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A Look at Some Home Lighting Design Tips
Adding a new light fixture is a great way to re-energize the mood and utility of a room. If you are interested in adding custom light fixtures, such as overhead lighting, you may find that professional installation by an electrician is recommended. To learn more about how to make your home more attractive with new lighting, read this article. And if you need a home electrician in San Jose to help you with your lighting installation and rewiring needs, call Delta Electric today.
Living Room
Install light for three of the four corners of your living room. One of the lights should be focused on an object, such as a piece a furniture, art, or plant life. Use a variety of lighting, including floor lamps, table lamps, and overhead fixtures . We recommend installing a three-way switch or dimmer for the living room to allow for a range of activities—from reading to watching movies.Dining Room
Make the table the brightest area of the room. A chandelier or pendant above the table is a great way to do this, but you may want to set a 100-watt limit to avoid overpowering the table with light. Indirect lighting is an excellent touch in other parts of the room because it complements the room while promoting relaxation. Table lamps, sconces, and glass-cabinet lighting are effective at creating the perfectly subtle glow.Bedroom
Create a cozy atmosphere by placing reading lamps or sconces next to the bed. If you hire an electrician to install recessed lighting or track fixtures, do not aim the light directly at the bed; instead, angle the lights toward the dressing area. Install low-wattage bulbs on lamps to create a tinted glow that resembles candlelight.Bathroom
Sidelights, such as sconces on the side of the mirror, are ideal for bathroom lighting. Additional overhead lighting will fill in shadows in the bathroom, which makes it easier to clean. If your bathroom is particularly large, install light over the shower. -
Outdoor Home Lighting Tips
Because California tends to be sunny year round, many people don’t put much thought into the design of their home lighting near San Jose . Though you may prefer to enjoy natural light as often as you can, winter days are still short and after sunset any time of year you need good lighting to enjoy your space.
Have a residential electrician install outdoor home lighting, and you can use your patio and backyard even when it’s dark outside. Also, watch this video to learn how strategic outdoor lighting can actually help make your home more secure.
To avoid overloading your circuit breaker or electrical panels, always have a licensed electrician do any wiring work to install your outdoor lights.
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What Are Some Common Electrical Wiring Issues?
Wiring issues can cause problems both in older buildings and in new construction, and they are among the main reasons that homeowners and commercial property owners need electrical services in San Jose . Many wiring issues are also building code violations, because they can pose a danger to the occupants. If you suspect your home or building has any of the wiring issues below, contact a licensed electrician right away.
Uncovered Junction Box
Junctions are places where multiple wires are spliced together. All junctions should be covered by a junction box, which protects the wires from damage, prevents people from shocking themselves, and reduces the risk of fires. If you notice an uncovered junction box, have an electrician inspect the electrical wiring before installing a new cover.Overwired Electrical Panels
Individual electrical panels can only have a limited number of circuits connected to them. Panels can become overwired gradually due to mistakes. For example, if property owners or non-certified electricians replace too many single-pole circuit breakers with tandem breakers that control two circuits, the panel will be overwired. To remedy this, you need to have a larger electric panel or a separate sub-panel installed.Aluminum Wiring
Several decades ago, in the 1960s and 1970s, aluminum wiring was approved for commercial and residential use in California. However, in the intervening years, after many aluminum wires corroded and caused arcing and fires, authorities changed the codes. While some older buildings may be grandfathered in, it is still a good idea to replace aluminum wires with modern, safe copper wiring as soon as possible.Knob and Tube Wiring
This very antiquated type of home wiring features wires that are sheathed not in plastic, but in cloth. Ceramic knobs hold the wires down, and ceramic tubes insulate them where they pass through the home’s framing. This type of wiring cannot be grounded, and overheated connections resulting from modern levels of current can easily melt the wires. You should have an electrician replace any knob and tube wiring with modern copper wiring as soon as possible. -
Signs That Your Building Needs to Be Re-Wired
Many older buildings, both residential and commercial, need rewiring near San Jose . The aluminum wiring that was widely used in the 1960s and 1970s is not safe for use in today’s homes, with their increased use of electricity, and the even older style of knob and tube wiring can be quite unsafe as well.
Pay close attention to electrical function in your home or commercial property to determine if you need a licensed electrician. Flickering lights, frequent circuit breaker trips, and other seemingly minor problems can all indicate faulty or outdated wiring. Also, if you find that you do not always have enough available outlets and you are using power strips or extension cords, it might be safer to rewire the building and increase the number of receptacles. Excessive sparking or a low hum coming from your electrical panels also point to bad wiring that needs to be replaced. If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule an electrical safety inspection with a licensed electrician so he can examine your wiring and recommend a fix.
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Understanding the Importance of Your Circuit Breaker
Some people may still call them “fuse boxes,” though most homes and office buildings have circuit breakers in San Jose. These panels are crucial to the function of any modern building, since they prevent circuits from overloading, which in turn prevents damage to the wiring and electrical fires. Only a licensed electrician should attempt to repair or replace a circuit breaker . Find out more about this critical piece of electrical equipment by reading on.
Modern Circuit Breaker Design
The original design for home electrical panels were indeed fuse boxes. Fuses contained filaments that would melt when overheated, interrupting the circuit and preventing a fire or overload. Fuses needed to be thrown out and completely replaced when they “blew out,” so homeowners needed to keep a supply of them on hand or call a residential electrician when this happened. Modern circuit breakers contain switches that trip, allowing you to restart the circuit simply by flipping the switch.Signs of a Circuit Breaker Problem
If you find that breakers in your home or commercial property frequently trip, cutting off power to a certain section of the building, you should call an electrician for an electric safety inspection as soon as you can. This can be a sign of faulty wiring or an overloaded breaker. Beyond the inconvenience of constantly having to visit the breaker box to flip the switches, these problems can lead to sparking, electrical fires, and other serious dangers. The circuit breaker should be a safety feature, not a safety hazard.Solutions for Breaker Problems.
