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March 16, 2018 at 3:56 pm

Electrical Safety Training Tip #1: Overlamping

overlamping

Keeping your electrical system safe is an effective preventive measure against fires and accidents. While many people know some of the basic techniques to maintain electrical safety, one of the most commonly disregarded conditions is known as overlamping.

What You Need To Know About Overlamping

In a nutshell, overlamping is a situation when a light bulb has a higher wattage requirement than the load capacity of the lighting fixture. Most light fixtures have a capacity of 60 watts, which can handle a wide variety of light bulbs designed for home use.

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March 2, 2018 at 8:20 pm

3 Electrical Safety Tips for Your Kitchen

kitchen

When it comes to safety, you can never be too careful. Even in the privacy of your own home, risks and accidents are just waiting to happen, especially if you aren’t aware of them. Today, we’re going to look at electrical safety tips and techniques for your kitchen.

1. Turn off and unplug unused kitchen appliances

According to the National Fire Protection Association, the most common reason for home fires is cooking equipment. Aside from the hazards brought about by gas-powered devices, electrical appliances can also aggravate this risk.

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January 30, 2018 at 6:03 pm

3 Common Electrical Problems and How to Resolve Them

common electrical problems

After years of living in the same home, we may have a tendency to overlook things. This is a dangerous attitude, especially when we’re talking about electrical safety. Today, we will talk about three of the most common electrical issues around the house, and the strategies to resolve them.

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December 15, 2017 at 8:38 pm

How to Figure Out House Electrical Circuits

How to Figure Out House Electrical Circuits-WireCraftApart from aesthetics and comfort, homeowners need to consider safety as part of house management principles. After all, a simple error may lead to the worst home disasters. This is especially true when it comes to electricity. You need to understand how house electrical circuits work and what you can do to keep the system safe.

Understanding House Electrical Circuits

In a nutshell, electricity moves in a circular pattern throughout the circuitry in your house. Current passes through electrical wires going towards devices (via lighting fixtures, receptacles, switches, and sockets), and then returns to the circuit going back to the power source.

In other words, an electrical circuit is a loop that starts from a service panel or power source, goes through wires, receptacles and fixtures, and returns to the panel. The electrical circuit may also include a meter to measure the power usage.

Mapping Electrical Circuits in Your Home

When you look at your service panel, you should see a series of fuses or circuit breakers, which you may find with labels to indicate which parts of the house each device is controlling. A typical home contains a handful of electrical circuits – say, one for lights, one for the basement, and another for the kitchen. The process of identifying the electrical circuits in your house is called mapping.

If the breakers or fuses are properly labelled, you can identify which one controls a particular electrical circuit of the house. This is helpful when you want to troubleshoot an electrical problem, and you want to isolate a section to work on. If you discover that your circuits haven’t been mapped, it’s probably best to contact an electrical contractor to help you do it.

How To Keep Electrical Circuits Safe

Make sure that your home is safe from potentially risky electrical failures. Here are some tips to keep your electrical circuits as safe as possible:

Upgrade your electrical panel:

Circuit breakers offer a lot more advantages than fuses. So it’s probably best to upgrade your current panel towards a safer and more modern technology.

Install a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt (GFCI) breaker or outlet:

This device shuts off the power in mere milliseconds, when it senses a potential shock. This is useful in areas where moisture is present, such as bathroom, kitchen, and the outdoors. For more on GFCI, click here.

Have your electrical system assessed for potential problems:

Precaution is always a great option to ensure safety in your home.

Contact an electrician or electrical specialist to help you check for any loose wire contact. Also feel free to contact of any corroded circuit components, and other dangerous signs.

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December 15, 2017 at 1:02 am

Home Wiring and Tools

home wiringA lot of homeowners are now getting into DIY projects. Apart from the savings that they can get from doing away with contractors, starting a home improvement project is an exciting activity that tickles the creativity of anyone who does it. However, wrong decisions may lead to accidents and safety risks – especially when it comes to home wiring.

If it’s your first time to encounter the term “house wiring diagram”, you need to read this short guide on home wiring basics!

