As a homeowner, you likely take great pride in tackling home improvement projects yourself. However, there are some things that are worth calling a professional for: electrical wiring , for example. If your home was built before World War II, there’s a chance that it was wired with the knob-and-tube method. This wiring method is now obsolete, and should be replaced wherever it exists.

As the name suggests, knob-and-tube wiring is comprised of ceramic knobs and tubes. Unfortunately for the owners of older homes, knob-and-tube wiring is difficult to improve or retrofit, and is considered a fire hazard—especially when the wires are surrounded by building insulation. This is because the fiber materials in knob-and-tube wiring can become brittle over time. If your home has this type of wiring, it’s possible that your insurance company will not approve fire insurance. For the sake of your own safety, it’s important to have an electrician identify and remove knob-and-tube wiring and replace it with a safer method of wiring as soon as possible.

Since most of a typical home’s electrical system is out of sight, most homeowners do not understand how complex or sophisticated it truly is. For example, one big aspect of the modern home electrical system is the arc fault breaker, also known as an arc fault circuit interrupter. This piece of technology is vital for protecting your home from electrical fires.

Importance

To understand the importance of arc fault breakers, it’s important to understand the concept of arc faults. Simply put, an arc fault is when an arc, or electrical discharge, flows through an unplanned path. As you can imagine, this could lead to some pretty dangerous circumstances—including an electrical fire. An arc fault breaker is designed to detect arc faults and protect the circuit, thereby reducing the risk of an electrical fire, of which there are more than 40,000 a year in the U.S.

Basic Function

The average arc fault breaker is very sophisticated, and uses advanced technology to detect various types of arcing. Normal arcing occurs all the time when electrical appliances are turned on—these require no special action from the arc fault breaker. When an arc fault occurs, however, the arc fault breaker instantly recognizes the fault and interrupts the circuit, thereby reducing the danger. By contrast, conventional circuit breakers are only equipped to respond to overloads and short circuits. Arc fault breakers are now required by law for circuits feeding into electrical outlets in most rooms.

Nuisance Tripping

Though arc fault breakers are vital for safety, there are times when they overreact. In other words, an arc fault breaker may interrupt a circuit even when an appliance is being used safely and properly. This is called “nuisance tripping.” This occurs most commonly with older electrical tools and appliances that have motors with brushes. Vacuums and power drills are two such appliances. If your breaker frequently engages in nuisance tripping, have an electrician take a look and address the problem. You should know that arc fault breakers are being improved on all the time.

Your home is probably one of your favorite places on Earth. As such, you wouldn’t trust its care and maintenance with just anybody. However, there are certain maintenance and home improvement jobs that are too dangerous and important to attempt yourself. When it comes to electrical wiring, for example, you’re best off turning to a trusted San Jose electrician . For help finding the right electrician for your needs, consider the following tips.

Determine What You Need Done

Before you start your search, you should determine exactly what you expect from your technician and jot down a few questions about the proposed project. Are you looking for a routine inspection, or do you have a more specific job in mind? Do you need an electrician to provide wiring for a new building, or do you need to rewire an existing structure? This is important because different electricians have different specialties.

Look at Qualifications

Once you’ve narrowed down your search somewhat, look at the remaining candidates’ credentials and qualifications. Make sure you choose an electrician that is fully licensed, insured, and bonded in the State of California. It’s also a good idea to check the license number of each electrical contractor, just to make sure it’s safe and legal for them to work on your project.

Check Out Past Reviews

Now’s the time to check out past reviews for the electrician you’re interested in hiring. If you see an electrician with a high rating on Yelp!, Google Reviews, and other review services, then you may have found your team. If an electrician has performed well for numerous past clients, then there’s a good chance that they’ll perform well for you, too.

Conduct a Brief Interview

Once you think you’ve found a suitable electrician, don’t be afraid to call them up. Ask whatever questions come to mind, discuss your proposed project, and get a feel for how the electrician conducts business. If you have a good feeling, and the credentials and reviews check out, odds are you’ve found your electrician.

