If you are like most homeowners, changing a light bulb is about the extent of your electrical repair abilities. Fortunately, there are qualified Shorewood electrical repair contractors just a phone call away. Electrical repairs are one of those things that homeowners eventually have to contend with, and there are several issues at stake that warrant a second thought about any D.Y.I. ideas or who the best option to hire is.
The biggest and probably most important issue regarding electrical repair is safety. Most Shorewood homeowners do not have the proper training to go mucking about with wiring, outlets and breakers. There is a good chance of coming into contact with electricity and some homeowners are not even aware of how to turn off the electricity to their home, which is important in the prevention of electrocution. Furthermore, if electrical repairs are not completed correctly, there is the chance of an electrical fire starting later on. What is risky for a homeowner to try on their own can quickly become a life or death matter for everyone living at the residence.
Another important issue in electrical repair is the ability of inexperienced people spreading damage to other parts of the home. An expert Shorewood electrical contractor can isolate electrical problems and contain them. They can tell if it can affect other parts of the house or whether a problem elsewhere is causing the problem that you notice. And goodness forbid if an inexperienced person were to get in there and end up destroying your home’s electrical system due to unwitting error.
The last important issue that should not prevent you from calling a professional Shorewood electrician is cost. While considering cost is important in this day and economy, the cost of getting something done right is never too high. Plus, getting it done right the first time prevents more repair down the road, meaning more out-of-pocket expenses.

General Guidelines

Electrical codes are in place to protect you, the Shorewood homeowner. These general guidelines apply to new installations and will give you the basics of what electrical inspectors are looking for. Be sure to check with your local electrical inspector because Shorewood codes may vary from the list provided. In the case of existing housing, the codes will apply if you are updating a home, and it requires an electrical update. It is also suggested that you update wiring in your home if it is unsafe and a danger to your family. This is a job best undertaken by your Shorewood electrical contractor.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms use a lot of power and may need more than one circuit. Mainly, because you may have a curling iron, razor, hairdryer, and the combination light, fan, and heater all running at the same time. The combination fan, light, and heater should have its own 20-amp circuit. Likewise, the outlet should have its own 20-amp circuit. All outlets in bathrooms should be GFCI’s. Light fixtures should be covered with lenses or globes and moisture resistant if placed in a shower or tub area.

Kitchen

Any Shorewood kitchen should have a separate circuit for each appliance with a motor. The microwave, refrigerator, garbage disposal, and dishwasher would be the major appliances included. Generally, the code requires that you install a minimum of two receptacle circuits in the area above the counter top. An electric range, cook top, or oven must be wired to a dedicated 240-volt circuit.

Living Room, Dining Room, and Bed Rooms

These rooms require that a wall switch be placed beside the entry door of the room so that you can light the room before entering it. It can either control a ceiling light, a wall light, or an outlet connected to a desk lamp. The ceiling fixture must be controlled by a wall switch and not a pull chain type light. Wall receptacles should be placed no farther than 12 feet apart. Dining rooms usually require a separate 20-amp circuit for one outlet used for a microwave, entertainment center, or window air conditioner.

Stairways

Special care is needed in stairways to ensure all of the steps are lighted properly. Three-way switches are required at the top and bottom of the stairs. If the stairs turn, you may need to add additional lighting to accommodate the area to be lit.

Hallways

These areas can be long and need adequate lighting. Be sure to place enough lighting so shadows are not cast when walking. Remember, hallways are often escape routes in the event of inclement weather and emergencies. A hallway over 10 feet long is required to have an outlet for general purpose. Three-way switches are required for the two ends of the hallway. If there are more doors throughout the hallway, say a bedroom or two, then you may want to add addition four-way switches to the circuit outside the door of each room.

Closets

Closets must have one globe covered fixture controlled by a wall switch. Exposed bulb fixtures, like pull-chain fixtures, get hot and come in contact with clothing or other combustible materials stored in closets. Although your existing Shorewood home may have these fixtures, it is recommended that you change them for safety reasons.

