There are numerous different ways in which an electrical fire can break out in the home and a number of ways to prevent it as well. Today, you will find there are a large number of electrical system protection devices on the market and this can make it a little difficult to decide which one will work best for your setting.

One effective installation you can use to prevent electrical fires in your home is an custom solutions to residential and commercial clients across Sydney.

It can be annoying, frustrating and disappointing to decorate for a holiday season, party or event and after everything is set up you discover your outside electrical outlets do not work. The kids are ready to see all the lights or the party planner is near to crying. This was an important time for them and you want to know why the outlets are dead.

What you can do on your own

Is this an unusual occurrence?

Some advertisements for goods on television tell you it has a lifetime guarantee. Very few things are built for lifetime use. Even an electrical outlet can suffer from wear and tear and even environmental circumstances.

While you may have outlets that have protective covers that are supposed to shield them from rain, snow and humidity, dampness can get in and damage your outlet. It could also be that some of the wiring has burned and will not function properly. There is also the possibility that the outlet was not installed by a professional and that it is not up to code.

Before you call your electrician, unplug the cords from the outlets. Do not allow anyone near them or try to do a DIY project. It goes without saying that when you are dealing with electrical problems there could be a danger to you and your family. You want your house to be festive but not burned down.

What will the electrician do?

You repair person will listen to the information you have gathered. He will ensure that the power is shut off to the affected areas prior to opening the outlet to begin work. He will check the actual outlet and the wiring. He will determine whether the problem is limited to the exterior only or if it can or will cause an interruption on the interior of the house.

You’ve heard of bugs in computers? Some types of insects can set up housekeeping behind your electrical outlet and wreak havoc. The repairman will open the outlet after the power it cut and may even have to go into the wall to make a final determination.

He may be able to repair the wiring to the outlet. He will recommend a course of action. It may be that the outlet is damaged beyond repair. Your service person will tell you about the outlets that are available that are identical and also show you others that may be more enhanced or updated. It will be your choice.

Electrical ballast replacements are a common project in both residential homes and commercial buildings. An electrical ballast is a device used to regulate electrical currents so that they do not reach uncontrollable levels. A common application of electrical ballasts is those found in any type of light structure such as fluorescent or neon lighting systems. Depending on the size of the replacement project, a licensed electrician isn’t always necessary; however, if you don’t have the proper tools or experience, it is a good idea to consult with a licensed electrician before attempting the replacement. To simplify the procedure, here are the answers to three common questions about electrical ballast replacement.

Similar to replacing a light bulb, if you have any type of neon or fluorescent light, you will eventually need to replace the electrical ballast in the lighting structure. Replacing the electrical ballast is a more reasonable solution than replacing the entire neon or fluorescent light structure. You will know when it’s time to replace the electrical ballast because the light will begin flickering or will stop working entirely.

Yes, you can perform a ballast replacement yourself. While ballast replacement can be a simple procedure, if not done properly you can cause damage to your replacement bulb but also the fixture. Before performing the replacement yourself, make sure you are confident and understand all the steps involved or you could end up with expensive bills you were trying to avoid. If you require assistance or have any questions about electrical ballast replacement, contact our team of licensed electricians at Expert Electric. We would be happy to help.

Thankfully, an electrical ballast replacement does not require a fully stocked tool shed in order to be completed. For most electrical ballast replacements, a few simple tools will do the trick. Depending on the type and size of your replacement, your replacement may require a simple screwdriver, nut driver, drill, pliers and wire stripper. This is in addition to the new electrical ballast which you will be replacing.

For more information on electrical ballast replacement, please contact the licensed electricians at Expert Electric. You can reach us at 604-681-8338 or you can book an appointment online through our website. For 24/7 immediate response emergency service, please fill out a form on our website so that we can get in touch with you as soon as possible. We offer various types of electrician services including electric water heaters, surge protectors, ceiling fan installation and we service all throughout the Greater Vancouver area and Lower Mainland.

Picture this scenario: you’re sitting at home with your family watching television and enjoying an otherwise run-of-the-mill evening. Then, all of a sudden, *poof*! Your power goes out, leaving you in the dark.

Here’s a quick question: do you know what to do when this happens?

Have a look at our guide to understand your best course of action after an outage. That way, you can keep you and your family safe no matter the situation.

When the power first goes out, take the following steps:

This is a non-issue if there’s a power interruption. But in cases of extreme weather or other emergencies, guarantee the bodily safety of you and your family first.

If you have telephone or cellular service, a quick call to the power company can give you information on the cause, extent and estimated restoration time for an outage.

Depending on the expected outage time, you may want to put a plan in action for your food/water. If the outage is less than two hours, food in your refrigerator and freezer will be fine. After that, however, temperatures may rise high enough to cause food-borne illness. To minimize the risk, avoid opening and closing the refrigerator as much as possible.

In most power outages, municipal water should remain unaffected. However, extreme weather or extended outages could compromise water safety. In cases like this, it’s recommended to avoid using it for anything that could come in contact with your mouth or body:

If possible, use boiled or bottled water to avoid the risk of getting sick.

If an outage knocks out air conditioning during hot weather, your risk of heat stroke will increase significantly. It’s important to identify the signs of heat stroke and address it as soon as it happens. Symptoms include hot/red skin, dizziness or nausea, headaches, rapid heartbeat and a high body temperature.

To reduce the risk of heat stroke, follow these guidelines:

Just like the heat, a prolonged power outage in the cold can quickly create an emergency situation. This holds especially true with most in-home heating systems that rely on electricity in some capacity.

Remaining warm is especially important in these situations. One of the largest risks with prolonged exposure to cold is hypothermia. Signs of hypothermia risk include cold skin, shivering and a body temperature below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Without proper steps in place, hypothermia can quickly escalate into a life-threatening situation.

Maintaining a warm environment is the most important step in a cold temperature power outage. Use all the following tips to keep your family safe in the cold:

Have you considered the thought your house may be in need of a checkup? We visit doctors to make sure we are in good health even if we don’t have any major symptoms. Your house should be afforded the same privilege to make sure it is in good health and does not pose any safety hazards to you and your family. There are things that could be lurking behind the walls that we would never suspect. Electrical problems are often a hidden danger that many homeowners are not aware of until it is too late. A Burbank electrician, like those at The Electric Connection, can give your home a checkup and look for any underlying problems. Taking care of problems before they become serious is always the best prevention of home fires.

An electric safety inspection is one way for an electrician to check out the wiring in the home. If the home is older, the wiring will be evaluated to determine whether or not it is safe or if it needs an upgrade. This is typically only something that is needed if the home is more than 50 years old. Along with the condition of the wiring, the electric panel will also be inspected by the electrician. Burbank homeowners may need to have a breaker replaced or added depending on the needs of people living in the home.

Another facet of an electric safety inspection is to check out the outlets in the home. Any outlets that are not working or have black streaks around the outer casing typically need to be replaced. Loose wires to the outlet can cause an electrical fire and should be taken care of as soon as possible. If you would like to give your home a checkup, give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your appointment.