Often, an electrician can fix your breaker problems simply by rewiring the panel. In some cases, however, your building may need electrical panel upgrades. Today’s electrical usage, with computers, phone chargers, televisions, broadband routers, and much more, far exceeds that of even two decades ago. To bring you up to code, an electrician may install smaller sub-panels, or upgrade your circuit breaker to a larger size that can handle the increased load on the system. -
Home Electrical Safety Tips
Your home’s electrical supply is one of its most important systems. In order to ensure that your home is safe for you and your family, it is a good idea to be on the lookout for the signs of an electrical problem. For example, you may notice that your lights flicker or dim when your home has an electric panel issue. In addition, you can also check to see of your circuit breaker panel feels hot to the touch. An electrician serving San Jose can provide you with a complete range of electrical services. By hiring an electrician for your rewiring or electric panel upgrade, you can ensure that your home is safe for you and your family. To highlight the advantages of working with a residential electrician to keep your home safe, be sure to watch this video from Angie’s List.
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Factors to Consider When Hiring an Electrician
Your home’s electrical supply is made up of a series of highly sophisticated components. When you experience an electrical problem with your junction box, circuit breaker panel, or other system, it is essential to hire a qualified electrician to get the job done right. In order to become an electrical contractor, an electrician must undergo many hours of training. By hiring a qualified electrician serving San Jose , you can rest assured that your electrical repairs will be performed safely, effectively, and efficiently. To help you get started on your next electrical project, here is a look at some handy tips for hiring an electrician.
Up-To-Date Training
When you are considering hiring an electrician, it is important to choose a contractor that stays up to date with all training and education. Ideally, an electrical company will send their contractors to semiannual training courses. In addition, your electrician should have information about all of the latest updates to the National Electrical Code. By staying up to date, an electrician will be able to provide you with best possible services.Permits
Along with researching the training and qualifications of your electrician, you may also want to explore the permit requirements in your area. When a significant electrical project is being performed, you may be required to get a permit with your city or county. You may want to ask your electrician whether a permit is included in the cost of your services.Licensing
To ensure that you are hiring a reputable electrician for your repair project, you may also want to look into the contractor’s licensing. In order to legally work as an electrical contractor, an electrician must be licensed with your state. If your electrician does not have a current license, this could be a warning sign of the potential of improper workmanship. A fully licensed electrician with great reviews will be sure to provide you with the best available electrical services. -
Spotlight on Electrical Safety Inspections
The spring season is right around the corner, and now is a great time to schedule an electrical safety inspection with an electrician in San Jose. There are many benefits to electrical safety inspections. By having a residential electrician take a look at the electrical system in your home, you can catch small repair problems before they become major issues. In addition, a safety inspection from your home electrician can also protect you and your loved ones from potential electrical dangers, such as faulty wiring or an electrical fire. Finally, a safety inspection will provide you with total peace of mind at home. During your inspection, a licensed electrician will carefully review every major aspect of your electrical system. If a problem is found, you will be able to schedule immediate repairs. Overall, an electrical safety inspection is a terrific service to incorporate into your yearly spring maintenance routine.
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Issues That Require an Electrician [INFOGRAPHIC]
If you’re like many people, chances are you don’t give much thought to your home’s electrical system—unless something is going wrong. You rely on electricity in your house to get you through your day, so if there is a malfunction, it can be frustrating and inconvenient. Many common electrical issues can be fixed with relative ease by a residential electrician near San Jose . If you have an electrical outlet that no longer works, an electrician can replace it for you to greatly reduce the risk of an electrical fire. Too many appliances working at the same time can overload a circuit, so ask an electrician about installing a separate circuit to avoid this hassle. Take a look at this infographic to learn more about common electrical problems that require the attention of an electrician. Please feel free to share this info with your friends and neighbors!
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Understanding How Your Home Electrical Panel Works
When an electrician comes to your home to perform repairs, he may need to access your circuit breakers and electrical panel . Since most electrical panels are covered by doors, this part of your electrical system may seem like somewhat of a mystery. To get the most of your home electrical repairs, you should be sure to learn more about the basics of how your circuit breaker panel works. A licensed electrician in San Jose will be able to answer all of your questions about your electrical system. Here is a quick look at the basics of how your electrical panel works.
Panel of Fuses
When you open the door to your electrical panel, the first thing that you will notice is a panel of fuses. These fuses are also commonly referred to as circuit breaker. Each fuse is connected to the electrical supply in a certain area of your home. If you suddenly lose power to an area of your house, you may need to flip a circuit breaker to restore your electrical supply. After you open your electric panel, you will also be able to determine the total amperage capacity of your home’s electrical system .Main Power Switch
Along with the many different circuit breakers that are connected to different areas of your home, your electrical panel will also contain a main power switch. The main power to your electric panel is typically located at the top of the unit. If your home requires extensive electrical repairs, your electrician may use this switch to temporarily cut the electrical supply to your home.Power Connection
Your electric panel receives electricity directly from your city’s municipal supply. The electric wires on your street are connected to the electric meter on your home’s exterior. Once electricity flows into the meter, it is sent to your electric panel through a series of wires.
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