Laundry Room

The washer and dryer should have its own 20-amp receptacle. In the case of an electric dryer, a separate 240-volt circuit should be installed.

Attached Garage

Inside the garage there should be at least one switch controlling the lighting. It is recommended that three-way switches be installed for convenience between the doors. This lighting should be in addition to any garage door lighting that you may have. Garages need a separate circuit for at least one outlet. This is generally required to be a GFCI outlet. You should check your local code to be sure. When in doubt, make it a GFCI. Any outside outlets connected must be either a GFCI outlet or an outlet connected to a GFCI breaker.

Remember that the electrical codes are in place for your safety. Although you may believe that they are overkill at times, these practices save lives everyday. When it comes to electric safety, don’t become a statistic! Follow the rules of the codes and be sure to have your Shorewood electrical inspector give you the green light for the safety of your family’s sake.

Article Source:  http://electrical.about.com/od/codesregulations/a/commoneleccodes.htm

An electric power meter is a very accurate instrument that measures the amount of electricity you use. If you look through the glass enclosure, you will see a rotating metal disc. It rotates in proportion to the amount of electricity that’s being used at that time. The more electricity you are using at any given moment, the quicker the disc rotates. Each revolution represents a specific amount of electricity. The disc causes gears to rotate, which in turn make pointers on a dial move, showing the amount of electricity used [source: Georgia Power]. Electricity is measured in kilowatt hours. One kilowatt hour of electricity can supply enough energy to keep ten 100 watt bulbs burning for one hour. Your Shorewood electric company representative reads your meter at regular intervals, and you’re then billed accordingly. If the meter reader couldn’t gain access to your meter, you will receive an estimated bill [source: NevadaEnergy].

Your power meter is made up of five dials:

1. The first dial on the right measures units and rotates clockwise.
2. The next dial to the left measures tens and rotates counter-clockwise.
3. The dial third to the left measures hundreds and rotates clockwise.
4. The fourth dial to the left measures thousands and rotates counter-clockwise.
5. The last dial on the left measures ten thousands and rotates clockwise.

Read your Shorewood power meter from right to left and write down the numbers that the each arrow points to.

• If the arrow on a dial is in between two numbers, record the lower number. For example if the pointer is between the three and four, record three. The exception is if the pointer is if the pointer is between zero and nine, in which case you record nine. Zero is always the beginning of the next revolution, and nine is considered the previous number. Thus nine is lower than zero.
• If the arrow on the dial is exactly on a number, record that number [source: Nova Scotia Power].

You can easily read your own meter, but should always contact your Shorewood electrician should you need any emergency electrical service or electrical repairs.

Article Source: http://science.howstuffworks.com/how-to-read-a-power-meter.htm

If you can’t find just the right lamp to suit you or add interest to your Shorewood home, consider making one. You can use almost anything for the base-a stack of old books, old crockery, a bottle, an old bobbin, even a stack of baseballs. The only criterion is that you have to be able to drill a hole through it. Here’s how to do it:

Materials and Tools:

decorative object to be used as the base
drill with a 3/8-inch bit
block of wood (stained and finished to desired color)
four wooden button caps for lamp base
wood glue
threaded lamp rod with nut and bolt
lamp kit, including lamp cord, socket and harp
hacksaw
screwdriver
file
utility knife or wire strippers
lampshade

Steps:

1. Drill a hole through the center of the item you’re using as a base. It may be necessary to mount the item on a block of wood to create a sturdy base, in which case you’ll need to drill a hole in the block of wood as well.

2. Stain or paint the wooden button caps to match your base. Glue the button caps to the bottom of the base. This will raise the base and allow a lamp cord to pass under it.

3. Using a hacksaw, cut the lamp rod to the desired length and file off any rough edges. Thread the lamp rod through the bottom of the decorative object and wooden base. Use a washer and nut to secure the rod from the underside of the base.

