Categories Electrical Wiring, Electrician, Residential, Safety

What you need to know about an after hours electrician

What you need to know about an after hours electrician

Electrical emergencies can happen at any time of the day or night, and they don\’t always follow normal business hours. When you run into a major electrical problem, waiting until morning to deal with it could result in short circuits, electric shocks or even electrical fires. Because of this, it is in your best interest to have an after hours electrician take care of the problem as quickly as possible. Read on for five of the most common electrical emergencies and what to do if you encounter one.

Power Outages

Typically with power outages, the other homes in your neighborhood will be without power as well. However, if the outage is localized to just your home, it could signal a major issue. If the power goes out in your home, take a quick look outside to see if there are still lights on in the area. If you are the only one without power, it\’s time to give your after hours electrician a call.

Overloaded Outlets

If you have a shortage of electrical outlets in convenient locations in your home, it can be tempting to add extra outlets with power bars and other accessories. However, individual outlets are only capable of handling so much usage at once. Plugging in too many devices in the same spot can be a recipe for disaster. The outlet can overheat, leading to sparks, burning smells and even electrical fires. To keep your home safe, this is not an issue you should leave unchecked.

Faulty Wiring

Not all after hours electricians are as skilled or qualified as they could be. That means that your home could have wiring that was installed or upgraded improperly. It could also be that a previous owner of your Phoenix home attempted to do electrical work themselves. Faulty wiring can make the electricity in your home unpredictable. This can cause problems for your appliances and other electronics, causing them to work only intermittently or leading to sparks coming from your outlets.

Humming or Buzzing Breaker Box

Your breaker box is a critical safety component of your Phoenix home\’s electrical system. It can lead to problems if it is not working properly. Basically, the breaker box shuts down the power to a particular area of your home if it detects an anomaly in the power supply. Without this fail-safe, you and your loved ones could be at risk of electricution. You should call your after hours electrician immediately if you notice any strange noises coming from your breaker box.

Fallen Power Lines

During storms or periods of strong wind that are common here in Phoenix, power lines can fall down. This can create a hazard for anyone who comes near. If you notice any downed power lines on or near your property, call an emergency or after hours electrician immediately. Until the problem has been dealt with, don\’t go anywhere near the fallen lines, even in your car. You should also get in touch with your electrical services provider, as well as emergency services.

Contact an After Hours Electrician Right Away

When you are in need of an after hours electrician in the Greater Phoenix area, you can count on the experts here at Turn It On Electric. No matter what time of the day or night it is, we\’ll send someone out to your home immediately to help you out. Electrical problems can be incredibly dangerous. Because of this, it is crucial that you get them taken care of as quickly as possible. Get in touch with us right away for all your emergency electrical needs. 

Categories Electrician, Residential

6 things to know about residential electricians

6 things to know about residential electricians

Most of us don’t have a residential electrical contractor or company we can call our own until we have a problem or project. What should you know when selecting a residential electrician? Today, we look for an internet site; if a business isn’t online, how up-to-date is their service?

Here are 6 qualities to look for in residential electricians:

1. Appearance

If a beaten-up van pulls into your driveway and your electrical professional looks anything but professional, think twice. It’s not being judgmental; trade professionals take pride in the quality of their work and it shows. If their appearance is unkempt, they may not respect themselves or their work. How well will they respect your property?

2. Effective Communication

Pay attention to how quickly residential electricians respond when requesting a quote. They should arrive on-time for your meeting, or call if they are going to be late. Did they document the work needed and make notes or use a checklist? Did they provide you with a copy and review what is needed before the quote?

3. Residential Electricians Can Troubleshoot

Experience is important because it takes know-how for residential electricians to troubleshoot:

I had a phone call one day from a woman who said her home was haunted… Then she said she was serious; it was not a crank call. She said her refrigerator wouldn’t work until she turned on her garbage disposal. Electrical Contractor Magazine

The “haunted” house had some spooky stuff going on upstairs and downstairs, including shower-head shock! The experienced electrical troubleshooter found a circuitry routing problem and even a utility company issue.

4. Talk Money Before a Project

A reputable company will be as up-front about pricing as possible. Get quotes. An extremely overpriced estimate is a red flag, but what’s more important is how your electrician explains the charges. The best residential electricians stand behind their prices because they understand the intricacies of your particular project.

5. Residential Electricians Should Be Licensed, Bonded, & Insured

You need an R-11 license to be an electrician in Arizona. You must also have 4 years of experience and pass a two-part test. Ask if your electrician has insurance protecting employees and company equipment. The contractor should also have insurance that protects your home and property if there is accidental damage.

6. Testimonials, Recommendations

Word-of-mouth has always been the best advertising campaign. Today’s businesses also need “word-of-internet,” or testimonials. Testimonials are actually more valuable because what a customer says is gone as soon as the words are uttered. Online testimonials are forever.

