ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS FOR COMMERCIAL REMODELING & RENOVATION PROJECTS

Electrical we take pride in being a leading professional commercial remodeling contractor. We provide all necessary electrical services for commercial renovation and remodeling. Our professional team of experts provides the highest quality electrical services to get your business up and running, no matter the scope.

handle all types of commercial remodeling and electrical work for all types of additions and commercial renovation projects. Regardless of whether you want to remodel your office, bathroom, kitchen or entire restaurant, we will take care of your electrical needs in the most professional manner

team of experts is specialized in electrical work of all types and we work to complete all projects on time and within budget because we know how important time is in these situations. Every business has their own schedule and deadlines, so we aim to provide our services to help you get back to work as soon as possible.

Commercial Electrical Remodeling Services

We provide three types of regular commercial electrical remodeling services:

Building rewiring

Electrical updates

Safety Inspections

If your commercial building of any type is prone to experiencing frequent electrical problems, that probably means that you have faulty electrical wiring. Such problems could cause various types of damage and need to be taken care of quickly. With this in mind, our team of professionals will take care of any wiring problems, so you can focus on more urgent matters.

If you’re in need of entirely new electrical wiring, we can adapt new outlets and installation to your new wiring pattern. Electrical updates are always recommended, simply because it’s how we ensure that you can get back to being fully operational with fully functional electrical solutions.

 

Commercial Electrical Remodeling

The professional electrical contractors have the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to keep your commercial electric efficient, affordable, and reliable. Our certified electricians can provide a multitude of services and are always available when you need us most. Your business can’t afford to lose time due to electrical malfunctions and still keep its edge over the competition, so let us help you stay on top.

WHY CHOOSE US FOR YOUR COMMERCIAL REMODEL?

Fully licensed and insured professionals

Years of commercial remodeling experience

BBB A+ Rating

Dedicated technicians

Prompt and efficient service

Up front and reasonable prices

WHY YOU NEED 24/7 EMERGENCY ELECTRICAL

A power outage or complication with your commercial electric can hold you back no matter what industry you work in, but certain businesses are impacted more severely than others. If you want to put your mind at ease and make sure you don’t have to close your doors due to a sudden electrical problem, you’ll need to work with commercial electricians who offer emergency services.

COMMON COMMERCIAL ELECTRIC REMODELING SERVICES

Rewiring Your Building – If you frequently experience electrical problems in your commercial building, you might be dealing with faulty electrical wiring. In order to put an end to these problems for good, you might want to talk to the team about rewiring your building. We can take a look at your system and find out if rewiring is necessary to put your problems to rest and allow you to focus on your business.

Electrical Updates – Renovating or upgrading your space is a sign of success and can be exciting, but don’t get ahead of yourself. Be sure to let your commercial electrician know about the project so he or she can be there to help you. Your pro can help you decide where new outlets will go, and you’ll need a professional to install them and adapt your electrical wiring.

Safety Inspections – Before you move into a new commercial building or upgrade your current one, you’ll need to make sure it’s safe to do so. You’ll also need to make sure it remains safe and up to code throughout the entire time you are based out of that building, and the commercial electricians can help. We can perform safety inspections to ensure that your space is safe for your employees and your customers.

commercial electricians understand that time is of great importance in your project and that the longer it takes, the more your business has to wait. That is why we deliver fast and efficient services—completing the job in a timely manner—while in no way reducing the level of quality that we provide.

 

COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL RENOVATIONS

Commercial electrical demands are often more complicated than residential planning and implementation. You need commercial electrical experts on your team to ensure all work is done right from the beginning electricians offer the real-life experience needed to see your project through to complete success.

Complete Commercial Electrical Renovations

If the time has come to consider planning and implementing a complete renovation of your electrical system, our expert commercial renovations electrician can help from start to finish. We will discuss what your electrical needs are and design the perfect upgrades and renovations to keep your operations running smooth.

offer electrical renovation services for

Apartments and multi-family units

Industrial complexes

Schools

Hospitals and medical facilities

Keep property secure

Business centers

Office complexes, and more

Specialized Commercial Electrical Build-Outs

Planning and implementation of commercial electrical build-outs done wrong will cost you in both time and money. Our industry certified electricians pay attention to all critical details in build-outs for expansion or a complete business move. You can feel confident that every aspect is considered and planned for to result in the electrical services you require

help with

New circuitry and wiring

Data and phone wiring

Security systems and automatic doors

Fire alarm systems

Illuminated signs

New lighting

Dedicated power centers

 

Enhance Your Commercial Electrical System

UPDATE YOUR OFFICE’S ELECTRICAL SETUP

certified electrician has helped many business owners add new electrical features to their offices and conference rooms. You can hire us to:

Mount TVs on walls or install custom entertainment areas

Install outlets into conference tables or add extra receptacles throughout your office

Update the lighting in your office

 

COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL REMODELING AND WIRING

Do you need an electrician to help you with your business’ electrical needs? When your business needs an electrical remodel, new wiring job or circuit install, it is always best left in the hands of a professional!

Electric promptly attend to whatever electrical problem you run into.

✔ We can work with any type of business

✔ We offer quick & efficient work from licensed technicians

✔ We can quickly remodel & upgrade an electrical wiring system

✔ We provide trustworthy quotes

✔ We always give callbacks to inquiries (some companies don’t)

handle your electrical problems, the sooner you can get on with your business. Here are just some of our commercial electrical specialties:

✔ New circuit installation

✔ Wiring for new structures/buildings

✔ Help with building remodel work

Basic Home Electrical: Resetting Your Tripped Breaker

One of the simplest forms of home electrical repair is resetting a tripped circuit breaker. Believe it or not, knowing how to do this single thing can help you solve the majority of all home electrical problems. That way, rather than calling an electrician out for a cost service call, you can begin the troubleshooting process yourself. If you are able to fix the problem with this simple repair, that’s great. If not, then you know that you’ve done your best, but it’s time to call out the electrician.

