Electricians

BASIC SKILLS FOR ELECTRICAL PROJECTS

Take the confusion and risk out of DIY electrical projects. Get a good grounding in how your wiring works, what tools you need, how to make connections, how to work with wire and cable, how to avoid the most common errors, and most of all, how to be completely safe around electricity.

Learn how to make electrical improvements that are safe and code compliant with the videos, photographs, and expert instruction in this class. You’ll learn about circuits, circuit breakers, and other parts of your home’s wiring system, like wires, cables, boxes, switches, and outlets. Learn how to replace or install cable, boxes, and devices and make tight, safe connections.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

Tips and techniques for working with cable, boxes, switches, and outlets so you’ll have the skill and knowledge to complete safe and code compliant electrical projects

How to identify the three types of conductors (wires) in your home’s electrical system: hot wires, neutral wires, and equipment ground (ground) wires

How to install electric boxes in open walls and how to add a remodeling box in a finished wall

Which tools you’ll need to work on your home electrical projects

How to turn off the power and make sure it’s off before you start working on any wiring

What a basic house circuit is and how to recognize the physical parts of the circuit

How to identify the three types of conductors (wires) in your home’s electrical system: hot wires, neutral wires, and equipment ground (ground) wires

How to interpret the color coding of the wires in your home

And much more!

Who should take this class:

DIY home renovators who want to complete their own electrical work

Homeowners who are looking for expert advice and tips before modifying or updating electrical projects in their house

People who want to save money by doing their own basic electrical projects

Beginners who are looking for expert advice before beginning electrical projects

Electrical Tips & Advice

Home electrical fires account for over 50,000 fires in the US each year.  The Electrical Safety Foundation International reports that electrical fires cause more than 500 deaths, 1,400 injuries, and over a billion dollars in property damage. Older homes are particularly at risk. Because over half of the homes in the United States were built before 1973, this is a real concern.

Knob and Tube Wiring

This type of wiring was used from the 1800’s to the 1930’s in homes. Wires are run through ceramic tubes (or knobs) to prevent contact with wood framing. However, this type of wiring is now considered a fire hazard because it is not a grounded system. If your home has knob and tube wiring, it is highly recommended that you have your home re-wired.

Arc Faults

When any electricity is unintentionally released from home wiring or cords, it is known as an arc fault. Arc faults can be especially dangerous because the electricity released can cause the surrounding material to catch fire.

Pinched wires – From a chair sitting on an extension cord or wires bent sharply

Overheated wires or cords – Too many lights or appliances connected to one circuit (your fuse box or circuit breaker should trip) Improper electrical connections – Loose connections in an electrical light switch or outlet

No Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters

Any electrical outlets that could come into contact with water should have ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) installed. These outlets improve safety by constantly monitoring the flow of electricity in and out of the circuit. If the returning current differs even a small amount (like from coming in contact with water), the GFCI will shut of the electric current. This helps prevent deadly electric shocks and electrocution. For maximum safety install GFCIs in bathrooms, the kitchen, laundry room, outside and anywhere else an outlet could come in contact with water.

Electrical

Overview

Working with electricity can be dangerous. Engineers, electricians, and other professionals work with electricity directly, including working on overhead lines, cable harnesses, and circuit assemblies. Others, such as office workers and sales people, work with electricity indirectly and may also be exposed to electrical hazards.

Electricity has long been recognized as a serious workplace hazard. OSHA’s electrical standards are designed to protect employees exposed to dangers such as electric shock, electrocution, fires, and explosions.

Construction

Electricity has long been recognized as a serious workplace hazard. OSHA’s electrical standards are designed to protect employees exposed to dangers such as electric shock, electrocution, fires, and explosions. Includes references that provide information related to electrical in construction including OSHA’s electrical construction regulations, hazard recogition, possible solutions and additional resources.

Hazard Recognition

Many workers are unaware of the potential electrical hazards present in their work environment, which makes them more vulnerable to the danger of electrocution. The following hazards are the most frequent causes of electrical injuries: contact with power lines, lack of ground-fault protection, path to ground missing or discontinuous, equipment not used in manner prescribed, and improper use of extension and flexible cords.

Possible Solutions

A variety of possible solutions may be implemented to reduce or eliminate the risk of injury associated with electrical work. Examples of solutions include the use of insulation, guarding, grounding, electrical protective devices, and safe work practices. This page provides information that may aid in controlling electrical hazards in the workplace.