4. To make the lamp cord easier to thread through the rod, place masking tape around the end or the cord. Then thread the lamp cord through the lamp rod from the bottom of the base until you have about 5 inches of cord sticking out of the top of the rod.

5. Thread the socket components onto the lamp cord in this order: the lock nut, the neck, the harp holder and the socket cap. Be sure to screw the socket cap onto the rod securely; this is what holds all the other parts in place.

6. Pull about 2 inches’ worth of the lamp-cord wire apart. Use a utility knife or wire strippers to strip off ½-inch of insulation from each wire, being careful not to cut the wire.

7. To prevent the wires from being pulled back through the lamp rod, tie an underwriter’s knot by making a loop with each end of the wire. Hold the end of one loop in front of the joined cord and the other loop behind the joined cord. Pass each end through the loop formed by the opposite wire and tighten the knot. To be sure the knot is secure, pull on the plug end of the lamp cord.

8. Attach the wires to the socket. To make sure there are no frayed ends, twist the strands of the exposed wire in a clockwise direction. The neutral wire, which is usually ribbed, is connected to the silver terminal. The hot wire is connected to the brass terminal. Bend the wire around the screw in the same direction that the screw will be turned and tighten.

9. Tuck the wires down and fit the socket cap in place. When the socket cap clicks, you’ll know the connection is secure.

10. Add the harp and a lampshade.

Now you have a lamp for your Shorewood home!  Remember, for more involved electrical wiring or lighting solutions, you should always call your Shorewood electrician.

Article Source:  http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/homemade-lamp/index.html

For many electricians, the risk for electrocution is their primary concern while on the job, but there is something else they should be on the lookout for – asbestos. Many think that asbestos danger is a thing of the past but they’re wrong.

Although old wiring and breaker boxes are major sources of asbestos concern for electricians, there are other places electricians can be exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is still present in many modern power lines. Telephone repairmen face asbestos exposure risks because the material was utilized around wiring for insulation purposes and was a poor conductor of electricity.

Also, in a survey of materials sprayed on the ceilings of 127 buildings throughout the United States alone, asbestos was found in 50 percent of them. During renovation activities, the average asbestos fiber concentration in breathing zones exceeded acceptable exposure levels and electricians were among those studied in the survey.

Throughout much of the 20th century, electricians who worked in shipbuilding may have faced the most hazardous environments for asbestos exposure. At the time, the use of asbestos-containing insulation was mandatory for a variety of purposes. In addition to walls, pipes, boilers and engines being insulated with asbestos, wiring and electrical systems on board ships also contained asbestos to reduce the risk of fires.

Former electricians may still be at risk for developing mesothelioma cancer and other serious health conditions as a result of being exposed to asbestos. While there are no immediate side effects of asbestos exposure, health complications can arise up to 50 years later. Although it can take a long time to develop finding mesothelioma as soon as possible is very important because of the low survival rate for mesothelioma. In addition to mesothelioma, other illnesses that can be caused by asbestos exposure include asbestosis and lung cancer. Common symptoms for all three of these conditions include coughing, shortness of breath, or some impairment to lung function.

If you feel you may have been exposed to asbestos, annual health screenings should be conducted to check for an asbestos-related disease. If you have already been diagnosed, we offer a free informational packet to electricians looking to learn more about asbestos exposure and their financial assistance options for treatment.

An electrical surge is the equivalent to all of a sudden having extra blood and it bursting through your body, damaging all of the sensitive veins and capillaries. You wouldn’t want your laptop or 40 inch plasma television to have to go through an ordeal like that would you? Unfortunately, without some kind of protection, they are at risk. There is a way to protect these things though. An outlet surge protector is what stops surges from affecting your sensitive and expensive electronics.

There are many options for your Will County home’s electronics and electrical system in general. Electrical surge protectors are available in many optional model formats, to protect a single device, such as a computer, to strips of outlets so you can plug in your whole entertainment system. Whole house surge protectors that are installed in your electrical panel breaker box to protect your entire home electrical system and therefore all of the electronics you have plugged in are even available. These should be installed by your Will County electrician.