Circuit breakers are designed to trip to the off position whenever they become overloaded. In order to restore power to that circuit, you must reset the breaker. All of your circuit breakers can be found in your electrical panel, which is typically located in your garage, basement or near your water heater. After you have found your breaker panel, determine which breaker has been tripped. This is pretty easy to do. Simply inspect your breakers to see which one is in the “off” position, or somewhere in between on and off. To reset it, simply push it to the off position, and then flip it back to the on position. If all goes well, this should restore your power.

Circuit breakers will shut off the flow of power to a circuit under the following circumstances:

Ground Fault

A ground fault occurs whenever a ground wire comes into contact with the sides of the metal box that it is housed in, or a hot wire. It is a form of short circuit, and requires repair if it is the culprit.

Overloaded Circuit

Whenever you plug more appliances and devices into a circuit than it can handle, it will cause the circuit to become overloaded. Whenever this happens, the circuit breaker is designed to detect the excess electricity flowing through and cut off the flow of power. This helps to ensure your safety by stopping a potentially dangerous amount of electricity from entering a single circuit.

Short Circuit

Whenever a hot wire comes into contact with a neutral wire, or any other conductive surface, it will cause the circuit to short. This type of electrical issue can be very troublesome, as it is often difficult to identify the exact place that the short occurred. In most cases, a short will be marked by a burning smell, charred or melted wires, or discoloration. When this happens, the wiring must be replaced in order to prevent future issues.

Regardless of what has caused your breaker to flip, knowing how to perform this simple home repair repair is an important part of being a homeowner. This is the first step to solving almost any electrical problem. Before resetting the breaker, always think about what may have caused the breaker to flip in the first place. If an appliance could have caused it, unplug the appliance before resetting your breaker. Otherwise, try and identify what the issue could have been. If you are unable to determine the cause, or the breaker trips frequently, call your local electrician for more assistance.

 

How to Check and Reset a Tripped Breaker

When your breaker gets overloaded, it shuts off to prevent the circuit from receiving any additional electrical flow that could cause damage or fire. It may seem like a hassle to have to check the panel, but this switch off can prevent a lot of potential damage from happening. Follow these simple steps to restore power and get your electronics up and running again.

1. Turn off anything you had plugged in and running. Especially the last thing you plugged in because that was likely the culprit of your outage.
2. Locate your electrical panel. Depending on your home it could be in a few different places, like the basement, utility closet or kitchen. It could be somewhere dark, so grab a flashlight or use your cell phone.
3. Don’t be worried to open the panel. A second layer of steel covers any of the dangerous stuff. But don’t start flipping switches willy-nilly. Some breakers could be mislabeled, and flipping switches haphazardly could damage delicate electronics. If you don’t feel comfortable, contact a professional to help.
4. Look at your panel for a breaker that is now in the “off” position or between “on” and “off.” Some breakers even have a light that will show up if your breaker has been tripped. If it’s placed in between, move the breaker to the “off” position before returning it to the “on” position. If it’s already over to the “off” side, switch it on, off, then back on to fully reset it. This will restore power. If it doesn’t, you may want to flip your breaker an additional time.
5. Plug one or two devices into your outlet and turn one on to test the reset breaker. If your outlet loses power again, you may be overloading the switch. Move a plug or two over to another outlet to redistribute power. Read more about the benefits of using whole home surge protectors for added safety.

If the breaker shuts off again, you might have a short in the panel. Still unable to restore power? A backup generator can be a cost-effective, temporary solution until you can contact an electrician.

 

HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT BREAKER RE-TRIPS

• Check for a short by switching on each light. If the breaker stays on, carefully plug in each device. If the circuit breaker trips when you plug something in, you found the source of the problem. Unplug the device and reset the breaker. You can verify a suspected short by examining the power cord for melted insulation. Also, check the plug and outlet for a burnt smell or charring.
• Check for an overload by plugging everything in and switching everything on. If the breaker trips, either switch off some power guzzlers, like the air conditioner or heaters, or plug them into an outlet on different circuit

 

How a Circuit Breaker Works

A circuit breaker is a type of electrical switch that controls and protects the wiring circuits that feed outlets, fixtures, and appliances in your home. These special switches can be used as simple ON/OFF switches to turn off circuits to make repairs and improvements, but they also have a special design that allows them to shut off automatically when too much current is flowing through the wires, or when there is a dangerous circuit interruption known as a short circuit. They also shut off the power in the event of electrical surges, such as if a lightning strike suddenly overwhelms the household wiring with too much voltage. The automatic function of circuit breakers offers critical safety protection to the wiring system in your home since the excessive voltage can cause fires or ruin appliances.

Safety Considerations

Never handle circuit breakers or even approach the main circuit breaker box if the floor is damp or wet. Under such conditions, call an electrician or make sure to wait until the floor is dry before opening the breaker box. If a short circuit condition exists, a damp floor can be very dangerous.

 

The Do’s and Don’t of Resetting a Tripped Breaker

Don’t take your breaker panel apart. Although it may seem simple, your breaker panel is flowing with a lot of power, and many parts inside of the box can cause electrocution when simply touched. If you ever have problems that cannot be solved by flipping a breaker switch, it is best to call the professionals rather than take apart a breaker panel yourself and risk electrocution.

