Silicon Valley has been at the forefront of innovation in computer technology since the latter part of the 20 ^th century. With so much focus on bringing new and exciting technologies to consumers, you might be surprised to learn that the houses in and around San Jose are sometimes woefully out of date. Many homes built before 1980 have electrical panels that are prone to malfunctioning, overheating, and causing fires. If you see FPE or Zinsco on your breaker box, contact your San Jose electrician to discuss your options for upgrading. Older electrical panels and wiring aren’t just outdated—they can also be dangerous. Check out this infographic to learn why you should have an electrician inspect your home today. Share with your friends and neighbors to help keep everyone safe.

In the past, residential electrical systems were designed to deliver the same amount of power from the electric panel to each of the outlets. However, some modern appliances have higher power demands than average electronics. In order to supply these appliances with the power they need without effecting any other appliances or electronics, a residential electrician can install dedicated circuits in your home. A dedicated circuit has its own circuit breaker inside the electric panel, and each dedicated circuit serves only one appliance. To help you understand your electrical system and make the best decision for your home, here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about dedicated circuits.

Are Dedicated Circuits Required by Law?

Dedicated circuits can protect your home and your expensive appliances, but they are also required by the National Electric Code (NEC). If you have an older home that doesn’t have dedicated circuits for all of its fixed appliances, hire an electrician to install dedicated circuits to make sure that your system is up to code.

What Could Happen without a Dedicated Circuit?

Sure, dedicated circuits are required by law, but what’s the worst that could happen without them? We’re here to tell you, a lot can happen without them. For starters, dedicated circuits keep your expensive appliances in good shape by ensuring a steady source of reliable electricity. Secondly, if you do not have a dedicated circuit for a high power appliance and that appliance overload your home’s electrical system, the current may overheat the wires and cause a fire.

What Types of Appliances Need Dedicated Circuits?

Generally speaking, any appliance that uses a great deal of electricity should have a dedicated circuit. Some common examples of appliances that need a dedicated circuit include refrigerators, electric ovens and stoves, air conditioners, and electric furnace. Appliances with a motor should also have a dedicated circuit. When in doubt about an appliance, contact an electrician .

Light Source of Today

We all recognize the cartoon indicator for a good idea being the light bulb over somebody’s head. These days, due to lighting efficiency standards, it’s wise to make sure that light over your head is LED. Take a look at this good link to one of the new product by CREE which can be for home or business application.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xf2ZR4whwQ&list=PLtECghye06-nJXptANjND2NdDYCN0MG8M

I also came a very excellent demonstration done by Home Depot which I posted below showing an electric meter running on incandescent light or LED light, watch that meter spin!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fIvcSqSp1Y

LED is only the fourth lighting technology developed in human history, and this recent development is set to revolutionize lighting the world over by delivering real and measureable advantages. It really has made a measurable difference in our own homes and our customer’s home or business with energy use.

Your tripping breaker.

A breaker that trips immediately after its reset is telling you that there’s an electrical problem. Sure, sometimes the breaker itself is to blame, and in some cases there may just be too large an electrical load operating on that circuit. A circuit breaker has an amp maximum, you can usually see the number of amps on the breaker, 15, 20, 30 and so on. If you put more demand on it than the circuit breaker is rated, it will do what it is designed to do, trip the circuit and shut it down. But sometimes the breaker is tripping because there’s a severe electrical problem, something is not right in the electrical system. Keep pressing or resetting that breaker, and you’re likely to cause a fire.

Know when to fight and when to flee, or better safe than sorry.

Firefighters recommend that if you have any doubt about fighting a fire, you’re best bet is to get out of the house as quickly as possible. Once you’re safely outside, and then call 911. Never put yourself between a fire and your exit out of the house to try and fight the fire.

Never throw water on an electrical fire.

This is just common sense, electricity and water don’t get along well, but in the heat (ahem) of the moment, throwing water can seem tempting, Water conducts electricity (this is why you don’t want to be in water during a lightning storm), so spraying water on the fire could cause it to get larger. Instead, use your chemical fire extinguisher and remember first the advice above about better safe than sorry, know when to flee.

