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Safety

Risks & Rewards of EV Charging Stations

2Jun2023

Can you own an electric vehicle without charging at home? The answer is yes, but… You’ll have what’s known as “range anxiety.” That’s common among EV owners; they worry about how far they’ll get on their battery charges. It is often recommended home EV charging stations should be reviewed with a local electrician before buying a car.

In some cases, new EV owners don’t plan ahead. When it’s time to install the 240-volt outlet, perhaps they learn their electrical box and/or service
need to be upgraded, or the distance from the box to the
charging location is excessive. –USNews

Home EV Chargers: 8 Reasons To Call Your Electrician

You can save money on some home projects when you DIY (do-it-yourself), but you never save time. Often do-overs and damages cost more than paying a professional to get the job done right quickly.

Home EV charging stations are never a DIY installation project. Here’s why:

Before you self-install a home EV charging station, ask your tax professional if a DIY installation will be eligible for 2023’s thirty percent tax credit. It may disqualify the tax incentive.
Code compliance matters. An EV charging station can increase your property value if it’s professionally installed. Otherwise, you may be in violation of local regulations.
EV charging stations and some car components’ warranties can be voided without a professional EV charger installation. Licensed electricians guarantee workmanship and take responsibility for their mistakes.
Future issues (including fire hazards) are substantially reduced when your charging station is professionally installed. DIY jobs often need repairs or replacements later.
It’s not worth the safety risk. What you don’t know about electrical currents and sockets can hurt you.
Location is important. The chargers are weatherproof and water-resistant. But it’s important to examine all possible charge points. An electrician will identify issues and inconveniences you might miss.
Property damage may not be covered by your insurance if you DIY a charging station. If you torch the garage, it might be your responsibility to pay for the repairs.
You need the correct unit and setup for your EV, property, and lifestyle. Your local electrician can work with you to determine exactly what you need.

Heed Public Charging Station Risks

As of April 2023, Arizona has 989 public charging stations, with 2,768 ports for charging. It’s worthwhile asking your employer about company charging station options for employees. The added convenience could offset the expense.

You need to know this before you buy: Not all EVs can use fast-charging stations. Plus, some Level 3 (fast-charging) public stations request a payment plan upfront and on-file. There are charging networks for that purpose. (Examples include Blink, ChargePoint, Electrify America, and EVgo.) The other thing to know is that frequent fast charging is harder on your car than overnight charging at home.

You can review the Arizona charging stations map to learn more.

Public Charging Station Risks

The amount of high voltage available at public EV charging stations is itself a hazard. Improper use of public charging stations can cause burns, electrocutions, and shocks. Charging a vehicle with a damaged battery can cause a fire.

Because these stations are located outdoors, dangers are increased by weather. Obviously working with electricity during a rainstorm increases your odds of injury, but because of their locations, public EV charging ports are high-risk for vandalism. If tampered with, the charger or its components could be a shock or fire hazard.

Safety precautions are in place and will continue to be upgraded at public charging stations. But nothing beats the safety and security of a home EV charging station installed by a trusted, licensed electrician.

A home charging station is a good investment. It will increase your home’s value and reduce your carbon footprint. Let’s discuss your options today. Contact TIO Electric.

Electrical Wiring, Electrician, Residential, Safety

Avoiding Electrical Injuries

27Apr2023

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!

Outdoor, Safety

Spring Landscaping Projects: Call Before You Dig

22Mar2023

Spring is the season that inspires us to enhance our lawns with new plantings and landscaping. Smart homeowners “know what’s below” before they jump into any landscaping project. April has been designated National Safe Digging Month to reinforce the familiar Call Before You Dig program.

April’s Call 811 message promotion began in 2008 by Common Ground Alliance (CGA). According to CGA, over 20 million miles of subterranean utilities in the United States can be destroyed by unsafe digging.

Call Before You Dig Basics for DIY Projects

Even small, do-it-yourself lawn projects qualify for the call-before-you-dig phone numbers (811 or 800-782-5348). When making the call, you should know:

Address where you plan to dig
- County
- Nearest cross street(s)
Exact area in which you plan to dig
Type of lawn project

Arizona homeowners can go to https://www.arizona811.com/homeowners/ and create a ticket at least 2 days before a landscaping project. You’ll receive information about underground utilities and professional locators will mark the underground lines with paint or flags. As you work, keep within 2 feet of your marked underground utilities. For additional information, contact Arizona 811.

Advantages of Professional Landscape Lighting

Understanding how your home’s electrical system works, inside and out, is helpful when planning any home improvement project. Plowing into your yard’s surface with a shovel is not only a bad idea, but it can also be dangerous. You can hit a buried line or pipe when only shoveling a few inches. An underground utility wire is broken every 9 minutes due to inappropriate digging, says the CGA.

Consult with landscape lighting pros before beginning your outdoor flowers, plants, and tree upgrades. They often have ideas and considerations you may have missed. But professional landscape lighting is sometimes seen as an unnecessary expense. You’re adding beautiful plants to your yard. Why spend more?

