It is important you not only feel safe in your home, but are actually relatively safe from most things. We know there are always hidden dangers around us. We can be ready to deal with these things and there are a few little things we can do around the house to help alert us to those safety issues. An electrician in Glendale has some safety tips that will make your home safer and make you feel a little more comfortable and safe when you and your family are home or away. The team at The Electric Connection can help you get these safety measures taken care of.

GFCI Outlets

These outlets can prevent electric shock. They are designed to shut off the instant the circuit is interrupted. These outlets are generally placed in bathrooms and kitchen areas. If an appliance comes into contact with water while plugged in, the outlet trips, cutting the current and preventing shock.

Electric Panel Inspection

It doesn’t hurt to have a Glendale electrician take a look at your electric panel. It may not look like much to you, but to the trained eye of an electrician, it can say a lot. You will learn about the condition of your breakers, the panel itself and the wiring that powers your home. If you have been having trouble with tripping breakers, this inspection will help you learn why.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

All homes should have at least one carbon monoxide detector installed explains an electrician. Glendale homeowners can install the detectors themselves. They are usually battery-powered and can be placed in the home to alert you to carbon monoxide levels that are too high.

Smoke Detectors

You probably already have a couple of these in your home, but it doesn’t hurt to have a couple hard-wired smoke detectors installed as well. You can never be too safe.

Give The Electric connection a call today and schedule your safety upgrades.

Your generator can literally be a lifesaver during an emergency, providing you with power, light, and heat when a disaster strikes or a blizzard renders your neighborhood powerless. However, in order for it to do its job effectively and efficiently, it has to be ready to go on a moment’s notice.

This means that it should be tested routinely, and repaired when needed. The good news is that if you do need repairs, we are here to help. But in what cases would you need this service? Keep reading for 3 reasons your generator may need repair.

The longer your generator lasts, the more likely it is to spring a leak from a hose, line, or storage pan. The leak may come in the form of oil or fuel depending on what type of generator you have. Or, it may even be the coolant, which is designed to keep the engine block from overheating. If you ever spot any puddles around your generator, give our professionals a call right away.

If generators sit too long without being used, the battery can become drained, and problems can develop with other components of the engine as well. If your generator struggles to start up or if it runs fitfully, then it is time to call for service.

When our technicians come to inspect your generator, we’ll take a close look at the wires, buttons, and other electrical components. If they show any sign of damage, the unit should be repaired. These signs can include frayed wires, loose connectors, buttons that stay stuck when you press them or even overloads that shut the generator down when you need it.

The best way to determine if your generator needs repairs is to schedule annual maintenance, but also to conduct a visual inspection yourself at least every few months. It’s also a good idea to run it for 15-30 minutes to listen and look for any trouble it may seem to have.

One of the easiest ways to dress up your space and update the style is by changing your chandelier. Before you run out the door in search of the perfect chandelier, make sure you know the dimensions of your space. An appropriately sized chandelier should serve as a beautifying focal point that fits seamlessly into your overall design scheme.

For a room without furniture: Add the length and width of your room in feet, and then convert that number to inches. For example, a room that is 12 feet by 14 feet (12 + 14 = 26) would require a chandelier this is approximately 26 inches wide.

For a room with furniture: If you already have a dining room table in the space, the width of your chandelier should be about a foot smaller than the width of your table. This will leave a 6-inch clearance from the outer edge of the chandelier to the table’s edge.

The bottom of your chandelier should rest at least 30-34 inches above the tabletop. Adjust according to personal preference, fixture style and ceiling height. It is okay to hang your chandelier a bit higher in dining rooms with cathedral ceilings.

Chandelier height should be about three inches for each foot of ceiling height, so for a room with a standard 8-foot ceiling (3 x 8 = 24), choose a chandelier with an approximate height of 24 inches.