Lights that flicker or trip the circuit breaker

Possible Cause: Loose wiring splice, or a light fixture that’s worn out and needs to be replaced.

Solution: Call a qualified licensed electrician who can check if the cause is loose wiring or something else.

Outlets with a faceplate that’s warm to the touch or a burning smell.

Cause: An overly large electrical load operating on that outlet, undersized wiring or a loose electrical splice. (Note: it’s not unusual for dimmer switches, especially large ones, to be warm. Unless the switch face is actually too hot to touch, a warm dimmer is not a hazard in most cases)

Solution: Best to shut off the power to that circuit until you can have a qualified licensed electrician evaluate what is causing the problem.

Extension cord use is not the best solution to not enough outlets for your stuff.

Sure, extension cords serve a useful function when you need to get power where there is no plug. But using an extension cord as a permanent solution in places where you frequently find you need power can be dangerous. Especially when you find yourself putting things over the extension cords because they can be unsightly. Never ever place a rug over an extension cord, this is a fire hazard. Best solution is to have an electrician install an outlet in that place you seem to be always using an extension cord, it’s a much safer solution to this problem.

Loose switches or outlet receptacles and plugs

Hey, they still work so why get them fixed, why not wait until they don’t work anymore and then I’ll have them repaired? Loose switches and plugs can cause a lot of problems and are a safety issue. The plug and the switch should be secure, they are electrical devices designed for use and not surprises in the form of shocking you, tripping your breaker or causing a fire when the wires inside start touching.

Ceiling fans that slowly wobble

Likely cause could be whoever installed the fan did not use a fan rated box to secure the ceiling fan to the ceiling. While this may work for a while, over time there is a danger the ceiling fan could suddenly drop down from the ceiling and be hanging by the wire providing power. No one wants that to happen over their head!

Electrical safety at home should be one of the highest priorities for you and your family. Most of us know to be careful when using candles, but what about portable heaters, gas appliances, and gasoline- or diesel-powered generators to light or heat our home? These items might be dangerous and require extra safety measures.

Accidents can happen to anyone. However, if we know how they are most likely to occur, we can prevent electrical accidents in and around the home. Here are a few tips you can follow to help you avoid common electrical problems – and ensure the safety of you and your family.

• Circuit breakers/fuses are safety devices and cut off power to an electrical circuit if it becomes dangerously overloaded or if a short circuit occurs.
• If you lose power to one of your house circuits, check the equipment on the circuit to determine what caused the outage.
• Make sure your hands, and the floor you are standing on, are dry.
• Push the breaker switch to the full OFF position, then back to ON. Or carefully replace the fuse.
• If you cannot find the problem and the breaker or fuse keeps shutting off power, call Delta Electric as it may be that your home’s electrical system may need to be upgraded.
• Treat electric lamp or appliance cords and extension cords with the same respect as house wiring and protect cords from damage.
• Do not place a cord where it’s likely to be walked on. Avoid twisting, kinking, or crushing the cord and keep cords away from heat or water.

One more home item people overlook are their trees in the yard. If you want to plant trees that will grow to more than 30 feet tall, make sure they are well away from power lines.

Remember, Delta Electric offers prompt professional service on any commercial, residential, or mobile-home electrical work you need and service the South Bay area. Don’t forget to bookmark our site so you’ll have our contact information handy when you need us. And for all your electrical installation, maintenance and repair needs, call or email Delta Electric today!

No matter where you live and no matter what the season, there may be a time when you come across a downed power line. Most people know that touching a live power line can cause serious injury or death. However, many times you can’t tell by looking whether a line is “hot” or not. Even if a downed line isn’t actively sparking, you must always assume it is carrying electricity.

So, what should you do when you come across a downed power line? Follow these important tips:

• Don’t go near the wire, or anything it is touching.
• Warn others to stay away.
• Call your local police or fire department.

