image: dedeking.com for IKEA

Take the stress out of getting dressed in the morning and update your closet lighting design.  See colors more vividly and surround yourself in flattering illumination with the latest closet lighting tips.  Whether you are building a new closet or updating an existing one, there are specific rules for safely and effectively lighting this valuable space.

The options abound in closet design from choosing the number of shelves and drawers to the dimensions of hanging space and shoe storage.  Some closets may serve as dressing rooms with areas for makeup application, as well.  Providing sufficient lighting is tantamount to making the best use of your space; for all that planning is wasted if you cannot see well enough to distinguish a black sock from a navy blue one.

1. When using surface-mounted incandescent or LED(light emitting diode) luminaires within an enclosed light source, be sure to install fixtures at least 12 inches from all storage areas.  If opting for a single surface-mounted light fixture, size the fixture to allow for a clearance of 18-24 inches from the wall. Usually one centrally located surface-mounted fixture will be sufficient to illuminate a standard size closet.

2. For surface-mounted or recessed fluorescent light fixtures, a minimum clearance of 6 inches between the light source and storage space is required.  LED and fluorescent light fixtures run cooler than incandescent, so they are the top choice in closet lighting design.

3.  When choosing surface-mounted or recessed LED light fixtures, go for top quality luminaires and buy from a reputable dealer.  LED lighting may cost a bit more, but the energy-savings, maintenance-free operation and safety features of LED will prove to be well worth the investment.

Were you aware of the fact that your home electrical equipment is frequently bombarded by very brief spikes in electrical power called power surges? These surges can slowly burn up the inside of your electronic devices, leading to a shorter lifespan than you should normally have. Although the most dangerous type of power surge comes from outside of your home and could destroy your devices in one fell swoop, this type of surge only accounts for about 30% of all power surges. The other 70% of power surges are generated from within your home. These surges are caused by some of your larger appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners.

A large power surge causes very fast, widespread damage. This can cause your wiring to burn up, devices to short circuit and motors to seize. Whenever you think of power surges, this is typically what comes to mind. The majority of power surges, however, remain unnoticed until your device meets an early end. This type of incremental power surge slowly eats away at the components of your electronics until they no longer function.

While it may seem like there is not much that you can do to prevent this, there is. One of the best ways to prevent against both large and incremental power surges is with surge suppression systems. This includes a combination of both local and whole house surge protection. For the largest level of protection, you should have your local electrician in Beverly Hills install a whole house surge protector. You can then protect especially sensitive devices with their own individual surge protectors.

By protecting your home from power surges, you help to ensure that your devices have a long lifespan. This not only keeps everything running as it should, but also saves you money in the long run. If you have any questions about whole house surge suppression, or would like to schedule an appointment for installation, get in touch with any of our technicians at The Electric Connection. You can also learn more from the resources at The Electric Connection website .

Some electrical problems are harder to detect than others. That’s why, when trying to diagnose home problems, one of the best ways to quickly get to the bottom of the situation is with an infrared thermographic inspection. But what are the benefits of this inspection? Let the experts at Kolb Electric help!

When combined with traditional home inspection techniques, the infrared thermography inspection method reveals considerably more about your house than can be seen with conventional inspection tools. Some things our infrared thermography inspections have detected include:

Over time, a home that was once top-of-the-line can find itself behind the times. While this might only be a mild concern in terms of convenience, the state of your electrical circuits can potentially be a source of trouble if they are found to be below present day recognized standards. However, an electrician in Santa Monica can certainly evaluate the state of your home’s electrical components and recommend a course of action. Generally speaking, homes that are more than 40 or 50 years are more likely to need an electrical safety evaluation.

Depending on the age of your home, you may need to have some or all of your electrical outlets replaced. Many older homes do not have updated three-prong outlets, and instead might have the older style two prong outlets. Today’s appliances require a third prong for grounding. Besides this, over time wiring can become damaged, and the demands placed on your home’s older electrical system can simply be too much for an older system to bear.

If you need an electrician in Santa Monica to help you determine the electrical safety of your home, a strong list of references and great internet reviews are a good jumping off point for locating an electrician to help you solve any of the most common problems that older homes face.

The Electric Connection is a dependable electrical contracting company that can send a knowledgeable Santa Monica Electrician to your home or business. We will be happy to help you compare your home to today’s electrical standards, examine your home thoroughly, and evaluate the ability of your electrical system to perform under typical conditions as well as any unusually high demand situations.

Visit TheElectricConnection.com for more information and to speak with someone about your home’s electrical system. If you are unsure about exactly what types of upgrades or repairs you might need, we can easily help you out.