Do turn off lights and unplug your appliances before resetting. It’s always best to ease your house back into power rather than turning on many power-suckers at once. Unplugging your appliances and plugging them back in one-by-one after a reset can help you gradually restore power in your house, and also identify any appliance that may be overloading the circuit

Don’t touch exposed wire or metal parts, only touch plastic switches. There are actually several parts inside your breaker box that are uninsulated and running with a high voltage electrical current. To avoid electric shock, don’t touch anything other than the breaker switches inside your electrical panel.

Do stand to the side of the panel when resetting a breaker switch. Sometimes your breaker box can and will spark when you reset a switch, so it is best to stand to the side when resetting and, when possible, wear safety glasses to protect your face and eyes from potential sparking.

Troubleshooting Electrical Circuits

NAVIGATE ELECTRICAL TROUBLESHOOTING FOR YOUR FACILITY

Electrical control system issues usually happen with the worst possible timing. It’s wise to be prepared with a troubleshooting plan. Often, we are quick to jump directly into fixing a problem when, in fact, it would benefit us to be methodical with our process. Here, we share a troubleshooting process that can help you navigate electrical troubleshooting for your facility.

1. Gather Information. The first step of any electrical system troubleshooting exercise involves gathering as much information about the problem as possible. Instead of immediately diving in and haphazardly attempting anything to get the equipment running, first step back and determine how is the equipment supposed to operate, what technical documentation is available for the equipment, and is there someone familiar with similar equipment who may have experienced this same issue.
2. Understand the malfunction and the role the malfunctioning equipment plays within the entire process. When you understand how the equipment and process is supposed to work, you can better understand what part of it is not functioning correctly.
3. Identify what can be measured so that you can identify items that are outside the acceptable range. For example, are there voltage readings or temperature readings that would help you evaluate the source of the problem?
4. Identify the source of the problem using available data and analytical tools to isolate the defective component. This could involve isolating components and evaluating their circuit parameters or isolating the circuits by group when dealing with a complicated circuit.
5. Correct/repair the damaged component.
6. Verify the repair after completion. Once the repair has been performed, start the system to ensure it now runs as required. This is important because there may have been other underlying problems. For example, there may be an issue with a circuit causing a fuse to blow (such as a shorted electrical connection). If this is the case, additional troubleshooting will be required.
7. Perform root cause analysis to determine what really caused the problem. Since one of the objectives of troubleshooting is to ensure the problem doesn’t reoccur, it is important to determine what really caused the malfunction and take action to ensure a permanent solution is found.

 

Circuit Breaker Trips Frequently

When a properly working circuit breaker trips frequently and there are no malfunctioning loads on the circuit, it means the circuit is overloaded. Using more than one space heater or hair dryer at the same time is a common cause of this problem.

• After the circuit breaker trips, test for power at nearby receptacles. Any receptacle that still has power when a breaker trips is located on a different circuit.
• Try moving one of the loads to one of the other receptacles that still have power.

Troubleshooting is the process of tracing and rectifying faults in electric/electronics circuit. 

If there is a problem in electric circuit then possible causes may be;

1. Open Circuit– A connection may be broken i.e. open circuited. This fault can be traced with continuity test.
2. Short Circuit– A connection that may be closed is called short circuited. This leads to flow of excessive current in circuit resulting in the damage of components. Short circuit problems are normally caused by weak/damaged insulation which can be detected by insulation test.

To troubleshoot a circuit for fault, all following things should be checked.

• Channel resistance
• Potential difference between two points
• Flow of current

 

No GFCIs

What it means: Increased risk of electrocution in wet areas, such as baths and kitchens. GFCIs (ground-fault circuit interrupters) shut down circuits in 4 milliseconds, before current can cause a deadly shock.

level: High.

Solution: Replace old receptacles with GFCIs (about $12 each). This is a simple job that many homeowners do themselves. Electricians charge about $20 per outlet. (There will likely be a minimum job charge.) Note: As an alternative, GFCI breakers ($25) can be installed on the main panel. But then every time one trips, you have to go down to the basement to reset it.

 

Aluminum Wiring

What it means: You have a type of wiring, used in the 1960s and ’70s as a cheap substitute for copper, that is no longer considered safe.

Danger level: High. Aluminum corrodes when in contact with copper, so connections loosen, which can lead to arcing and fires.

Solution: Retrofit a dielectric wire nut approved for aluminum wire (a pair sells for less than $1) onto each copper/aluminum connection in light fixtures. These nuts have a special grease that stops corrosion while maintaining conductivity. Make sure any replacement switches and receptacles are labeled AL-compatible.

Plug Falls Out of Receptacle
What it means: Worn contacts in receptacle no longer grip the prongs firmly.

Danger level: High. Loose contacts can cause arcing, which can ignite dry wood and dust.

Solution:Replace the old receptacles as soon as possible. (A new one costs about $2.) Many homeowners feel comfortable doing this themselves. Electricians will charge about $8 or $10 per outlet, although there’s likely to be a minimum charge for small jobs.

 

Understand how the circuit works.

This consists of understanding the operation of all the components that are used in the circuit. This could include such components as: push buttons, contactors, various types of switches, relays, sensors, motors, etc.
Electrical circuits typically control or operate mechanical systems and components. You also need to understand how these mechanical aspects of the equipment operate to carry out the work.
You need to be able to determine how the circuit works under normal conditions and what effect changing one of the circuit inputs has on the circuit operation. For example, what happens to the overall circuit operation when a push button is pressed; which relays energize, which lights illuminate, does the pump start or stop, etc. You also need to be able to determine what effect a faulty component may have on the circuit operation.

