Categories Commercial, Electrician

What makes a great commercial electrical contractor?

What makes a great commercial electrical contractor?

If you’re a homeowner and have a new-build project or renovation plans for your good old house, you will need a residential electrical contractor. Other types of professional electricians include industrial electrical and/or commercial electrical contractors.

An industrial electrical contractor is a commercial electrician that works in sensitive and complicated environments such as factories and medical facilities. Industrial electricians use the same implementations as commercial applications. For example, they both work with 3-phase power and electrical metal conduit (EMT) but industrial electrician applications are generally more complicated.

Business property owners face unique challenges. Their companies can be located in modern architectural structures or older-era buildings. When picking a commercial electrical contractor, there are many things to consider.

Today’s Commercial Electrical Contractor

Technology is revolutionizing every industry in our country. A good commercial electrical contractor will have working knowledge and experience involving technological trends in electrical services.

For example, energy-saving LED lighting is something commercial property owners and managers know about: LED lighting saves money.

A commercial electrical contractor knows more.

It’s not your grandfather’s electrical wiring and lighting. It’s not even your mother’s. LED optics, light control systems, quality, and thermal engineering changed last year. They’ll continue to evolve this year.

Always ask what’s new.

Integrated technology (IT) is having an increasing impact on commercial lighting development. In fact, replacing components for electrical and lighting systems now offers advanced choices. Your Maricopa County commercial electrical contractor can offer the best choices available.

Another trending electrical technology for commercial properties is full-spectrum lighting. It’s more frequently used in offices and medical properties. Full spectrum lighting:

  • Increases office productivity
  • Portrays true details/colors
  • Reduces eyestrain, fatigue in employees
  • Simulates “natural” light

The Best Commercial Electrical Contractor Knows Where You Live

Your local commercial electrical contractor understands the business market for your area. What do your competitors’ fixtures feature for employees and customers? What are specific requirements for commercial electrical wiring for your state, county, city?

Connected lighting does more than meet code. It opens the door to bring smart sensors and the Internet of Things (IoT)…because most of this advanced technology is installed through light fixtures.David Wilts, Digital Masterplanning

“Smart buildings” aren’t being constructed or converted to virtual electricity as fast as we thought. Are you in a position to develop a flagship commercial property in Arizona? Your electrical contractor can partner with you for unique, business-specific, long-term energy savings.

Important Qualities

A great commercial electrical contractor understands large buildings’ power requirements. Up-to-date knowledge of technological trends to better power your business is important too.

Your commercial electrical company should:

  • Be able to manage complex projects, including large scopes of work
  • Cite previous experience with commercial projects in your area
  • Communicate clearly and respond quickly
  • Deliver quality work
  • Demonstrate pride of ownership in every project
  • Get consistently good online reviews and testimonials
  • Give up-front quotes for expenses and turnaround time
  • Guarantee workmanship
  • Have a reputation for ethical business practices:
    • customer focus
    • dependability
    • honesty
  • Know which Maricopa County permits are needed per project
  • Respect your business

TIO: Superior Arizona Electrical Contractor Services

You have high standards for your employees. You want a culture of superior customer-service delivery and quality of work. That’s the kind of business Turn It On Electric of Phoenix strives to be.

We support our local community and have the highest possible HomeAdvisor ratings. TIO is the electrical contractor the other electricians call when they need answers. Contact us to learn more.

Categories Lighting, Residential

Adding kitchen pendant lighting to your home

Adding kitchen pendant lighting to your home

Your kitchen is one of the most-used rooms in your home, so you\’ll want to make it look its best. An easy way to do this is by adding kitchen pendant lighting. Not only will this help you see what you are doing, but it also adds beauty and style to the space. Here\’s what you need to know to choose the best kitchen pendant lighting for your home.

Types of Kitchen Pendant Lighting

When it comes to pendant lighting for your kitchen, you\’ll have a lot of options to choose from. This lighting style comes in a broad range of sizes and aesthetics to complement virtually any decorative scheme.

For starters, you\’ll find lights ranging in size from small to large. To choose the best size for your kitchen, pay attention to not just the size of the room, but also the ceiling height and counter heights. The lights you choose should be large enough to command attention. However, they should not be so large as to overpower the space or get in the way while you are cooking.

Once you have narrowed down your choices by size, you can move on to selecting the overall style. Just like other types of decor, you\’ll find pendant lighting to suit contemporary, rustic, classic, elegant, sculptural and many other styles of decor. Take cues from the rest of your home to guide your style choices.

Finally, you\’ll get to choose the color or finish of your kitchen pendant lighting. Look for lights that complement the rest of your kitchen decor. For example, if you have stainless steel appliances, you\’ll likely want light fixtures in a similar finish. If you have chosen a bold accent color in your kitchen, try to find pendant lights that incorporate that hue as well to keep everything looking cohesive.

