Your kitchen is the heart and soul of your home. Whether you are constructing a brand new kitchen, or renovating your existing space, it is important to include lighting in your new kitchen design . A residential electrician in San Jose will be able to provide you with all of the services you need to get the most out of your kitchen lighting installation. From hanging lights to recessed lights and more, you will be able to create a custom lighting concept with the help of your electrician. Read on for some top tips to keep in mind during your lighting installation.

Mix Lighting Types

As you are planning a kitchen lighting installation , you may want to consider mixing different types of lighting styles. For example, task lighting will provide you with plenty of illumination when you prepare meals. Other lighting styles that can be incorporated with your task lighting include ambient lighting, accent lighting, and decorative lighting. By blending different lighting styles, you can get the most use out of your kitchen lights.

Create Focal Areas

Your kitchen lighting design can be used to accentuate different architectural features or spaces throughout your kitchen. For example, if you have a central kitchen island, you can draw attention to this feature using pedant lighting or a chandelier. Other focal areas can be created by placing recessed lighting in exposed shelves or under cabinetry. With help from your electrician, you will be able to determine the correct placement for lights around your kitchen space.

Consider Decorative Additions

While lighting is a functional part of every kitchen, your kitchen lighting can also be used to provide a decorative accent to your room design. If you are planning a kitchen with a classic and elegant style, you can add decorative whimsy to your space with a fun chandelier installation. Modern kitchens can also benefit from decorative elements, such as hanging lamps and track lighting.

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.

Your home’s electrical panel provides power to all of your outlets, appliances, and lighting. In the event that your electrical system experiences a maintenance issue, your electrician may need to access your electrical panel to perform repairs. By switching off your home’s power at the electrical panel, your electrician serving San Jose can ensure that your electrical outlets and wiring are safe to repair. When your electrical panel is switched off, all of the power will be disconnected to your home. To highlight the importance of providing safe access to your electrical panels, here is a look at some fast facts about these units.

Fact: Improper Electrical Panel Installation Can Pose a Safety Threat

Whether you are building a new home, or are planning to upgrade your existing electrical system, it is highly important to make sure that your electrical panel is properly installed. An improperly installed electrical panel can cause fire, injury, and property damage. With proper electrical panel installation, you can prevent a dangerous situation in your home.

Fact: Federal Code Regulates Electrical Panel Installation

To protect the safety and well-being of every occupant of a building, Federal code dictates the proper installation and orientation of all electrical panels. When an electrical panel is installed, it must have a minimum of three feet of clearance. This clearance space provides an electrician with plenty of room to switch off the panel and perform electrical repairs. By following Federal code, your electrical panel will offer proper safety to your family members and electrical workers, alike.

Fact: Electrical Panels Should Be Easily Accessible

While electrical panels are typically installed in out of the way locations, it is of the utmost importance to make sure that your electrical panel can be quickly and easily accessed. If your electrical panel is blocked by shelving, furniture, or other items, it may be too difficult for your electrician to perform emergency repairs. By avoiding a blockage in front of your panel, you can ensure that your electrical services go smoothly.

Thoughtful interior lighting can do a lot for the atmosphere and mood in your home. The right combination of down lighting, ambient lighting, spot lighting, and task lighting can create a beautiful, multi-dimensional look in your home. To learn more about these and other types of lighting, as well as how to incorporate them into your home’s lighting design, watch this short video.

Changing a lightbulb is nothing like installing new lighting fixtures, which is why homeowners are highly encouraged to trust all lighting installations with a certified residential electrician in their area. San Jose electricians can also assist with the design of your lighting system to achieve optimal functionality, safety, and aesthetics.

Safety is a top priority when it comes to working with electricity, which is one of the many reasons why it’s crucial that you leave all electrical repairs and installations to a certified electrician in San Jose . Not only will an electrician know how to safely work with electricity, but he will also know how to leave your electrical system in the safest possible shape. Case in point: Grounding. Electricity follows the path of least resistance, and without proper grounding that path could be you or someone you love. Here are some important things to know about electrical grounding and electrical safety in general.

How Grounding Works

Although most electrical systems have fuses or circuit breakers to prevent deadly fault currents or short circuits, people can still be fatally shocked by a current well below the point at which a fuse will blow or a circuit breaker will switch. Grounding provides an electrical current or system with a conductor that is less resistant than humans, which means the electricity will always flow through the grounding wire. Most electrical cable contains a bare wire, which carries the grounded connection to an outlet or appliance.

How to Determine if Electricity is Grounded

Although you should not attempt any electrical repairs or installations on your own, it’s still important that you know how to tell if your home’s electrical system is grounded. Generally, three-pronged outlets are a good indication that your home is properly grounded. However, the only way to know for sure is to have a qualified electrician check out your electrical system.

Danger of Ungrounded Electrical Currents

Ungrounded electrical systems can pose a serious safety hazard, especially in older homes that may have damaged or worn out electrical wiring. In addition to the risk of shock and electrocution resulting from touching an ungrounded electrical receptacle, entire appliances or devices can become charged with electricity if plugged into an ungrounded outlet, which greatly increases the risk of electrocution.

Commercial remodeling is an extremely important undertaking, as even the smallest problem or delay can have costly repercussions. Fortunately, the certified electricians at Delta Electric have decades of commercial remodeling experience to ensure that your project goes smoothly. Delta Electric has provided commercial remodeling services in San Jose since 1982, and their up front and reasonable pricing can help streamline the entire process.

Delta Electric provides free estimates and will meet with you to discuss your commercial remodel in detail so every aspect is accounted for. When you work with dedicated commercial remodeling technicians and certified electricians at Delta Electric, you can count on prompt and efficient service. And while Delta Electric completes every job in a timely manner, there is absolutely no reduction in the level of quality. That’s one of the many reasons why Delta Electric has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

How old is your home? This is important information, especially considering that the age of your home is most likely the same age as the electrical wiring inside the walls. Out-of-date electrical wiring can cause all sorts of issues, especially when trying to power today’s every-growing collection of electricity-hungry appliances and electronics. The good news is that a certified residential electrician in San Jose can fix all of your home’s wiring issues and make sure they never happen again. Here’s a look at some of the most common wiring issues you may experience, and how your electrician can help.

Ungrounded Receptacles

An ungrounded electrical system is incredibly dangerous. Although ungrounded receptacles are not an electrical code violation, they are dangerous enough to warrant a call to the electrician. How do you know if you have ungrounded receptacles? It’s easy, just look for two-pronged outlets around your home. Not only are ungrounded receptacles dangerous for humans, but they can also damage your expensive appliances and electronics.

No GFCIs

Speaking of outlets, another common wiring issue is a lack of ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in wet areas, such as the bathroom and kitchen. GFCIs shut down electrical circuits in four milliseconds to prevent fatal shocks. Electrical codes require GFCIs within four feet of any sink and on all garage, basement, and outdoor outlets. If your home lacks GFCIs in these required areas, contact a residential electrician in San Jose.

Aluminum Wiring

This type of wiring was very common in the 1960s and 70s as a cheap substitute for copper. Unfortunately, aluminum wiring is very dangerous. Aluminum corrodes when in contact with copper, and the loosened connections can lead to arcing and fires. Converting or retrofitting aluminum wiring can be hard (and dangerous) to do yourself, so it’s best to hire a certified electrician if you believe your home uses aluminum wiring.

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!