Electrical safety

Electrical safety is incredibly important and we all have a part to play.

We use electricity for lots of menial tasks, like turning on a light switch, making toast and charging our phones, but we also use it to power important things like medical equipment, traffic control and street lights. We might take it for granted, but electricity is not something to mess around with – it can kill.

We all have a responsibility to use electricity safely. Every householder in NSW is legally obliged to keep their home safe, including the way it uses electricity. The same goes for business owners – they are responsible for the electrical safety of their employees and everyone else on premises.

Risks and injuries

Faulty appliances, damaged or worn power cords, power points and household wiring, electrical appliances coming in contact with water and downed power lines can all cause electric shocks. While some shocks are a minor ‘tingle’, others can be much more serious.

Electrical installation work

By law, any electrical installation work must be done by a licensed electrician. Electricians are required to provide you with a uniquely numbered Certificate of Compliance Electrical Work (CCEW) to show that the work has been tested and complies with the regulations.

Safety labels for electrical goods

Certain electrical products and appliances must be certified and approved against Australian standards before they can be sold in NSW. This includes electric room heaters and power tools that run from mains power.

Home electricity tips

We use electricity every day and often take it for granted — but you have to take care when handling it. We’ve got some useful hints that will help keep you safe around electricity.

Power points and power boards

Running too many appliances off one power point by piggy-backing double adaptors, or connecting power boards together, can overload the circuit and lead to overheating, damage to equipment, or even cause a fire in your home

Follow these safety tips when using power points and power boards:

Don’t overload individual power points.

Don’t plug in more than two cords to a double adaptor — use a suitable adaptor board instead.

Keep all electrical connections out of areas that may become wet due to watering or extreme weather conditions.

If there is no permanently-installed safety switch, use a portable type at the power point.

Never use an extension cord that has a three-pin or piggy-back plug at each end.

Never replace fuse wire or plug-in circuit breakers with larger sizes.

Keep combustible material, such as paper, plastic and structural metalwork,150mm away from bulbs.

Never modify lighting outlets, plugs or cords.

Check that you have working smoke alarms in your home.

Tingles and shocks

It is believed that many electric shocks go unnoticed and unreported in Australia each year. Electric shocks and tingles — slight electric shocks — happen for a variety of reasons but can sometimes be an indication that there’s an underlying electrical fault that requires urgent attention.

Safety switches

Safety switches detect small amounts of constant electrical fault current leaking to earth and quickly switch off the electricity, minimising electric shock and reducing the risk of fire.

Electrical Panel Upgrades

About Electrical Panel Upgrades

The electrical panel is the core of your electrical system. This is where your home receives electricity from the utility company. The power is then distributed throughout your entire home until every outlet and light has the power that it needs. As your home ages, your electrical service panel suffers normal “wear & tear.” It is likely that you have upgraded appliances and technology in your home over the past years

The panel is just like anything else in your home, it needs to be properly maintained. In the event of a fire, the first place an insurance adjuster checks is the panel. If it is not kept up properly, they will attempt to show negligence

The following items should be checked for compliance:

Non-approved breakers for your brand panel

Panels that are older than 5 years

Missing Breakers

Hot Spots

Over sizing of breakers versus wiring size

When should I upgrade my electrical panel?

When technology is modernized and panels are not, frequent outages are experienced. Old service panels simply cannot handle all the power now required. Overloaded wires can lead to deadly electrical shock. In order to help prevent this from happening, electrical panels are designed to tell whenever there is a problem with your electricity and cut off power to that circuit. Older electrical panels did this using fuses, while newer panels rely on circuit breakers.

There are two ways to determine if you are in need of a panel upgrade:

You live in a home that is over 20 years old and have outdated panels.

If you have (or want) more power requirements.

How To Know When It Is Time To Replace Your Home’s Electric Panel

Does My Home’s Electrical Service Panel Need to be Replaced?

We do a lot of work for realtors and home owners in Northampton and Lehigh Counties and from time to time we get asked; “When is it time to upgrade an electrical panel?” So, we thought we should share with you the following advice from our experience.

First, what IS your electrical panel?

The electrical service panel is the component of your house’s electrical system where the electricity is brought in to the house from your power company. The electrical wiring that runs throughout your home starts at the service panel and is used to separately feed the different areas and appliances at your home that require electricity.  Each separate wire leaving the panel and feeding your home is called a circuit.  This panel is like the “heart” of the electrical system of your entire home.  Like veins and arteries, any and all wiring going throughout the walls and ceilings of your home all originate at this location! Keeping this in mind, there are several reason it may be necessary to upgrade your electrical panel.