In the 1960s, copper prices skyrocketed in America, causing residential electricians and homeowners to turn to aluminum as a cheaper alternative. Unfortunately, aluminum wiring really is not compatible with older electrical outlets and switches in homes and has a high potential to cause house fires. If you happen to know that your home is wired with aluminum, you should consider calling an electrician serving San Jose to have your wiring repaired or replaced.

One way to repair aluminum wiring is to replace it with copper wiring completely. Otherwise, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) approves two repair methods that involve splicing new copper wires into existing aluminum ones. The more expensive method utilizes specialized connectors called COPALUM, which is considered to be reliable and permanent. The other repair method uses a smaller lug-type connector called AlumiConn. For peace of mind and safety reasons, hire a certified electrical contractor to perform any of the jobs mentioned. That way, you’ll know it’s done correctly. Contact Delta Electric today!

Choosing the right electrical contractor in San Jose may seem like a daunting task at first, because you’re at the mercy of professionals who know more about electrical work than you do. However, the process doesn’t have to be hard. With a little ingenuity on your part and these helpful tips, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to hire the right person for your project.

Do Some Research
With all the information out there online, you’d do yourself a disservice if you didn’t do any research. Start by reading reviews and consumer reports on reputable review websites. Some other great resources are your trusted friends and relatives. Ask them if they can make any suggestions or if they know of electricians they’d happily recommend based on their satisfied experiences.

Get Multiple Quotes
Don’t choose to go with the first electrician you contact. Be prepared to talk with several contractors before making a decision. The rule of thumb is to get at least three quotes. That way, you’ll have a good basis for comparison. Though pricing is an important factor, it shouldn’t be the only driving force. Some contractors who present the lower bids may skimp on materials and labor, which may affect the quality of the work performed.

Have Questions Ready to Ask an Electrical Contractor
Before you hire an electrician at Delta Electric, you need to be sure that he or she will be dependable. Since you’re the employer in this instance, you need to conduct a few interviews to find the right contractor for the job. Here are some key questions to ask him or her: Are you licensed to work in the city or state? How long have you been in the business? What are your qualifications? Do you guarantee your work and will it meet municipal code? Will your work comply with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the National Electrical Installation Standards (NEIS)?

Be Sure to Get Everything in Writing
When dealing with an electrician, or any other contractor, be sure to get everything regarding your project in writing. This includes the estimate, project proposal, contract, warranties, and anything discussed and agreed upon between you and your electrician. Review all documents thoroughly to ensure that things are correct and in order. Also, request a copy of his or her insurance certificate for your records. Schedule a call today for more information!

Did you know that most home fires are the result of faulty electrical wiring? According to the U.S. Fire Administration, approximately 2,300 people are injured and close to 500 people Americans die in home fires each year that are directly or indirectly related to electrical problems. To make sure your home (and your family) is safe, schedule an inspection with a licensed residential electrician in San Jose . Also, be sure to leave all of your electrical and wiring needs to a professional electrician. You can also prevent a tragedy by avoiding or addressing these common electrical risks in your home.

Overloaded Electrical Outlets
Power strips can be a real lifesaver, but they can also be incredibly dangerous. According to statistics by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, overloaded outlets cause an estimated 5,300 house fires in the United States each year. If you have lots of electronics plugged into a single outlet, find another source of power before sparks start to fly.

DIY Electrical Wiring
If MacGyver taught us anything, it’s that duct tape and elbow grease can fix just about anything. Unfortunately, this is only true in television shows. You may think you’re prepared to tackle your home’s electrical needs, but all you’re really doing is putting yourself and your family at risk. No matter how small your wiring project is, hire a licensed electrician to make sure the work is done safely and correctly.

Outdated Breaker Panel
If your breaker box is more than ten years old, contact an electrician in San Jose about an upgrade. Old breaker panel are not designed to handle the number of high-voltage appliances and electronics commonly used in homes these days. Not only will an outdated breaker panel not supply you with the electricity you need to power all of your appliances and gadgets, but it might also start a fire if it becomes overloaded.