Garden Lighting Guide

Garden lighting guide – how to choose lights for your outdoor space

Well-planned lighting can really enhance your outdoor space, increasing visibility in changing weather and creating atmosphere to extend your hours of enjoyment.

Getting started – make a lighting plan

Lighting can make or break your garden, so take time planning exactly what kind of illuminations you want and where.

Identify key features

Sketch a rough plan of your garden, marking all the key features. Identify which features you want to enhance – a pond, a tree, steps – and any that you might want to keep in the dark, like an old shed.

Think about how to create different lighting effects

Outdoor lighting should be fluid, with different types of lighting creating different effects across your garden

Downlighting is good for illuminating doorways, or throwing light onto a patio or decked area. Smaller downlights can pick out particular plants or features, while the smallest downlights attached to the bottom of low-level hardscaping like benches and windows define areas with a subtle, attractive glow.

 

What is Security Lighting & Why is it Important?

Outdoor lighting adds beauty and dimension to a home. Lighting is also an integral part of an effective home security system. Outdoor security lighting discourages would-be intruders from targeting your home by increasing the risk of being caught. The best lighting design allows physical detection and facial recognition, minimizes hiding spots, and increases your sense of safety.

You don’t have to light your home like a Christmas tree to feel safe. Over-illumination can draw unwanted attention to valuable items in your home or business and can cause light pollution. In this guide, we offer an overview of security lighting and simple tips to help you identify potential safety and security risks, select the best security lights, and determine their placement to ensure your safety and security.

THE PURPOSE OF OUTDOOR SECURITY LIGHTING

Andrew Coleman, a lighting designer for McKay Landscape Lighting in Omaha, NE, reveals the purpose of residential outdoor lighting is threefold. First, it must be aesthetically pleasing to the homeowners. Second, it must help the residents safely navigate the landscape and the perimeter of the home, and allow them to identify obstructions and potential hazards such as a change in elevation. Third, it must provide security by discouraging trespassers. A well-lit home is less likely to be broken into, he says.

TYPES OF SECURITY LIGHTS

When shopping for outdoor security lights, choose fixtures approved by the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for wet or damp locations. These luminaries feature weatherproof designs and finishes capable of withstanding the elements such as humidity, rain, and snow

Flood Lights

Flood lights distribute a wide cone of light and are ideal for illuminating large spaces. The versatile fixtures come with one, two, or three adjustable heads for precise illumination.

Landscape Path Lighting

Landscape path lights are ideal for safely illuminating frequently used paths and walkways. The light fixtures are also suitable for illuminating trees and other architectural elements around your home

 

How to light your outdoors

The perfect plan

Before you start, it’s a good idea to make a plan. Begin by thinking about how you use your outdoor area and what the different lighting requirements are for each space. Perhaps you entertain a lot and would like a well-lit area, maybe you want to highlight a statue or water feature, or you may wish to create a relaxing atmosphere

Layer your lights

For spaces that have multiple uses, consider light layering. By layering your lighting you’ll be able to easily change the mood from tranquil to party with the flick of a switch. Whatever lighting style or mood you’re trying to achieve,

Ambient lighting

Ambient lighting should light up the entire space. In an outdoor area this could include a ceiling light, the light from a ceiling fan, a large spotlight, several downlights or well-spaced wall lights. Include a dimmer switch if possible for complete control.

Task lighting

Task lights do just what their name suggests – they illuminate areas where you are performing a specific task. For example, this may be a clip on BBQ light, down lights above a servery or a pendant hanging over a dining table.

Accent lighting

The role of accent lights is to provide a bit of theatre. These lights highlight the features that you want to stand out and can make a space feel warm and inviting. Accent lights could be used to focus on trees, a path or steps, an architectural feature or something in your garden like a pond. Think fairy lights, party lights, Japanese lanterns or decorative string lights (these come in all shapes and lengths).

 

All About Landscape Lighting

From selecting the best outdoor lights to setting them up, our experts share how to brighten up the outside of your house

You’ve pulled out all the stops to make your house and yard look first-rate. So why let that hard work disappear at nightfall. With a flick of a switch and some strategically placed outdoor house lights, you can roll back the darkness and put it all on display? Done right, landscape lighting makes the best of what you’ve got by highlighting your home’s architectural features and drawing attention to prized plantings and trees.

What is the Best Landscape Lighting?

Most landscape lighting today is low voltage, and with good reason. Unlike 120-volt systems, it’s safer to work with and less costly to install. And though low-voltage lights receive one-tenth the power, thanks to a step-down transformer, there’s no limit to the effects they can achieve, from ethereal moonlight beamed down from a tree canopy to a subtle glow that washes over a low garden wall. More than just picking the right hardware, a pleasing lighting scheme is also about artistry.

What’s in a Low-Voltage Outdoor Lighting System?

Landscape lighting typically relies on stepped-down power from your house.

Key Questions Answered

DIY or Hire a Pro?

Homeowners can put in a simple system in a weekend. For the most stunning effects, go with a landscape lighting specialist familiar with the various fixtures and ways to arrange them.

 

Tips for Protecting Outdoor Light Strings

Using outdoor light strings has become one of the most popular ways to illuminate outdoor spaces. You might have patio lights strung across your backyard or use dozens of Christmas light strings to build incredible displays during the holiday season. When installing your light strings, you should always make sure that they are as protected as possible from anything that can cause damage or electrical shorts. There are many ways to do this, so we will cover the most important tips. In this first part, we’ll discuss what strings and components are safe for outdoor use, when to cut light strings, and how to keep connections safe.

