electrical Archives - Lightning Electric

Task Lighting 101

Focusing on Task lighting

Learning more about task lighting. (Photo Credits)

Task lighting can be a very important and functional lighting fixture in any home. It can help make home activities easier to do, and electrical consumption, even more efficient.

The American Lighting Association defines task lighting as lighting fixtures that are movable and can be plugged into different outlets in the home. Electrical Association

“It can be provided by recessed and track lighting, pendant lighting and under-cabinet lighting, as well as by portable floor and desk lamps. Task lighting should be free of distracting glare and shadows and should be bright enough to prevent eye strain.”

Check out the whole description here.
Tips on Task lighting
The Australian Government also shared various lighting tips to its constituents. Task lighting tips are included in their comprehensive lighting advice for home owners. Electrician

“Match the lamp’s colour temperature to the tones of your room. Warm colour temperatures render warm colours like reds, yellows and browns well; cool colour temperatures render cool colours like greys, greens and blues better. In rooms following these general rules, furnishings appear more vibrant. If you have a mix of furnishings, use lamps that produce light in approximately the 3,500K range. No matter what colour temperature light you choose, if it has a low colour rendering index, nothing will look good under it.”

Read more tips here.
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UK Media, BBC meantime came up with a guide on different types of lighting, task lighting included. It also included tips on maximizing the use of different types of lighting fixtures and assemblies.

“Working with task lights — place […]

By LightningV|October 17th, 2017|electrical, Electrician, San Diego|Comments Off

Electrical Safety Measures during Typhoon Season

Typhoon, flooding and Electricity

Flooding and storms pose a different safety challenge. (Photo Credits)

The problem with inclement weather is that it could pose very dangerous electrical injuries and damages to those that are affected by storms and flooding.

Both government and non-government organizations share warnings and advice to the general public on how to stay safe during typhoon season. Electrical Association

The Electrical Safety Foundation shared a comprehensive safety guide to avoid electrical accidents.

“The high winds, extreme rains and flooding caused by hurricanes and tornadoes present many unique dangers. ESFI offers consumers important advice about how to help prevent electrically-related deaths, injuries and property loss by taking a few precautions during and after severe storms and other natural disasters. “

Read more here.
Lightning and Electricity
Thornton Weather for its part explained the correlations of lighting and electrical accidents during thunderstorms and inclement weather. Electrician

“The dangerous electrical current associated with a lightning strike typically enters a structure through wires, cables or pipes that connect to the building from the outside. Lightning can also directly enter into a structure through an open window, door or garage door. Once in a structure, the dangerous current can travel through the electrical, phone, cable and plumbing systems and through metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.”

Check out the continuation here.
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The Electrical Safety Authority also came up with safety tips for property owners during typhoon season.

“Downed powerlines may be live. Stay back at least 10 metres or 33 feet (the length of a school bus). Electricity can travel through water and the ground around powerlines. Immediately call […]

By LightningV|August 22nd, 2017|electrical, Electrician, San Diego|Comments Off

Preventing Electrical Injuries on Pets

Electrical Safety for Pet Owners

Their safety should be prioritized too. (Photo Credits)

Electrical injuries on home occupants can be prevented especially when precautions are taken, and religious maintenance is observed.

What homeowners should not forget though when making their home safe is the safety of their pets. Domesticated animals are very vulnerable to electrical injuries, and at the same time can also start electrical fires. Electrical Association

Petcha.com shared safety tips for pet owners.

“Dogs on walks in colder climates may be at risk of electrical shock, according to the ASPCA. Stray voltage currents on city streets can be a threat to animals seeking outdoor exercise in winter. Most often present in northern climates and urban areas, stray voltage occurs when dormant utilities leak excess electricity. When streets are wet and salt-based ice melts, this combination can cause shock, injury, and even death for some pets.”

Check out the rest of the tips here.
Additional Safety Tips
Safer Pets also came up with their own advice for pet owners, emphasizing in home areas frequented by pets. Electrician

“Do not allow your pet to nap behind electrical appliances, such as computer equipment, stoves, fridges, washers and dryers. Be careful with freestanding lamps and exposed bulbs – some can reach very high temperatures (eg, halogen lamps) and if knocked over by a pet in play, could easily start a fire. If you have an aquarium, make sure all the electrical cords coming out of the aquarium are equipped with drip loops, which will ensure that any water running down the cord will fall to the floor rather than travel up the cord and into the electrical outlet.”

Print out all the safety tips from here.
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By LightningV|July 27th, 2017|electrical, Electrician, San Diego|Comments Off

Fixing Frayed Wires and Cables

Repairing Damaged Wirings

When wirings get damaged. (Photo Credits)

Frayed cables and wires are not just an annoyance and an eyesore, they are also an electrical emergency waiting to happen. Homeowners better be vigilant in addressing these electrical issues so as to prevent any injury or accident. Electrical Association

The website Spruce.com came up with an article on how to deal with frayed wires. “This condition is very dangerous and can create short circuits and fire hazard. Ordinarily, you can just wrap 2 or 3 wraps of electrical tape around the damaged area. However, with old, brittle insulation, it will come apart and be made worse as you try to wrap the old wire and insulation with electrical tape. Fortunately, this can be fairly easily fixed using something called “Heat Shrink Tubing” as I’ll describe in the next step.”