Do you have fuses of beakers?

If you live in a home built before 1960, you may have an electrical panel with fuses. Fuses are used to control and limit the power of the electricity leaving the panel through each individual circuit.  If any circuit calls for more power than that circuit is rated for, the fuse will “blow”, meaning it will automatically stop the flow of power at that circuit and as a result will then need to be replaced. This requires you to keep a few spares of the different fuses you have within your electrical panel.  If this is the type of panel you have in your home, it is probably time to upgrade to a new panel with what are called circuit breakers.

Does your electrical panel have enough power capacity for how you use your home?

With fuses, and even if your home has an electrical panel with circuit breakers you may want to check the power capacity of your electrical panel, called its ampacity. Many homes may have only a 60-amp or a 100-amp panel and that may not be powerful enough to handle many of the modern conveniences we have in today’s homes such as central air conditioning and modern appliances. If you are often blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers, maybe notice your lights dimming low and staying low, or a burning smell coming from the area around your electric panel, it is likely past time to upgrade your panel.

Replacing the electrical panel may not always be necessary

The right professional electrician can help you decide if your panel really needs to be replaced or upgraded.  For example, if you have expanded the size of your home, upgraded all your appliances, and or added something that has put an additional electrical load on your existing system you may not need to upgrade your electrical system!  This is where dealing with an electrical contractor known for integrity can save you money.  We have worked with customers in the past who did not need to update their system.  We did the calculations on their electrical load and found they were still within the safe range.

ELECTRICAL PANEL SERVICES

The breaker panel is the hub of your home’s electrical system. It’s smart. It sends power where needed and trips if it senses any trouble in your wires. You probably don’t even notice it unless something goes wrong. When your panel is correctly sized and in good working order, it can protect your home and electronics from fire or surge damage by tripping the breaker when it senses danger

Modern households have many more electronic devices than families had even ten years ago. If your panel has never been upgraded, you may want to make sure it adequate for your lifestyle. Entertainment systems, computer equipment, appliances and all kinds of personal electronics constantly use your power. An undersized electric panel can not support or protect your technology.

SIGNS YOU NEED TO UPGRADE YOUR BREAKER BOX:

Breakers trip frequently.

Lights flicker or dim.

Overuse of extension cords or power strips inside your home.

Appliances don’t operate at full strength.

Discolored outlet covers.

Burning smells or crackling sounds near appliances.

You are planning a remodel or addition.

When you add a new appliance like a hot tub, A/C, or refrigerator to your home

WATCH OUT FOR THESE BRANDS:

Look for the brand name on your electrical panel. electrical panels are known to have a 60 to 80% failure rate. This means they seem to work just fine, but if a short circuit or a small surge occurs, the panels fail to trip the breaker and can cause a fire or damaging surge to your home. If you have one of these brands, it needs to be replaced

ARE FUSE BOXES BAD?

Older homes often have fuses instead of breaker panels. They protect your home by blowing a fuse and turning off your power when the fuse is overloaded. Unlike circuit breakers, a fuse needs to be replaced once it’s blown. The problem is that fuse boxes can handle 30-60 amps of power, but modern households typically need 100 or more amps. Sometimes people replace original fuses with bigger ones after they blow, but this can overload and overheat your wiring. If you have a fuse box, schedule a safety inspection to make sure it’s adequately handling the electrical load in your home.

Cost To Replace Circuit Breaker Box

The average cost to replace a breaker box is $1,475 with most homeowners spending between $1,287 and $1,707. A low-amp subpanel costs from $500 to $1,000 while a 200-amp panel upgrade runs up to $4,000. Total costs depend on the type of home, the number of circuits, and the amperage.

Our homes are using more energy than ever before, and the electrical system that was installed decades ago may not have the necessary capacity to handle the electrical load required of it today. To keep a house running smoothly, the proper rating of electrical panel can eliminate tripped circuit breakers and prevent fires.

Cost to Replace or Upgrade an Electrical Panel

The average cost to replace an electrical panel is $850 to $1,100 for 100 amps, or $1,200 to $1,600 is a new service panel is needed. To upgrade to 200 amps, expect to spend $1,300 to $2,500, or $2,000 to $4,000 to upgrade to 400 amps. A low-amp subpanel costs $500 to $1,000

Electrical panel replacement typically takes 8 to 10 hours which includes 200-amp capability, a new panel with main breaker and ten circuit breakers, labor, and all required materials. The biggest cost for most electrical work is labor. With an electrician’s hourly rates at $40 to $100/hour and with the first hour costing $75 to $120, you can expect to spend between $400 and $800 for labor costs.