Use Outdoor Rated Strings

Before ever placing any light string outside, you should always check to make sure that the string is safe for outdoor use by looking at the safety rating. Rope light, patio light strings, and many Christmas light strings are safe for both indoor and outdoor use. Designed with sturdier materials, these lights can withstand the weather conditions. Some Christmas light strings, however, are only rated for indoor use. Using these lights outdoors can cause them to fail prematurely or even short out if they are exposed to water.

Don’t Use Old or Worn Strings

When was the last time you bought new light strings for your Christmas displays? If it’s been a while or your lights get stored in a hot attic for 10 or so months out of the year, chances are you might need some new ones. When you first get your lights out you should use testers to check for damaged sockets, bad bulbs, or blown fuses and make any necessary repairs. Strings with worn or brittle wires should be immediate thrown away as these lights can potentially pose a fire hazard.

Use Outdoor Rated Bulbs

While the majority of C7 and C9 bulbs are safe for outdoor use, the same cannot be said for other types of bulbs used in patio light strings. Incandescent bulbs are safe for outdoor use as long as they are protected from direct contact with water. If used in an open area, the lights should be taken down immediately after an event. Where and when LED bulbs can be used depends on the safety rating. Damp location rated bulbs can be used where moisture is present, but should not come in direct contact with water. LED bulbs with this rating should not be used for permanently installed light strings. Wet location rated bulbs can come in direct contact with water and can be safely used in open areas.

Only Use Outdoor Rated Extension Cords

Like the light strings themselves, extension cords must also be rated for outdoor use. Outdoor extension cords have thicker insulation designed to withstand wetter and rougher conditions. In order to verify if your cord is outdoor rated, you will need to check the ratings code stamped directly on the cord. Made up of letters, this code is used to describe what the cord jacket is made of and the conditions it can withstand. An outdoor rated cord will have a ‘W’ listed in the code.

Discover Safety Tips on Any Electrical Installations

Why is it so important to work safely with or near electricity?

The voltage of the electricity and the available electrical current in regular businesses and homes has enough power to cause death by electrocution. Even changing a light bulb without unplugging the lamp can be hazardous because coming in contact with the “hot”, “energized” or “live” part of the socket could kill a person.

What kinds of injuries result from electrical currents?

People are injured when they become part of the electrical circuit. Humans are more conductive than the earth (the ground we stand on) which means if there is no other easy path, electricity will try to flow through our bodies.

There are four main types of injuries: electrocution (fatal), electric shock, burns, and falls. These injuries can happen in various ways:

• Direct contact with exposed energized conductors or circuit parts. When electrical current travels through our bodies, it can interfere with the normal electrical signals between the brain and our muscles (e.g., heart may stop beating properly, breathing may stop, or muscles may spasm).
• When the electricity arcs (jumps, or “arcs”) from an exposed energized conductor or circuit part (e.g., overhead power lines) through a gas (such as air) to a person who is grounded (that would provide an alternative route to the ground for the electrical current).
• Thermal burns including burns from heat generated by an electric arc, and flame burns from materials that catch on fire from heating or ignition by electrical currents or an electric arc flash. Contact burns from being shocked can burn internal tissues while leaving only very small injuries on the outside of the skin.
• Thermal burns from the heat radiated from an electric arc flash. Ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) light emitted from the arc flash can also cause damage to the eyes.
• An arc blast can include a potential pressure wave released from an arc flash. This wave can cause physical injuries, collapse your lungs, or create noise that can damage hearing.
• Muscle contractions, or a startle reaction, can cause a person to fall from a ladder, scaffold or aerial bucket. The fall can cause serious injuries.

 

Electrical Safety Tips for Your Home

We love electricity – it keeps us warm, makes our homes bright, allows us to access all of our entertainment, enables us to eat a warm meal whenever we want and so much more. Electricity has made our lives more enjoyable in so many ways– but that doesn’t mean it comes without its risks–we’ll walk you through some electrical safety tips that all homeowners should be aware of.

Gain some knowledge on basic electrical safety tips– these  tips will help you enjoy the devices and appliances you love while keeping everyone safe from harm.

1. Replace or repair damaged power cords

Exposed wiring is a danger that cannot go overlooked, the NFPA wrote. If you see the protective coating on a wire is stripped away, be sure to replace it or cover it with electrical tape as soon as possible.

2. Don’t overload your outlets

Every outlet in your home is designed to deliver a certain amount of electricity; by plugging too many devices into it at once, you could cause a small explosion or a fire. If you have a lot of things to plug in, use a power strip (an energy saving one of course!) that can safely accommodate your needs.

3. Avoid extension cords as much as possible

Running extension cords through the house can trip up residents; this can cause injury and damage to the wire or outlet if it causes the cord to be ripped out of the wall. If you find yourself using extension cords very often, consider having an electrician install new outlets throughout your home.

4. Keep electrical equipment or outlets away from water

Water conducts electricity, so even the slightest exposure to this dangerous mix can lead to injury. Make sure you wipe up any spills to ensure that plugs don’t get wet.

5. Protect small children from hazards

Toddlers and small children are very curious– and they love to explore just about everything. Parents of small children should put tamper-resistant safety caps on all unused electrical outlets. In addition, all loose cords should be tidied up and put out of reach to avoid kids tugging on them.

 

Child proofing your home

Keep curious kids safe from the temptation to stick foreign objects into outlets or plugs.

