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Electricity has become an essential part of contemporary life, energizing lights, appliances, heat, air conditioning, televisions, telephones, computers, and many other modern conveniences. While these may seem easy enough to turn on with one click of a button, the steps that go into powering these things can be complex. Here is a look at the systems that go into powering your home.

Your Home Electrical System

 Electricity arrives at your house from your local utility company by a power line or underground through a conduit. Most homes have three-wire service—two hot wires and one neutral. Electricity flows to your lights and appliances from the power company through your panel, its breakers, out on your circuits and back

Electrical Meter

 The utility company uses the meter to measure the amount of energy being consumed and ultimately, your monthly bill. You should not open or tamper with the electrical meter.

Your Main Panel

Your central breaker panel directs electricity through your home as a number of separate circuits, each flowing “out” from its own circuit breaker (or fuse) on one wire and returning from whatever is using the electricity to another connection in the panel by means of another wire. The breaker or fuse will interrupt the current (the flow) if it ever starts to approach a dangerous level.

Circuits

The circuits running from the service panel deliver the electricity to a series of outlets and fixtures. The power runs along the circuit and back to the service panel in a loop. In this way, if there is a failure or interruption at any point in the circuit it will shut down the entire circuit.

Outlets and Switches

 Spread throughout your house are your outlets and switches. This is where you can tap your electricity for your television or turn on the lights. There may be many or few outlets in any room. If you feel the need to move, remove, or add an outlet consult a professional. A new switch or outlet cannot always be installed at any point in the circuit.

All these systems are complex and dangerous if tampered with. We can assist at any point to diagnose and fix any problems you may be experiencing. Expert Electric understands all the complexities and inner workings of your home electrical system.

An electrical safety checklist can help protect your home, your family, and yourself while reaping the benefits of electricity and everything it powers. Electricity in homes has become essential to our everyday lives. For all its advantages and capabilities, electricity in the home can be quite dangerous. Many dangers relating to electricity in homes are related to the potential for it to start fires. That’s why it’s crucial to take the proper safety precautions.

It is recommended that you inspect your home’s electrical system every 6 months, especially if your home is over 40 years old, you recently moved into a new home, or your home has undergone major renovations. Read on to know exactly what to inspect and where.

1. Have you checked your outlets?
2. Check that your GFCI (ground-fault circuit-interrupter) outlets are working properly. Simply press the “Test” button. You will hear a snap sound that trips the outlet.
3. Do you have enough switches and outlets?
4. Is your furniture arranged in such a way where you don’t have to rely on extension cords?
5. Is there an unusual smell around your outlets or switches?

• Check cords, outlets and light bulbs for damage
• Are there buzzing sounds around your lights?
• Are you using the appropriate light bulbs in all light fixtures?
• Are there any faulty connections?

• Check extension cord
• Do you have any cords that are running through walls, ceilings, windows, doors, or any other place where they can be pinched or tripped over?
• Are any extension cords stapled or nailed to the wall or ceiling?
• Do plugs fit snugly? Is any area of the prong exposed?
• Does your extension cord feel hot to the touch?

• Do you use surge protectors?

The surge protector keeps your appliances safe by diverting excess voltage to the outlet’s grounding wire in the event of a power surge, as is the case of lightning striking a power line. Surge protector power strips also allow you to plug more than a single device into an outlet. It’s important to not overdo it, though.

• Check your Electrical Appliances
• Conduct an inspection of your home’s appliances to make sure they’re all working correctly. Ones that aren’t functioning properly or won’t turn on could be an indication of faulty electrical components. There may also be dust or debris that is hindering their function, as is commonly the case with refrigerators and dusty refrigerator coils. You’ll also want to unplug any appliances that aren’t being used. Not only will it reduce the likelihood of an electrical fire, but it’ll also cut down your electric bill.
• Have you cleaned your oven, range, and exhaust in the last 6 months?
• Have you ever received a shock from one of your major appliances?
• Is there enough air circulation around your dryer and refrigerator?
• Are there any wires too close to heat producing sources, such as the toaster, oven, or stove top?

This electrical safety checklist is meant to provide awareness of the many electrical hazards that could be present in your home, does NOT a substitute for professional home electrical inspections.

Routine checks on electrical outlets and appliances should happen regularly. For more electrical safety information, you can give us a call.

Accent lighting is the simple and cost-effective way to show off your living space, helps to display your collections, or improve the aesthetics of your room, accent lighting is the solution.

Intended to highlight a specific object or area, accent lights are typically three times as bright as ambient lights. Accent lighting draws attention to a feature, such as artwork, furnishings, or architectural details, converting them into focal points. Adjustable fittings are preferred for this type of lighting, as they allow precision focusing on small areas or objects.

Indirect lighting is often used as mood lighting. You can apply it to create a cozy ambiance or to give a stylish touch to your interior. However, indirect lighting can also be functional. The right illumination can change the look and feel of your home. Check out these tips on where and how to place accent lighting.

