Categories Electrical Wiring

Does Water Damage Ruin Electrical Wires?

water damage

“Historic rain and snowfall” in 2023 have led to flood water damage for homeowners. Floods aren’t uncommon but weather experts say climate change will cause an increase in floods and floodwater damage.

March 2023 local headlines may predict the future:

If your home has had flood water entry or water damage from a leak – even a small amount and only temporarily – your electrical wiring is like a loose cannon. In fact, any water leak repair project should include an electrical inspection.

How Water Damage Impacts Electrical Wiring

When you discover your refrigerator’s icemaker doesn’t work because of a catastrophic leak, you focus on repairing the structural damage. What you can’t see can hurt you.

Appliance and plumbing leaks can continue for days – even months – before you realize you have a problem. Electrical wiring can survive some exposure to water, but there’s no way to know if your home’s wiring has been under water for 24 minutes, hours, or in some cases, days.

Floodwater Damage

Flood water damage is different and of greater concern because there’s no telling what’s in the water. Flood water contaminants can include:

  • Chemicals and fertilizers – farm runoffs
  • Gas
  • Oil
  • Sewage
  • …and more

If floodwaters have entered your home, shut off the power at the meter before re-entering the house. Any water is an excellent electrical conductor, including floodwater. In fact, floodwaters can contain calcium, magnesium, and sodium, which serve as charged ions. This makes floodwater even more of an electrical danger.

A licensed electrician can test your wiring immediately after a flood. But even if it works, it’s not a good idea to use it. Your electrical wiring may appear dry and undamaged, but corrosion and mildew can damage the wires’ insulation long-term, causing a dangerous electrical hazard when you least expect it.

Signs You Have Water-Damaged Wiring

Submerged appliances should be replaced (even if they work). Appliances and electronics often damaged by flood waters include:

  • Ceiling fans
  • Clothes dryers
  • Dehumidifiers
  • Electric heaters
  • Electrical system panel
  • Freezers
  • HVAC system elements/components, heat pumps
  • Light fixtures
  • Light switches
  • Outlets/receptacles
  • Refrigerators
  • Stoves/ovens/microwaves
  • Thermostats
  • Washing machines
  • Water heater tanks/components

If you hear a buzzing or humming noise coming from an appliance, light switch, or outlet after heavy rainfall, that’s a sign an electrical wire is holding a charge. If you attempt to fix it, you may get quite a shock (if you’re lucky). Injury or death can also occur.

As soon as possible after a flood or water damage event, schedule an electrical inspection. If you don’t replace damaged wires, watch for these signs indicating you have an electrical problem:

  • Broken/cracked outlets
  • Frayed wires
  • Frequent circuit breaker tripping
  • Smell of burning plastic
  • Sparks from fixtures, outlets, switches

If You Suspect Electrical Water Damage, Contact TIO Electric

Following any disaster, it’s natural to want to “get back to normal” as quickly as possible. Substantial water damage to a house often requires a general contractor, plumber, and home electric professional. Our disaster-response electrical technicians at Turn It On Electric frequently team with Phoenix-area contractors to make your home safe and comfortable as soon as possible.

We’ll work with your insurance provider to deliver the most affordable solutions without compromising safety.

You’ve heard sayings about turning problems into opportunities and making lemonade out of lemons. If you need electrical water damage control, it’s a good time to invest in upgrades that will increase your property value and lower monthly utility bills.

As a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified business, we follow electrical standards for energy efficiency that will save money and preserve our planet.

To learn more, contact TIO.

Author Chad
Categories Residential

Why Do Lightbulbs Explode?

lightbulbs explode

It’s uncommon but dangerous to have lightbulbs explode. Here are reasons why lightbulbs explode and ways to prevent them.

