Anyone who has undergone a home inspection on an older home has likely heard the term “GFCI” in regard to outlets. For many people this is a “huh?” or a “smile and nod” type of moment. If you did rudimentary online research and still don’t really understand what the heck GFCI is, why it’s important, or why you should care, then read on for an understandable explanation, courtesy of our residential electricians.

Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets may sound foreign, but they are actually very recognizable; have you ever noticed a couple of buttons on a power outlet? That is a clear sign of a GFCI outlet, and those buttons are made to test the integral function that differentiates this type of outlet from the standard version. Basically, GFCI outlets can very quickly perceive when power that was put out is not going to the correct place and can very quickly trip the breaker to shut off the outlet, potentially preventing injury, fire, etc.

These protective outlets can go pretty much anywhere, and they used to not be required to go in any particular places. Now, they are typically required in bathrooms, kitchen counter areas, in and around swimming pools, on external outlets, and many more specific residential areas. Basically, GFCI outlets are required anywhere that appliances used can come in contact with water (ie, kitchen counter, bathroom, in the event of snowfall piling against an external outlet, etc). These outlets are becoming more and more standard throughout the home and could potentially become necessary for all outlets in new construction in the near future.

If your home was requested or required to comply with GFCI outlets, or if you are concerned that your family or home is at risk, please give us a call. As Des Moines’ Top Rated Local® residential electricians, we would be happy to help make your home a safer place.

If you're ready to take the plunge and purchase a state-of-the-art home theater system, you have more to consider than just the equipment you intend to purchase. Even if all of your components are top-of-the-line, you won't get the most bang for your buck without professional design and installation.

To make sure you get the home theater of your dreams, it's important to consult an electrician early on in the process. A quick electrical inspection of your desired theater space will help you understand what kinds of electrical upgrades you might need to set up a media center that is functional, safe and that provides the highest quality viewing experience.

Handle the Load

A big-screen TV by itself won't strain the electrical system in a modern home. But factor in a disc player, set top box, stereo receiver and multiple speakers, and you might be talking about a serious electrical load. A licensed electrician can easily test your system to ensure it's ready to power your dream theater. If upgrades are necessary, you can take confidence that new wiring or circuits will be installed by a qualified professional.

Hide the Cords

Wireless speakers and other multimedia components might seem like an attractive option because you want a streamlined look, but you'll often sacrifice a great deal of quality by cutting the cord. Instead, let an electrician make a plan for hiding all of your home theater's power cords away so that the room looks great and there's no risk of tripping in a darkened room. Without tearing up your decor, a professional installer can run cables within your walls and install new outlets to avoid that snarl of wires.

Protect Your Investment

You probably already use a surge protector to safeguard your home computer against the threat of power surges. But your home theater equipment is just as vulnerable, and a single lightning strike can turn thousands of dollars in equipment into trash. While you can protect your home entertainment technology using surge protection adapters, the best solution is to install a whole-home surge protection system. There's no need for clunky power strips, and your entire home's electronics and appliances will be safeguarded.

Unless you have extensive electrical experience, don't go it alone when setting up your home theater. Make sure your design is smart, safe and spectacular by enlisting the talents of a licensed local electrician.

It can be tough to determine what is a problem in your home and what is something that can be put off and until you have the time, energy or the money to fix. However, it is important to educate yourself about certain problems that can become extremely serious if left unchecked. Electrical problems often give homeowners a few warning signs before they become serious and lead to electrical fires. A Glendale electrician can help you determine what constitutes a serious electrical problem and what situations can be left until you have the time. The Electric Connection has the electricians you need to help you make your home safe.

Flickering Lights

A flickering light is often chalked up to a bad bulb. If you replace the bulb and the light still flickers, you likely have a wiring issue. It is possible the fixture is bad and needs replacement. In either case, it isn’t an issue you want to ignore. Wires that are bared either due to breaking down over time or the victim of rodent chewing can spark a fire. It is important the light is inspected by an electrician. Glendale residents will appreciate knowing their lighting is not a safety hazard.

Popping Breakers

If you plug in an appliance or turn on an appliance and the breaker trips on a regular basis, it could indicate the breaker is weak or faulty. A single breaker trip is usually not cause for worry and suggest the breaker was overloaded. A breaker that trips for no apparent reason needs to be inspected by an electrician. It will likely need to be replaced.

Bad Outlets

Outlets that do not work or work sporadically are a sign of trouble and need to be inspected and replaced right away. There are likely exposed wires behind the walls that could cause a fire.

If you have any of these issues, give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your appointment.