Cost to Upgrade to 200-Amp Service Panel

The cost to upgrade an electrical panel to 200 amps is $1,300 $1,600, or between $1,800 and $2,500 if a new service panel is required. Installation costs depend on the labor required. New wires may need to be added or replaced, or if anything needs to be brought up to code.

WHY UPGRADE YOUR ELECTRICAL PANEL?

Electrical Panels are the lifeline of your home, and usually last around 25 years. Maintaining your Electrical Panel is key to providing a safe living space. Upgrading your Electrical Panel prevents the potential danger of worn or old wiring, causing shorts in the circuit, losing power and danger of an electrical fire. We understand the importance of your home, and trust you consider our certified technicians to get the job done in a respectful and professional manner. From Electrical Panel Repair, to an upgrade, no job is too big or too small, we do it all.

ELECTRICAL PANEL UPGRADE & REPLACEMENT

For comfort and safety reasons, an electrical system for your home must be in sound operation. Faulty home electrical systems can cause serious disruptions in your home, such as certain electrical fixtures not working or even worse, fire hazards. Poor commercial electrical systems can lead to failing various inspections or loss of assets due to an electrical fire.

The 3 Most Common Outdoor Lighting Problems & What You Can Do About Them

You want your home to look as perfect from the outside as it does on the inside, and landscape lighting is a great way to achieve perfection. Well-designed outdoor lighting will highlight the beauty of your home and landscape, increasing your curb appeal and your property value. But as perfect as your exterior lighting looks, it can have problems from time to time. So what do you do when your perfect outdoor lighting stops being perfect?

1 . Burnt Out Bulbs

Burnt out bulbs are the number one most common problem we see with landscape lighting systems. You may be thinking, that’s not a big issue—just change the bulbs—but it can actually be a big issue. The bulbs used for outdoor lighting systems are designed to last a long time, so if they’re burning out sooner than expected, it could be an indicator of deeper issues, like faulty wiring or improper installation. Make sure you have All Wet change the burnt out bulbs and inspect your system for deeper issues.

2. Connection Issues

The second most common problem we see with landscape lighting systems here in New Jersey is is malfunctioning connections. 99% of the time, a connection malfunctions because water has gotten into it. This can be due to improper installation (like using electrical tape to cover a connection rather than using an actual connector) or because the wrong type of connector was used. Improper connections not only put your lighting at risk of shorting out, it also poses a major shock risk that’s dangerous to you. Your exterior lighting is outdoors, so your connectors should be waterproof; if your landscape lighting was installed by All Wet everything is waterproof, but if it was installed by another contractor it may not be waterproof. All Wet can make sure you have the right connections to prevent problems.

3. Corroded Wires & Sockets

We rarely get calls for wire and socket corrosion; usually, we discover corroded wires and sockets while already there to address a problem with burnt out bulbs or faulty connections. This is because corrosion is caused by exposure to water, and water rarely gets into your sockets and wires without there being a pre-existing problem with your outdoor lighting. For example, if a bulb has burned out, it won’t produce the heat needed to burn away condensation, and the wetness of the condensate corrodes the socket. Avoid wire and socket corrosion by having burnt out bulbs and faulty connections fixed as soon as you notice a problem.

Everything You Need to Know About Outdoor Lighting

From dusk to dawn, outdoor lighting is your garden’s secret weapon. A well-placed uplight can focus attention on a specimen tree (and away from that problem area where you store the trash cans.) Strategically sited pathway lights will make a garden feel expansive. And the golden glow of a porch light will welcome you home. From design ideas (place pathway fixtures from 10 to 15 feet apart to create pools of guiding light) to energy-saving tips (use low-watt bulbs for a soft uplighting effect), we cover the basics.

Uplights

Mounted below or at ground level to focus attention upward, uplighting includes wash lights, floodlights, well lights, and spotlights.

Wall Lights

Able to mount on virtually any vertical surface, outdoor wall lights are one of the most versatile types of landscape lighting, perfect for use on decks, patios, stairways, and pathways (with walls).

Tip: Place lighting at or near tripping hazards such as stair risers or low walls.

Smart Outdoor Lights

Outdoor lights for entryways, porches, and landscapes that you can control using an app installed on your mobile device give you more control over how you light a landscape.