8 Reasons Traditional Lightbulbs Explode

Burned-out lightbulbs are annoying and inconvenient, but an easy fix. Exploding lightbulbs is a different kind of problem. Common reasons why incandescent lightbulbs explode include:

  1. Bad bulbs – Anything mass-produced can have defective parts. It’s okay to open the box while in the store to inspect the bulbs before you buy. If anything doesn’t look right, give the bad bulbs to a sales associate.
  2. Connections – Sometimes the connection is worn from age causing the alignment between the bulb and socket to be unstable. And if you don’t screw the bulb into a fixture properly, the loose connection can cause flickering or explosions.
  3. Insulation – Improper lightbulb insulation can cause the filament or base metal to overheat and lead to a lightbulb explosion. Also, fluorescent and incandescent bulbs have gas inside to protect the filaments. An overheated lightbulb base can ignite the gas and cause the bulb to explode.
  4. Oil – Traditional lightbulbs are surprisingly sensitive to oils, especially halogen bulbs. (Halogens are often used for headlamps, under cabinets, and as worklights.) When replacing bulbs, our hands and fingers can leave an oily residue on the bulb that later heats and causes the bulb to explode.
  5. Surges – Older homes have more power surges than newer ones, but homes of any age can experience energy surges. Power spikes can cause frequent lightbulb explosions.
  6. Vibrations – There shouldn’t be much earth vibration in an Arizona home, but other things can cause light fixtures to tremble. Ceiling fan lights are especially prone to vibrate, and their shaky filaments can lead to lightbulb explosions.
  7. Voltage – If your home has a voltage problem, particularly overvoltage, it can cause lightbulbs to burn brighter and hotter. This can lead to lightbulbs burning out too soon or exploding.
  8. Wattage – Many fixtures recommend a specific lightbulb wattage. If the fixture and lightbulb wattage don’t match, the bulb can draw more power than the fixture was designed to accommodate.

LED Lightbulb Explosions

Many of us have switched to LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs, which are just naturally safer. LEDs don’t produce sparks, unlike traditional incandescent bulbs. If there is an “explosion” in an LED light fixture, it likely has something to do with the electrical installation itself.

LEDs can explode due to:

  • Electrical stress is the result of an overpowered LED capacitor. The capacitor is what transfers energy from the outlet to the bulb. If the lightbulb requires only 2-4 volts of electricity but the outlet is 120 volts, the imbalanced electricity can cause a lightbulb explosion. Power surges can also cause electrical stress.
  • Thermal stress occurs when too much current bursts into the lightbulb. The LED retains the heat, and it causes inside pressure to build. The bulb itself can’t expand to accommodate the pressure, so it causes a short circuit. Then the LED lightbulb explodes.

Preventing Lightbulb Problems

“Inexpensive” can also mean “inferior.” Basically, not buying cheap bulbs is key to preventing lightbulb explosions. Other ways to prevent lightbulbs from burning out too soon or exploding are:

  • Inspect sockets for loose connections.
  • Read manufacturers’ instructions for light fixtures and know the recommended lightbulb wattage. When in doubt, go with low-wattage bulbs.
  • Surge suppressors, especially Phoenix whole-house surge protectors, can greatly reduce power spikes and their risks, which can include frequent lightbulb explosions.
  • Wear gloves when handling lightbulbs. In a pinch, grip the base with your fingers and screw the bulb in using a cloth or paper towel to protect the bulb from oils.

Q: How many DIYers (do-it-yourselfers) does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A: Only one, but it takes at least 2 weekends and four trips to Lowe’s.

You shouldn’t need an electrician to change a lightbulb (despite the joke), but exploding lightbulbs are often a sign of a serious electrical problem. Don’t hesitate to seek professional electrical help if you suspect you have circuitry or voltage problems.

Your time is valuable, but your family’s safety is priceless. Let our professionals ensure you have electrical protections in place today for a safer tomorrow. Contact TIO Electric.

Author Chad
Categories Electrical Wiring, Electrician, Residential, Safety

Avoiding Electrical Injuries

Electrical Injuries

Today’s homeowners are smarter because of the internet. How-to videos and procedures are only a click away but DIY (do-it-yourself) homeowners usually avoid electrical projects because of the risks. Here’s what you need to know about protecting your family and avoiding electrical injuries.

DIY Electrical Injuries

Completing an on-your-own project at home feels good. However, working with electricity is usually beyond the average homeowner’s skill level. Electricity is unpredictable. There are 400+ electrocutions and more than 4,000 electrical injuries every year in the United States. Most electrical injuries involve shocks or burns.

The majority of home improvement projects aren’t electrical, but they almost always involve working with electricity. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) says 15% of electrocutions are related to consumer products and wiring hazards.