Electronics contain many small parts and components that are extremely vulnerable to electrical spikes and surges. Most of these items have little or no internal protection, requiring the use of a secondary device such as some type of electrical surge protector. An electrical outlet surge protector can come in the form of the actual outlet itself, generally found near ground fault circuit interrupters, or as a multi-outlet strip that can accommodate numerous plugs; quantities vary so it’s your choice.

All of your computer equipment, laptops, printers, plasma TV, LCD, or tube type televisions, surround sound systems, security systems and any other sensitive electronic devices are things that need surge protection. It’s really hard to fork out the money to replace expensive electronic equipment that has been damaged beyond repair. Spending a little bit of money now on a good surge protection device can save you a lot of money in the future when your equipment fails. An electric outlet surge protector is both an affordable and prudent purchase to ensure your electronics are safe and protected from all types of inconsistencies in your Will County electrical system.

Many manufacturers of outlet surge protectors actually offer warranties that cover a certain monetary amount of damage if your items were being protected by their product and were affected due to surge currents. This type of insurance policy or warranty is available at different levels of protection with significant coverage available for your piece of mind. Purchasing electric surge protection really does make sense. An electrical surge protector can save valuable electronic devices that are difficult to replace.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brad_Germany

Without the right control systems in place, your lighting fixtures might as well be bare bulbs. Use this guide to lighting control systems and you’ll be sure to get the scoop on all of your lighting control needs. Whether it’s for your bathroom, kitchen, den, bedroom, basement or living room, a lighting control system can provide you with complete control of all lighting in your Shorewood home; even when you’re not at home.  Your Shorewood electrician can give you any additional information and handle installation of a system for you.

The Panel

A lighting control system allows the user the ability to control one, a set of, or all the lighting fixtures in the structure from one spot. The control panel is a computerized device that is hardwired into your electrical system. It allows the user to control lighting times and needs, even when the user isn’t at home. This can provide better security as well as create a more energy efficient lighting system. From huge commercial systems to the basic residential control panel, lighting control systems offer a range of flexibility and control that simple switches just can’t match.

Wireless Systems

Many of today’s modern lighting control systems are a basic plug and play system. Lighting fixtures are controlled wirelessly, allowing greater flexibility is design and cost. Wireless systems work best when existing lighting conditions are already in place and rewiring the entire structure can be an impractical choice. Many wireless systems allow appliances as well as light fixtures to be accessed through the user interface device. This can increase energy savings greatly as appliances that have constantly lit displays sap energy 24/7. Known as “phantom loads”, these energy sucking vampires can be turned off with one switch when not in use.

Controlling Categories

Many controllers use several methods to allow you to manipulate lighting fixtures and appliances in various ways. Here are the most common ways a lighting control panel can be programmed:

• Chronological Setting (time of day)
• Sunrise/ Sunset
• Motion Sensors
• Photovoltaic (daylight shuts it down)
• Security Alarm is Triggered
• Programming Multiple Events

Some lighting fixtures can be controlled using a photovoltaic switch that simply dims the light source instead of shutting it down. Known as daylight harvesting, this dimming with the rising sunlight levels allows the same amount of light to enter the space, and turn up or down as needed when natural light grows or diminishes.

More intricate and high-tech lighting control systems can provide the user with walk into the room lighting. A motion detector or RFID tag can trigger the lighting to come on when someone enters the space. The light automatically shuts down after the RFID tag leaves the room, or the motion sensor fails to trigger the light fixture after a certain amount of time.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emily_Chadwick

Every home should have proper Shorewood interior lighting.  Having a set of lights installed appropriately throughout a home not only provides illumination once the sun goes down, it could also potentially make any living space more pleasing to the eye.  It is true that the right light in the right place can brighten up a room by setting the right mood, thus making it a unique and more comfortable space instead of being some plain dwelling that’s the same as anywhere else.  The same is true for offices.  Proper lighting indoors will make any office space more conducive to working, thereby enhancing employee productivity.