• Unused wall outlets should be secured. Plastic inserts can be used but they can be pulled off and stuck in the mouth. Consider using safety outlets that prevent foreign objects from being inserted. You can also block outlets with the creative arrangement of furniture.
• If you’re temporarily using extension cords, hide them behind furniture or use a hide-a-cord device. You can also put electrical tape over unused plug holes on cords.
• Put electrical devices such as DVD players on a shelf out of reach, or behind a barrier.
• Store bathroom and kitchen electrical appliances – like hair dryers and toasters – out of reach of curious children.

 

More Residential Electrical Safety Tips

Other electrical safety tips at home range from preparing for severe weather to checking new appliances for Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL) listings. Here’s a sample of electricity safety suggestions that will help keep your home’s appliances running smoothly:

• Look for NRTL listings for your products and appliances. NRTLs such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Edison Testing Laboratories (ETL) and Canadian Standards Association (CSA) test appliances to ensure they comply with OSHA’s electrical safety rules.
• Ask a professional to install electrical wiring. Electrical systems are potentially dangerous. Even if you’re a skilled DIYer, consult with a professional before installing new wiring or electrical appliances. Licensed electricians have the skills and knowledge needed to keep your home safe and in compliance with electrical codes.
• Know what to do when the power goes down. Knowing what to do when the power goes out helps you protect yourself from downed power lines and other hazards while shielding your appliances from damage caused by power surges.
• Install smoke detectors. Electrical fires often smolder before breaking out into open flame, and the U.S. Fire Administration reports that most electrical fires occur between midnight and 6:00 a.m. Installing smoke alarms helps alert you to the dangers of electrical fires.

 

BEWARE OF FIRE HAZARDS

Come up with a fire emergency plan; ensure that everyone knows and understands it.

Practice fire drills.

Avoid “power strips” which can ignite a fire if overloaded.

Ventilation is critical, especially if dealing with fumes and chemicals.

• Good ventilation helps to reduce the toxins in the air, and thus to eliminate highly flammable vapors.

In case of fire, know what has fed the fire.

• Never fight a grease fire with water; water will splash the oil and spread the flames.
• Be aware of the whereabouts and use of fire extinguishers.

Electricity safety is important in any home. From powering your appliances, to lighting your home, electricity is an amazing force worthy of our respect and consideration. By practicing these electrical safety tips at home you can lower your risk of accidents, avoid overworking your home’s electrical system, and keep you and your family safe.

The Advantages of LED Lights for the Environment

Taking care of the environment is a responsibility that everyone should feel accountable for. Most of us are already aware of environmentally friendly processes such as recycling to minimise the amount of waste we produce and reduce our carbon footprint. However, a lot of people are unaware of new and upcoming technologies that we can use to help reduce carbon emissions. A good example of this is LED lighting, which provides many environmental advantages.

Energy Efficient 

LED lights are up to 80% more efficient than traditional lighting such as fluorescent and incandescent lights.95% of the energy in LEDs is converted into light and only 5% is wasted as heat. This is compared to fluorescent lights which convert 95% of energy to heat and only 5% into light! LED lights also draw much less power than traditional lighting; a typical 84 watt fluorescent can be replaced by a 36 watt LED to give the same level of light. Less energy use reduces the demand from power plants and decreases greenhouse gas emissions.

No Toxic Elements 

LED lights contain no toxic elements. Most offices currently use fluorescent strip lights which contain noxious chemicals such as mercury. This will contaminate the environment when disposed of in landfill waste.  Disposal has to be arranged through a registered waste carrier so switching to LED avoids the cost and time implications required for compliant disposal – and helps to protect the environment from further toxic waste.

Less Lights Needed 

LEDs have a better quality of light distribution and focus light in one direction as opposed to other types of lighting which waste energy by emitting light in all directions, often illuminating areas where light isn’t required (such as the ceiling). This means that less LED lights are needed to achieve the same level of brightness given off by fluorescents and incandescent lights. Fewer lights will reduce energy consumption and will therefore be a benefit to the environment.

Life span 

A longer life span means lower carbon emissions. LED Lights last up to six times longer than other types of lights, reducing the requirement for frequent replacements. This results in using fewer lights and hence fewer resources are needed for manufacturing processes, packaging materials and transportation.

 

How to Calculate LED Power

When working with LED lighting, particularly when those LEDs are part of a battery-powered project, it may be important to calculate the power use of your LEDs in the circuit. This is a simple task with a multi-meter capable of measuring current, resistance and voltage, but if you lack one, it is possible to estimate the LED’s power use by consulting the packaging and manufacturer’s sheets that came with the LEDs. You only need to find the current and the voltage of your LED.

Calculating the power use of LED lighting is a critical step for any battery-powered electronics project, and thankfully it is simple to do. To calculate LED power, you’ll need to know your LED’s current and voltage, which you can find either through the use of an electrical multi-meter or by consulting the packaging and manufacturer’s materials. LED power is calculated by multiplying the LED’s current by its voltage. Be careful when working with electrical circuits and currents, even when measuring them.

Finding Voltage

The first step to calculating an LED’s power use is to determine the LED’s voltage. If you do not have a multi-meter on hand, look at the manufacturer’s data sheet and find the typical forward voltage of the LED unit, or measure it with your multi-meter while the LED is powered on. Alternatively, you can estimate the voltage based on LED color. White LEDs tend to have a voltage of 3.5, red has 1.8 volts, blue has 3.6 volts, and 2.1 volts for a green, orange or yellow LED.

Determining Current

Once you’ve taken note of your LED’s voltage, you will need to determine the current. This can be measured directly with a multi-meter to determine the exact value, but the manufacturer’s materials should offer a rough estimate of typical current. Once you have this value, you can very quickly and very easily calculate the power use of your LEDs.