Recap: Your Checklist for Residential Electricians

When requesting information or project bids from area residential electricians, pay attention to:

  1. Appearance and attitude
  2. Communication abilities
  3. Experience and knowledge to troubleshoot
  4. Fair and competitive quote
  5. Licensed, insured
  6. Testimonials and recommendations

Turn It On Electric of Phoenix

We don’t sell a particular brand of equipment and we don’t work on commission. This means when your Turn It On Electric pros recommend something, our advice is based on what you need; not what makes more money for us.

There are codes and regulations for Phoenix-area construction and remodeling projects, and we want to keep your property “up-to-code” to protect your family and your investment. If your project involves rewiring, circuitry, or any work involving your breaker box, it’s better to be safe than sorry (or injured) and hire a professional.

Protecting your home, loved ones, and respecting your budget is something we care about. As a LEEDS-certified metro Phoenix company, protecting the environment for your children is something we care about as well. Contact Turn It On Electric for advice or to learn more about residential electrical work.

Categories Electrician, Residential, Safety, Zinsco Panels

Electric panel repair for your Scottsdale home

Electric panel repair for your Scottsdale home

You\’re likely familiar with your property\’s electrical panel. It is a small cabinet that contains all of your home\’s circuit breakers. These breakers control the power into your home or business. Over time, though, these panels can deteriorate, resulting in the need for electric panel repair or replacement. Here\’s how to tell when it is time to service yours.

Lights Flickering

From time to time, you may notice that your lights flicker when you operate other electronic devices. This is often the case with hairdryers, vacuums, and other devices that consume a lot of power. Older circuits may not be capable of handling the energy needs of modern electronics, and this can divert power from your lights, causing them to flicker. This type of electric panel repair typically requires upgrading your wires and circuitry to accommodate the latest electronics.

Breakers Not Resetting

Circuit breakers are designed to trip when they detect a power surge or other anomaly in the electric current. This serves to protect your wires from becoming heating coils and creating a much larger problem involving pretty red trucks. Once a breaker trips, you’ll need to reset it to get the power back on in that area. However, as circuits get worn, they may not reset properly, leaving you without power in that particular area. This is typically a simple electric panel repair that just involves replacing that particular circuit breaker.

Breakers Constantly Tripping

While you want your circuit breakers to trip when there is an emergency, it can be annoying and frustrating when they trip too frequently. As your electrical panel wears over time, it becomes more susceptible to power surges, leading your breakers to trip more often. If you have to reset your breakers more than once a year, there is likely a problem in your electrical panel. In cases like this, electric panel repair may no longer be possible; it is often better to replace the panel entirely to prevent future risk.

Buzzing or Humming Noises

If you hear buzzing or humming sounds coming from your electrical panel, that is a surefire sign that something is wrong. Strange noises often indicate a faulty connection somewhere in the wiring, which could expose you to the risk of electrocution if you touch the panel. Not only that, but you\’ll also be at increased risk of electrical fires, putting the safety of everyone in your home or business at risk. If you hear any kind of sound coming from your circuit breakers, call a qualified electrician for electric panel repair immediately.

Leave Electric Panel Repair to the Professionals

When you are having trouble with your electrical panel, it can sometimes be tempting to try to repair it yourself. However, this is never a good idea. Working with electricity can be highly dangerous, especially if you are unfamiliar with what you are doing. Instead, it is always best to let a professional electrician handle any electric panel repairs you need. This way, you and your loved ones will stay as safe as possible, and you can have confidence that the job has been done properly.

Here at Turn It On Electric, we are proud to provide expert electric panel repair services for homeowners and businesses throughout the Phoenix area. Our technicians are highly trained and skilled, so you can count on us to get the job done right. When we come out to your property, we\’ll identify the problem as quickly as possible so that we can get it repaired for you right away. Call us right away for all your electrical needs. We\’re always happy to help!

Categories Commercial, Electrician

Things to know about commercial electricians

Things to know about commercial electricians

If you\’re not in the electrical industry it can seem, at first glance, as though residential and commercial electricians are relatively similar.

After all, both types of systems are capable of powering a variety of electronic appliances and devices.

However, the two are actually more different than you might realize. Here\’s what you need to know about what sets commercial electricians apart from residential ones.

Expanded Scope of Work for Commercial Electricians

In general, commercial electrical installations tend to be much more complex than residential systems. Commercial properties are often much larger than single-family homes. They require more extensive electrical work to power the entire facility.

Because of this, those who are qualified to work on residential systems may not necessarily be capable of working as commercial electricians. To ensure your business is getting the best electrical system possible, it is important to work with a qualified electrician who has experience in commercial settings.

