Categories Electrician, Safety

What You Should Know About a Commercial Electrical Inspection

What You Should Know About a Commercial Electrical Inspection

Electrical inspections are an essential part of ensuring that your commercial building stays safe. You should have an electrical inspection done on a regular basis to ensure your team stays working as well as lowering the risk of fires and other electrical hazards. Learn more about what you need to know about these inspections for your commercial building in the Phoenix area.

Reasons to Have a Regular Electrical Inspection

All commercial buildings should schedule an annual electrical inspection. Doing so helps ensure that the wiring and other parts of your building’s electrical system are in good working condition. These inspections help identify potential problems that could increase the risk of electrical shocks or fires. Regular inspections can ensure that equipment, lighting, and other electrical items are working correctly.

Regular electrical system checks can alert you of any necessary wiring replacements or repairs. Over time, wires, connectors, conduits, and other components can show signs of wear and tear. This can lead to a wide range of problems, such as outlets that won’t work or lights that flicker. In addition to being an inconvenience, these issues can raise the risk of fire. What would it cost if you had to send your team home because you didn’t have lights or couldn’t plug in anything?

During the Electrical Inspection

What can you expect during your commercial electrical inspection? A qualified, licensed electrician will check various components of your electrical system. They will look for any possible issues that you need to address to prevent electrical hazards. These inspections include checking the quality of any previous electrical work.

An electrical inspection typically includes checking electrical panels to ensure that they comply with current codes. Since these codes change from time to time, you might learn that your panels require an upgrade. Following through on your inspector\’s recommendation can lower your risk of fines for panels that don\’t meet current compliance codes.

During your inspection, other aspects of your electrical system may be reviewed, including:

  • The wiring method
  • How suitable the wiring method is for your building
  • The number of bends in each conduit
  • Whether or not your electrical system needs corrosion protection

Questions to Ask

You should think about the kinds of questions you want to ask before and after your electrical inspection. Some of the questions you might want to ask include:

  • What is included in this electrical inspection?
  • Are you licensed to perform electrical inspections?
  • What happens if you detect any problems with the electrical system?
  • What happens if you find an electrical code violation?
  • Will I get a detailed report that lists the results of the inspection?

After your inspection, take the time to go over any reports you receive. Make it a priority to address any issues. If your building needs upgrades for compliance codes, make sure you have them done promptly.

If you\’re due for an electrical inspection in your commercial building, contact Turn It On Electric.

Categories Lighting

Top 5 considerations before buying LED strip lights

Top 5 considerations before buying LED strip lights

LED strip lights offer some important benefits for residential and commercial property owners. This type of lighting provides improved energy efficiency compared to incandescent lights, leading to significant savings on electric bills. LED strip lights are available in different colors and color temperatures. This allows Phoenix homeowners and business owners to create the ideal lighting effect.

If you plan on adding this type of lighting to your home or business, you’ll need to consider certain factors first. Keep the following in mind as you go over your options for LED strip lights.

LED Strip Lights: Locations and Usages

Before getting started, think about where you’ll be putting these lights. You can use them as accent lighting, mood lighting, and task lighting. Some homeowners add them under kitchen cabinets. Business owners can use them in storefronts, lobbies, and to illuminate signs. The location and purpose of your LED strip lights will help your electrician determine the right brightness and size for your space.

Brightness

One of the factors to consider for LED strip lights is the brightness you desire. The measure of brightness is known as lumens. You’ll need to determine how many lumens per foot you’re going to want for your LED lighting. This depends on what you’re using it for and where you’re installing it. An electrician can help determine the appropriate lumens for your space.

Color Temperature

The color temperature of your LED strip lights refers to how warm or cool the lighting appears. These temperatures, measured in degrees Kelvin (K), typically range from 2,700 K to 6,000 K. Lower temperatures produce a warm, yellowish glow. Higher temperatures appear more white.

The purpose of your LED strip lights helps determine the desired color temperature. For example, you might be better off with warm white lighting in bedrooms, living rooms, or even a hotel lobby. A slightly higher temperature, cool white, provides adequate lighting for the details you need to see in your kitchen or bathroom. An electrician can help you choose the appropriate Kelvin range for other areas, including garages, office buildings, and more.

LED Strip Size

It’s important to determine the appropriate LED strip size for your home or business. This helps to calculate the overall cost of the lighting. An electrician can help you determine the size you’ll need based on where you’re having it installed.

