When a fire breaks-out, most people just assume that it’s been caused by some inflammable substance. While that might be the case, it’s important to keep in mind that fires can also be caused by electricity. The one thing to keep in mind is that an electrical fire can’t be doused by water. Faulty or old electrical installations can lead to a fire and cause untold damage to life and property.

There are times when the electrical equipment or appliances in an electrical system can be the cause of overheating & overload, which can end up causing a fire. So, exactly what is it that causes an electrical fire? There are three main reasons, let’s take a detailed look at what these are and what can be done to prevent this from occurring:

Some properties have wiring that is decades old and electrical wires do tend to deteriorate with age. In fact, if the wiring in your house is over 15 years old, the recommendation is that you should get the entire property rewired. Older wiring wasn’t designed to bear the electricity load that current-day appliances demand. At times the electrical contractor might have cut corners and installed wiring of poor quality and this can lead to a similar problem, both of which can result in fires.

Arcing is quite a common problem with electrical wiring. As mentioned earlier, most homes have a range of heavy-duty electrical appliances. When you run a number of these appliances simultaneously in your home, it results in overloading and overheating of the wires. If the wiring is old, it will get heated up which will cause the insulation around it to melt – this results in arcing and an electrical fire may erupt too.

There are times when electrical wires are just too close to an external heat source which causes the outer insulating sheath of the wiring to melt. If this goes unnoticed, it can result in an arcing and fire.

Regardless of what has caused the electrical fire, if you attempt to contain it by pouring water on it that will escalate the issue. Water doesn’t have any effect on electrical fires; in fact, if you try to use water to douse an electrical fire, you can get electrocuted. What you need to deal with an electrical fire is a Class C fire extinguisher.

This type of extinguisher has dry chemicals that help contain the fire. Depending on how severe the fire is, it might be possible to completely bring it under control using a Class C fire extinguisher. If you don’t have this extinguisher, baking soda might help to some extent.

In case there is a break-out of fire on your property, the first thing you should do is switch off the power-mains; this is effective in containing the fire. Ideally every home and commercial establishment should have a Class C fire extinguisher or two, based on the size of the property and that should be used in case of any fire in the electrical wiring. An electrical fire is an electrical emergency and it’s crucial that you keep the number of a local, reliable electrician handy.

Never try to fix any electrical issues on your own. That can only lead to more complications and will compromise the safety of your property. We at Allround Electrical can rectify all types of electrical faults and we provide a range of electrical services. For more information, contact our friendly team today at this number – 1300 169 263. You can also write to us at this email address. You may also reach us through this online contact form.

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You have probably heard about standby generators for homes. The generators are meant to keep a home powered during a power outage and have become quite popular over the years. More and more homeowners are making the investment to have a backup source of power as it becomes more obvious the power grid is not able to keep up with the demands. A generator installed by a Glendale electrician is an ideal option for those who rely on electricity and are not okay going without. Is your business any different? The team at The Electric Connection can help you add a safety net to your business operations with the installation of a standby generator.

When the power goes out, your business instantly starts losing money. If you can’t sell your wares or use computers to access accounts and meet deadlines, your business cannot function. There is no reason your business has to be vulnerable to power outages whether they are brief or extended. An electrician in Glendale can help you determine what your electric needs are and what size of generator you would need to stay up and running. You may need to scale back your operation, but you would still be able to have your doors open.

Having a generator for your business keeps your employees working and you are able to continue to serve your customers and clients. There is no need to be completely dependent on a shaky power grid. With a hot summer being predicted, there is a strong chance there will be rolling blackouts. Call an electrician. Glendale business owners need to start thinking about how they will keep their doors open this summer no matter how many power outages they are faced with. Give The Electric Connection a call today and talk with one of our professionals about a generator for your business.

The smart grid can be thought of as national and personal all at once. On a personal level, the smart grid connects all of the electronics in your house, letting them communicate on an internet for electronics. This electronic internet also communicates with you via your smart phone or computer in real time, letting you monitor your electricity usage.

Your appliances will talk to each other and organize times of non-peak electrical usage for them to complete cycles that use a lot of energy. Your home will talk to you, letting you know if you’ve left your television running or if the light in the garage is still on.

On a national level, your home will be tied into the national grid like it is already, but two-way communication will happen with the power plant. If your home has solar panels installed by an electrician, any extra energy you produce will be sold to the power plant. The power company will be able to monitor your electrical usage too. They will use this information to create a picture of your neighborhood. This tells them exactly how much energy needs to be sent in your direction.