Different Power Requirements

Typically, residential properties utilize single-phase electricity. This means that all of the wiring in the home is fed from a single wire from the utility and provides 120/240V.

Certain appliances, like air conditioners and refrigerators, generally need the higher 240V. However, that extra voltage is typically only for these specific pieces of equipment, not throughout the entire property.

In commercial installations, on the other hand, the power requirements are more extensive. Commercial electricians must also be familiar with three-phase wiring. In this setup, the wire consists of three “legs” that either come in at 120/208V or 277/480V and gets more complicated from there.

Wiring Location

The location of the electrical wiring varies between residential and commercial settings as well. In a home or apartment, the wiring is typically between the walls, in the ceiling or attic.

The wires are usually insulated in plastic sheathing as well to protect the home’s insulation and other internal components.

Commercial electricians need to have easier access to the facility’s wiring. Many commercial facilities rent or lease space to various businesses, so the layout and configuration of the building can change frequently as companies come and go.

Because of this, the wires have to run through metal or plastic tubing along the walls or just above the ceiling tiles. Commercial electricians may need to adjust the wiring for each new business. They don’t want to have to tear down walls in order to do so.

Why Your Business Needs a Commercial Electrician

While it may be tempting to stick with a residential electrician you know and trust, this person is likely not the best choice for a commercial job. Becoming a commercial electrician requires additional training beyond what is needed for residential electrical services.

When it comes to powering your business, you want to ensure you are getting exactly what your company needs.

While your residential electrician may be able to handle some commercial electrical work, they may not be capable of handling more complex jobs.

Commercial electricians will have the skills and expertise necessary to ensure your business is getting the power it needs.

For any equipment and appliances in your facility. This will ensure your company is able to operate as smoothly as possible with minimal electrical disruptions.

Turn It On Electric Is Here for Your Business

Don\’t just trust your company\’s electrical needs to any electrician. For the best commercial electricians in the Phoenix area, call on Turn It On Electric. We\’ll help you power your business so that it can continue to grow and expand.

Call now for a free consultation to discuss your company\’s electrical needs.

Categories Electrician

Emergency electricians, what you need to know

Emergency electricians, what you need to know

You may not want to appear as an over-anxious property owner. If you suspect you need electrical help, what’s constitutes an emergency? Do you really need emergency electricians?

Arizona emergency electricians say when in doubt, make the call. If you feel your electrical problem has become immediately dangerous, you’re probably right.

Finding emergency electricians

A great time to investigate and identify your Phoenix-area electric services company is before you need one. Savvy homeowners store emergency numbers in their cellphones under “E” for “emergency.”

What to look for in a local electrical services company

You can trust Home Advisor and Yelp for local home services reviews. Emergency electricians in Arizona must carry a license from the state. Make sure you confirm the company is bonded, insured for injury and liability.

When to call for emergency electrical service

Any ongoing electrical problem that lasts more than an hour might constitute an electrical emergency. Whether it relates to an appliance or not, it could be dangerous. Heavy smoke or fire is your cue to vacate the home and call 911.

If you suffer an electrical outage, first call your electric company. However, if your electric company has no known power outages in your area, you should call your Phoenix-area electric service company and speak with an emergency electrical service technician.

Other signs you need immediate, emergency electrical service include:

  • Breaker-box noise – When a breaker “trips” and shuts off, that’s a good thing, but it’s also a warning. Repeated breaker box shut-offs should be investigated by your electrical service company. If your breaker box makes noise, respond immediately. That means it’s trying to shut down and can’t. This can be extremely dangerous, so call for emergency service quickly.
  • Brown or blackened areas around plug-ins/outlets – The brown/black indicates an issue like a spark or an overload; it may feel warm or even hot to the touch. This may be your first indication of a potential house fire, so call for emergency electricians immediately.
  • Something’s burning – That plastic-burning smell shouldn’t be ignored. If the smell is powerful, call for electrical emergency service right away. Try to locate the source of the smell. If you know how (or your electrician can talk you through it), turn off the power to that area.

Scheduling non-emergency electrical service

Electrical systems can be complex as well as dangerous, which is precisely why you need a knowledgeable electrician with actual experience. Firefold

Any time you are building new or renovating a property, you should discuss electrical wiring and rewiring with your Maricopa County electrical contractor. The cost varies, depending on commercial vs. residential wiring, but project safety is priceless.

Another small but important service is smoke detector installation. For the best protection, interconnect your smoke alarms. This is a wiring job for your electrician.

TIO Electric for homes and commercial properties

Turn it On Electric offers over 10 years’ experience in serving Phoenix communities. There are area-specific factors that impact Arizona residential and commercial properties, and because we’re “local,” our company comes highly recommended.

Contact Turn It On Electric with any questions. We want to be the company on your cellphone under “E” for “emergency!”