It’s important to provide the exact location when reporting an electric emergency, so to ensure proper aide, provide some of the following information:

• The nature of the emergency and whether personal injury or danger is involved
• The village or community in which the line is down, along with the house number, street name, and nearest cross street and direction (north, east, south, or west) from the location.
• If you can, locate the pole number or the nearest phone number at the location if available.

Always remember to keep your distance from the line also and ensure that others do not go near it till help arrives. You can also call Delta Electric for assistance!

We offer prompt professional service on any commercial, residential, or mobile-home electrical work you need and service the South Bay area. Don’t forget to bookmark our site so you’ll have our contact information handy when you need us. And for all your electrical installation, maintenance, and repair needs, call or email Delta Electric today!

Its part of the holiday season that, to some, is the best part of the season. Bright lights, festive decorations all displayed for family and friends to enjoy and aide in creating the spirit of the holidays. But, if you’re planning to deck your halls this year chances are, you’ll end up using an extension cord to help you. While they are a convenient way to supply power right where you need it, they can also create hazards if not used safely.

Here are a few simple tips to help avoid a disaster this holiday season:

• Extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis.
• Make sure extension cords are properly rated for their intended use, indoor or outdoor, and meet or exceed the power needs of the appliance or device being used.
• Inspect cords for damage before use. Check for cracked or frayed sockets, loose or bare wires, and loose connections.
• Never use a cord that feels hot or is damaged in any way.
• Do not run extension cords through walls or ceilings. This may cause the cord to overheat, creating a serious fire hazard.
• Do not nail or staple electrical cords to walls or baseboards.
• Make sure that cords are not pinched in doors, windows, or under heavy furniture, which could damage the cord’s insulation.
• Keep extension cords out of high-traffic areas like doorways or walkways where they pose a tripping hazard.
• Insert plugs fully so that no part of the prongs is exposed when the extension cord is in use.

For more information on electrical safety, call Delta Electric at the location nearest you – or call 1-800-321-2752.

When the cooler weather moves in, many people op for a space or compact heater to warm their spaces. Either at home or at the office, a compact electric heater is convenient and cost-effective, because it directs heat to a specific location. But it is also potentially hazardous if not used correctly.

In fact, between 1999 and 2002, electric heaters were responsible for an average 9,900 residential fires and 190 fatalities per year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). However, there are a few things you can do to keep you and your family safe;

• Be sure to place the heater on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor).

• Keep the electric heater at least three feet from bedding, drapes, furniture, and other flammable materials, and keeping children and pets away from space heaters.

• Be sure to turn off the heater when going to sleep or leaving the area or space you’re heating.

• Use a space heater that has been tested to the latest safety standards and certified by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory.

• Be sure to have a smoke alarm with fresh batteries on each level of the house, inside every bedroom, and outside the bedrooms in each sleeping area. In addition, have a carbon monoxide alarm outside the bedrooms in each separate sleeping area.

For more information on electrical safety, call Delta Electric at the location nearest you – or call 1-800-321-2752.

Serving the South Bay area for 30 years, Delta Electric has the experience necessary to provide the highest quality service to customers. Below are the top 10 reasons to choose Delta Electric.

1. We guarantee all of our work for 10 years.
2. No job is too large or small for us.
3. We employ only the most highly trained professionals.
4. We provide 24-hour emergency services.
5. We ensure that work is done right the first time.
6. We offer customers with reasonable rates and no hidden charges whatsoever.
7. We offer free estimates on installations.
8. We strive to provide service that exceeds customer expectations.
9. We come licensed and bonded.
10. We offer money-saving coupons.

To learn more about how Delta Electric can help with your next residential, commercial, industrial or mobile-home electric work, call 408-224-0176 today!

According to a recent investigation done by the NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit, if your home was built before 1990, it may have a faulty Federal Pacific circuit breaker and could be a fire risk. It’s a fact that been known for years, but there has never been a recall.

The “Stab-Lok” circuit breaker and panel produced by Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) installed in hundreds of thousands of homes in the Bay Area may cause house fires, according decades of documentation and electrical experts interviewed by the NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit. Stab-Lok circuit breakers are most commonly found in houses built before 1990.

Click here to read the full story.