Follow these safety tips before tackling any DIY project:

  • Don’t undertake any home improvement project that is beyond your skill level or dangerous. Smart DIYers know when to call a professional.
  • If your DIY project involves electricity, don’t touch plumbing or gas pipes.
  • Learn about your home’s electrical system. In addition to property-specific information (common electrical installations the year your home was built), familiarize yourself with:
    • Electrical service panels
    • Extension cords
    • Home wiring systems
    • Outlets and receptacles
  • Take special care when working with power tools and exposed electrical wiring. Eight percent of consumer product-related electrocutions each year are attributed to electrical accidents with:
    • Drills
    • Hedge trimmers
    • Sanders
    • Saws
    • …and other electric power tools
  • Turn off the power to the circuit you’ll be working on if you attempt any electrical project. Then test the wires to make sure the power is off.
  • Unplug appliances and electrical devices you’ll be working on.

Power Tools & Electrical Safety

Never use power tools without GFCI protection. Other electrical safety tips for using power tools are:

  • Avoid using power tools with extension cords longer than 100´.
  • If your power tool trips a safety device, stop. Take the tool to a repair center.
  • Know where electrical wires are located before cutting/drilling into walls.
  • Read the manufacturer’s instructions before operating a wet/dry vac or pressure washer.
  • Use tools with insulated grips.
  • Wear appropriate personal protective equipment. (You wouldn’t mow your lawn barefoot…) Make sure you have:
    • Dust masks
    • Gloves
    • Safety goggles
    • …and all safety gear recommended by the manufacturer
  • When using power tools for cutting and drilling, know where plumbing pipes are located behind walls/under flooring.

May Is Electrical Safety Month: Protect Your Family From Electrical Risks

You never think about sappy sayings like “Home is where the heart is,” until something catastrophic happens – and it hits you where you live. Protecting your family from electrical risks is a priority.

Be sure to teach your kids:

  • Ask an adult for help using new electronics.
  • Don’t climb trees near power lines.
  • Don’t fly drones/kites near power lines.
  • Don’t plug too many things into one power strip.
  • Don’t put fingers/objects into outlets.
  • Don’t touch outdoor transformer boxes.
  • Don’t use electronics near water or with wet hands.
  • Don’t yank cords to unplug them.

There are also electrical safety websites and books, especially for children.

Always keep electrical appliances like hairdryers, toasters, coffeemakers, etc. unplugged and out of children’s reach. Turn It On Electric pros have home protection ideas for your family.

Ask us about:

  • Adding/moving electrical outlets
  • How to secure power cords
  • Installing a residual current device (RCD) safety switch
  • Minimizing extension cord use
  • Repairing/replacing damaged outlets, receptacles, and frayed wiring
  • Wiring insulation

Our most important electrical safety tip for May is to stay away from DIY electrical projects and contact TIO Electric. We welcome your questions!

Author Chad
Categories Electrician

5 Things To Do Before You Call an Electrician

Call an Electrician

When you contact tech support for help with your laptop or iPhone, the first thing the specialist asks is, “Did you turn it off and turn it back on?” If an electrical appliance or a light fixture is problematic, that’s the first thing you do before you call an electrician. Turn it off and turn it back on. If there are no signs of danger (burning, etc.), unplug it. Plug it back in.

Here are 5 additional steps to take before you call an electrician.

1. Troubleshoot the Outlet Before You Call an Electrician

The most frequent electrical issues are problems with outlets. To troubleshoot an outlet that isn’t working:

  • Check the circuit breaker – A tripped breaker will probably show the switch halfway between off and on. Flip it to the off position and reset the breaker, then flip it back on. If you see signs of visible damage, the breaker box is warm to the touch, or you smell burning wires, turn the breaker box off. Call an electrician.
  • Check the fuse box – Common signs of blown fuses are discoloration and melting. Be sure to use the right fuse to replace the blown fuse.
  • Examine the outlet itself – It’s not uncommon for an outlet to burn out. If you see signs of discoloration around the outlet, a small fire may have occurred. This is dangerous and it’s time to call an electrician to replace the outlet.
  • Flip a switch – A half-hot outlet is one in which one plug is always on but the other plug-in only works if you flip a nearby light switch.
  • Reset the GFCI – Ground fault circuit interrupters are designed for safety. If a GFCI outlet detects a power surge or short, it can shut itself off to protect you. There are two buttons located between the plug-ins. The red button is the reset button. Push it to get the outlet working again.
    The black button is a test button. To check that any GFCI outlet is working properly, push the black button. The plugged-in appliance should turn off, so then you reset it. If you press the black button and the appliance doesn’t turn off, there’s a problem with your GFCI outlet and you should call an electrician.

