Monthly Archives: October 2012

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Maintaining Your Business’ Electrical System

Your business is your livelihood, and you should do everything in your power to make sure nothing prevents you from opening the doors on any given day. Ignoring electrical problems is inviting trouble, therefore, you should watch out for warning signs and maintain your business’ electrical system at all times so it is one less thing you have to worry about in your daily operations.

There are plenty of warning signs if there is a problem with your electrical system. For instance, flickering lights or the popping of breakers for no apparent reason. Many of the same signs you see around your home are the same things to look for in your daily business operations.

The difference from your home and business is that you more than likely have equipment using up significantly more power at the business location. Even if it is equipment you have at home, there is more than likely more of it that requires a larger energy draw. For instance, there is one computer at home, but maybe there are dozens of computers and printers running at the office.

Not maintaining your electrical systems can have dire consequences. The most obvious of these is the fact that the business could end up being closed while repairs are made. There is also the danger of important records being lost because computers shut down without the proper backup systems being in place. At the far end up the disaster spectrum, the electrical problems could result in a short, causing a fire that destroys the entire business facility.

If you do not have someone on staff with electrical expertise or know enough yourself, make an appointment with a licensed electrician to inspect your facility and go over the warning signs for possible problems. It is always better to be proactive instead of reactive, especially when it is your livelihood and that of others at stake.

 

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Signs of Possible Problems with Your Home Electrical Wiring

The electrical system is something that is very scary for homeowners, and they do everything they can to avoid dealing with it. However, remember, you do not have to address the problems yourself; you just need to know how to spot them so you can call in an electrician to help you fix them. Here are some common electrical warning signs and want they mean.

  • Flickering Lights in Windy Conditions – more than likely, there is frayed wiring where the outdoor wiring comes into the home. This is called the weatherhead. This is not only annoying, but it is also very dangerous, as it can start a fire if left alone. Your first contact should be your utility company, as the weatherhead should fall under their responsibility.
  • Not Enough Outlets – if you find that you are constantly using extension cords and power strips, you may want to check around your home to make sure that you actually have enough outlets throughout the home. Newly constructed home are required to have an outlet every twelve feet, but older homes will be grandfathered in. There is no real danger here, but you do run the risk of injury with so many extension cords lying around.
  • Constantly Popping Breakers – if you find that your breakers are popping with normal use, there may be too many electrical lines wired to a single breaker. There may have been some short cuts taken by a previous homeowner or contractor. Each room should be wired to its own breaker. If this is something you are unable to check on your own, call in a licensed electrician to inspect the home wiring.

These are just a few of the basic challenges homeowners will find when dealing with their home electricity. Older wiring, as long as it is still in good condition, is still safe in your home. However, if you are seeing signs of wear, it may be time to call in a professional to address these issues and get your home up to current code.