Calculating LED Power

To calculate an LED’s power use, simply multiply the LED’s voltage (in volts) by the LED’s current (in amperes). The result, measured in watts, is the amount of power your LEDs use. For example, if your LED has a voltage of 3.6 and a current of 20 milliamperes, it will use 72 milliwatts of power. Depending on the size and scale of your project, your voltage and current readings may measure in smaller or larger units than the base ampere or watt, and unit conversions may be necessary. When doing these calculations, remember that 1000 milliwatts is equal to one watt, and 1000 milliamperes is equal to one amp.

 

HOW TO STOP LED LIGHTS GLOWING WHEN OFF: ULTIMATE GUIDE

Learn the ropes on how to stop led lights glowing when off by using some materials that you can easily find at home.

You might notice that LED lights tend to stay or at times dim even when the off switch has been toggled. This is usually due to the residual current left behind. If you want to know how to stop led lights glowing when off, you might want to follow some of these key steps in addressing them.

Leading Causes

Before learning how to stop LED lights glowing when off, you might need to find out what can cause them to do so. This is more of a problem found in the electric current, especially if the lights themselves are of poor quality. Bulbs are not affected, but the current may be affected due to a neutral wire within the circuit that did not bond with the earth. Alternatively, there may be an electric pick-up along the cable wires caused by electromagnetic induction. Any of these could cause the bulb to glow brightly.

How to Fix the Problem?

Each of the steps outlined here is a choice you can follow to learn how to stop LED lights glowing when off. If Solution 1 does not work, you can go to Solution 2 and so on. Try as much as you can to ensure that the problem is resolved without causing any accidents. However, the advice of an electrician must always be sought first before you can do this on the first try, unless you can manage on your own.

Materials Needed

To prepare for the task at hand, you must buy or acquire the following:

• Screwdriver
• Extra light bulbs
• Neon indicator lamps
• Zener diodes
• CFL (Compact fluorescent lamp)

SOLUTION 1: REPLACE THE BULB.

Usually, replacing the bulb is the best way to solve it. Replacing it with the same LED bulbs, however, might not always solve the problem right away since the bulb could still glow even after it has been removed and replaced. So, try looking for some trusted brands of light bulbs that have been tested well enough to not experience the same problem.

SOLUTION 2: SET UP THE EARTHED WIRING OR ZENER DIODES

The glowing could be caused by the wiring not being earthed or grounded well. This can be remedied by placing a Zener diode. The diode regulates the circuit’s voltage and blocks any charge if you turn off the bulb. These diodes can be easily installed and are rather cheap. If you want to know how to get a Zener diode online.

SOLUTION 3: USE A CFL TO SEEP THE EXTRA VOLTAGE AWAY.

You could also try soaking up the unwanted voltage by putting an object in the circuit, but the ideal approach would be to make use of a CFL, which is short for Compact Fluorescent Lamp. There are better and safer options, but this can be a useful solution to the problem, if it works.

SOLUTION 4: MAKE USE OF A NEON INDICATOR

One effective way to address this issue is buying a neon indicator. These indicators can be bought on Amazon, and they give excellent results. A prewired lamp can help. Connect the indicator between the neutral and lone where the downlights end at a string. This way, the indicator can soak the excess charge. What will happen is that the indicator will glow in place of the original bulb. Check the voltage that the indicator can manage.

If you don’t want to buy indicators, you can find them in appliances like refrigerators. Just use a screwdriver to take them out. Look for old models and get the indicators from there so that you can save up on a little money and make the most of a beat-up appliance. These indicators can still be used for years to come even when they diminish in terms of power.

SOLUTION 5: TALK TO THE MANUFACTURER OF THE LED LAMP

The light might have some smart led light switch, which operates by letting a small bit of current pass through the bulb until it returns to neutral. They require power due to the teach dials that help it stay on for any dimming commands. The current slips past the lamp’s filament that will not cause a glow, though there might be a reaction found in LED lamps; this could be the cause of the glow. If this happens, consult the manufacturer of the lamp. You can also contact an electrician to help you out.

Now that you know how to fix the issue, you can rest easy knowing that the problem can actually be solved quick and easy.

 

How To Stop LED Lights from Glowing When Off?

Solution 1: Change bulb

If your bulb is glowing after you have replaced your incandescent bulbs with LED ones, you may try buying a replacement from a reputable brand and replace the glowing ones with that. If it stops glowing then you can replace the others.

Often, the type of bulb you may have installed may be incompatible with the installation in the home leading to the glow or flicker.

Solution 2: Make sure wiring is earthed or Install a Zener diode

An electrician will be in a position to tell you whether the glowing is caused by the wiring not being properly earthed and fix this for you if so. This is very easy to fix. If the glowing due to the cabling being too close, you could ask the electrician to set up a Zener diode which will regulate the voltage of the electricity circuit your glow led is on. This Zener diode will block any residual voltage coming from the circuit. It should not take an electrician long to install the Zener diode. The diode itself costs a couple of dollars so it should be a straightforward and affordable job.

Solution 3 Use CFL or stick something else to soak the extra voltage

One solution to this conundrum could be trying to stick something in the circuit to soak up this unwanted voltage. Using a CFL or incandescent lamp in one fitting [if a multiple lamp/down light configuration] should mop it up even though this is not the ideal solution. It may work for you as a temporary measure as you try to resolve the problem using other safer and more lasting solutions.

