Home Construction with Beverly Hills Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

bigstockphoto_Casual_Construction_Worker_1683157Building a home is a great way to ensure you are getting exactly what you want out of your house. It really makes you feel as if you have been a part of the process from the ground up. It gives you the chance to create a home that suits your needs and reflects your personality. Many homeowners have discovered it is often much more economical to build a home than buy a home that needs various remodels and adjustments. It also makes it possible to buy the perfect home in the neighborhood you have had your eye on. To build your new home, you will need a Beverly Hills electrician like those at The Electric Connection.

When you build your own home, you will get to decide the number of rooms you have as well as bathrooms. Another major benefit to building your home is the thrill of designing your kitchen to work from you. Every person will have different desires and needs when they are in the kitchen. Some people need numerous outlets to run several appliances. Large families may need more than one microwave to keep the family going. All of these things require the expertise of an electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners who want to add more outlets than the standard 4 or 5 in the kitchen, can discuss their needs with the electrician. The electrician will go about wiring the outlets and ensuring the breaker can run all of the outlets without becoming overloaded.

Your electrician will also take care of installing ceiling fans, installing light fixtures and running any data and phone lines for you during the building phase. This can save you a lot of time by getting it done during the building process instead of waiting until after the walls are up. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your new home construction consultation.

Hardwired Smoke Detectors a Bonus says Electrician in Santa Monica

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

If you are tired of replacing the batteries in your smoke detector every few months, you need to learn more about hard-wired smoke detectors installed by an electrician in Santa Monica. Although we are often reminded to change those batteries every six months, things happen, life gets busy, and we forget. We forget until about 2 in the morning when the device chirps to let you know it needs a new battery. Wouldn’t it be nice to avoid all of that and still keep your home and family protected? The Electric Connection can help you add a layer of safety to your home by installing new hard-wired smoke detectors.

Hard-wired smoke detectors are not just more convenient. They are actually a little more reliable than the kinds that are solely battery powered. It isn’t often you lose power, which means your smoke detectors will always be functioning. If you do lose power, the battery back up in each detector will keep your home protected. Another benefit to this particular kind of smoke detector is the fact all the detectors in the home are interconnected. When the first sign of smoke sets off an alarm anywhere in the house, all of the detectors will start beeping.

This is extremely beneficial to the residents in the home. It adds several, precious seconds to call the fire department or escape the house. Because the detectors are wired directly into a home’s Santa Monica electrical system, you will need a licensed electrician to complete the job. This ensures your smoke detectors are being installed correctly and are not creating a hazard caused by faulty wiring. Your homeowner’s insurance may offer a discount for homes, especially two-story homes that have hard-wired smoke detectors installed. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your installation.

Pool Installation Requires Electrician in Pasadena

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

If you are thinking about beating the heat this summer with a new pool in your backyard, you will need to hire an electrician in Pasadena to complete the wiring. A new pool is an exciting toy that will lead to hours of fun for the whole family and of course, family friends. There are plenty of tools needed to keep your pool clean and safe to use. Tools like filters, pumps and heaters if desired, all require electricity. Water and electricity do not mix so it is important an experienced electrician, like those at The Electric Connection, complete the wiring for the pool to ensure it is safe. Even if you are choosing to go with an above ground pool, there is still some electrical that will be needed to operate the filter and pump.

The following are some of the things that will need to be addressed when bringing your pool up to Pasadena electrical codes.

*Depth of the wiring must be buried at least 18 inches for PVC conduit or 6 inches deep for EMT conduit. Your electrician can discuss this in more detail with you.

*Your pool will need a dedicated breaker and outlets to run on. The outlet needs to be no closer than 6 foot from the pool’s edge and no farther than 20 feet from the pool. This is the receptacle that will be used to power your filtration system, pump, heater and an automatic pool cover if you choose.

*Lighting inside the pool and around the pool area will also need to be installed by an electrician.

If you home’s electric panel is already maxed out, you may need to have a sub-panel installed to run the various equipment needed to keep your pool in tip-top condition. Give The Electric Connection a call and schedule an appointment to discuss your pool installation needs.

Little Electrical Problems a Concern Says Electrician in Beverly Hils

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

There are times when you plug in the toaster or try and run the vacuum cleaner and it won’t work right. You probably unplug it and try it again and it works fine. You think nothing of it and assume it was a fluke—until it happens again with another appliance with the same outlet. Now, you have to wonder, is it an electrical problem or is it really just a fluke? These situations may appear to be no big deal on the surface, but they really are and can indicate there is something going on behind the outlet cover. Something like frayed or loose wires that could create a spark and start a fire that burns slowly and becomes a serious problem before you know it. You need an electrician in Beverly Hills to investigate these little problems before they become big ones that threaten your home and your safety. The team at The Electric Connection is here to help.

Outlets that work intermittently are just one of the symptoms of a serious electrical problem. Lights that flicker or do not turn on even when a new bulb is installed are another sign of electrical trouble. The light fixture may have wiring that has deteriorated or the wiring in the ceiling could be bad. Because you can’t tell simply be looking at the light or the light switch, you need to call an electrician familiar with Beverly Hills electrical needs.

The electrician will do an inspection and thoroughly investigate the problem. If it is a wiring issue to a single outlet or light fixture, it is a fairly easy fix. If you have a breaker that trips frequently, let an electrician know. This is another sign of a problem. Never leave little electrical problems unchecked. They can quickly become serious concerns. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your electric inspection.