This system will be a replacement for our current power grid, and it will allow two-way communication between the power plant and your home. The meters for this system will report themselves. You won’t need a stranger tromping through your yard once a month to read your meter anymore.

This system will create a more efficient use of electricity by sending it where it needs to be. It will also report problems as soon as they happen. Before you could find a flashlight during a blackout, the power company will know exactly what wire went down and why. This will cut repair times. Since everything will operate more efficiently, there will be less cost to keep everything operating, which will translate into cheaper power prices for you.

Maintenance for your home will be easier. Having an electrician wire your house for this system will let you know exactly what your home is doing. If your water heater sees problems that could indicate a breakdown, you will get a text message alert. This will let you drain it before it turns your basement into a hot tub.

While you will need to replace your current electronics with applicances designed for this new grid, the cost will be worth it. The power grid will be more reliable, which means fewer blackouts. Your house can even report suspicious electrical activity to you, creating increased security. You may find yourself pressured to have an electrician install solar panels, but the power company will pay you for the extra energy. It will be an improvement for everyone involved.

The question of whether or not to repair or replace a furnace can be a challenging one. However, there are some key factors that can help you decide which is best for you and your home. One thing to keep in mind is that heating system replacement is a great opportunity to increase your energy efficiency and comfort. Should you decide to replace your furnace in Brighton, make sure that you hire trained professionals to perform the installation. The experts at FB Electrical Services can install both electric and gas furnaces, so call us today!

Reasons to Consider Replacement

Here are some reasons why it may be better to replace than continue to repair your current furnace:

Constant Repairs

If your furnace needed a lot of repairs last winter, and you are looking at more repairs this winter, it may be time to consider replacement. Nursing an ailing furnace along can add up quickly, sometimes even up to the cost of a new furnace. You may need to determine where your money is better spent.

Rust/Corrosion

Furnaces do not use water in any way, so if your unit has considerable rust and corrosion on it, it may need to be replaced. If rust and/or corrosion is localized, it may be repairable, but if the corrosion is significant, it can’t be repaired. Excess corrosion can be dangerous in gas furnaces because cracks and holes can potentially leak toxic fumes, which are very dangerous to your household.

Age

Age always plays a role in whether or not it’s time for replacement, and for good reasons. Aging systems can be challenged to effectively and reliably heat your home, and often do not have good energy efficiency. The average lifespan of a gas furnace is 15-20 years; for electric furnaces, it’s 20-30 years. If your furnace is at or over the average lifespan, it may be time to consider replacement.

Your furnace should be reliable, energy efficient and provide the Call FB Electrical Services today and schedule an appointment for your furnace with one of our heating specialists.

Plan on hanging a lot of lights or putting on a display this holiday season? If so, you need to make sure your electrical panel can handle the electrical load! So before you start plugging in all of those fancy lights and fun electronics, read along with the team at Kolb Electric to find out if you need to be making a call for an electrician in Columbia.

Looking for help with a heavy-up panel upgrade, or need some other professional electric services? Contact Kolb Electric online today!

A heavy-up, also known as a panel upgrade, is simply an increase in the amount of amperage coming into your home. Your home essentially is capped at a certain allowed amperage for safety reasons. Your amperage limit directly relates to the electrical needs of your home.

On whether or not you need one, it depends on a few things. Heavy-ups are most commonly needed when a home’s demand for safe electricity exceeds its capacity, or if you just haven’t had one in a long time. As your electrical needs evolve (which they do very rapidly in modern homes), through getting more appliances, electronics, and entertainment tools, your need rises as well.

Put simply, people just need more power during the holidays. We find that more and more folks call in for an electrician in Columbia most often late November through the end of the year. Usually people start plugging up those light strands, and all of those nice decorations, only to find that they keep tripping breakers, or experience electrical complications. A heavy-up is the answer to this issue, as it ensures you have an adequate and safe supply of power going forward.

Signs that it’s time for an upgrade:

Suspect you might need to be looking into an upgrade? If you’re not sure, our team can help! The certified electricians at Kolb are always happy to help, and with our years of experience and top-class tech, we can help you determine if it is indeed time for a panel upgrade. Contact an electrician in Columbia today by calling 877-287-1179, or reach us any time online!