What You Need To Know About Home Wiring Diagrams

A home electrical wiring diagram is a visual representation of the electrical wires and power sources inside the house, laid out in a document complete with labels. When a house is built, the construction blueprint needs to come with an electrical wiring diagram in order to determine where the wires are running, where to place electrical sockets, and which power sources are near the rooms.

A typical home wiring diagram should include the following details:

Service head: This represents the entry point of wires from the outside of the home going in.

Main service panel: Also called breaker box, this device is responsible for distribution of power throughout the building circuits.

Electrical box: This represents the endpoint or connector of wires to provide electricity via an electrical outlet or a switch.

Electric meter: This device measures the amount of power used by the home.

Ground: This serves as an electrical safety precaution by directing the electrical system to the earth or ground.

Tools Needed for Home Wiring

Here are some of the tools that you need to prepare, when planning to install or reconfigure the home electrical wiring circuitry:

Fish tape: This device pulls the wire to a conduit (either metal or PVC).

Voltmeter: This allows you to check if the circuit is “live” or not.

Wire stripper: This tool removes the wire insulation, with other variations able to cut through wire.

Linesman pliers: This all-purpose tool can twist and cut wires, and provide gripping action.

Allen wrench set: Most electrical panels use Allen screws and so this wrench set will come in handy.

Electrical tape: This adhesive tape can join two wires together or affix them on surfaces.

Safety Precautions When Handling Electrical Wires at Home

There’s nothing too safe when it comes to handling electrical circuits, and so here are some tips to make sure that safety is maintained during a home wiring DIY project:

Turn the power off: Don’t attempt to work on wires without shutting off the breaker.

Check the diagram: It’s a good practice to review the wiring diagram before diving into any circuitry modifications.

Replace old items: If you see corroded breakers and torn wires, replace them immediately.

Consult an electrical professional: When in doubt, seek help from an electrical contractor. We at Wire Craft Electric are more than happy to help.

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November 27, 2017 at 8:13 pm

Toys are More Dangerous Than Cars and Electrical Appliances

Toys are More Dangerous Than Cars and Electrical AppliancesKids are exposed to a lot of risks and dangers on a daily basis, and it’s up to the parents and the general public to ensure their safety. Unfortunately, one of the most common causes of accidents and health concerns comes from something that looks innocent at first – I’m talking about your children’s toys.

Toys come in various shapes, sizes, and orientations. While some are soft and delicate enough to be handled by young children, others aren’t so safe. This is the reason why the Consumer Product Safety Commission maintains toy safety standards that manufacturers and businesses need to comply with.

Dangers Caused By Toys

The reality is that some toys are more dangerous than vehicles and electrical home appliances! Here are some of the most common dangers that kids get exposed to when handling toys:

Choking

Toddlers are naturally curious, and most of them inadvertently chew and lick their toys. This may eventually become a choking hazard, especially those that are small enough to fit into their tiny mouths.

Electrocution or electrical shock

Some powered toys can cause electrocution. In addition, faulty circuits in the toys may lead to fires, while leaking batteries may cause poisoning.

Suffocation

Your child’s toys may have strings and cords that can tangle their necks and strangle them accidentally. Meanwhile, some kids may be curious enough to stick their heads into plastic packaging materials and cause suffocation or asphyxiation.

Allergy

Some toys may contain powders and vapors that may trigger allergies, and this may lead to breathing problems in kids.

Injuries

Toys that have sharp edges, pointy corners, and slippery surfaces may increase the risk of cuts and slips at home. This is especially true for children who are handling toys way advance than what they can handle at their age.

Final Word

In order to protect your children from toy dangers, the best precautionary tips that you can implement in your home include reading toy labels for safety ratings and age appropriateness; buying toys that are non-toxic and hypoallergenic; choosing toys that are not choking or suffocation hazards; and disposing toys that are already defective.

When living with kids, safety should always be at the top of the priority list. By giving them toys that are safe and age-appropriate, you can provide the best kind of fun that children are looking for. Our team of electricians are Wire Craft can help make sure your home is safe for appliances and devices. Reach out to us today.