Quality of LED Strip Lights

LED strip lights vary widely in terms of quality. Choosing lower quality lights could affect the aesthetic of your home or business. Sometimes, cheaper upfront costs lead to more frequent repairs or replacement. Working with an electrician can help ensure that you select LED strip lights that provide the highest quality for your space.

If you’re considering LED strip lights for your Phoenix home or business, contact Turn It On Electric. We can handle all of your lighting needs.

Categories Baby Proofing

So, you\’re ready to start baby proofing

So, you're ready to start baby proofing

The first time your baby rolls over is a major milestone. From there, it won\’t be long until they\’re crawling and getting into everything! By this point, you\’re probably thinking about baby proofing. There\’s no shortage of baby proofing supplies available at any big box store, but before you check out remember to consider the dangers of electricity.

Luckily, there are many ways to baby proof your home when it comes to electricity. These are just a few of the options you can consider.

Tamper-Resistant Receptacles

Since 2008, the National Electrical Code requires tamper-resistant receptacles in new or renovated homes. The receptacles have spring-loaded shutters that remain closed when nothing is plugged into the outlet. Both springs must have pressure on them at the same time or they won\’t open. This can help prevent injuries if a child is trying to insert something, like a paperclip, into one of the openings. Injuries can occur if a child puts something in both openings simultaneously.

If your home was built before 2008, an electrician can install tamper-resistant receptacles.

Baby Proofing Outlet Plug Caps

If you want a cheap way to baby proof your electrical outlets, baby proofing outlet plug caps are an option. They are made of hard plastic and plug into the vertical slots of your outlets. The front part of the cap is flat, making it difficult for your baby to grasp and pull.

Although this is an inexpensive option, there are downfalls. Over time, outlet plug caps can become worn out and fit more loosely in the outlet. This makes them easier for children to remove. Forgetting to replace the cap after you use the outlet can create an opportunity for danger as well. Children are great mimickers and watch everything you do. It doesn\’t take long for a young child to watch you pull out an outlet plug cap and repeat the action.

Electrical Outlet Cover Safe Plates

Electrical outlet cover safe plates sit over your existing outlets. Safe plates are spring loaded. To use the outlet, simply take the prongs of the plug and slide them across the plate to open the cover and plug in your cord. Swapping out your outlet cover is an easy DIY fix.

This option provides a more sturdy and permanent solution than outlet plug caps. Over time, the cover will continue to hold up no matter how many times you use the outlet. Additionally, the spring will continue to automatically close whenever you unplug something, so you don\’t need to worry about remembering to replace the outlet plug cap.

Similarly to the outlet plug cap, children can watch and repeat how you use a safe plate. While it does take some coordination to slide and plug, a determined child will be able to figure it out eventually.

How to Stop Your Baby from Unplugging Cords

Dangling cords can be a big temptation to a baby learning to crawl. The danger is endless – they could get tangled in the cord, chew on it, or even unplug it and risk a shock. Hiding cords and wires is an essential part of baby proofing your home. While you could move furniture in front of your electrical outlets to hide the plugs, there is another option.

Outlet covers are box-like structures that sit over your existing outlets. The enclosure has small openings on the side for your cords to run through. In addition to preventing your children from unplugging your devices, it may remove some of the temptation to stick something in an exposed outlet.

Power Strip Protection

Power strips are a common issue when it comes to baby proofing your home. Anything within arm\’s reach is fair game to your new crawler. The danger of an exposed outlet is amplified when it\’s placed on the floor in the form of a power strip. Imagine it from a baby\’s perspective – more holes, more cords, a button, and even a light. A power strip cover sits over the cords and has cutouts for them to run out. This can help prevent little hands from unplugging tempting cords.

While there are many other baby proofing options on the market, these are some of the more affordable and accessible choices. While all of these can help reduce the risk of electrical danger, the only way to fully protect your child is with close supervision.

If you\’re ready to install new tamper-resistant receptacle outlets or need any other help with your electrical system, contact Turn It On Electric today.

Categories Maintenance

House wiring basics: DIY or hire?

Almost everyone admires do-it-yourselfers (DIYers). And, why not? The ability and willingness to change your car’s oil or even the air filters in your home are becoming obsolete.

Doing your own plumbing or electrical work can be tempting. You may be saving money now, but you may actually increase your expenses down the road. When it comes to house wiring basics, safety – not money – is important.

Selling Your House: House Wiring Basics

The 2017-2018 real estate market has been vibrant and fast-paced. Many homeowners joined the rush and listed their properties. Eager homebuyers brought money to the table and often compromised where they shouldn’t in order to avoid losing another house. Even when you feel pressure to purchase it’s never a good idea to ignore problems with plumbing, HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning), or house wiring.