Landscape lighting increases your property value. Realtors argue it adds more “perceived” value than actual, but Angi.com says landscape lighting can add about $2,500 to your home value. Depending on the type of lighting you choose and the cost, the ROI (return on investment) is viable.

Landscape lighting delivers more than beauty. The value of the increased property and personal safety is priceless.

Professional landscape lighting is worth the investment. The project gets completed safely and quickly. Many outdoor lighting upgrades include digging, and your local Phoenix-area electrician will automatically obtain the necessary information and permits.

Outdoor Lighting Trends

Some of 2023’s most popular outdoor lighting upgrades and installations are:

Lanterns – Wall or independently mounted lanterns can’t be placed without careful considerations: location, size, and style.
Smart security – This trend is more popular than ever before. Motion detectors, scheduled lighting, and backyard floodlights are solid safety choices.
Spotlights – These are primarily used to illuminate plants, trees, and flowerbeds.
String lights – These are most frequently used in backyards, around pools, and patios. But they can add elegance to front yard trees when professionally installed.
Walkway – Flush-mounted ground lights are often considered the most attractive and tasteful walkway lighting installations. There are many styles and types of pathway lights, including:
- Bollard
- Garden
- Post lights
- Sconces
- Step-/stairlights
Wall lights – These lights improve the overall appearance of your home but also can brighten entrances and illuminate dark corners of your house.

TIO Electric Outdoor Lighting Solutions

You can print a free copy of the Arizona 811 brochure. It includes information about laws and liabilities for homeowners.

You won’t need to call before you dig when you partner with your family’s local electrical contractor. We will obtain all information and any permits needed for your outdoor lighting project.

As Phoenix’s LEED-certified electrician, Turn It On Electric offers sustainable outdoor lighting design services for Arizona communities, including:

Anthem
Cave Creek
Chandler
Gilbert
Glendale
Mesa
Paradise Valley
Phoenix Metro
Scottsdale
Tempe
…and nearby neighborhoods

We welcome questions. To schedule an outdoor lighting consultation, contact TIO Electric.

Electrical Wiring, Residential, Safety

What Is an Electrical Short?

21Feb2023

An electrical circuit is the flow of electricity that loops from your circuit breaker/panel box through your home and back again. That circular route is the circuit. An electrical short is a malfunction that is often called a “short circuit.”

An electrical short occurs when a wire carrying a live or “hot” current contacts a neutral wire. The live current jumps – arcs – from the live wire to the neutral wire. The electrical flow then takes the shortest, least resistant path to the ground. That path can be through flammable materials or animals and people. Anything in its way can receive a shock, catch fire, or be damaged by a small explosion.

Electrical shorts can cause:

Electrocutions
Fires
Shocks

What Causes an Electrical Short Circuit?

Just as with your body’s blood flow, when your electrical circulation is interrupted it’s a problem that needs immediate professional attention. There are several reasons why your home or commercial property can experience a short circuit, but basically, there are 2 types of electrical short circuits:

Ground fault – This occurs when a plugged-in or hot wire touches a grounded:
- Appliance
- Bare ground wire
- Breaker box
- Device
- Outlet
- …or anything using the electrical circuit
Normal – Normal short circuits occur when a hot wire touches a neutral wire. “normal” electrical short circuits can be caused by:

Electrical surges
Exposed wiring damages
- Nail/screw punctures
- Rodents chewing-through
- Water/fluids contact wiring
Loose wires in circuit breaker box
Sheathing/wire wrap erodes – (The strong, non-conductive material insulating electrical wiring is usually PVC/polyethylene, which shouldn’t but can deteriorate.)
Worn-out/damaged electrical system components
- Appliances
- Lights
- Outlets
- Switches

Signs You Have an Electrical Short

The obvious sign you have a short circuit is when your breaker keeps tripping. If it’s accompanied by sparks, a zapping or sizzling sound, or even smoke, you have a dangerous electrical short circuit. If you touch a device or plug-in and get a small shock or burn, that indicates a serious problem you shouldn’t ignore.

Perhaps you had a brief tripping, reset the breaker, and carried on. Hours or days later, you notice that familiar, metallic-burning smell of melted electronics and plastic. That’s another clue you have a dangerous electrical short.

The important thing to know is electrical shorts are dangerous. You need to contact your local, licensed electrician immediately.

How To Prevent Short Circuits

Homeowners should regularly inspect outlets, bulb screw-ins, and appliance plugs for signs of age or damage. Also, check appliance electrical cords for signs of wear and tear. The circuit box area should be kept clean and it should also be easily accessible (not blocked by boxes, clutter, etc.) The best way to safeguard your home and prevent short circuits is professional electrical maintenance.

Safe, efficient electrical systems are as important to your home or office as heating and cooling or plumbing. That’s why we recommend electrical maintenance inspections to prevent electrical problems and protect your property.