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November 15, 2017 at 6:38 pm

Preparing Your Basement for Renovations

basement renovationsSpace management is an important process of maintaining a home. Being able to maximize the available space inside your house can already do wonders to your storage needs, as well as your plans for extension or renovation. A lot of homeowners use the basement for varying purposes, but one thing is true: You need to make sure that you’re ready for basement renovations.

If you’re planning to repurpose your basement – or to turn the space into something more useful than merely collecting clutter and dust.

Here are some tips that you need to know, in order to prepare for a full basement renovation:

Check for water leaks

Some homeowners haven’t touched the basement for years, and this may lead them to disregard this part of the house in terms of maintenance. Because of this, some leaks may be observed inside the basement.

Before starting the whole basement remodeling, you need to address any water leaks or seepage. By doing this, you can preserve the basement and the things inside it longer.

Assess the basement size based on your intended purpose

Planning to use the basement as an entertainment room where you can play arcade game machines and place a pool table? Make sure that your basement space can accommodate your purpose for the room. Otherwise, you might end up with a cramped basement that won’t serve its purpose well.

In addition, you might also want to check the vertical height of the basement.

Verify availability of supplies needed

If you’re repurposing the basement as an additional bathroom, be sure to check if there are water pipes and a drain system. The same is true if you’re planning to install electrical appliances inside the basement – does your basement have a nearby power source?

Otherwise, you will have to install additional water pipes or electrical wires to serve the basement’s function.

Think safety first, even during construction

Are you focusing too much on the completely renovated and refurbished basement? Don’t lose sight of the groundwork that you need to prepare in terms of construction. Make sure that the renovation process is safe.

This may include checking for loose or exposed electrical wires. Also assessing the capability of your electrical system to handle additional load. Lastly letting the construction team wear personal protective equipment for their own safety.

Safety is always a primary component in any kind of renovation. This includes making sure that your electrical system is ready for the big switch.

Feel free to talk to us at Wire Craft.

if you need professional help to ready your electrical system for a basement renovation.

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October 30, 2017 at 6:00 am

Is Your Home Storm Ready—Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Electrical Accidents

Is your home storm ready?Winter is around the corner and just like every year, it is going to bring some storms with it. It is unfortunate how so many people do not prepare their homes for a stormy season before and during winter. Having a house built from the best materials is not enough since there are hundreds of other components that can result in dangerous accidents if they haven’t been protected against stormy weathers. Here is how you can protect your house from electrical accidents during fall and winter.

Have External Lights Fixed

Do you have bulbs on the face of your house? Did any of the bulbs on your house break just a few days ago? Kids playing in the street can often hit light bulbs and break them. Maybe a similar accident has caused electrical wires to come out of the bulb holder. This can be an extremely dangerous situation during rains and can result in conducting electric currents through the walls. Call professional electricians and have this problem fixed as soon as possible.

Have Supply Circuits Checked

One of the common issues with electrical systems in homes is that many of the supply circuits are not grounded. When there is a power surge, it is the ground wiring that saves this power surge from wreaking havoc on your electrical appliances. Keep in mind that supply circuits are not grounded properly will cause damage to your appliances even if you have surge protectors installed. Once again, have professional electricians from Wire Craft Electric help you in checking and fixing all your supply circuits.

Install Power Surge Protectors

Have surge protectors installed in order to protect your appliances from the damage when there is a storm causing power fluctuations. Even when your supply circuits are properly grounded, you need to have surge protectors from those unexpected voltage spikes that can cause you thousands of dollars if you don’t have any protection in place. Let electricians help you pick the right surge protection devices.

Final Thoughts About a Storm Ready Home – Have an Electrician’s Number with You

Stormy nights with power outages can be horrific. Such situations can be harrowing for your kids. The best way to avoid such situations is to have the contact number of professional electricians with you on your phone. Prevention is better than cure, so it is better to always be safe than sorry. However, when an emergency does surface, only a professional should be taking care of your electrical system to avoid life threatening accidents.

Need help making your home storm ready? Wire Craft can help you. Call us today.