While anyone with even rudimentary knowledge and skills could install Shorewood interior lighting, it might not be enough in some instances especially for a bigger structure like an office or a house complete with a bedroom, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom.  Amateur handymen—and in some cases handywomen—have to deal with trial and error even after coming up with their own well-developed plans for the actual layout.  Such projects will take an unbelievably long time to finish unless performed by someone with considerable experience in this field of labor.  Unfortunately, not all people have the ability, honed by years of completing interior improvement work, to produce the well-lit home they’ve always wanted and do so in less time to enjoy the benefits as early as possible.  Fortunately, however, addressing this need is exactly why Shorewood interior lighting companies were put up in the first place.

Interior lighting companies employ licensed technicians to perform lighting installation and repair work for every structure imaginable, from small single-story houses to entire buildings and even sports arenas that could accommodate thousands of spectators at the same time.  Just about every structure in the United States makes use of interior lighting in one form or another, and the services provided by these companies cover all aspects of lighting from installation to replacement regardless of the size of the structure and the number of the fixtures.  Just as valuable as the services themselves are consultations which these companies provide for free.  They can advise you on the various options that may be implemented in your home or office as well as the corresponding cost estimates.  You are then informed of how much the lighting work will cost you so that you can avoid jumping head-long into any favorable option and finding out only later—and much to your regret—that you can’t afford it.

Shorewood Interior lighting companies are found just about everywhere, ready and able to take on jobs both big and small to bring more and more people out of the darkness.  Just look through your yellow pages or search for them online to find those near you.  It is highly recommended to consult first with as many service providers as possible to know which among them offers the most cost-effective solutions for your lighting needs.  You can get expert opinions from a lot of people and the best part of it is it won’t cost you a single penny.

Your Shorewood electrician has your best interest at heart when it comes to electrical safety.  Learn here about a common cause of electrical accidents. And be sure to call your electrician should you need any assistance with electrical repairs or for a technician to perform a safety inspection.

Arc flash is a short circuit through air that flashes over from one exposed live conductor to another conductor or to ground. Arc flash incidents are common and costly, and the frequency of reported accidents is increasing – making arc flash a very hot topic within OSHA and the overall safety industry.

What Causes Arc Flash?

Arc flashes can be caused in a variety of ways:

• Just coming close to a high-amp source with a conductive object can cause the electricity to flash over.
• Dropping a tool or otherwise creating a spark can ignite an arc flash.
• Equipment failure due to use of substandard parts, improper installation, or even normal wear and tear.
• Breaks or gaps in insulation.
• Dust, corrosion or other impurities on the surface of the conductor.

How Common Is Arc Flash?

• In the past, if someone suffered burns in an electrical accident, people thought the burns were caused by the electrical shock passing through the body. Electrical shocks can cause burns. But what research has shown is that most burns from electrical accidents actually come from arc flash.
• According to the NFPA 70E-2004 standard, the majority of hospital admissions due to electrical accidents are from arc flash burns, not from electrical shocks. Of the approximately 350 persons killed in the work place by electricity last year, roughly 50% were related to arc flash
• A report compiled by Capelli-Schellpfeffer, Inc., estimates that five to 10 arc flash explosions happen in the USA every day, resulting in 1 to 2 deaths per day.
• That figure only takes into account incidents where victims were sent to special burn centers. The number does not include cases sent to regular hospitals or clinics, nor unreported cases or near misses.
• NFPA 70E-2012 states that each year more than 2000 people are admitted to burn centers with severe arc flash burns.

Injuries from arc flash accidents tend to be very severe, and result from two types of hazards: arc flash and arc blast.

