As a Top Plano Electrician, I know better than anyone how powerful and useful electricity is. It also makes me more aware of what most people tend to ignore or forget: electricity is dangerous. Electricians are required by law to carry insurance, and for good reasons. Electric current is capable of starting fires and destroying your property and equipment in a matter of moments. The proper safety precautions really can save lives, and there‘s always something we can do to improve home safety.

One of the most important precautions is located in your electrical panel: the circuit breaker. It is designed to keep you from using more electricity than the wiring or receptacle can handle at one time, what we refer to as overcurrent protection. This protects your wiring from taking on too much current, which can cause the coating around your wiring to melt, the leading cause of electrical fires. Circuit breakers serve another purpose as well; not only to protect from surges coming from outside your home, but from potential hazards within it as well. Current flowing through a failed piece of equipment or appliance can cause sparks, which have the potential to start fires or damage other electrical devices. A properly functioning circuit breaker can shut off the power to this device. It’s very important, however, that you use a circuit breaker of the proper size for the circuit to ensure that your wiring is properly protected.

Circuit breakers come in specialty varieties as well; the most important are ground fault circuit breakers (GFCI), for wet locations, and arc fault circuit breakers (AFCI). AFCI’s, in particular, can help prevent some of the most common dangerous situations in your home.

I’ve dealt with plenty of cases where electrical fires have started because people ran an extension cord under the carpet, so that they can power the lamp in the center of the room. Over time, people walking over the cord stretches out the wiring, making it so thin that the current overloads the thinly stretched wire, creating an arc fault; the electricity “jumps” the wire, completing the circuit in a way the cord can’t handle and generating heat that starts a fire. Arc fault circuit breakers prevent this by shutting the circuit down when the arc fault occurs.

So what do you need to know about arc fault circuit breakers? To start with, by code AFCI’s should be installed on any circuit that isn’t protected by a GFCI or directly wired into an appliance. It’s in your best interest to have your safety devices routinely inspected to maintain their optimum performance and capabilities; in particular, your circuit breakers should be inspected at least once a year. The inspection process is quick and relatively inexpensive, and something that simple really can save the lives of you and your family.

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.

If you find yourself making that frustrating trip to the circuit breaker often enough to remember, there’s a good chance your electrical panel is overworking itself. An outdated electrical panel is a hassle no homeowner should have to put with. It’s not just an issue of faulty outlets and tripping over extension cords. An outdated electrical panel is a serious fire hazard.

It’s outdated for one, and that can cause a lot of problems, especially for any home improvement projects. An electrical panel’s job is to determine how much electricity is distributed to all appliances, lights, and outlets in your home. If your electrical panel is outdated, not only is it unfit to meet your electrical needs, it puts you and your home at risk. An up-to-date electrical panel has a circuit breaker, which trips or turns off when the wiring is overworked; this prevents your electrical system from overheating and starting a fire. An outdated electrical panel isn’t only a fire hazard; it’s harmful for the following reasons.

If your home needs an electrical upgrade, it can be as simple as replacing a few circuit breakers or replacing the entire electrical panel. It’s best to contact an electrical technician as the wiring in your home is a complicated mess, and a professional knows what to look for. They can inspect your home and provide the best suggestions on how to upgrade your electrical system.

When you open the door to your home, you are instantly hit with a first impression—so are your visitors. If you are selling your home, that first impression starts outside, but walking through the front door is where you really have the chance to impress a potential buyer. Your home is your castle and you want it to look as nice as possible. It doesn’t have to be a mega mansion or a brand new home to be gorgeous. You can make your home look like a million dollars with some simple adjustments like paint, décor, flooring and lighting. One of the ways to really impress the second that front door is opened is with a chandelier in the foyer or entry way. This is something that can be handled by an electrician. Pasadena homeowners will be amazed at the difference an entryway chandelier changes the entire look of the home. At The Electric Connection, we can help you be proud of your home.

A chandelier gives a room a very elegant feel. Beautiful glass combined with light creates a beautiful sight. This is what you will see when you open that door every day. The chandelier can be accompanied with a dimmer switch installed by an electrician in Pasadena. It gives you the luxury of having full light on a dark night or just a little night light for when you get home after dark.

Chandeliers are not just for the entry way. They are beautiful pieces in a dining room or a sitting room as well. Their simple elegance is enough to be a main focal point in a room with very little other décor needed. You can choose to go big or go small. Your Pasadena electrician will take care of all of the installation for you, even if there isn’t an existing light in the room. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your chandelier installation.