Common Residential Wiring Problems

There are many wiring problems that your home can encounter throughout the years. Any residential wiring problems in Chester County, PA require immediate attention. While there are a variety of problems your home can experience, here are some of the more common code violations that could result in worse problems later on.

Junction Box Uncovered

Wires connect to one another at the splices which are housed in the junction box. Without a cover, wires could accidentally be damaged or someone could be shocked. This is a code violation and is a danger if wires are within reach. A new cover for the box is inexpensive.

Flickering Lights

If you notice your electrical lights flickering when it is windy outside, your home probably has frayed wiring in the weather-head which causes a short when the cables move. The weather-head is the fitting where overhead cables from the power line enter the house. This is a major danger, as it can arc and result in a fire. This is a problem that needs to be addressed by your electric utility provider.

Lack of Electrical Outlets

If your home has too few outlets, you are relying on power strips and extension cords. This results in minimal risks as long as you use extension cords that are 14-gauge or more, meaning they are heavy duty. Undersized cords can overheat and cause a fire, so it is wise to go ahead and have a professional electrician install additional electrical outlets.

Failing to have GFCIs

Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GCFIs) can shut down a circuit fast, within 4 milliseconds. While this is grandfathered in and is not a code violation. Codes for newer homes require GFCIs on all outdoor outlets, basement and garage outlets and within four feet of any sink. If your home does not have any GFCIs, you should add them to ensure safety.

The concept of fuel cells as an energy source is credited to a chemist, William Grove. He demonstrated in 1839 that electric current could be produced by an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen over a platinum catalyst. Thereafter, many alternate forms of the technology emerged for producing electricity from various materials and catalysts.

The main reason why fuel cell companies have not been profitable is due to startup and operational costs. Although fuel cells provide clean, inexpensive energy, it is much simpler to use coal or natural gas. These industries have been around for a long time, so their processes are now streamlined.  Unless legislative action requires the use of clean energy, the adoption of fuel cells will remain slow.

Fuel cells are attractive for energy production because they provide clean energy, with no harmful byproducts. Although commercial adoption of fuel cells remains slow, it is possible that the technology could become disruptive and make a significant impact on the energy industry. That could happen if environmental pollution due to the burning of fossil fuels becomes a global concern. So far, large countries that account for a great deal of pollution, such and China, have been indifferent about the pollution they cause.

By Clarissa Allison | August 28th, 2015

If you are a homeowner considering outdoor lighting, then you have probably heard about solar landscape lighting. In addition to being environmentally friendly, light emitting diode which prevents the battery’s current from flowing back through the solar cell during the night. The battery charges during the daytime, and will meet its maximum charge before dusk. A photovoltaic cell then changes the sun’s light into electricity. Although environmental factors affect the performance of solar lights they will work outdoors throughout most of the year.

Many solar lights are self-sustaining, or “stand-alone” systems. These convert sunlight into electricity during the day, store the electricity in batteries, and draw from the batteries to power light fixtures after dusk.

Self-contained solar lights often have panels built right into the light fixtures. Solar lighting systems with panels separate from fixture assemblies, however, allow for only the panels to be placed in the sun, not the lights themselves.

When choosing a home electrician, where do you begin? Some people call the first name that comes up in their online search, others pour over reviews, while still others look to the recommendations of friends and family to help them find an electrician. When you’re looking for an electrical service provider, you want to choose one that is referral based and a true craftsman- not just a fly-by-night contractor who hasn’t been trained to safely provide electrical services. What should you look for in a home electrician? We find this list of four qualities to be both compelling and useful.