Stairway Lights

Riser lights, under-tread lights, recessed wall fixtures, and pathway lights all can be used to illuminate outdoor stairways. By day, the best stairway lighting is barely noticeable. After the sun goes down, well chosen lights can transform staircases to glowing jewel boxes

Porch Lights

A covered porch offers protection from the elements. Be sure to get a light rated for damp conditions but consider this an opportunity to add personality and curb appeal to your home. For more porch light ideas

Outdoor Light Fixture Repair

Outdoor light fixtures will often at some point need repairs or need to be replaced. Globes can get broken, wiring can come loose and the fixture can become so weathered that there’s no hope of repair. Outdoor lights are often found on front and back porches, back patios, garage entrances or on the gable end above the garage entrance. If you cannot afford replacement, paint or new globes can often give these fixtures a face-lift without replacing them.

Shut Off Power

If you’ve replaced your light bulbs with known working bulbs and your fixture still does not work, it’s possible that the wiring has come loose in the fixture. Turn off the power at the junction box to the light fixture. You’ll be able to tell if the power is off to that fixture by using an outlet tester on the same wall that the fixture is attached to. On the interior side of the wall, plug the ends of the outlet tester into an electrical outlet to see if any power is registering; if not, you should be fine.

Check Wiring

Remove the retaining covers holding the light to the exterior wall. Slide the light off of the anchor screws—this will expose the wiring. Look to see if either the black hot wires or the white neutral wires have come apart. If this has happened, you’ll need to put them back together. Place the end of the wire on the light next to the end of the wire in the wall; slide the wire nut over both wire ends and twist the wire nut. Make sure that you only connect same-color wires. Always remember: black on black and white on white.

Light Switch

Check your light switch for loose wires or replace it. Once you’ve checked the bulbs and the wiring on the light and the fixture still doesn’t work, it’s most likely a faulty light switch. Turn the power back off and remove the switch-plate cover.

Remove the retaining screws for the switch and pull it out of the wall. There will be a black wire and a red or white wire. Each wire is attached to a separate screw on each side of the switch.

Use a voltage tester to make sure that there’s no power going to either wire before you touch the screws with a screwdriver. Take note of which screw the wires are on. If the black wire is attached to the left screw, that’s where it will be attached to a new switch. The red or white wire will attach to the opposite screw. Hook each wire to the appropriate screw and tighten with your screwdriver. Set the switch back in place.

Globes

If your exterior light fixture has a broken globe, it can easily be replaced. Remove what’s left of the old globe and measure the threaded portion or top of the globe. This is the size that you need the threaded portion of the new globe to be. One size does not fit all.

Paint

Metal light fixtures can be painted to look new again. Use steel wool to sand off rusted areas and wipe off all sanding dust. Use a high-quality, oil-based exterior primer for metal; allow to dry the recommended amount of time for the product. Apply two coats of high-quality, oil-based exterior paint for metal.

Types of Landscape Lighting Fixtures

Cylinder, Box Shape and Bullet Shape

These designs help focus and direct the light beams. Some also cut off glare and protect the lamp and socket from debris and moisture.

Spread and Diffused

These low-level units are designed to cast illumination in a broader pattern for; flower beds, perimeter plantings, driveways, steps and paths.

In-ground or Well Light

Burying these fixtures flush with the ground conceals the light source. Use for uplighting trees and shrubs, and grazing textured walls.

Spot or Accent

Versatile/adjustable fixtures used for uplighting, crosslighting, accenting and grazing; when mounted high up provide focused downlighting and moonlighting.

Wall Bracket, Ceiling Close-up, Chain Lantern

Mounted at entry doors, over garages and on porches, these chain-hung lantern style units cast light outward—either direct or diffused.

Home has High Voltage

There may be an issue of too much electricity entering your house if you own many fixtures which burn out light bulbs in only a couple months. Although we have been taught an even 120 volts is what steadily enters our homes, this does not always happen.

There are times when houses might be overpowered. If you suspect this is the issue, you can buy a voltage tester and find out what your homes voltage is.

Even though it is normal to have fluctuation, if your voltage hovers over 125, most likely this is you problem. In many case the fix is simple, swap your lightbulbs for 130 volt light bulbs. However, if several of your homes LED flood light fixtures are burning out light bulbs, a longer lasting and better solution would be to call a Rockwall electrician to help correct your voltage issue.