Electrical updates require skill and training. It\’s important to leave the job to an experienced electrician. Arizona law states you can do your own basic house wiring; however, it also states if you intend to sell your home a licensed contractor should be used.  Although it may be legally acceptable to DIY some electrical projects,  you risk compromising your insurance coverage. You may open vulnerability to lawsuits from injured neighbors or visitors.

Illegal DIYs

When selling or renting your home, you are required to fully disclose all repairs and renovations. What if you want to do electrical rewiring on your home and plan never to sell or rent your property? According to the Arizona Building Officials, you do need a permit for some DIY house wiring basics:

  • You do need a permit to install, upgrade, or change outlets for decorative purposes.
  • If code requires a GFCI protected outlet you will need a permit.
  • You don\’t need a permit to remove or replace broken electrical outlets, light fixtures, or light switches.

If you aren\’t sure what that means, it\’s time to reach out to your electrician. They\’re familiar with what work requires a permit. They can even guide you to the best type of outlet, fixture, and switch upgrades to suit your family\’s needs.

Experienced Phoenix Electricians

If you aren’t worried about your health and safety, consider the fact that you expose yourself to legal consequences if your DIY repairs put others at risk. That includes neighbors or guests at your property. Not only can you void warranties and jeopardize insurance coverage, but you can even risk lawsuits.

While it may be tempting to save a few bucks up front, electrical modification really is a job best left to those trained and licensed in it. At Turn It On Electric, we believe it’s important to learn about and understand house wiring basics. It’s not magic, but it’s certainly fascinating. From transformers to flipping a switch, your home electrical system is a miracle of science.

Every year, technological advances influence how we operate and manage our homes. That’s why our team stays on top of the latest electrical trends and technology. Like you, we live in Phoenix and the surrounding communities. We care about our neighbors.

If you’re buying, selling, or building a home this year, let’s discuss your options and explore the possibilities. We’ll work with you to deliver what you want on time and within budget. Contact Turn It On Electric today.

Categories Safety

How to avoid electric shock in your home

How to avoid electric shock in your home

Electricity is an incredible modern-day convenience. It helps power homes, keeps people comfortable, and powers appliances and electronics. However, there is a danger of shock when it comes to electricity which can result in injury or even death. If you\’ve ever wondered how to avoid electric shock at home or at work, here are a few tips.

Never Use a Power Tool Through a Wall

If you plan on doing a DIY renovation in your home, one of the best ways to avoid electric shock is by NOT using a power tool through a wall. It may be tempting to use an electric saw or drill to speed the process up, but keep in mind there could be a live wire on the other side. This can cause an electric shock. Investigate what\’s inside your walls before you make the first cut. If you aren\’t sure how, call the professionals.

Know Your Limits

Most people know very little when it comes to how electricity works. When it comes to electricity, ignorance is not bliss. If you aren\’t sure what you\’re doing, leave it to the professionals. An electrician has the experience to know what\’s possible with your home renovation.

Don\’t Mess with Plugs

If you have a three-pronged plug but your outlet only has two holes, you may feel tempted to improvise. Stop! The third prong grounds the electrical current. It should never be removed under any circumstances or you could get a severe electric shock.

Install Tamper Resistant Outlets

As soon as babies begin to crawl, parents frantically start babyproofing their house. Nobody wants their child to put their fingers or any other objects in the outlet. One way to help prevent electric shock is by installing tamper resistant outlets. These require two objects, the two prongs of a plug, to be inserted into the outlet simultaneously for the electrical power to flow. Like any babyproofing option, these aren\’t entirely \”shock-proof.\”

Wet Hands? Stay Away from Outlets

One of the most common reasons for electrical shock is people having wet or damp hands and then trying to plug or unplug an electronic device. This often happens in kitchens and bathrooms when people are in a hurry. However, failing to thoroughly dry your hands before reaching for your outlet could lead to danger.

Install GFCI Outlets in Your Home

GFCI outlets are a common safety measure to help avoid electric shock. The outlet can sense if a person\’s body starts to receive electricity and cuts off the power immediately. They are usually installed near sources of water, such as the kitchen or bathroom.

Hire an Electrician

If you are having issues with your electricity or want to upgrade some of your outlets, hiring an electrician is in your best interest. Our professionals can complete a full inspection of your home\’s electrical system. Improving safety measures can help reduce your chance of electric shock as well as reduce your risk of an electrical fire.

If you suspect a problem with electricity in your home or want to verify your electrical safety, contact Turn It On Electric.