When your home is in need of electrical services, it is important to take your time to find a qualified residential electrician near you. For example, you should check to make sure that your electricians are qualified with an established professional body. With proper certification, you can rest assured that your certified electrician has the training and experience needed to work on your home in a safe and efficient manner. You may also want to look at the website of your electrician serving San Jose . On the website, you can read reviews and learn more about certification. For more helpful tips to keep in mind when you are hiring an electrician, be sure to check out this video from Rated People.

Fuses, like circuit breakers, are designed to protect electrical wiring in San Jose by interrupting excessive electrical currents caused by, among others: overloaded outlets, malfunctioning devices, and short circuits. Though they may be rather simple things, fuses provide a very important service. Here’s a look at how they work.

How Fuses Work
Like the filament in an incandescent light bulb, fuses have thin wires that electricity can flow through. These wires are designed to carry a specific amount of electricity safely—the thicker the wire, the higher the current it can support. When an excessive electrical current attempts to pass through this wire, it heats up the wire to the point of melting or burning. This destroys the wire and interrupts the circuit. In the case of burning, the wire gets very hot very quickly, and it blows out, producing a loud and characteristic popping sound. When a fuse is blown, it needs to be replaced.

Which Size to Use
Fuses come in a range of sizes and amperages. Generally, you want to replace a blown fuse with one that has a similar rating—i.e. a five-amp fuse with a five-amp fuse. If you’re not sure which kind of fuse to use, you can use your discretion based on logic. Since large appliances and devices tend to need more electricity to operate, they most likely require larger fuses. Likewise, smaller devices require smaller fuses. If you’re uncomfortable making a decision, contact a qualified electrician for assistance. Using a small fuse for something that draws a large current will blow out the fuse quickly. Using a large fuse for something that draws a small current will overwhelm it and can cause a dangerous situation.

How Fuses Differ From Circuit Breakers
Both fuses and circuit breakers protect homes from electrical mishaps. Unlike fuses, circuit breakers have reusable mechanisms that, when tripped, cut-off power to outlets. These mechanisms can be easily reset once they are tripped. Circuit breakers can also be used in conjunction with ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). Fuses are the more economical choice of the two. They are more sensitive than circuit breakers, which may or may not be useful depending on their application. They also tend to be more prominent in older homes.

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!

If you have children, you know how important it is to make sure home is a safe place. Children are naturally curious and don’t always know about the dangers of electricity, which can easily put children in a position to become seriously injured—or worse. As a parent, one of your main responsibilities at home is to make sure your children understand the dangers of electricity. Fortunately, this video makes it easy. Watch this entertaining clip with your kids to teach them about the importance of electrical safety.

Keeping your children safe around electricity is important, but so is making sure your home is electrically sound. That’s why it’s important that you contact a licensed residential electrician in San Jose for all of your home’s electrical needs. From small jobs like lighting installation to big projects like replacing the electric panel, a professional electrician will make sure your home’s electrical system is safe and up to code.

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.

While there are many household problems that you may be able to diagnose and handle yourself, others tend to indicate the presence of a much bigger problem on the horizon. If you notice any problems that relate to your electrical wiring or circuit breaker in San Jose, a call to your local electrician should be placed immediately. As handy as you may be, electrical problems may compromise the safety of your home. Read on for a look at some of the top reasons to call an electrician.

Moving Into or Out of a Home
Relocating to a new house or apartment can be a positive and exciting experience, but you will need to take care of some things before you can sit back and relax. When you put your home on the market, it is important to make sure that it is as safe as can be and perfectly suitable for a new family. This means that any outlets or fixtures that have given you trouble in the past should be taken care of before moving so that they do not cause problems for the new homeowners. If you are on the other side and you are the one looking for a home, hiring your own electrician to scope it out is never a bad idea.

Issues with Your Light Bulbs
Whether you are at home or in your office building, take a moment to consider the lighting. Do the lights flicker? Have you seen one or more bulbs pop? Are some bulbs brighter than other bulbs of the same quality? If these questions bring memories to mind, your electrical system may not be working properly, and it may be showing through your lights.

Malfunctioning Outlets
There is no reason to accept the fact that an outlet simply does not work; you paid for your home or office, so you paid for the electrical wiring inside of it. If your outlets do not work the way they should, call an electrician and have the problem addressed. Keep an eye out for appliances that malfunction after consistently being plugged into the same outlet as well.

With the help of an electrician in San Jose , designing custom home lighting is easier than you think. LED home lighting is one of the most popular types of home lighting because it creates a crisp, energy-efficient glow that looks good in a variety of rooms. For tips on how to harness the benefits of LED home lighting, watch this video clip.

Custom LED home lighting can be used in the kitchen to highlight a backsplash, kitchen island, or countertop. At Delta Electric, we have also installed custom lighting to compliment a variety of artwork as well. Call us to find out how we can help you create a lighting design for your home.