• Light only what you want to see: Through lighting, you can direct attention on the things you want people to notice in your home. Lighting can amp up visual drama like nothing else.
• Less light can give you more impact: Proper lighting is essential to creating the right mood and really brings a home all together in the end.
• Install directed lighting to highlight certain areas: Using lighting to draw attention to focal points of a room can really make the difference.

Common accent lights include:

• Wall lights

• Recessed spotlighting

• Wall-mounted picture lights

• Track lighting

Accent lighting differs from the other types of lighting in that its primary objective is aesthetic, creating a point of interest for the viewer. It adds style and drama to a space and is especially suited to living and garden areas, entrances, and anywhere the goal is to display special features.

Ceiling fans are considered one of the best options when it comes to cooling a home. Ceiling fans are enjoying a major comeback in luxury homes. Today’s models are stylish and attractive, featuring on-trend materials like polished nickel and exotic wood. The benefits of ceiling fans are wide-ranging, and they do not stop here. Ceiling fans can also be a wonderful option to solve a space’s air conditioning and lighting.

Ceiling fans are useful for cooling only when they move air over the skin.  Ceiling fans can lower your energy costs and consumption. Because the fan cools so well, you can set your thermostat higher, thus saving on your electric bill.

Decorative and versatile. A fan can act as a decorative element within the space. This is not the case with air conditioners. Also, unlike other cooling devices, a fan can be installed in any room in your home, making it a very versatile cooling option.

Although fans are normally used to cool a room by moving air around, some models have the opposite function, it is interesting to note that a fan is not only suitable for summer but can also be useful in winter. This feature enables the rotating blades to take hot air and distribute it around the room so that the room can be heated more quickly, thus minimizing energy consumption.

Multi-functional. You no longer need to put additional lights in a room: some fans are also dual-purpose. With its fan light kit, it provides functional illumination. On its own, it can already light up a room.

There are more benefits of having ceiling fans. You can give us a call if you need help installing them, we would be happy to help you.

The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where families gather to cook favorite recipes, share warm meals, and reconnect with each other, but it’s also the location where two-thirds of all home fires start. Identify and correct potential hazards in your kitchen before someone gets hurt.

Kitchens are busy areas of the home that can be a prime location for accidents and electrical hazards. With a variety of small and large appliances in use alongside potential water and food waste, electrical safety in the kitchen is highly important. To help you stay safe while cooking or entertaining in your kitchen. Here you have some electrical safety tips.

• Keep your stove and oven clean. Clean the exhaust hood and duct over the stove regularly.

• Do not overload your outlets and do not use electrical appliances that have been wet. Water can damage the motors in electrical appliances like freezers and refrigerators.

• Ensure cables are not too close to heat

• Unplug any countertop appliances when they are not in use and move them away from the sink. If a non-GFCI appliance is accidentally knocked into the sink, there is a great risk for electrical shock.

• Keep appliance cords away from hot surfaces like the range or toaster.

• Install GFCI: These devices constantly monitor electricity flowing in a circuit, quickly switching off power to that circuit if any loss of current occurs. They are designed to protect people from electrical shock and electrocution.

When it comes to installing new outlets, changing wires, or performing other electrical repairs, always requires a professional. This is to ensure the job is correct. Some of these kitchen electrical safety precautions are easy for you to implement, fix, or keep in mind moving forward.

Smoke detectors devices will automatically detect and warn you of the presence of smoke and can save your life in the event of a fire. These are some of the most useful categories of smart home gear on the market. While it can be easy to forget to check and test smoke alarms on a regular basis, it is important to ensure that they are not only properly maintained but also correctly installed.

The smoke detector siren will warn you, day, or night, that there is a potential fire, allowing you to quickly check the nature of the problem and hopefully prevent any damage, therefore it is a good idea of having smoke detectors placed in various locations around your home allows for fast and effective detection. When placed in the right location, the smoke alarm can also help firefighters quickly locate the fire in the home, allowing them to better focus their efforts.

Consider installing a monitored smoke alarm, if you want to keep your home and family as safe as possible. Many homeowners aren’t aware yet of these devices are available, but they can add a certain level of safety to your home that the traditional, battery-operated devices simply can’t compete with. Getting to know some of the advantages offered by monitored fire alarm systems can be beneficial when you are trying to decide if this investment is worthwhile for your home.

It will alert you even when you’re not at home: Where and what—it tells you everything! It is also important to realize, modern monitoring services are extremely affordable. This means you can get the extra level of protection you want and need, without having to spend too much money.

Smoke alarms save lives.  If your home has smoke alarms, check them to be sure that they are clean, test them, and install new batteries when needed.  If your home doesn’t have smoke alarms, invest the few dollars needed to purchase and install them.  Your life is worth it.

Landscape lighting has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. Lighting can give your home that “perfect” factor that everyone craves, makes your home’s exterior feel warm and inviting.  

