Category Archives: Electrician

Purchasing an electric vehicle helps you save a lot of money on gas. Since these cars need to be charged in order to run, having a home charging station available is highly convenient. Some gas stations and businesses offer places to charge electric cars. However, having an EV charger at home means you can ensure that your car stays fully charged and ready to go at all times. Keep the following in mind when it comes to choosing your first EV charger.

Types of Electric Vehicle Chargers

There are different types of EV chargers to choose from depending on your specific needs. EV chargers all feature a universal connector for electric cars with the exception of Tesla cars. Tesla vehicles have a modified version of this universal connector.

EV chargers are available in different power and amperage levels as well. You should make sure that you choose an EV charger that provides the amount of amperage and power your car needs. Keep in mind that different electric vehicles have varying maximum charging capacities.

In general, you should be looking at getting an EV charger that offers a charge of at least 30 amps. You’ll find different levels of chargers to choose from, including level 1 and level 2, which are the more commonly used types. These use AC power to charge your car. Levels 3 and 4 offer faster charging via a DC port rather than using onboard charging.

Costs of EV Chargers

The amount you can expect to spend on an EV charger varies based on different factors. While average costs can range from $500 to $700, you could pay quite a bit more or less depending on the kind you end up getting. For example, some of these chargers offer Wi-Fi connectivity that allows you to operate them from a mobile device. Having this feature can drive up the cost of your EV charger.

Location for an EV Charger

Where should your EV charger go? Keep in mind that you’ll be running cables to connect the charger and your car. Make sure that the location for your charger is in a convenient spot where you can easily connect your car to it. For example, consider having your charger installed on the side of the garage that you normally park in if you have a two-car garage.

The location of your charger affects how much electrical work you’ll need to have overall. Electricians might only need to run a few or couple feet of conduit as opposed to running longer lengths of conduit.

EV Charger Portability

Portability is an important factor to consider since it can affect the amount of electrical work you need to have done. Your options are to have your charger permanently installed in one place or have electricians install specialized outlets for it. If you have an outlet or two installed, you can plug in your charger at either spot.

If you don’t have a garage and need to have your charger installed outdoors, pay attention to local codes. You might need to have your EV charger hard-wired instead of having an outlet installed for it. Having your charger permanently installed this way can result in a higher installation cost.

If you’re considering buying your first electric vehicle, contact Turn It On Electric. We can help you learn more about your options for an EV charger for your Phoenix home.

Most homeowners agree: there\’s always something to do around the house. As a homeowner, it can be tempting to search for a YouTube \”how to\” video to tackle your to-do list. Although this may save you a little money, doing some home electrical projects yourself can be a dangerous option.

3 Considerations for Home Electrical Projects

Before tackling home electrical projects it’s important to consider a few factors. Think about the following to help you decide whether you should do-it-yourself (DIY) or call a professional:

1. Your experience, knowledge, and ability. Have you ever done this type of project before? If not, do you know what to do? More importantly, do you know how to do it safely? If you’re unsure about being able to do home electrical projects safely and correctly, call a professional instead.
2. Your budget. You may be able to do a DIY electrical project at a lower cost than if you hire a professional. However, think about how much you may have to pay if the work isn’t done right and you need a professional fix it.
3. Your time. How much time are you willing to spend doing home electrical projects? A simple job could end up taking you much longer than expected if you end up having trouble. Your time is valuable. Electricians are trained and experienced in this type of work. They can complete the tasks efficiently and up to code.

Possible DIY Projects

What kinds of home electrical projects can you do yourself? This depends on your knowledge and skills. Some possible DIY projects may include:

• Putting in a new light fixture
• Installing a ceiling fan
• Replacing an outlet
• Replacing light switches

It\’s important you have a full understanding of any electrical task before beginning. If these tasks aren’t done correctly, you could be at risk for electrical shock or fires. If you have any doubt about how to complete the task, leave it to the professionals.

Professional Electrical Projects

Even if you have a full understanding of an electrical project, hiring an electrician can be the better option. Letting a professional do the work provides you with peace of mind. You don’t have to worry that a new outlet wasn’t properly installed or a new light fixture wasn’t wired safely.

So, what types of home electrical projects are always better left to an electrician?

• Extensive electrical work, such as putting in new circuits
• Working on your breaker box
• Rewiring
• Anything else that you don\’t have 100% confidence in completing properly

These types of electrical projects are more involved – and dangerous – than DIY jobs. A professional should handle these every time. If you aren\’t sure whether or not you have a DIY project on your hands, it\’s best to call the professionals.

