Many homeowners are DIY enthusiasts and will happily fix a broken chair or repaint the living room wall if they feel it’s looking dull and drab. If you are one of those people, you may also be tempted to fix electrical issues when something goes wrong. However, it’s important to keep in view the fact that electrical jobs aren’t for the DIYer. In fact, any electrical job, big or small should be tackled only by a licensed and insured electrician.

When you are working with electricity, safety is something you should never compromise on. It’s a fact that you would be able to handle some simple electrical jobs on your own and they may seem like a breeze, but the truth is that most people aren’t aware of the precautions they should be taking while tackling anything related to electricity.

When it comes to electrical jobs, there is no alternative to hiring an experienced and skilled professional for the job. Take a look at the 6 biggest domestic electrical mistakes novices make:

This is a very common mistake that many inexperienced people make. Every installation needs a different gauge (thickness) of wire. Using the incorrect one in a particular application can result in an overload or overheating in the wire; in turn, this can cause the circuit breaker or fuse to trip. It’s crucial that the wires be rated for the actual amperage they are going to carry.

It’s crucial that you never try to make any electrical connections outside electrical boxes. The sole purpose of these boxes is to ensure that the wires should be protected from external elements. If you do have to make an extension, use a plastic/metal box. Do not shove too many wires into one electrical box- this can lead to a short circuit.

There are times when you may not fix the switches and outlets firmly in the wall. These can be dangerous. When you attempt to fit appliances into an outlet that’s loosely fitted, the wires can come out of their terminals and can get overheated.

All the connections inside a fuse box should be correctly and tightly placed. Loose connections can cause flickering in lights and appliances. At times, it can lead to overheating of circuits too. It’s never a good idea to try to fix these yourself

Circuit breakers and fuses are the safety mechanisms that protect the wire ampacity ratings; they also control the flow of electricity to all the connected appliances. Many people are under the false impression that if a fuse blows or a circuit trips, they can simply replace it; and that the problem will be solved. In actuality, when either of these things happen repeatedly, it’s an indication that there is something wrong in the wiring connected to them. Call in a licensed electrician without delay and get the problem fixed.

This is another common electrical mistake. While many people simply buy adaptors and use them to plug in multiple appliances in at a single point, this only increases the amperage that the circuit can handle. This danger is compounded if you use more than one heavy-duty appliance at a single outlet.

Never take chances when you are dealing with electrical installations or are faced with electrical issues. Always call in a certified electrician to handle the job. For any type domestic electrical installations, call Allround Electrical at 1300 169 263. You can also drop us a line via email.

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Through the work week between the hours of 9 to 5, many mega watts of electricity is fed into offices and commercial buildings all over the world. These are places where productivity is vital and electricity is critical for the productivity to exist. Whether renting, leasing, or own an office building, here is a checklist of items for consideration that will improve the efficiency of electricity running throughout the office

Some office buildings can have hundreds of workstations on each floor. Each workstation can include monitors, computers, printers and other electronic devices. A bad situation develops when there are insufficient numbers of power outlets, and the only solution is to add and chain extension cables. Often this can lead to overloading the electrical circuits, damage electronics and create a risk of electrocution. If you find that there are not enough power outlets for your workspaces, have a licenced electrician inspect the office space and install new ones. A professional will be able to determine how much load can go on each circuit without causing strain on the circuit breaker.

If the workspace lighting is inadequate, workers may find it straining on their eyes and can ultimately create an unwelcoming work environment. Through proper lighting design the office space can become more efficient and pleasant to work in. Upgrading your light fixtures with more efficient bulbs can lead to better lighting and lower electrical costs each month.

An office building should also be equipped with the appropriate outdoor lighting. This will improve building safety by providing lighting at building entry points, but also keep employees feeling safe while exiting the building during the night. Read more about office lighting.

The worst thing that can happen for productivity is an electrical outage. Without the use of computers and printers, an electrical outage can bring a business to its knees. Equipping an office building with a backup generator adds a layer of protection against these types of situations. As soon as power stops flowing to the building, the generator will activate and continue providing power to workstations. This is helpful to prevent loss of work and provide some extra hours of productivity. While your office still may remain without internet services, the extra time can be used well to finish up tasks and plan for any additional power outages. Read more about standby generators.

Whether you are in charge of a building, or your own office’s workspace, make sure that your building is running safely and efficiently. Investing in the right lighting and generator can be a wise investment to keep productivity up in the long dark hours of the winter. For more information on office electrical or to schedule an inspection from one of our licensed electricians, contact your local Expert Electric.

Kenneth Crawford is a South Florida based interior designer and owner of Kenneth Crawford Interiors.  As the August Designer of the Month, he offers some professional lighting and decorative ideas.

Each element in a well-decorated room from paint color to the detail of each doorknob is important, and the right lighting is key to unlocking the true potential in your design. The space must be orchestrated perfectly, creating a cohesive flow through out.

I have over 20 years of experience with commercial and residential design, and whether you are building a new restaurant or renovating a 500 sq. foot dining room, the lighting fixtures themselves and the angle of illumination make a world of difference. That’s why I shop Capitol Lighting’s extensive database to find everything I need from unique ceiling pendants and elegant crystal chandeliers to simple bath vanity fixtures and top quality light bulbs.

The examples featured below show how the right lighting will create a custom finish and bring out the best in your decorative scheme:

Dining Room

When designing an interior space, you must look at the room as a whole. Light fixtures should blend harmoniously with the decor, adding color, texture and style to complete the design. The Philippe Stark fixture, purchased from Capitol Lighting, is more like a sculpture, making a stunning design statement and blending with the architecture without obstructing the view or overpowering the space.

Guest Bedroom

These nightstand lamps purchased from Capitol Lighting add the perfect finishing touch to this room. I wanted a metallic element to pull the silver embedded in the artwork and create a sparkling effect reminiscent of the Intercoastal on a clear day. 

Powder Bathroom

The Italian glass sconces were selected for their linear design, which adds to the architectural composition of the room.

Bedroom

Stifling heat can be extremely uncomfortable. It makes you grumpy. You can’t sleep or really relax after a long day. During the height of the summer, it may seem like the heat will never break. Running the air conditioner is helpful, but sometimes, it just isn’t enough. You need the room to feel fresh and not muggy or humid. Not to mention, running the air conditioning all the time can get very costly. You can give your wallet and air conditioner a break while making your home a little more comfortable with the installation of a new ceiling fan. A Pasadena electrician can get you all hooked up in just a few hours. All you need to do is call The Electric Connection.

Ceiling fans make a beautiful addition to any room. They are elegant and useful. Most fans include lights as well that make them a dual purpose fixture. You can skip the hanging cords and have a remote control installed on the fan. With the touch of a button you can turn on the lights and set the speed of the fan. Ceiling fans should always be installed by an electrician. Pasadena homeowners will feel better and safer knowing the fan was properly wired and secured to the ceiling.

Imagine laying in bed with a cool, gentle breeze washing over you. The whir of the fan is also soothing for many. It helps lull them to sleep and keep them sleeping comfortably without getting that feeling of stifling air in the room. Your electrician in Pasadena can get you set up with a fan in each bedroom as well as any living spaces that tend to get a little warm. Combining the effects of a ceiling fan with your air conditioner will keep your home cool this summer. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your installation before the summer heat rolls in.