Ceiling Fan Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Ceiling Fan

With such a broad range of fans to choose from, it’s easy to get lost in phrases like sloped-ceiling adaptable, blade span and 14-degree blade pitch. And all the questions: Big or small? How many blades? What controls do I need? Et cetera, et cetera.

There can really be a lot to think about when it comes to buying ceiling fans. So, if you want to brush up on all the technical jargon before making the wisest ceiling fan choice possible, you can do so here by checking out the following FAQs (plus, other ceiling fan articles, to your right).

What are my ceiling fan mounting options?

There are several options available, each designed to optimize air circulation and fit proportionally into a space. Regulations do require fans to be installed at least 7 feet up from the floor. (Before choosing a low-profile fan, be sure to measure the space between your ceiling and floor.) Aside from that, you can choose the fan mounting that best suits your room and, of course, your style.

Hugger Ceiling Fans

This type of flushmount ceiling fan is ideal for low ceilings (8 feet or shorter). There is no space between the ceiling fan’s motor housing and the ceiling, making it an ideal choice for smaller urban spaces, including apartments and condos.

Close-to-Ceiling Fans

A downrod of 3 to 5 inches is installed between the ceiling canopy and fan. The added space between the low profile ceiling fan and ceiling allows for more air circulation and fan efficiency, while remaining relatively close to the ceiling and out of the way. This mounting option is good for any room where the ceiling-to-floor height is roughly 9 feet.

How To: Choose a Ceiling Fan

Choosing a ceiling fan is enough to make any homeowner’s head hurt. With so many variables and options, what should you consider when choosing a ceiling fan?

Get the Height Right

If  you’re planning the installation for a low-ceilinged room, insist on a flush-mount model (also called a “ceiling hugger”) to ensure adequate head clearance

For average-height ceilings, using the manufacturer-supplied hanging rod should do the trick. For higher ceilings, an extension rod will lower the fan to optimal position within the room, about eight or nine feet off the floor.

Place Your Fan Properly

Ceiling fans don’t actually lower room temperatures; they cool by creating a breeze. Install them in places where you spend the most time. Good spots are over the bed or above family-room or kitchen seating.

Consider Control Options

Do you want to control the fan from a wall switch, a remote, or a good old-fashioned pull chain? You may not have a choice. Mode of operation depends on the fan that you choose. Tastes vary, but there is certainly something to be said for the convenience of a remote that enables you to change fan speed (or ceiling-fan light fixture settings) effortlessly.

How to Choose a Ceiling Fan for Comfort and Style

Ceiling fans make great additions to the home year-round. They cool us down in summer and warm us up in winter. New features and technologies mean they’re more energy-efficient than ever, and design updates have led to some pretty stylish models

Personal preference plays a big role when buying a ceiling fan, and it’s always helpful to discuss your needs with a professional. To help you get started, check out the following tips from experts on how to choose a ceiling fan, including determining the right ceiling fan size and the optimal hanging distance from the ceiling.

How to Choose a Ceiling Fan

Pick the right ceiling fan size for your room. Size is important. If your ceiling fan is too small for your room, it won’t move air efficiently or effectively. If it’s too big, it could create the feeling of being in a wind tunnel.

How to measure a ceiling fan: Ceiling fan measurements come from their blade span, which is the diameter of the circle their spinning blades create, also called their “sweep.” For a ceiling fan with an even number of blades, measure the fan’s diameter to determine its span. For a ceiling fan with an odd number of blades, measure from the center of the fan to the end of a blade, and multiply by two.

Consider the number and angle of the blades. With today’s models, there isn’t necessarily a right number of blades for a ceiling fan. It’s more of an aesthetic preference than a practical one.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE ON HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT CEILING FAN

CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE RATING FOR YOUR LOCATION

Is this fan going indoors or outdoors? There are 3 different ratings to consider:

Indoor Rated: Rated only for indoor use, cannot withstand moisture or direct water exposure.

Damp Rated: Rated for mild Outdoor use and indoor use; Can withstand heat and cool moisture, such as desert heat or cool mist or fog. CANNOT withstand direct rain or hose exposure.