Licensed and insured electricians handling major electrical projects can guarantee everything is safe and up to code. Keep in mind this type of work can require permits and involve following detailed electrical codes. Local electrical companies are aware of these regulations.

You can try to do electrical jobs on your own; however, if you\’re not an expert you could be putting quality and safety at risk. It’s best to leave this work to the professionals. Contact Turn It On Electric for any home electrical projects on your to-do list.

Electricians have one of the most important jobs in the world! Without them, our lives would be pretty dim – literally. If you\’ve never hired one, you may be wondering about what types of services they offer or what it takes to become an electrician. Here are a few surprising facts:

1. Electricians use all kinds of tools.

When you think of an electrician, it may be hard to picture exactly what tools they use. You see them with a tool belt and a screwdriver or two, but electricians have experience using all sorts of tools. From benders to cutters and excavators to testers, depending on what the job requires, an electrician will likely use a combination of tools.

Electricians come with a truck fully stocked with tools, in case an unexpected issue pops up during a job. The trouble with electrical work is: there can be a lot of surprises lurking behind your walls.

2. They offer a variety of services.

Different types of electricians offer a variety of services. Here are four main types and a very brief, general overview of what they do on an average day:

• Residential: If you have trouble with an outlet that keeps tripping your breaker or you\’ve had new lighting installed, you\’ve probably relied on a residential electrician. They deal with anything from inspecting circuit breakers to rewiring homes.
• Commercial: Businesses rely on electricity to operate. From schools to restaurants, electricity is what keeps the lights on. Commercial electricians work on anything from communication lines to lighting design.
• Industrial: From warehouses and factories to manufacturing and processing plants, industrial electricians keep things running. Industrial companies tend to use big pieces of machinery that require specific tools and knowledge to repair. Additionally, industrial electricians need to be familiar with control systems, generators, and transformers.
• Outside Linemen: You\’ve probably seen people working on the wires outside of your home. These are linemen and they do everything from setting up poles and towers to installing insulators.

3. It takes about seven years for someone to become a master electrician.

4. Electricians may need special assistance if they\’re color blind.

Since many wires are marked with colors that signify different things, it\’s essential that an electrician can differentiate colors. If not, they\’ll need someone on site who they trust to identify colors.

5. Electricians specialize in safety.

This is one of those careers where attention to detail and safety can be the difference between a life and death situation. Beyond knowing how to install equipment, troubleshoot issues, and fix electrical problems, they train on safety requirements, regulations, and procedures. This keeps the electrician, your family, and your home safe.

If you need assistance with an electrical problem,  contact Turn It On Electric to schedule an appointment today.

If you own a home or run a business you need to know about the different types of electricians. Depending on the electrician, there are different education, training, and hands-on experience requirements which allow them to offer different services. This knowledge gives you a better idea of who you need to call. 

Residential Electricians

Residential electricians are the people you call when you need to hire someone to work on the electricity in your home. They can be utilized by apartment or condo management companies to perform more complex electrical work. They can work on indoor and outdoor electrical issues, including:

• Inspecting and repairing circuit breaker panels
• Installing electrical conduit and wiring
• Installing lighting and fans
• Repairing electrical fixtures
• Repairing electrical switches
• Rewiring

Residential electricians have a combination of formal classroom education as well as hands-on apprenticeship training. This typically takes about four years while working under the supervision of another electrician. At the end of their training, they need to pass state testing to begin working on their own.

Commercial Electricians

Commercial electricians can work on construction sites or projects within a commercial building. They can work on indoor and outdoor electrical issues, including:

• Inspecting and repairing data and communication lines
• Installing lighting and fans
• Remodeling and expanding electrical systems
• Repairing circuit breakers and fuses
• Security and landscape lighting design

Before an electrician can work independently in a commercial setting, they have to train under a master electrician. Once they do this and pass their state testing, they can apply to work as a commercial electrician.

Industrial Electricians

An industrial electrician is a person who runs electrical from the source to the disconnect switch to the machine. Without them, power wouldn\’t get from the source to power the machines in industrial buildings. They can work on indoor and outdoor electrical issues, including:

• Installing and working on motor controls
• Installing and working on heavy circuitry

Although an industrial electrician doesn\’t usually work on the components of the machines, they\’re responsible for anything between the power source and the machines. They may work with people in other trades like plumbers, HVAC technicians, and electrical engineers to get the job done completely. An associate degree in the electrical technology field is necessary before starting a career as an industrial electrician.

Call the Professionals

No matter what type of electrician you need, you want to make sure you\’re hiring someone you can rely on.

Contact Turn It On Electric to schedule an appointment with an electrician today.