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October 27, 2017 at 8:00 am

Outdoor Lighting to Make Your Winter Bright

winter bright

North-western winters can make the days very short, causing it to get really dark quite early in the evening. This often causes trouble when you have to walk from your driveway to the front door, hoping that you don’t step on something or trip and fall. If you have been experiencing that lately, you definitely need your outdoor lighting to be upgraded. Here is how we will help you upgrade your outdoor lighting to not only make your winter brighter, but to pinpoint and fix other problems too.

We Will Discover the Cause of Dim Lights

In some cases, homeowners have the necessary lighting installed, but their driveway still looks dark. This could be a problem related to high-voltage appliances in the house or a wire corroding with time. Whatever the case is, if not fixed on time, this could lead to costly hazards. Wire Craft Electric will find out the exact cause of your dim lighting and fix the problem for good.

We Will Install Efficient Lighting to Achieve Winter Bright

When the day is short and it gets dark early, it means you will have to keep your outdoor lighting on for longer duration. This adds up to your monthly electricity bill. If you don’t have efficient lighting installed, the difference can be significant. We will install effective lighting to save you money on your monthly bill.

We Will Install the Right Lighting As Per Your Needs

You want your driveway bright and your house to look good from the outside, but you are not sure how big of a bulb will be best to use as your outdoor lighting. You can always pick a brighter bulb yourself, but what you might not realize is that this bulb will use a lot of electricity. On the other hand, we pick our lighting components and products with experience so you get more brightness with less power consumption.

We Will Make Reliable Connections

There is a huge difference between outdoor and indoor lighting—outdoor lighting takes a beating thanks to the elements. Non-professionally installed outdoor lighting can result in loose connections that will become a source of worry in the coming months. However, the professionals at Wire Craft Electric use their experience and knowledge to install your lighting. This is so that it stays fixed in place through chilly winters, hot summers and even powerful storms.

Call us today to keep away the gloomy darkness of winter and for any electrical issues in your house. We also recommend you to prepare your house for storms and winter chills. Give us a call and protecting your electrical system from any damages.

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October 17, 2017 at 8:00 am

Preparing Your Home for Winter – Simple Yet Effective Tips

winter

October has arrived and brought the news of coming winter with it. When you care about the safety of your house, you take measures in advance. Just like you clean your home before the spring season, you need to prepare it for winter as well. One of the biggest concerns with winters is the costs of your electricity bills going through the roof. So, how can you keep your house safe and issue-free this winter? Here are some important tips:

Save on Lighting Expenses

Shorter days with longer nights require you to keep your lights on for longer. The more time you keep your lights on, the higher your electricity bill goes. This reason is why experts recommend that you use only LED lights. Even when it comes to decorating your Christmas tree, you should choose LED lights.

Have a Backup Generator

When the power goes out in summers, the worst that can happen is spending a night sleeping in sweat. On the other hand, power outages in winters can cause dangerous problems since you need heat and warmth. The best way to prepare for such unpredicted power outages is to have a backup generator. A Wire Craft Electric professional can help you with the wiring and connections for your backup generator.

Fix the Chewed Wires and Cables

Winter is sleeping time for various animals and pests. These same pests can go inside your attic, basement, even within the walls, to have three to four months of sleep time. In an attempt to make these places their comfortable homes, they can often chew your wires and cables and strip them. Call an electrician ASAP before winter arrives and save your family from dangerously exposed wires.
Use Your Ceiling Fans for Heat Distribution
Modern fans have the winter and summer settings on them. Pressing the winter switch on them makes them rotate in a reverse order and allows them to spread the heat trapped close to the ceiling into the room. If your winter mode is not working, you better call an electrician fast.

Have an Electrician’s Number Nearby

No matter how carefully you prepare for winter, things can go wrong unexpectedly, and at the worst times, you can imagine. Dealing with electricity-related matters on your own is never a recommended course of action. It is mandatory to have an electrician’s number with you so you can call one for professional help during cold winter. Call Wire Craft Electric for your electrical issues and any emergencies.

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