Wet Rated: Rated for Outdoor use and can withstand Direct Water Exposure like Rain or cleaning with a hose; You can also use WET Rated fans for DAMP or INDOOR Locations, but not the other way around.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT BLADE SPAN

You want to choose the proportional blade span for the space. Below is a good starting point, keep in mind that if the room is very large, you may want to consider using two fans instead of one.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT DROP

Measure the height from the ceiling to the floor of where you plan on installing your fan. The chart below will give you a good reference guide as to which downrod you should choose. Keep in mind that some homeowners may choose a slightly different drop for preferred “visual” reasons.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT FINISH

There are 3 main finishes/colors for ceiling fan motors. Most fans will come in 3 different options that fall in the category of; silver, brown, and white

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CONTROL

There are 3 main types of controls; Pull chain, Remote Control, and Wall Control. In most cases, you can generally add a remote control or wall control to your fan, but hardly ever add a pull chain to one.

How to Buy a Ceiling Fan

What makes the perfect ceiling fan? While style and finish are certainly important, considering a few key factors will help you pick the right ceiling fan for your space

Indoor Ceiling Fans

Do you need a ceiling fan for your living room, kitchen, or bedroom? Then you’ll need an indoor ceiling fan. All ceiling fans can be used indoors, which means they might not be marked as indoor fans so you’re free to shop and browse the entire selection of ceiling fans.

But if the indoor area is subject to humidity, you’ll need a damp-listed ceiling fan. These special rated fans are ideal for indoor areas, such as bathrooms and laundry rooms. To find a damp-listed fan for your bathroom, you’ll need to shop our selection of outdoor ceiling fans and look for a fan with a damp-listed rating.

Outdoor Ceiling Fans

Designed for outdoor use in spaces such as patios and porches, outdoor ceiling fans are weather-resistant fans that can withstand exposure to the elements.

Damp Listed Ceiling Fans

A damp-listed ceiling fan is recommended for outdoor areas that are covered but not directly exposed to water. Examples include covered porches and covered patios, since these areas are completely protected from water.

Ways to Choose the Right Maintenance Electrician for Your Commercial Business

As we enter the digital age, more and more of your business relies on high-quality electrical systems. When looking for maintenance electricians, especially for emergency situations, it is important to choose reliable, professional tradesmen. But how do you find the right electrical services?

Scope of work

Whether you are up for a refit, moving offices, or needing repairs, commercial electrical work is a complex sector of the electrical trades industry. Once you have contacted a likely choice, make sure to explain clearly what your expectations are of the job and the available budget. Ask to be taken through what approach they would take. An experienced electrician should be able to identify potential issues, outline likely parts required and get a rough timeline of the works

References

The internet is a valuable source of information when you are looking to hire commercial trades. Past project galleries are invaluable for ensuring the electrical services you need to match the expertise of the specialities of your short-listed electricians.

Quotations

When making contact and asking for a quote, there are a few things you can be aware of that help you determine the professionalism of your likely electricians

Nothing is worse than trades that don’t meet commitments or deadlines. Whether they have taken on too many jobs or are simply disorganised, quality organisations take great pride in being on time, every time.

All electrical work in WA requires certification of tradesmen who are required to hold a current electricians license. It is important for safety that your hired tradesmen carry the appropriate licence for the job.

Just like your business, your electrician should have public liability and business insurance. These details should be provided when asked for, you don’t want to be unprotected when works are underway.

Service quality. In the electrical trade, service is not limited to the end result. A professional job takes into consideration time, minimises disruption to your commercial activity and respond to queries promptly.

Time required. As part of a quote, you should be presented with a likely timeframe for works to be completed. This can vary depending on the size of the electrical team, speciality equipment necessary, and the experience of completing similar projects in the past.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT COMMERCIAL ELECTRICIAN FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Commercial electrical work can be very different from domestic electrical work. Choosing the right commercial electrician for your business requires many considerations.

Experience

Commercial electric work requires experience. Check your electrician’s experience and knowledge with commercial electrical work. The more experienced your electrician is, the more knowledgeable they will be with complex projects.

Resources

Does your electrician have the internal resources and team to meet all your electrical needs? Don’t settle for a one-man band. A good commercial electrician should have a team of well trained professionals

Communication & Cleanliness

You’re running a business, so you don’t have time to waste. Make sure your electrician communicates well and is able to liaise with other contractors who may be on site too. While your electrical work is important, you need your business to continue running. Your commercial electrician should understand this, and make an effort to keep their work area clean and tidy for you.

License and Insurance

It goes without saying that it is critical that your electrician should have proper licenses and insurance for the work they perform. In the unlikely case that there is an accident on site, you will be assured that your electrician is covered.

Tips to Consider When Choosing a Commercial Electrician

We often work with companies who turn to us after having a negative experience with their previous electrical contractor.  Commercial work requires expanded knowledge, skills and resources.  There are several things to keep in mind when choosing a commercial electrician.