Benefits of Kitchen Pendant Lighting

Of course, the key benefit of pendant lighting in your kitchen is that it makes it easier to shine some light on the task at hand. Typically, you\’ll want to hang your lights directly over a countertop, like a kitchen island, peninsula counter, or breakfast bar. This way, the lights will be right overhead, shining down on your counter space.

In general, kitchens don\’t have much space for decor, as you\’ll want to keep your workspace clear for prepping food. With pendant lighting, you\’ll have a unique opportunity to inject some decorative style and flair into your kitchen. This will keep it from looking too bland and boring. Look for lights that are visually interesting to have the biggest impact.

You can also use lighting to set the mood in your kitchen. This is especially beneficial if you enjoy entertaining or have dining space in your kitchen area. Many modern pendant lights are dimmer compatible, letting you customize the lighting to your liking throughout the evening. To create a fun atmosphere, try using colored light bulbs or smart bulbs that allow you to change the color of the light.

Add Kitchen Pendant Lighting to Your Home

To add pendant lighting to your kitchen, you\’ll need the services of a qualified electrician. Your technician can install any necessary wiring in your ceiling to power the lights and ensure that everything is working properly. This includes setting up any additional features, like dimmers and smart light bulbs.

At Turn It On Electric, we have helped countless Phoenix homeowners install pendant lighting and other types of light fixtures in kitchens and throughout their homes. We\’ll handle all of the complicated electrical work for you, saving you from the risk of electric shock. Call today to schedule an appointment.

Categories Baby Proofing, Residential

Baby proofing your Phoenix home

Baby proofing your Phoenix home

Electricity is essential to your home, but it can also be hazardous to your children. That is why baby proofing Phoenix homes is so important. It really isn\’t difficult at all to accomplish and won\’t cause more than minor inconveniences to your lifestyle. Here\’s what you need to do.

Cover All Electrical Outlets

The first step to baby proofing Phoenix homes is to protect your outlets. You can find electrical outlet covers at any baby or home improvement store. Some are inexpensive and easy to install. However, the traditional outlet covers can be taken out by little hands and could present a choking hazard.

While the outlet covers may work, they don\’t actively work on their own. They require you to remember to put them back in and they can be bypassed by simply removing them.

A better option is to upgrade your home to include tamper-resistant outlets. They include a small piece of plastic built into the outlet that only moves when a two-pronged plug is plugged in. A screwdriver or bobby pin won\’t be able to bypass these types of outlets. While they are individually quite inexpensive a professional should install them.

Keep Electrical Cords Out of Sight

If you need to run any electrical cords across the floor, it is important to cover them whenever possible. This will minimize the risk of you or your children tripping over them. This can also send your electronic devices crashing to the floor, so it is in your best interest to prevent that from happening.

In addition, small children can inadvertently wrap cords around their necks, potentially leading to the risk of strangulation. Install cord covers when baby proofing your Phoenix home so that the cords lie flat against the floor, or bind them up tightly with a rubber band or cord keeper. The fewer exposed cords you have, the safer your kids will be.

If you find yourself using extension cords regularly in your home, it may be time to install a few new outlets or electrical circuits.

Unplug Any Devices That Are Not in Use

Kids are remarkably resourceful and will try to use your electronic devices. They likely see you using them and want to imitate your behaviors. Whenever you are not using a particular device, unplug it from the wall so your little ones can\’t turn it on. Be sure to tuck the cord back behind the device so they can\’t use it to pull the device down. Not only will this keep your kids safer, but it can also help prevent wasting electricity on devices that are not needed. This can help you save on your energy costs, freeing up more money in your budget for fun activities with your children.

Keep Your Outlets and Wiring in Good Repair

Faulty outlets and deteriorated wiring can expose your home to the risk of electrical fires and power failures. They can also pose a risk to your children, so keeping them in good shape is crucial to baby proofing Phoenix homes. If you suspect any problems with your outlets or wiring, have a qualified electrician inspect and repair them for you. It is incredibly dangerous to try to do electrical work yourself, so leave this task to a professional. Aim to have your electrical system inspected about once a year to ensure everything is safe and reliable.

Get More Help with Baby Proofing Phoenix Homes

Of course, nothing keeps your kids safe like parent supervision, but it is virtually impossible to keep your eyes on them every second of the day. This is especially true if you have multiple kids.

If you would like even more tips for baby proofing your Phoenix home, you can count on Turn It On Electric. Our expert electricians can help you identify any potential dangers in your home and advise you as to how to fix them. We want to help you keep your kids as safe as possible, so don\’t be shy about getting in touch with us to schedule an appointment.

Categories Electrician, Jobs

Is an electrician apprenticeship right for you?

Is an electrician apprenticeship right for you?

The electrical industry is a busy field that offers plenty of job opportunities. Because people and businesses all across the country and around the world need electricity, you\’ll be able to find a job wherever you are. It is a highly specialized field, though, so you\’ll need a proper education to get started. An electrician apprenticeship presents a great opportunity to learn on the job. This will give you the practical skills you need to be successful in your career. Here\’s what you need to know.