Read the whole article here.
Dealing with Frayed Electrical Wires
The website Handyman How To also came up with a detailed illustration plus tutorial on dealing with damaged electrical wiring. Electrician

“This splice repair technique is useful for fixing damage when there’s not enough slack in the electrical cable to rejoin the ends together with wire nuts in a single junction box. For example, if a squirrel or rodent has a chewed through an electrical cable in the attic, or in my case, I also had to reroute the wire to correct a building code violation.”

Check out the rest of the tutorial here.
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The website e-how for its part shared an instructional video on wiring repair.

“If you have discovered a damaged electrical wire or cable, you […]

By LightningV|July 13th, 2017|electrical, Electrician, San Diego|Comments Off

Chandelier and Light Fixture Installation

Installing ceiling light fixtures

The beauty of chandeliers. (Photo Credits)

Installing a chandelier in a living room or dining area, will certainly create another dimension in terms of home aesthetics. It is not as easy as it looks though because when the light fixture is classified as heavy, additional support will be needed to ensure the safety of the whole household.

E-How came out with a basic tutorial on how to undertake such a project. Electrical Association

“When installing light fixtures, the basic rule is that a common round ceiling box can support up to a 50-pound light fixture, while heavier lights must be attached directly to a solid support. However, it’s better to play it safe and avoid possible injuries or lawsuits, as well as destroying the light, by hanging lights that weigh more than 25 pounds from a specialized fan brace rather then from a common ceiling box. Follow the steps below to see how it’s done.”

Read the guide here.
Installing heavier chandeliers and fixtures
For heavier lighting fixtures, The Family Handyman came up with a how-to guide. Electrician

“For practical purposes, make sure your electrical box is securely fastened to solid framing before you hang a new light fixture from it. If your light fixture weighs more than 50 lbs., it has to be supported independent of the electrical box. An easy solution is to install a fan brace box (available from home centers and hardware stores) that’s designed to be installed without cutting any additional holes in your ceiling. Check the label to make sure the box is designed to support more than 35 lbs.”

Read the rest of the material here.
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By LightningV|July 6th, 2017|electrical, Electrician, San Diego|Comments Off

Replacing a Faulty Light Switch

When to fix and when to replace

Fix faulty switches first before deciding to replace them. (Photo Credits)

Faulty switches can be very inconvenient. And this is the reason why most homeowners would want to have it repaired right away.

But before deciding to replace a light switch, one must first ensure that it is already beyond repair. American Lighting Association

Homeguides SF Gate shared a great guide in diagnosing a failing light switch.

“Note the symptoms of the faulty switch. If the light flickers or shines dimly, there is probably a loose connection on the switch or inside it. If the lights don’t come on at all, however, the circuit power may be off. Make sure the breaker controlling the switch is on, then look around the house for tripped GFI outlets and reset any you find. This simple procedure may solve the problem.”

Read the continuation here.
Problematic Light Switch
If in case the problem indeed lies on the light switch, DIY.com provided a useful step-by-step instructions in replacing light switches. They however were quick to tell their readers to exercise utmost caution for their safety. Master Electrician

“Never take risks with electrical safety. Before you start any type of electrical work, you must follow these following safety precautions: (1) Remember to switch off the mains power at the consumer unit/fuse box. Isolate the circuit you plan to work on by removing the circuit fuse. Put this in your pocket to avoid accidental replacement Or switch off the breaker and lock it if you can; (2) Attach a note to the unit to advise you are working on the circuit.”

Read the continuation of the safety precautions, plus the step-by-step guide here.
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[…]

By LightningV|June 29th, 2017|Ca, electrical, Electrician, San Diego|Comments Off

Fixing a Flickering Light Bulb

What to do with Flickering Light Bulbs

When the lights flicker, get down to the issue. (Photo Credits)

Flickering light bulbs can be a hassle, but it may also be an indicator that there is a deeper issue in a home’s electrical system. Electrical Association

There are a number of reasons why lights go off and on intermittently, and for each reason, there are corresponding solutions.

The website 1000Bulbs.com for instance explained that flickering lights may mean that there is a voltage problem. This, it says, merits a call to the electrician.

“If your lights flicker when you turn on an appliance with a high wattage, the reason could be because the voltage in your home is fluctuating too much. If the flickering lasts longer than the use of the appliance, this could be a symptom of a more serious electrical issue. Other signs that the voltage in your home isn’t right include lights that dim unexpectedly or that frequently burn out. Electricity typically flows into homes at around 120 volts. Although a little fluctuation is normal, your home should always be supplied with between 115 and 125 volts.”