2. Check the Appliance, Electronic

Your problem may not be with your home’s electrical system. The obvious thing is to make sure your appliance or electronic is securely plugged in. If it is, unplug the non-working appliance and plug another into the outlet. If the outlet works fine with another device, it’s not an outlet problem.

If it’s a light or lamp, it could be the bulb. Years ago, you could visually spot a blown lightbulb. To check it today, you’ll need to insert a new lightbulb. If the new bulb doesn’t work, check it by inserting it into another fitting. If it works in another fixture, it’s time to call your electrician.

3. Problematic Power Outages

When your neighborhood loses power, you simply wait it out or revert to whole-house generator power. But if it’s just your house, check the circuit breaker. It has a safety switch. If it’s flipped off, reset it. If it keeps tripping, there’s a problem with the electrical circuitry or the panel itself. If your home has a fuse box, it can be several issues. (Call an electrician and consider upgrading to a circuit breaker box with protective safety switches.)

4. Feel The Walls

If you have any electrical outlet or switch problems, feel the walls around the area. If the nearby wall feels warm to the touch, this is an electrical emergency.

5. Unplug

Most new homes today can accommodate the additional electrical demands, but not-that-much-older homes can be overwhelmed by power requirements. Let’s say every member of the household is plugged-in, charging, washing/drying, the dishwasher is running, all lights are on, and your hairdryer blows the circuit. Your power outage can be managed by unplugging a few things. Later, ask your electrician what can be done to safely manage and eliminate power overloads.

Any time you have questions about home electrical problems, contact Turn It On Electric.

Author Chad
Categories Residential

How Long Does It Take To Charge an Electric Car?

electric car

Your electric vehicle probably came with a complimentary Level 1 charger. You may have discovered it can’t deliver what you need in the time that you need it. There are several factors that impact charging your electric car.

Electric Car Charger Types, Speeds

The U.S. Department of Transportation says AC Level 1 is the slowest charging equipment. These chargers can take 40-50 hours to charge a battery electric vehicle (BEV) and 5-6 hours to charge plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).

AC Level 2 charging is the top choice for most EV owners’ homes, and you’ll always find them at public charging stations. Level 2 uses 240V electrical power and can fully charge a BEV within 4-10 hours and a PHEV in 1-2 hours.

There are about 1,700 charging stations in the Phoenix-Scottsdale area. The fastest EV charging is DC fast charging (DCFC). With DCFC, battery-powered EVs can charge to 80% in about twenty minutes. You’ll find these at stations along heavy-traffic highways.

There are more than 52 DCFC charging stations in Phoenix. DCFS charging is not used for residential applications and most PHEVs aren’t able to utilize DCFC charging.

Types of EV Charging Plugs/Connectors

AC plugs can be:

  • Type 1 – Single-phase plugs are standard and most widely used globally.
  • Type 2 – Triple-phase plugs have 3 additional wires, so they charge your car faster.

There are 2 plugs for DC charging:

  • CHAdeMO – This is a Japanese acronym that roughly translates to “Let’s have a cup of tea while charging the car.” It’s fast, but not so fast you can’t relax with a quick cup of tea.
  • CCS – This is the enhanced version of AC Type 2 charging plugs and the highest-speed charge.

A third type of plug is Tesla-specific. The proprietary Tesla Supercharger® only works with Tesla vehicles, but that may change soon.

