Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are common in many homes today. In fact, new homes are required to use GFCIs in certain areas like bathrooms, kitchens, garages, outdoor areas, and unfinished basements. This is because GFCIs provide a level of protection from electrical shock from things like water, which can cause serious injury or even death.

However, GFCIs do need to be reset from time to time. They are designed to shut off if they detect current flowing through an unintended path. If this happens, the GFCI will interrupt the electrical current, which will depower any devices plugged into it and possibly cause power outages at other outlets on the same circuit.

When this happens, many homeowners call us for GFCI resetting help. But you may be able to fix the issue yourself. Here is what you can try before calling the GFCI experts in Arvada.

Tips to Reset a GFCI

A GFCI can be reset without any technical know-how. There are two rectangular buttons on the face of a GFCI, which are usually One is the “TEST” button, and the other is the “RESET” button. Some GFCIs also have an LED light that may illuminate when the GFCI  trips . When the TEST button is pressed, the RESET button will pop out if it isn’t already. To reset the GFCI, simply push and hold the RESET button until it latches.

GFCI Experts in Arvada

If the GFCI will not reset using the above procedure, you’ll want to call an electrician. There could be a problem with the outlet itself or the wiring in the circuit. There could also be an issue at the breaker box or somewhere else along the line. When working correctly, your GFCIs should be reset without much issue, so, if they aren’t, there may be something else causing the problem.

In this series, we’re helping you save energy at your homes and businesses, room by room.

We’re pulling out all the stops to give you the best tips to use in the bedroom – for energy-efficient lighting, that is!

1. Take a survey of all your light fixtures – table lamps, floor lamps, track lights, and any ceiling fans, chandeliers, or pendant lights. How many of these use incandescent light bulbs? If the answer is greater than zero, we’ve identified the first way you can cut down your energy consumption in the bedroom: Swap out all your incandescent household, chandelier, and reflector light bulbs for

Using only 0.3 watts of power, it won’t cost you more than $0.20 to operate each year. That’s 90% less than the traditional incandescent. Not to mention it has a 100,000-hour rated life!

4. What other light fixtures do you use? Wall-mounted reading lights? Shelf lights? Display lights? You can save even more energy by upgrading these fixtures to LED or fluorescent.

Is your smoke detector hard-wired into your electrical system? Doing so has many benefits, including the fact that you never have to worry about the battery going dead—though battery backup is a wise choice as well. However, just like any other appliance or home security system, your hard-wired smoke detectors do experience wear and tear over the years, and eventually will need to be replaced. How do you know when it’s time though?

Hard-wired smoke detector systems are designed to last about a decade. The reason they wear out isn’t necessarily from use, but rather because over time, dust gathers inside the smoke detectors and eventually desensitizes them. It’s a wise choice to replace all the smoke detectors connected to your system at once, to ensure that they are all fully functional. The safety of your home and your family may depend on it. Be sure to hire a professional electrician to do this job, so that you ensure it is done correctly.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) shares the following safety tips to ensure your family is protected as well as they can be from the risks of a fire:

Summer days are the time to be outside enjoying the sun and warmth. Kids love to play outside and take advantage of their days being free. However, in our very technological world, kids tend to be “plugged in” a lot. All those electronic toys can be great fun, but as adults know, electronics and water don’t mix. Water play is a big part of summer. It is important to teach kids some important lessons about enjoying summer days outside around electricity. A Los Angeles electrician has a few tips to help you keep your kids safe this summer. You can rely on The Electric Connection to provide you with more information should you need it.

*Trees that are near power lines should never be climbed. Parents should point out the power lines near trees and explain how a falling branch could catch a live line and cause serious injury.

*Avoid building tree houses or raised play houses around power lines.

*If you have a backyard pool, make sure the electrical outlets are far enough away from the pool that there is not an electrocution hazard. Educate the kids about bringing in the gadgets that may be plugged in. This applies to the hot tub as well.

*Ensure there are enough outlets outside for any appliances to avoid running extension cords across the patio or yard. If you need more outlets, contact an electrician. Los Angles homeowners can have additional outlets installed outside to accommodate your electrical needs.

*Discourage children from throwing anything at power lines or utility poles.

*Remind children kites should only be flown in areas that are free of power lines.

*Children should never attempt to climb utility poles.

These tips can help save lives. Always set a good example when working around electricity. If you have any questions or would like to have outdoor outlets installed, give The Electric Connection a call today.