Ask yourself what your purposes are for wanting illumination in your backyard before you invest in any landscape lighting. You might want to highlight some features of your backyard like a water fountain or pond, or just you have a bench or a shadowy garden corner you need to illuminate for security reasons. Here we share some reasons why landscape lighting, worth the money.

1. Create a beautiful area

Simply put, shedding some light on the exterior features of your house and property just adds beauty. Professionally done, landscape lighting will last if you live in the home; if it is the case, and you decide to move on, professional landscape lighting can add value to your house and make it more appealing to buyers.

• Safety

Safety is an important issue at home, and landscape lighting for security is becoming more popular and can add extra peace of mind. Illuminated walkways and steps are an effective deterrent to would-be intruders.

• Ambience

Landscape lights generate an extremely warm feel. The inviting nighttime atmosphere and mood created by the soft-lit glow of lighted landscaping features can make the property more than simply a residence makes you feel “like home”

• Be the envy of your neighbors (when a professional does the work)

Professional lighting also can make your neighbors want to imitate you! Results will surprise you, and them. They would want to have what you have.

Contact us to get more information about all of the many outdoor lighting options available.

As the weather gets warmer, it’s important to remember that summer poses several electrical safety hazards that you may not be aware of. Expert Electric warns of dangers that are present when water meets electricity. Our team of Franco’s Electric electricians has compiled some summer electrical safety tips that you and your family should be aware of. Keep these in mind and you will enjoy a much safer summer!

• Outdoor extension cords are made to handle elements like water and heat. However, normal extension cords pose a major electrical threat if exposed to these conditions.

• Kids love to climb trees in the summer, but they should never climb trees that are too close to power lines; even if the tree isn’t touching a line, the child’s weight could cause a branch to touch the line.

• If you are wet or standing in the water, do not touch an electrical toy or appliance. Electricity travels very quickly through water and leads to electrocution!

• Do not allow power cord connections to become wet. Outdoors, dangers such as power lines in contact with water can pose electrical hazards. Indoors, submerged outlets or electrical cords may energize the water, a potential lethal trap. Before flipping a switch or plugging in an appliance, have an electrician check the house wiring and appliance to make sure it is safe to use.

• Make sure the electrical connections to your pools and hot tubs are fully grounded.

• Always stay away from power lines and electrical substations. If a lightning strike or other force has brought down a power line, call your utility company right away.

If you have any more questions about how to prepare your home for summer usage, call us! Also, never undertake any home do-it-yourself project that involves your electrical system without first calling Franco’s Electric electricians. Even if it seems a simple job, some electrical works can be dangerous without the right experience.

People sometimes get confused by surge protectors and power strips, but they’re two very different technologies. Surge protectors are an inexpensive way to protect your gear against random power spike damage.

The main purpose of surge protectors is to detect excess voltage and divert the extra electricity into the grounding wire. Therefore, all surge protectors will have a grounding pin (the third prong on a plug) and all surge protectors must be plugged into a properly grounded outlet for them to work as intended.

Unexpected power surges can be damaging to your electrical system, surge protectors can protect your electrical system against them. They can damage your fuses or circuits. Lightning strikes and power outages can cause these unexpected power surges. A whole-home surge protector can absorb this initial volt of electricity, preventing damage to your home or building’s electrical system.

Surge protectors monitor the flow of electricity and any time there is a surge or spike in the electrical charge, basically acts as a buffer between your devices and the live current coming. They can also divert that extra electricity through a built-in grounding wire out of your wall. This prevents the extra charge from reaching your devices and bringing them to an untimely death. When choosing a surge protector, make sure you select one that has a low response time, high energy absorption rating, and a low clamping voltage.

For more information on electrical safety in the home, you can contact us, our electrical contractors can help with your electric needs, including installing a surge protector.

Nowadays, it is really important to homeowners to have the latest technology in their houses, services on the day, and, if you have lived in that house for many years, you should have replaced few things, such as dishwasher, lights, etc.

Not every homeowner remembers the electrical system such as electrical outlets. Old outlets are putting your home at significant risk, even if you can’t see the problem, Understanding the problem and the concerns it poses and knowing when to replace electrical outlets is important to keep your home safe. Here you have some signs and symptoms that can indicate you must replace and upgrade your old outlets:

• Upgrading outlets means upgrading outlets.

If you are going to add some new appliances and know your outlets are old, you should upgrade them!

• Cracked outlet covers.

This is not just a cosmetic issue, when covers crack, it can allow debris and dust to enter the system. It can be a problem if you don’t take care of it.

• Outlets getting hot.

For some appliances, the heat should be on the appliance- not the outlet!

• Flickering lights

If the lights plugged into an outlet are flickering, it may be a sign that the outlet can’t keep up with demand. Let us inspect them to see if that’s the case.

If you need help with upgrading and replacing your outlets, you can give us a call and we can help you!