Read the continuation here.
Indicator of a more serious electrical concern
The Spruce.com echoed the same sentiment saying that a bigger electrical problem could be causing the intermittent lighting. Electrician

“Flickering lights are normally not cause for alarm. But sometimes they can indicate a more serious problem. Constant or severe drops in lighting can result from loose connections. Faulty wiring connections create points of high resistance, which can generate unsafe levels of heat. Old breakers can also cause flickering. Similar to your home’s electrical systems, the wiring in your breakers can go bad over time. Faulty breaker wiring can short and overheat, which can […]

By LightningV|June 22nd, 2017|electrical, San Diego|Comments Off

Electrical Hacks that can help lower utility bills

Lower Power Consumption is Possible

Take control of power bills. (Photo Credits)

Electrical bills can become a huge chunk in any household’s budget. The good news is every homeowner can take charge of their consumption if they become more cautious about how they consume electricity in their respective homes.

Many web resources have come up with great advice on how to lower electric bills through simple electrical chores or improvement projects.

“Turn off your power strip that your electronics are connected to. Even if your electronics are turned off, they’re still sapping energy. They’re called “vampire devices” because they keep a little bit of electricity going so they can respond more quickly to things like being turned back on. By turned off the power strip you effectively cut off all electricity to your electronics so they don’t use electricity without you knowing.”

Read the whole post here.
Investing on an upgrade of appliances
The website Make Use Of details some ways on lowering utility bills through factors the homeowner himself have control over. Electrician

“By far the most energy-intensive operation at home is cooling and heating. We all want to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter, but the associated costs can pack quite a punch. The average home attributes 40 to 60 percent of its energy consumption to thermal regulation. The usual steps for cutting costs include installing energy-efficient models and properly insulating your walls and windows.” Check out the material here.
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Taking time to take a homeowner’s electrical exam if one lives within a State that allows such will also help in […]

By LightningV|June 1st, 2017|electrical, San Diego, Santee|Comments Off

Problems with Electrical Outlets

Solutions and Causes

Common problems with electrical outlets and their causes. (Photo Credits)

Electrical outlets are very important in any home. It serves as a source of electrical power, and without it, appliances and fixtures that need electricity will not work.

The website Spruce.com enumerated the many possible problems a property owner may encounter in relation with its electrical plugs. American Lighting Association

“How Bad Is This: It can go either way. This might be a simple case of lightening the load on a circuit. Or your house’s entire electrical system might need upgrading. Do This: The most common reason for circuit breaker tripping is an overloaded system. Turn off appliances that consume a lot of electricity, flip the breaker, and try again. If the breaker does not turn off, then plug in and turn on one appliance or light and try again. Sometimes, the circuit breaker itself may require replacing. If you have a fuse, rather than a circuit breaker, this itself may indicate an older service panel that is not adequate for today’s standards.”

Read the other common electrical outlet problems here.
Sparks can be normal
Master Electrician Service Ratings website Angiel’s List meantime listed down possible reasons why outlets spark. It said in one of the entries that it could also be normal for an outlet to spark. “When that power is suddenly diverted to an appliance, there will be a quick draw on the available power, causing a brief spark. Once the electrons are flowing freely, there should be no reason for a spark to form. This is normal, and it’s comparable to static electricity.”

Read the other reasons here.
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By LightningV|February 5th, 2017|electrical, Electrician, San Diego|Comments Off

Responding to Electric Shock

First Aid Measures

What to do in case of an electric shock. (Photo Credits)

Electric shock can be very injurious. While it can be a mild jolt, it can easily escalate into an accident so intense that it can claim a life.

Knowing how to respond to electrical shocks is key to saving one’s life and that of the people surrounding the victim. American Lighting Association

British Website Safety First Aid came out with a guide on the first aid treatment for an electrical shock victim. “If you suspect someone has received an electric shock you must ensure all power sources are isolated before you can treat the casualty. High Voltage (Shock) Overhead power cables are an example of a power source generating high voltage electricity. High voltage electricity has the ability to ‘jump’ or ‘arc’ up to distances of 18 metres or over. If faced with a casualty resulting from high voltage electricity: Do not approach! Stay at least 25 metres away from the casualty until the power has been switched off by an official agency i.e. Electricity Board.”

Read the continuation here.
First Aid for Electrical Shock
For domestic voltage levels, the website First Aid For Free published the initial steps a person must take when responding to an electrical shock. Master Electrician

“Be alert for hazards! It is urgent that the casualty be disconnected from the electrical source, either by: (1) turning off the power supply and disconnecting any plugs from the outlet, and isolating the electricity supply at the main board/trip switches if possible; or (2) removing the casualty from the electrical source by pushing or pulling them with non conducting materials, eg, wooden stick or board, rope, or blanket. Be careful not to touch the […]

By LightningV|January 29th, 2017|electrical, Electrician, San Diego|Comments Off

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