Availability

You want a 24/7 electrician available to handle any needs that may arise.  For instance, a retail establishment may need to call a 24/7 electricians to come out on Black Friday to resolve an issue.  A restaurant may need access to a 24/7 electrician  to address electrical problems with equipment. Not having ready access to 24/7 electricians can cost a business thousands of dollars in lost revenue.

Knowledge and Ability to Meet Any Commercial Demands

When interviewing a commercial electrician, he or she should request a tour of the building, office, warehouse or facility where they will be working.  A good commercial electrician will scope out the area and be comfortable working in all types of environments.  They should also be able to not only perform repair work, but installations and maintenance as well.

Licensed and Insured

Ask any electrical contractor you are considering for their license and insurance information.  If they are unable to produce it, then move on to someone else.

Good References

Don’t be afraid to ask any commercial electrician you are considering for references.  You can also check online reviews for practically any electrical contractor these days.  Be sure to take a good look at their experience and background.

Key Factors To Look For When Choosing An Electrical Contractor

With so many cowboys masquerading as qualified, experienced electricians from a safety perspective, it has never been more important to choose the right electrical contractor for your residential or commercial project. Many people are tempted to opt for the cheapest quote, which more often than not could turn out to be a costly mistake. That said, knowing who to trust for your electrical installation and maintenance is not always easy, as there are many factors to take into consideration when making your decision. Read on to learn some important points to consider when making your decision

Risk of choosing the wrong contractor

Picture the scene; a rusty Robin Reliant three-wheeler pulls up outside your property. After screeching to a stop, several men in string vests jump out and promptly light their cigarettes as they loudly argue about whose responsibility it was to pack the tools that were forgotten. A couple of the men decide to go back to get them, screeching off in the rust bucket. Meanwhile, the remaining man asks you to show him what needs fixing whilst he curses about how unhappy he is to be expected to do a day’s work and complains about his incompetent colleagues.

NICEIC – CERTIFIED

The most critical factor to look for in an electrical contractor is whether they are accredited and approved by the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC). It is advisable to hire an electrician with NICEIC certification as the organisation assesses the competence of both domestic and commercial electricians to ensure safe systems of work that conform to standards set out by the IEE (Institute of Electrical Engineers), who set the standards for electrical installation work.

QUALITY WORKMANSHIP

While some of us believe we can recognise high-quality electrical work when we see it, the reality is that not many of us fully understand the fundamentals of electrical systems. This lack of knowledge makes establishing what constitutes a quality electrical installation open to interpretation. The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) developed the National Electrical Installation Standards (NEIS) in the 1990s to take away subjective judgements of this essential quality.

SAFETY STANDARDS

You have a right to expect your electrical contractor to work to the highest electrical safety standards. There are many safety standards that apply to electrical work that you should take into consideration. For example, Part P certification and the 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671:2018), this is the most recent update of electrical safety systems, which came into force for all new electrical installations from 1st January 2019

Factors To Look Out For When Hiring Electrical Services

Our lives run on electricity. Our comfort and convenience depend on it. From HVAC system of your house to electric circuits in your company, anything can go wrong and you need the help of electrical repair/replacement experts.

Experience

Electrical repairs require knowledge, practice, and experience, given that there is potential harm attached to it. One of the easiest ways to judge a potential electrician is to ask for their experience in the field. Make sure that the electrical contractor you choose is proficient in the field and follows all the required safety guidelines.

Qualifications

Always ask the electric service company for their staff’s training certificate and qualification. This will help you make an informed decision that you might not regret later. Make sure the training certificates of the electrician company are from a reputable organization and they follow safety and quality guidelines of nationally recognized institutions. To educate yourself, you can read about certain the NFPA’s electric safety tips.

Professionalism

Make sure the electrician you choose is professional and this can easily be determined from the moment you meet him. Try determining factors like attentiveness, honesty, and attention to detail. Ask questions raising concerns about your electrical fault and related things. This will help you decide on the right electric company or an electrical maintenance contractor for your company or house.

Affordability

Make sure you set your maintenance budget before starting to look for an electrical maintenance contractor. This will help you shortlisting potential electrical maintenance company or contractors to a great extent. To this cause, it is advised that you should always interview at least 3 electrical maintenance contractors/companies before hiring one. Analyze what all you are being offered and at what cost! Choose the contractor which offers best at his pricing.