Small home improvement and repair projects are usually easy enough for the average do-it-yourselfer. However, there’s no such thing as a small project when it comes to your home’s electrical and wiring system. Working with electricity can be extremely dangerous, as even the slightest mistake can result in electrocution or lead to conditions which may result in an electrical fire. But as if safety wasn’t enough, there are actually lots more good reasons to hire a residential electrician in San Jose for your home’s rewiring project. Here are some of the most important.

Save Time
If your time is valuable, you can’t afford not to hire an electrician for your home rewiring project. Delta Electric can completely install new electrical wiring in a fraction of the time it would take on your own. Not only will this minimize the headache and frustration of having your home out of order, but it will also allow you to focus your energy elsewhere while a professional takes care of the electrical work.

Save Money
How could hiring an electrician possibly be less expensive than doing the work yourself? You may save on parts and labor by doing electrical work on your own, but you run the risk of paying a lot more when it’s discovered that you made a mistake. Even a minor error can require hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repairs, especially if that error lead to an electrical fire. Save your money and don’t take any chances; hire an electrician for all your electrical needs.

Stay Safe
Perhaps the most important reason to hire an electrician is the simple fact that working with electricity is incredibly dangerous. Handling your home’s electrical system should only be done by a trained, licensed, and experienced professional. Again, even the slightest error made on your own can result in tragedy.

Like most of the homes in San Jose, yours is probably full of outdated appliances and plumbing fixtures. But while some outdated features are only a problem aesthetically, others can be quite dangerous. Take outdated electrical panels, for example. Old breaker panels weren’t designed to handle the enormous voltage requirements of today’s high-powered appliances and consumer electronics. In addition to an inconsistent supply of electricity, your home’s outdated electric panel may also pose a fire hazard.

The best way to determine whether your home’s electric panel is adequate is to schedule an inspection with a licensed residential electrician in San Jose. A home electrician is a good contact to have regardless, since all of your home’s electrical needs should be left in the hands of experienced electrical technicians.

A functioning circuit breaker in San Jose will prevent your appliances from using a dangerous amount of energy, but it cannot perform this task unless all of its circuits are working. The good news is that fixing the problem is relatively simple and straightforward. Watch this video clip for tips on replacing a faulty circuit.

The first step in replacing a faulty circuit is locating the breaker box. Once you have found your breaker box, open it up and turn off the main; this is a very important step that should never be skipped over. Unscrew and remove the panel and loosen the screw that holds the wire, then remove the circuit breaker itself. Now you can simply insert the new circuit breaker and tighten the screws, put the lid back on, and turn on the main breaker. Your circuit breaker should now be functioning at optimal capacity once again.

It is tempting to become frustrated with your circuit breaker in San Jose if it continues to trip, but it helps to keep in mind that you are on the same team. Your breaker box can keep you safe in the event that your appliances attempt to draw too much power through your electrical system; instead of hazardous consequences like fires, your system will shut down and recover. Keep reading if you would like to find out why your circuits keep tripping.

Overload
Your circuits trip in order to prevent excessive amounts of electricity from flowing and creating too much energy, and in many cases this occurs when someone attempts to use too many appliances at the same time . It is important to note that circuits and outlets are different things; just because your appliances are plugged into different outlets does not mean that they are operating on different circuits. Always consider the amount of power that any given appliance uses, and make sure you do not attempt to use a variety of other appliances at the same time. Sometimes circuits will trip in this manner because of loose connections, but you should always have a licensed electrician address these issues.

Ground Fault
If you are not using too many appliances at the same time, your tripping circuit problem may have to do with a ground fault. When a hot wire touches a ground wire, a ground fault occurs; the same can happen when the hot wire touches a metal outlet box. Diagnosing this problem is simple, as all you have to do is make sure that the hot wire is not touching either of these other elements. A ground fault is one example of a short circuit.

Short Circuit
When a hot wire touches a ground wire or metal outlet box, a ground fault occurs; this is because whenever a hot wire touches a hot or neutral wire, a short circuit results. Short circuits tend to be more severe than circuit overloads and can involve melted cords, so in this case it is wise to have a professional electrician take a look at your electrical system.