TIO Electric is the Arizona Valley and Phoenix-area Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified electrical contractor. As LEEDS-certified electricians, during an electrical checkup, we will identify ways you can save energy and money while maintaining electrical safety and functionality. We’ll also check your electrical system’s safety and compliance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines.

During a maintenance visit, we will also:

Check HVAC electrical connections (we cannot inspect/repair HVAC systems.)
Ensure cables are secure/undamaged
Examine electrical components and:
- Circuit overload potential
- Damaged insulation
- Grounding
- Moisture near electrical components
- Smoke detectors
- Unsafe usage of extension cords
Inspect whole-house generator

We prioritize safety, and annual electrical checkups can prevent electrical problems. However, Turn It On Electric pros are also knowledgeable interior/exterior lighting design and renovation consultants. Ask us about electrical upgrades for your home or business.

We know you have choices. Our customer care and industry-best workmanship are why Phoenix communities choose TIO Electric. If you have questions about electrical short circuits, contact TIO Electric.

Electrical Wiring, Residential, Safety

12 Tips for Holiday Light Safety

13Dec2022

Holiday lights are beautiful and fun. They can also pose hazards inside and outside homes. A recent article cited this National Fire Protection statistic: More than 770 fires are caused by holiday lights every December. You can avoid the risks by practicing holiday light safety this year and every year.

Holiday Light Safety: Identifying and Avoiding Hazards

Holiday lights give us a feel-good that’s based on science. “Happy hormones” are triggered by lights and colors. In fact, some architectural professionals say we should consider new-home lighting designs that offer mood enhancements and wellness every day.

However, adding festive lights to your home is not without risks. Here are 12 holiday light safety issues and ways to avoid them.

Real trees – Keep live trees well-hydrated. Fire-resistant artificial trees are considered safer.
Bulbs – Inspect every strand of holiday lights. Even newly purchased lights may have missing or broken bulbs. Defective outdoor lighting and tree lights can cause electrocution, fires, injuries, or property damage.
Cars – If your vehicle is in the annual parade, use a power inverter for strands that are more than 12V. Be sure to anchor decorative auto or float lights carefully and firmly. Depending on the lights, you may want to use them only if it’s dry outdoors. Wet 110V AC lights can be surprisingly shocking.
Extension cords – It’s the only time of year extensive use of extension cords is okay. But like lights, pay attention to indoor-outdoor approved usage. Some extension cords can’t survive wet and cold weather. Also, try to keep your outdoor-approved extension cords dry as possible.
- Avoid placing cords in areas of your yard that tend to puddle. Inexpensive cord protectors are available online.
- Don’t run lights or extension cords under doors or through window openings.
- Follow the “rule of three” and don’t plug more than 3 strands of lights into any one extension cord.
- In September 2022, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) revealed male-to-male extension cords can cause carbon monoxide poisoning in addition to electrocution, fire, and shock risks. You should discard them and not buy them online.
Hangers – Avoid metal nails, tacks, or screws for hanging light strands. Plastic hangers are safer.
Ladders –When hanging outdoor home lights this year, don’t do a Griswold. A steady wood or fiberglass ladder that will support your weight is a good idea to avoid shock or falls.
Lighting ins and outs – Light strands and their bulbs are usually specifically designed for indoor or outdoor use. It’s a bad idea to mix them up. You can buy lights that are approved for indoor and outdoor. For maximum holiday light safety, only purchase lights that have been tested by an American National Standards-approved agency, like Underwriters Laboratory (UL).
Location, location – Avoid placing extension cords and light strands in any location where foot traffic is possible. They can trip any pedestrian, including Auntie Jane or the family toddler. For example, if you’d like to run lights along the sidewalk, use light stakes for the strands and anchoring pins or ground staples for the extension cords.
Pets – Some people decorate their dogs or cats with electric holiday lights, usually for family photos. It’s extremely dangerous. Battery lights are much safer and reduce the risks of burns and shock. Never leave a “decorated” pet unattended.
Plugs – Don’t use any outlet except a GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) plug-in.
Strands – There are several websites and videos that explain how to safely repair fuses and strands of holiday lights. Our advice: Name-brand holiday light strands are available at local home and hardware box stores for under $5. Replace, rather than repair, damaged strands of holiday lights.
Take them down – You shouldn’t leave light decorations up all year. Smart lights aren’t designed for long-term use anyway. Etiquette-wise, January 6 is the official date for having outdoor lights down. Check the manufacturer’s directions. But even if you don’t plug them in or turn them on, exposure can dangerously degrade outside holiday lights.

If you have questions about lighting products or holiday light safety, contact Turn It On Electric.

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Chuck P

01:46 23 Jan 25

Friendly, communicative, and professional.High quality work.

Renee Delu

18:10 11 Jan 25

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

Wally Johns

01:31 11 Jan 25

Good work and very polite guys.

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!

Category Archives: Safety