In the late sixties, and early seventies aluminum wiring began to be used because most available copper was going to the Vietnam war effort. However, aluminum wiring is not ideal for small home electrical systems.  The electrical devices at that time were not designed to handle the high temperature coefficients of aluminum wiring. Aluminum wires can also expand in diameter and length as they get hot, they can actually back out the screw terminals, causing a loose connection. This, in turn, can cause heat, which can ultimately lead to a fire.

After problems with aluminum wire termination became known—including one notable house fire—the UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and other agencies adopted new safety regulations and put more restrictive standards in place. However, many homes from the 60s and 70s still do not have safe aluminum wiring terminations. But there are a number of ways to solve this problem without having to rewire a home.

Consumer Safety Council Recommendations

According to the Consumer Safety Council, there are only two approved methods that splice aluminum wire to copper wire:

These standards have caused acceptance problems with home inspectors and insurance companies, which has led to homeowners paying 2 to 4  times as much as they should to have their aluminum wiring terminated.

Electricity is an integral part of every home and it would be difficult to find a single room in your house that doesn’t have an appliance or fixture that doesn’t operate on electricity. That’s how reliant we are on it. Despite the fact that we can’t really function without it, electricity can be an extremely dangerous commodity; and if you have children in your home, you would have to take extra measures to ensure they are protected from electricity in the home.

Any parent who has had a toddler in the house will tell you that their little one was at one time or the other, fascinated by electrical wires, electrical outlets and appliances. Most children are very curious at that age and don’t think twice before putting a dangling table lamp wire into their mouth or they may try to insert their little fingers into an open socket etc. In short, your home becomes nothing less than a danger zone for your child.

The good news is that it’s possible to address most of these dangers and protect your children from the hazards that these electrical installations pose. Here are some of the things that can be done:

Electricity is something that poses a distinct danger to children. As a parent or a caregiver, it’s your responsibility to be proactive with protecting children from this potential danger. For installation of child-proof electrical installations, call Allround Electrical at 1300 169 263. You can also drop us a line via email.

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Commercial buildings are ideal for installing solar panels. They generally have greater surface area to install larger systems which lead to powerful long-term savings for businesses. How are commercial systems different than residential arrays?

First of all, commercial buildings aren’t always bound by the aesthetic concerns prevalent in residential applications. An office building, for example, has a rooftop concealed from the street below, an ideal location to install solar panels without an accompanying visual nuisance. This also allows a much larger array to be installed.

Larger solar installations tend to be more efficient since larger panels are generally more efficient than smaller ones. Since concerns for appearance are minimized, installation of commercial systems on flat surfaces is much easier and faster than on slanted residential roofs.

Interestingly, the price per kilowatt hour of power is the same. Since this is how solar panels are usually sold, there is no competitive price difference and some homeowners might find that commercial solar panels work just fine for their needs.

One striking similarity between residential and commercial solar panels is that they are both excellent options for saving on energy costs. If your business is looking for a way to improve its bottom line, solar panels are an investment that grow with time.

As energy costs rise by about 5 percent every year, so does your energy bill. Many businesses like yours have discovered that they can install a solar panel at no initial cost and pay off the cost of their solar system as time goes by. They lock into current power rates, enjoy immediate savings on their power bill, and watch as their energy costs gradually decrease, while their neighbors pay more and more every year.

Take a look around: sunshine is one of the most resources in southern California. You just need the help of solar installers to tap into it. Give us a ring to discover how to start.

The outdoor spaces on your property become the perfect spots to spend leisurely moments with your family and entertain friends. In fact, if these areas are planned and installed well, they become an extension of your home. Well-designed spaces allow you to use these areas comfortably during the daytime; however, the only way you would be able to use them optimally after dark, is if you get the right kind of outdoor lighting fixtures installed in your landscaping.

Many homeowners feel that installing a few floodlights in different spots on the property is sufficient in terms of outdoor lighting. However, this kind of illumination is never enough. In fact, there are times when floodlights can mar the beauty of your home and its immediate surroundings; they may end up highlighting some of the unflattering features of your property as well.

The one way to overcome this problem is to hire the services of expert outdoor lighting electricians to handle the job for you. They will understand what your specific requirements and preferences are and will survey the outdoor areas on your property. They will also identify which features you want to highlight and which you prefer to keep in the background. Once they have all this information, they will provide outdoor lighting options and quotes.

A good and knowledgeable electrician will always focus on providing low-maintenance, energy-efficient and cost-effective landscape lighting solutions. While outdoor lighting jobs are typically a part and parcel of landscaping jobs, many homeowners feel the need to upgrade their existing lighting installations to modern energy-efficient LED lights.

Since there are a number of technicalities and aspects that have to be taken into consideration while planning outdoor lighting, it’s important that you consult an expert outdoor electrician who will provide you all the information you need; this helps you make a more well-informed decision.

It’s also a good idea to opt for outdoor lighting maintenance plans. As part of these plans the electricians will come over to your property and inspect all the outdoor lighting installations and fixtures. They will check whether there is any wear & tear in the electrical wiring insulation, the grounding and all the fixtures too.

Regardless of how you look at it, the right kind of outdoor illumination provides a number of benefits. It enhances the security aspect of your property AND adds to its aesthetics. When you have a well-lit garden and yard, you are more encouraged to use these spaces and this increases your return on investment.

For more information, simply speak with the experts at AllRound Electrical and take their advice on various aspects of electrical installations in your home. The number to call is – 1300 169 263. You can also write to us at this email address.

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