Arc Flash: Electric arcs produce intense heat, and can heat the air to temperatures as high as 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This is 4 times the surface temperature of the sun. Fatal burns can occur when the victim is several feet from the arc. Serious burns and fatalities are not uncommon at a distance of 10 feet. An arc flash will also cause ignition of clothing which will only add to the severity of the skin burns. Arc flash can cause the following injuries:

• Skin burns by direct heat exposure
• Second degree skin burns from exposure of unprotected skin to an electrical arc flash with incident energy above 1.2 cal/cm2
• Metal is vaporized at this temperature. Droplets of molten metal can be propelled over great distances, causing serious burns or igniting clothing.
• High-intensity flash can also cause damage to eyesight.

Arc Blast: A high-energy arcing fault can produce a considerable pressure wave and sound blast. The intense heat from arc causes the sudden expansion of air, resulting in a blast. A 10,000 A arc at 480 volts is equivalent to 800 MW or approximately 8 stick of dynamite. Pressure on the chest can be as high as 2000 lbs/sq foot, causing lung collapse.

In some cases, the pressure wave has sufficient energy to snap the heads of 3/8-inch steel bolts and to knock over construction walls. Moreover, it can send metal parts flying at speeds over 700 miles per hour. Arc blast can cause the following injuries:

• Loss of memory or brain function from concussion
• Hearing loss from ruptured eardrums (The sound associated with blast can exceed 160 dB. The sound of jet engine only 145 db!)
• Shrapnel wounds from metal parts
• Other physical injuries from being blown off ladders, into walls, etc.

Every Shorewood home has an electrical switchboard. It protects the electrical wiring system in your home. As part of your home maintenance checks or when you are doing your next renovations, have a look inside your switchboard. This is where the main power switch, along with a number of fuses or circuit breakers are located. Each fuse or circuit breaker connects to a different area of wiring in your Shorewood home. If an electrical fault occurs, the fuse will blow or the circuit breaker will trip, cutting off the power preventing overloading or household fire. A circuit breaker can be switched back on, whereas once a fuse blows it must be replaced with a new one.

Always turn off the main power switch if you are changing a fuse as well as turning off all electrical appliances and light switches that are connected to the blown fuse. Replace the fuse with the correct current rating. Too high a current rating will cause excessive current to flow through the circuit. Overheating and possibly fire can occur.

If a fuse keeps blowing, get hold of your professional Shorewood electrician. There may be hidden electrical problems that you won’t have picked up. If possible, swap the fuses in your switchboard with plug-in circuit breakers of the same rating, as these are safer to use and do not require replacing.

Find out what electrical switches and appliances the fuse or circuit breaker protects. Switchboards are normally labelled for easy identification. If not, ask an Shorewood electrician to do this for you. This can save you time in identifying a blown fuse or which circuit breaker to switch off.

How to Replace a Fuse

Follow these steps:

1. Turn off the main power switch at the switchboard.

2. Look inside the switchboard for a list of where each circuits and each fuse connects to.

3. If it is not obvious which fuse has blown, inspect each fuse one at a time.

4. Once you have found the blown fuse, switch off lights and unplug all appliances on that circuit.

Replace the fuse wire. Make sure you use the correct current rating fuse wire. The current rating is generally indicated on the front of the fuse carrier.

• Lighting circuits typically use 5 amp, but not greater than 10 amp fuse wire.

• Socket outlets use 10 amp but not greater than 15 amp fuse wire.

• Large appliances use a larger size fuse.

• Make sure to cut off any excess fuse wire.

5. Place the fuse back in its slot and turn back on the main power switch.

6. If the fuse blows again, call a licensed Shorewood electrician.

What to do if a Circuit Breaker Trips?

If your power goes off because your circuit breaker has tripped follow these steps:

1. Switch off lights and unplug all appliances on the faulty circuit.

2. Push the operating lever to the “on” position, or push in the button on the circuit breaker.

3. If the circuit breaker continues to trip, it is time to contact your licensed Shorewood electricians.

Article Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/tools-and-equipment-articles/checking-fuses-and-circuit-breakers-765293.html