ChargeHub provides a quick guide for types of chargers; slow to fastest:

  • Wall plugs – Level 1, Nema 515, 520 compatible with all EVs
  • Nema 6-50 – Level 2, compatible with all EVs
  • Port J1772 – Level 2, compatible with all EVs*
  • RV plugs – Level 2, Nema 1450 compatible with all EVs
  • Tesla HPWC – Level 2, Tesla-only
  • CHAdeMO – Level 3, check your EV guide*
  • SAE Combo CCS – Level 3, check your EV guide**
  • Tesla Supercharger – Level 3, Tesla-only

EVs: Worth The Investment

Even with electricity usage skyrocketing and electric charges increasing, it is still cheaper to invest in an electric car than drive a traditional fuel-powered vehicle. A lot depends on where you live.

In Arizona, annual EV power costs were $3,856 vs. fuel costs of $4,597. You’ll save more in Oregon; less in Alabama. Home-powered charging is cheaper – a lot cheaper – than DC fast charging.

Home Charging Stations: Choose TIO Electric

“To make the most of EV ownership, you need high-voltage charging equipment at home,” says Car and Driver. And to efficiently and safely begin the process, you’ll need a residential electrical contractor.

Turn It On Electric is the Valley’s experienced, local electrician that knows exactly how to help with electric car charger installation. Here’s what we will consider:

  • Best rate of charging for your vehicle
  • Household circuit output to which your EV charger is connecting
  • Output of the EV charging equipment itself

Before you buy, let’s discuss your options. You can spend $200 or $2,000 for a charging unit. Some chargers have Wi-Fi capability. Different makes and models have variants, like hardwired vs. plug-in, different outputs, and even shorter vs. long cord lengths.

Your home charging station is an adventure and an investment in the future. It will increase your home’s value and reduce your energy consumption. To talk with a home charging station electrical pro, contact TIO Electric.

___
*Tesla requires an adaptor
**Cannot be used with Tesla

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Author Chad
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Mike you are the best!! God bless you for comming out saturday when I blew my fuse trying to vacumm and shout out to Josh who although not have sat office hours called me anyway after I left a voicemail. .Bob Best was here and gave me amazing information that NO OTHER electrician had. .!! I'm happy to say this is an amazing caring company...and I'm a customer for life!! Please recognize and reward Mike And Josh for them saving me on Saturday as my security system had no power and my smoke alarm had been beeping for hours. These men deserve kudos. .if you are looking fir honest and highly qualified electrical work. This is where to go. I'm thankful and grateful. Bob is now an instructor ..I'm happy to know future electricians are being schooled and trained by him. Thanks to you all
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Rebecca RB
01:03 21 Oct 24
This company literally saved us! We had some electrical issues discovered that were rather alarming and created an issue with the garage door opener completely lost power as well as our outdoor dusk to dawn lighting and the interior garage lights. Mike the electrician came to the rescue! He listened to the issues in my non electrical language (haha) translated it and solved everything with confidence! Knowledgeable, Friendly, prompt, professional and efficient! Highly recommended! Will definitely call for future needs!
luci redmond
15:28 12 Oct 24
Great customer service & a job well done!
Samuel Heffner
17:04 14 Aug 24
I called TIO Electric because a friend referred them and they did not disappoint. I had an issue and it was rough identifying the source of the problem. Miguel and Conrad worked together to identify and solve the problem quickly. As a services based business it was extremely important to get the repair done quickly and the team stayed to ensure the job was done before they left. I expected to have to schedule another visit due to the complexity of the case, but they understood I needed to be back up and running as soon as possible and got the job done in just a few hours. They were very professional and personable and the cost was in line with what I expected.Update 8/14/24: TIO helped me again. This time with an issue I was having at my home. Marcus was very nice and knowledgable and was able to identify the problem and make the repair in quick time. I had a secondary issue I wasn't too worried about, but Marcus took care of that as well. These guys know what they're doing. Still highly recommend.They did a great job. I would definitely recommend them for projects big and small.
Caren Zellmer
12:46 03 Jul 24
Excellent service!! Marcus has been to our house a couple of times and completed the work doing an AMAZING job. He was very polite, professional and explained every process to us. His work was also completed in a timely manner. It is very rare to find anyone with great work ethic anymore! This company is very lucky to have him. We would definitely recommend and use Turn It On Electric again.
Bob
14:42 10 Jun 22
They were on time, clean, friendly, professional and did an amazing job. I would have to say that the price was fair considering the amount of work done. Highly recommend Turn It On Electrical!
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