How an Electrician Apprenticeship Works

When you get an electrician apprenticeship job, you\’ll be working under a qualified electrician, acting as a helper. You\’ll visit customer sites alongside your mentor, learning from them as you go. You\’ll have the chance to see an electrician in action, giving you an inside look at what the job is really like.

As you learn and progress, you\’ll have the chance to begin taking on basic tasks yourself. Over time, you can work up to more challenging jobs as your skills improve. The goal of an electrician apprenticeship is to give you the knowledge you\’ll need to safely perform as an electrician. Then, you\’ll be able to become an electrician in your own right.

The Difference Between an Electrician Apprenticeship and Traditional Education

Rather than going through an electrician apprenticeship, you also have the option of attending a technical school. This is another popular route for becoming an electrician and some apprenticeship programs may require it. However, while you\’ll still gain the knowledge you need, you won\’t get the hands-on knowledge of actually working in the field.

One of the key benefits of an electrician apprenticeship is that you get to see first-hand what the job is actually like. This will make it much easier to determine whether the job is a good fit for you. In addition, you\’ll be getting paid for your work while you go through your electrician apprenticeship rather than having to pay for your education. This can make it significantly easier to support yourself financially while you are still learning.

Job Opportunities after an Electrician Apprenticeship

Another important benefit of working in an electrician apprenticeship is that you may be able to continue working for the same company after you graduate. This saves you from having to go out and find a job. Even if you choose to move to a different organization, you\’ll have plenty of experience to help you stand out from other candidates.

Electrician jobs tend to fall into two categories: residential and commercial. As a residential electrician, you\’ll assist homeowners with their electrical needs. Common tasks include replacing outlets, repairing and upgrading wiring, installing new wiring, and setting up appliances and light fixtures. Of course, there are many other things clients may need you to do, but those are some of the most common.

Commercial electricians need to have all of the same skills as residential electricians, and then some. Because commercial electrical systems tend to be much larger and more complex, you\’ll need to refine your skills even further to work in commercial settings. As this type of work is more specialized, though, the pay tends to be higher as well, so it is worth the extra effort.

Start Working in the Electrical Field

Here at Turn It On Electric, we are proud to take on electrician apprentices. We welcome you to get in touch with us to apply to become a valued member of our team. Reach out to us today to learn more about our current opportunities.

Categories Electrical Wiring, Electrician, Residential, Safety

9 house wiring things you need to know

House wiring things you need to know

Electrical mistakes can easily happen with DIY projects involving house wiring. If ignored, they have the potential to cause short circuits, shocks, and even fires. Keep the following in mind, and have a professional handle your electrical projects.

House Wiring Is Highly Dangerous

The wiring throughout your house is powerful enough to hurt you and cause life-threatening injuries. The professionals at Turn It On Electric know to shut off the power before doing any type of electrical work. This helps lower the risk of electrical shocks and other injuries.

Electrical Circuits

Your home has different types of electrical circuits installed that serve different purposes. Some circuits provide power for your lights, and others provide power for your outlets. Major appliances, such as your HVAC system or dishwasher, have a dedicated circuit. This helps lower the risk of having too much power going to one circuit in your home.

Wire Sizes in House Wiring

House wiring comes in different sizes. When working with wiring, professionals always make sure that they’re using the correct size. Using the wrong size wiring can increase the risk of fires and other serious electrical problems or result in not enough power going to an outlet or other electrical fixture.

Additional Circuits

In some cases, electrical work involves adding another circuit to your breaker panel. For example, your home might need a dedicated circuit added for a new appliance. Professionals can handle this properly to ensure that new circuits are safely added, which lowers the risk of fires.

Wiring Installations

Installing wiring for a new light switch, light fixture, outlet or other electrical fixture is generally a straightforward task. However, there are still serious risks associated with even simple wiring installations. From knowing which wiring to use to determining the correct size, you should let the professionals take care of these tasks.

House Wiring Electrical Codes

Being familiar with local electrical codes is an important part of working with house wiring, especially for larger projects. Not following these codes can increase the risk of electrical problems and make your home unsafe. The professional electricians from Turn It On Electric know all about local electrical codes and always follow them when doing electrical work.

Circuit Breakers

Circuit breakers stop circuits from becoming overloaded and starting fires. They come in different sizes, and it’s important to make sure the right size wire is connected to the right size circuit breaker. Otherwise, you can end up with a high risk of fire or a breaker that frequently trips.

Hot, Neutral and Ground Wires

Black wiring in your home is known as hot wiring, while white wires are considered neutral ones. Ground wires are bare copper wires. These wires need to be connected properly in order for circuits to properly function. If this doesn’t happen, you can end up with an electrical short.

Electrical Tools for House Wiring

Doing electrical work involves using the right tools for the job. The wrong tools could damage your house wiring, which raises the risk of electrical shock or fires. Professionals have the proper tools for any type of electrical work.

If your Phoenix home needs some electrical work, leave it to the professionals. Contact Turn It On Electric today.