How many times have you observed your neighbor using a weed-whacker that is connected to a series of four or five extension cords in order to reach the far corner of the yard? Probably plenty of times. When using a series of cords, be sure they are all the same rating, and check with the manufacturer or your local licensed electrical contractor to see if it is safe.

Extension cords are rated by the thickness of the wires inside using a standard known as AWG (American Wire Gauge).

Regardless of bends, twists, or turns, Example of a cut line on LED strip lights

2. You will now have two LED strip lights. Carefully peel back the end portion of the paper strip covering the strip’s adhesive backing, and then remove the 3M VHB adhesive from the solder pads on the bottom side of one of the strips. The strip with its adhesive peeled back will be the top strip when soldered.

5. Align the non-tinned strip segment (strip with adhesive removed) directly over the newly tinned pads, and apply heat. Hold the soldering iron in place until the solder remelts and begins to flow. To strengthen the bond and improve visual appeal, a small portion of solder can be added to the top pad.

The LED strip lights are now connected, and power should flow through the entire length of the strip.

The following steps demonstrate how to split and solder a run of non-weatherproof two-conductor or connecting wires. Peel away the blue wire so that only the positive (red), negative (black), and control (green) wires are left.

*No wires should be peeled away if you’re joining single-color or standard RGB light strips.

3. Properly heat your soldering iron. For best results, clean and tin the tip of the iron immediately before soldering. To tin the iron, touch solder to both sides of the iron’s tip.

4. Next you will need to tin the solder pads on both ends of the split strip light. When soldering, always apply heat to the target area on the strip and not directly to the solder. Once sufficient heat has been applied to the area, start introducing solder.

The LED strip lights are now connected, and power should flow through the entire length of the strip.

The following steps demonstrate how to split, solder, and reseal a

3. Follow steps two through five located at the top of this post for soldering a standard RGB strip light.

4. To reseal the strip light, apply

The LED strip lights are now connected, and power should flow through the entire length of the weatherproof strip.

Your solar installation contractors probably have the best idea of what panels are going to work well for your home and your power bill, but it can be fun to investigate the different brands of solar panels available to you. Check out some quick reviews of the solar panels on the market:

Your best resource for finding the best panels is going to be the solar installers in your area, who know the best models for the weather conditions, sun exposure and your individual energy needs. Give us a call to find what panels will work best for you. We can give you a free estimate in minutes and explore the various deals you might use to get subsidized solar in your home.

You walk into your home and see the same things every day. You may see some dirty dishes in the sink or maybe notice you could use a little dusting in the living room. You look at the things that are right in front of you. You probably don’t actively look for things in the home that are hidden, but dangerous. It is important you spend a few minutes looking for and identifying any potential fire hazards in your home that may have gone unnoticed in the past. Having the help of an experienced electrician in Beverly Hills is a good idea. You can rely on the team at The Electric Connection to help you identify and repair any potential danger.

This is a list of 3 of the most common hazards that are lurking in your home.

1-Asbestos use was popular in home construction up until the mid 1970s. There are homes that still have this dangerous substance working in the insulation of attics, basements and in the walls. If you don’t know what asbestos looks like, it is always best to hire a professional to complete an inspection.

2-Faulty smoke detectors are another common issue. Many people adopt an out of sight, out of mind habit and forget the smoke detectors are even there. A Beverly Hills electrician can help eliminate that issue by installing hard-wired smoke detectors that rely on your home’s main electric panel.

3-Electric panels are another area of concern that should be inspected by an electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners may not even be aware their existing electric panel is on a list of recalls. There were numerous panels produced and installed throughout the 1980s and 1990s that have been proven to be dangerous and should be replaced.

If you suspect your home may have one of these hazards, it is a good idea to have an inspection completed by an electrician or an asbestos abatement company. Give The Electric Connection a call today and make sure your home isn’t hiding an electrical hazard.