Electricity is nothing one should play with. We have listed a few questions and answers that we hope you find helpful. If you dont see an answer to a question you may have, feel free to contact us. We will do our best to give you an informative answer as soon as possible and the best of all our answers wont cost you a dime.
My home has a fuse panel. Should I be concerned?
While many Insurance companies frown on homes with fuse panels, they are not a hazard as long as the proper type and size of fuse are used. One reason fuse panels can be dangerous, is that one can easily replace a blown fuse with one
that has a larger amperage rating than the wire is rated for. For instance, if you were to replace a 20 amp fuse with a 30 amp fuse, you are now allowing wire that is rated for a maximum of 20 amps to now pull a maximum of 30 amps which
can result in wires overheating. If you do have a fuse panel, it is best to have it inspected by a licensed professional in order to assure there are no safety concerns.
A licensed electrician can upgrade your system, replacing the fuse box with a new breaker panel.
that has a larger amperage rating than the wire is rated for. For instance, if you were to replace a 20 amp fuse with a 30 amp fuse, you are now allowing wire that is rated for a maximum of 20 amps to now pull a maximum of 30 amps which
can result in wires overheating. If you do have a fuse panel, it is best to have it inspected by a licensed professional in order to assure there are no safety concerns.
A licensed electrician can upgrade your system, replacing the fuse box with a new breaker panel.
Do I have Knob-and-Tube wiring? If so, What should I do about it?
Knob-and-Tube wiring was the predominant wiring system through the 1920's and 1930's; some installations of knob-and-tube wiring continued in houses up until 1950. If you notice ceramic knobs or tubes a few inches apart with wires attached to them, this is knob-and-tube wiring. Often if you have only two prong outlets without a ground, and/or push button switches, you should have an inspection performed.
Many insurance companies will not insure homes with knob-and-tube wiring, because of the high risk associated with it. Rodents can gnaw through the coatings and come in contact with the wires causing fires. If you find it in your home, it should be replaced and the old system should be removed by a licensed electrician.
Many insurance companies will not insure homes with knob-and-tube wiring, because of the high risk associated with it. Rodents can gnaw through the coatings and come in contact with the wires causing fires. If you find it in your home, it should be replaced and the old system should be removed by a licensed electrician.
Does old wiring present a danger?
As older electrical wiring ages, the wire and the coatings can become brittle. Some wire coatings may attract rodents which chew through the coatings. Often houses were wired with aluminum wiring which can overheat causing fires. If you notice your wire has an aluminum color instead of copper colored, you may want to consider replacement of the aluminum wire. If you notice papery or cloth-like coatings, coatings that are showing excessive deterioration or aluminum wiring, you may want to consider having a licensed electrician upgrade your electric system.
Why do i need a home surge protector?
The first thing you will think of when you think of using a surge protector is to protect your computer from a lighting strike. Did you know there are types of power surges that can destroy your household or office electronics? Commonly, households will experience surges, or power fluxes on a daily basis. This can be caused from everyday household appliances kicking on such as refrigerators, microwaves, etc. If you have ever seen the lights flicker when your AC kicks on, you can better understand what I am talking about. These power fluxes over time damage sensitive electronic components (wireless network routers are prime candidate #1), which can be prevented by using a surge protector.
Lighting strikes during thunderstorms are the most associated when most people think about surge protectors and power surges. Lighting does not have to actually hit your home to cause massive damage. If lightning strikes near a power line, this can result in excess electrical pressure, which can feed into your home. The resulting surge could cause massive excess electrical pressure can be truly devastating leading to the destruction of electronic devices, start a household fire or even kill someone using an electrical device via electrocution. Let McCay Southern Electrical assist you in determining what the best avenue of approch is to protecting your homes electronic devices
Lighting strikes during thunderstorms are the most associated when most people think about surge protectors and power surges. Lighting does not have to actually hit your home to cause massive damage. If lightning strikes near a power line, this can result in excess electrical pressure, which can feed into your home. The resulting surge could cause massive excess electrical pressure can be truly devastating leading to the destruction of electronic devices, start a household fire or even kill someone using an electrical device via electrocution. Let McCay Southern Electrical assist you in determining what the best avenue of approch is to protecting your homes electronic devices
Why do my circuit breakers or fuses keep tripping?
Circuit breakers/fuses are a safety device. When a breaker trips it can be a sign of faulty wiring, bad breakers/fuses, or overloading of the circuit. If you have plugged in or turned on a device, it could be the device itself. If your circuit breakers trip unexpectedly, do not shrug off this warning, but have this problem looked at by a licensed professional as soon as possible to insure safety.
When my air conditioner cycles on, I notice my lights blink. Is this normal?
Yes. This is a common occurrence when large motor/compressor loads start. These devices cause a minor momentary voltage drop, demonstrating itself as the blinking in your lights. This has no negative effect on the electrical equipment within your house. On another note, if you are noticing that your lights are dimming for a long period of time, it would be best to have this looked at by a licensed professional to insure that your homes electrical system is sized properly.
Can I install a ceiling fan where a light is?
Yes, but first you must make sure the electrical box is properly braced and rated for the weight and torque of the ceiling fan you are installing. The ceiling outlet box must be listed as suitable for the support of ceiling fans. Ceiling fans weigh considerably more than most light fixtures and with the constant rotation of the fan this requirement must be met to insure safety.
What is an automatic standby generator?
An automatic standby generator is a back up electrical system that operates whether you are home or away. Within seconds of an outage, it automatically supplies power directly to your home’s electrical circuit breaker box. After utility power returns, the generator shuts itself off and waits for the next outage. It operates on natural gas or liquid propane gas and sits outside just like a central air conditioning unit. There are many sizes and options available, so contact us today for a free consultation.
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