Electrical

About Breakers and Fuse Boxes - Fuses and breakers perform the same function, overload protection. In the event of an overload or short circuit in the properties wiring or appliances the fuse or breaker will shut off the power to that circuit, preventing a fire or electrocution. A fuse that is overloaded will “blow”, turning off the power to that circuit. [...]Read More about About Breakers and Fuse Boxes
Adding Electric Outlets - Additional receptacles can rarely be added to existing circuits without causing an overload. To install a new 20 amp receptacles properly, 12 gauge grounded Romex type wiring must be run from the circuit breaker panel to the receptacles. The wire entering the breaker panel must be held by a wire clamp and be stapled to [...]Read More about Adding Electric Outlets
Aluminum Wiring - Aluminum wiring can be a problem in homes. The circuits involved will most likely be those supplying the lights, outlets, clothes dryer and water heater. How to find out if you have it… This can usually be done by looking at the electrical wiring, either between the open floor joists, in the basement, up in [...]Read More about Aluminum Wiring
Breaker Panel Sizing - Commonly referred to as the Fuse Box, Breaker Panel, or Electric Panel, the Load Center is the heart of the electrical system in any building. It takes the large incoming electric supply from the utility company and distributes the power throughout the house as smaller protected feeds. The main disconnect fuses or breakers act as [...]Read More about Breaker Panel Sizing
Electrical Junction Boxes - A junction box is a box used to safely contain wiring connections or terminating a wire intended for future use. All wire splices must be enclosed in a junction box. Wires entering a plastic junction box enter through a slot do not need a clamp. Wires entering a steel junction box enter through a hole [...]Read More about Electrical Junction Boxes
Federal Pacific Panels - There has been and continues to be a lot of discussion about the safety of Federal Pacific (FPE) “Stab-Lok” circuit breaker panels and the fact that they may have inherent defects. The result of the defect has linked them to numerous electrical fires. There is no supporting evidence from any government agency or regulatory authority [...]Read More about Federal Pacific Panels
GFCI Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter - A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, commonly called a GFI or GFCI, is most commonly installed on exterior outlets, or in areas where there is a water source (bathroom or kitchen sink) near the outlet. They are easily identified by two buttons in the middle of the receptacle, sometimes the buttons are colored. GFCI units are [...]Read More about GFCI Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
Incoming Service Wire / Cable Responsability - A homeowner’s responsibility for the incoming electric service usually starts where the utility companies wires are attached to the home. In the case where your meter is on a pole away from the building, your responsibility will usually start where the service wires are attached at the top of the pole. The position of your [...]Read More about Incoming Service Wire / Cable Responsability
Rewiring Older Homes - It is acceptable to replace the fuse board or circuit breaker panel for a newer one without rewiring the whole house. If the new breaker panel is larger, (200 amps vs. 100 amps) the main electric service cables coming into the house will have to be upgraded. New Circuit Breaker Panels New (replacement) service panels [...]Read More about Rewiring Older Homes
Ungrounded or Open Ground Outlets - Ungrounded outlets are a safety hazard and are in violation of the building and national wiring codes. They need be made safe immediately. Newer Wiring In homes where all the outlets were installed with a ground, any failure of the ground must be corrected by replacing the failing outlet, or replacing and/or reconnecting the ground [...]Read More about Ungrounded or Open Ground Outlets
Ungrounded Outlets – Danger to Computer - If there is a computer or sophisticated electronics plugged into a surge protector and the outlet is more than a twenty years old, it may be a good idea to replace it. A new outlet will have better electrical and ground contacts. In many older homes three pronged grounded type outlets have been added by [...]Read More about Ungrounded Outlets – Danger to Computer
Wiring Size - It is very important that the correct size wire is used for the application. Wire size must be matched to the load and the breaker or fuse it will be connected to. The use of wiring that is too light for the load, a breaker or fuse that has a higher amperage rating than the [...]Read More about Wiring Size

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