4 Things Your Electrician Wants You To Know

The state of the electrical system within your home is very important for the safety and functionality of your home. It’s important that you understand some aspects of your home electrical system so that you can know how to avoid dangerous scenarios at home as well as solve simple problems for yourself. Although an electrician will need to be called in for larger issues, it’s easy enough to handle simple issues like blown breakers on your own, so long as you know the basics. Here are some basic electrical rules all electricians want you to understand.

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Tips From An Electrician

The Purpose Of GFCI
A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is installed in every bathroom and within 6 feet of a water source as a safety measure. The GFCI cuts off power to the electrical socket in the event of a power surge. This safety feature was added to homes many years ago as a way to prevent injury caused by water touching electrical items in the home. Because the GFCI cuts off power to some parts of the building and most buildings have an interconnected circuit, when the GFCI is triggered, it may also cut off power to other outlets or light sources. If some areas of your home are not receiving power and you can’t see any flipped breakers on the breaker box, hit “reset” on your GFCI.
Never Tape Down Your Circuit Breaker
It’s surprisingly common for people to tape down a circuit breaker that flips off often, and it’s an electrician’s worst nightmare. Breakers exist for a reason, which is to break the electrical circuit. Breakers are purposefully designed to switch off as a safety precaution if there is too much power going through them. When you tape a breaker into place, you lose the safety it is supposed to provide and it can increase the risk of fire hazards and electric shocks. If you have a breaker that regularly goes off and it frustrates you, you should unplug some appliances from the area this breaker affects instead of taping the breaker down.
Wiring Eventually Needs To Be Replaced
If your home is fairly new, you won’t have to worry about this for quite a while, but eventually, all homes should have their wiring replaced for increased safety. Typically, wiring lasts for between 50 and 70 years, but after that, it becomes hazardous as the insulation on the wires can become frayed or broken. Homes built before 1973 are likely to be built with aluminum wiring, which poses a much greater risk of fire hazard than modern copper wiring and the wiring should be replaced. Anyone living in a historical house also needs to ensure that all wiring is properly updated.
Turn Off Appliances After A Power Outage
As winter storms start to approach, it’s best to know what to do in case of a power outage. If your power goes out you should unplug your appliances. The power going out itself won’t cause damage to your home, but when the power comes back on and all appliances and devices turn on at once, it can overwhelm the system and cause a circuit overload, which can once again leave you without power or with damaged appliances.

Learn how to improve your home electricity use by reading Rising Electricity Costs: How An Electrician Can Help Make Your Home More Energy Efficient.

Electrician Services In Calgary

When it’s time to update your home or add new electrical features, hiring a professional electrician is the best approach. If you have any concerns about your current electrical system, asking an electrician can save your home from electrical fires and can reduce the risk of electrocution or property damage. At Fluorescent Man Lighting and Electrical, we offer comprehensive electrician services to improve your home, replace your wiring, and perform repairs of all sizes. Providing over 25 years of electrical services in the Chestermere and the Calgary area, Fluorescent Man Lighting and Electrical can offer you top-quality residential electrical services. We provide efficient and affordable service with a team of electricians with at least 5 to 8 years of experience each. To get a free in-home quote, contact Fluorescent Man Lighting and Electrical at 1-403-863-8529 or fill out the online contact form.

FAQ

Q: How much does a consultation cost?
A: FM Lighting and Electrical offers a free consultation that includes:

An assessment of your electrical needs
Recommendations of the best products for your home or business
An effective and efficient solution design
A no-obligation quote

Q: How do you know who is the right electrician to hire?
A: A great electrician is licensed, reputable, knowledgeable, and specializes in energy conservation and LED lighting. Read Choosing The Right LED Lighting Electrician to learn more.

Q: Can I do my electrical work myself?
A: Having yourself or a friend do your electrical work can be incredibly dangerous. If someone without their license or insurance does electrical work on your home or business and something goes wrong, you can be liable. You might not qualify for an insurance claim and you could be out a lot of money.