Solution 4: Get a Neon Indicator

Another way to solve the problem is to get a neon indicator. You can search for this from Amazon or any other reliable electronics supplier and you will get good results for a couple of dollars. Get a prewired one with flying leads to save you the trouble of any messes. You should install the indicator between the lone and neutral at the fitting or at the end of a string of downlights so it can soak in all the unwanted current. The neon will then glow instead of the bulb and it can be tucked away from sight.

Make sure that the neon you select is compatible with the current voltage you have at your home. You can get neon indicators from kitchen appliances such as freezers, fridges and kettles. This is an easy task to accomplish if you are a handy man with the help of a screw-driver. Take advantage of the goods that have already reached their end of life as good indicators will still burn for years losing brightness over time but still functioning.

Solution 5: Try a neutral with lamp or talk to your LED lamp’s manufacturer

You could be using dimmers or smart switches such as illuminated, touch sensitive or WIFI-enabled models that are most are neutral. The clever circuitry in such switches operates by passing a tiny current through the bulb then back to neutral. This current will pass all the time keeping the switch on even when the lights are off. These types of switches will need power all the time because they have touch dials, indicator lights or use a WiFi bridge to connect or need to stay on for any on or off dimming commands.

While this is happening, a small current passes through the filament of the incandescent lamp will not make it glow butt with LED lamps, there may be some reaction causing the glow. If you have smart light switches and find that your LED lights are glowing when switched off, you may need to consult your manufacturer to find a switch that is compatible with the lamps. The other option is to call an electrician to run a dedicated neutral to the switch you have installed in your home (if it can support one) so that it does not go through the lamp.

Solution 6: Work with other lamps

When all is done and nothing seems to work, you may try matching your LED bulb to other lamps. Some dimmable LED lamps to work better than others and sometimes mixing in an odd lamp can have positive effects.

Solution 7: Inspection

As previously stated, problems can arise from unwanted voltage on your wiring due to induction from neighboring circuits. It is not unusual for one to place a tester on a dead circuit and still get a few volts which maybe have been inducted into the circuit or are getting in through poor insulation resistance from adjacent wiring. If your wiring is old or has not been checked lately then you should consider having it inspected to see how your lighting is behaving.

 

LED Lighting

The light-emitting diode (LED) is one of today’s most energy-efficient and rapidly-developing lighting technologies. Quality LED light bulbs last longer, are more durable, and offer comparable or better light quality than other types of lighting. Check out the top 8 things you didn’t know about LEDs to learn more.

Energy Savings

LED is a highly energy efficient lighting technology, and has the potential to fundamentally change the future of lighting in the United States.  Residential LEDs — especially ENERGY STAR rated products — use at least 75% less energy, and last 25 times longer, than incandescent lighting.

Widespread use of LED lighting has the greatest potential impact on energy savings in the United States. By 2027, widespread use of LEDs could save about 348 TWh (compared to no LED use) of electricity: This is the equivalent annual electrical output of 44 large electric power plants (1000 megawatts each), and a total savings of more than $30 billion at today’s electricity prices.

How LEDs are Different

LED lighting is very different from other lighting sources such as incandescent bulbs and CFLs. Key differences include the following:

• Light Source: LEDs are the size of a fleck of pepper, and a mix of red, green, and blue LEDs is typically used to make white light.
• Direction: LEDs emit light in a specific direction, reducing the need for reflectors and diffusers that can trap light. This feature makes LEDs more efficient for many uses such as recessed downlights and task lighting. With other types of lighting, the light must be reflected to the desired direction and more than half of the light may never leave the fixture.
• Heat: LEDs emit very little heat. In comparison, incandescent bulbs release 90% of their energy as heat and CFLs release about 80% of their energy as heat.

LED Products

LED lighting is currently available in a wide variety of home and industrial products, and the list is growing every year. The rapid development of LED technology leads to more products and improved manufacturing efficiency, which also results in lower prices. Below are some of the most common types of LED products.

Industrial and Commercial Lighting

The high efficiency and directional nature of LEDs makes them ideal for many industrial uses. LEDs are increasingly common in street lights, parking garage lighting, walkway and other outdoor area lighting, refrigerated case lighting, modular lighting, and task lighting.

Kitchen Under-Cabinet Lighting

Because LEDs are small and directional, they are ideal for lighting countertops for cooking and reading recipes. The color can appear more cool or blue than is typically desirable in a kitchen, and there can be some excessive shadowing in some fixtures, so it is important to compare products to find the best fixture for your space.

Recessed Downlights

Recessed downlights are commonly used in residential kitchens, hallways, and bathrooms, and in a number of office and commercial settings. DOE estimates there are at least 500 million recessed downlights installed in U.S. homes, and more than 20 million are sold each year. Both CFL and LED technology can decrease downlight wattage by 75% or more.

LED Replacement Bulbs

With performance improvements and dropping prices, LED lamps can replace 40, 60, and even 75 Watt incandescent bulbs. It’s important to read the Lighting Facts Label to make sure the product is the right brightness and color for the intended location. When chosen carefully, LED replacement products can be an excellent option.

LED Holiday Lights

LEDs consume far less electricity than incandescent bulbs, and decorative LED light strings such as Christmas tree lights are no different. Not only do LED holiday lights consume less electricity, they also have the following advantages:

• Safer: LEDs are much cooler than incandescent lights, reducing the risk of combustion or burnt fingers.
• Sturdier: LEDs are made with epoxy lenses, not glass, and are much more resistant to breakage.
• Longer lasting: The same LED string could still be in use 40 holiday seasons from now.
• Easier to install: Up to 25 strings of LEDs can be connected end-to-end without overloading a wall socket.