Update Your Old Chandelier with Santa Monica Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Have you thought about dressing up your house so to speak? A fresh coat of paint, a new piece of art on the wall or even a new plant or sofa can help add a little life to a room. It is exciting to walk into a room that has a new look. You don’t always have to spend a lot of money to make your home look a little different. Consider hiring a Santa Monica electrician to install a new chandelier in your entryway or dining room. The team at The Electric Connection is here to help.

The new chandelier models that are currently on the market today are gorgeous. Many of the chandeliers are designed to look old fashioned, but they are designed to accommodate energy efficient bulbs. If you have an old chandelier hanging in your home right now, you have probably discovered the CFL bulbs don’t fit. It may not seem like a big deal right now, but the bulbs are being phased out. It is time to replace your old chandelier with one that suits your personal style.

Take some time looking at the vast variety of chandeliers that are currently available. This will take some time. Once you have made the decision, call an electrician. Santa Monica homeowners will want to make sure the fixture is hung appropriately and securely. New wiring may be needed if the existing wiring is outdated or worn. Your electrician will be able to determine the status once the original fixture is removed. If you don’t have a chandelier, but want one, your electrician will need to run new wiring to the area. Part of the installation process will include adding a dimmer switch so you can control the amount of light emitted from the chandelier. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your chandelier installation.

Electrical Wiring Warning Signs by Glendale Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

It can be tough to determine what is a problem in your home and what is something that can be put off and until you have the time, energy or the money to fix. However, it is important to educate yourself about certain problems that can become extremely serious if left unchecked. Electrical problems often give homeowners a few warning signs before they become serious and lead to electrical fires. A Glendale electrician can help you determine what constitutes a serious electrical problem and what situations can be left until you have the time. The Electric Connection has the electricians you need to help you make your home safe.

Flickering Lights

A flickering light is often chalked up to a bad bulb. If you replace the bulb and the light still flickers, you likely have a wiring issue. It is possible the fixture is bad and needs replacement. In either case, it isn’t an issue you want to ignore. Wires that are bared either due to breaking down over time or the victim of rodent chewing can spark a fire. It is important the light is inspected by an electrician. Glendale residents will appreciate knowing their lighting is not a safety hazard.

Popping Breakers

If you plug in an appliance or turn on an appliance and the breaker trips on a regular basis, it could indicate the breaker is weak or faulty. A single breaker trip is usually not cause for worry and suggest the breaker was overloaded. A breaker that trips for no apparent reason needs to be inspected by an electrician. It will likely need to be replaced.

Bad Outlets

Outlets that do not work or work sporadically are a sign of trouble and need to be inspected and replaced right away. There are likely exposed wires behind the walls that could cause a fire.

If you have any of these issues, give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your appointment.

Mood Lighting with Los Angeles Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

We are constantly looking for new ways to update our home and make it just a little better. Putting a fresh coat of paint on the walls, getting new furniture or installing new carpet are some of the cosmetic changes you can make to your home. These are all great ways to give your home a new look, while adding value, but they can be a bit costly. Wouldn’t it be nice to have another option to update your mom? A Los Angeles electrician, like those at The Electric Connection, can help you transform your home by simply changing out a light fixture or two.

Lighting makes a huge difference in the overall look and feel of a room. Bright lighting encourages activity and conversation. A bright, well-lit kitchen is often desirable, especially when preparing meals. It is a lot easier to chop vegetables and determine just how much seasoning is going on your food when you can see. Track lighting gives you the ability to light up an entire kitchen with the flip of a single switch.

Dining rooms are often the time for mellow, quiet conversation while enjoy a delicious meal. A chandelier with a dimmer switch is the perfect way to control the atmosphere of the meal. Brighten it up for lots of chatter and dim the lights for a quiet, romantic meal. No matter what fixtures you choose, you will need an electrician. Los Angeles residents will want to ensure their new lighting is installed safely and correctly. When you hire an experienced electrician to do the job, you can rest assured the wiring is being completed up to county code. Take some time to browse the lighting aisles in your favorite stores. When you have chosen the perfect fixtures to update your home, give The Electric Connection a call.

LEDs Save Money and Look Great Says Electrician in Glendale

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Summer is the perfect time to complete partial kitchen remodels. You don’t have to do a lot to give your kitchen a facelift. Little things like updating the paint, hardware on the cupboards and drawers and lighting can make your kitchen look fresh and new again without a lot of time, energy or expense. Many of the little fix-it jobs you can handle yourself like repainting or adding fresh hardware. Other jobs that involve electricity should be left to an electrician in Glendale. The team at The Electric Connection is here to help you make your kitchen new again with the installation of under-cabinet LED lighting.

LEDs are the latest and greatest lighting revolution. They are extremely bright and require very little juice or electricity in this case, to run. Less electricity is always a welcome benefit and will end up saving you money on your monthly electric bill. There are a couple of different options available to you when it comes to having LEDs installed under your cabinets. You can go with a fixture that contains a few super-bright LEDs or you can opt for a light strip. The flexible light strips are often more convenient because you can choose just how much light you want illuminating your counter space. Sometimes you need a little and sometimes you need a lot.

After you have chosen your LED fixture, you will want to hire an electrician licensed to work on Glendale electrical projects to complete the installation of the light strips if that is your choice. The electrician will go about installing the lights by wiring the strips to a plug that you can plug and unplug as necessary. These light strips can be placed anywhere in your home, really. Your bathroom, hallway and closet spaces are all ideal places to add a little more light. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your LED installation.