Electrical devices are “grounded” when they connect to grounding devices for safety reasons. Grounding provides a safe “path of least resistance” for stray voltage to follow. Grounding systems direct stray voltage into the ground where it discharges safely instead of building up in places where it
Should I Upgrade My Outlets?
If your electrical outlets are old, warped, damaged, or malfunctioning, it may be time to replace them. Old outlets wear out over time, diminishing their effectiveness or even putting you in danger. Upgraded outlets prevent that danger and make your home’s electricity more effective at the same
Is Aluminum Wiring Dangerous?
The aluminum wiring installed in homes during the 1960s and 1970s is considered a serious fire hazard. Problems with installation, outlet connections, and the metal itself resulted in wiring that degrades and loosens over time. If your home has aluminum wiring, you should repair or replace it right
The Pros and Cons of Electric Cars
Many of us make a lot of assumptions. For example, we think tomatoes are vegetables but in reality, they're a fruit. We might also assume electric cars are a relatively new invention. It only makes sense, right? Electric cars were designed to end our dependence on oil by providing a clean,
How Do Solar Panels Work?
Most people just aren't all that curious. They don't care how electricity gets from the power plant all the way to their light bulb. They only care about results. But you: you read these blogs, so you must have the kind of curiosity that leads you to ask questions. We're betting you're so
Is Solar Power Right for You? Part Two
In part one, we left you with this cliffhanger: “A cost-benefit analysis is only one factor for finding out if solar power is right for you. If you want to know for sure, there are still a few more things you’ll want to consider.” We know you're waiting with bated breath, so we’ll get right into
Is Solar Power Right For You? Part One
Let's find out if it's about time you put that giant ball of gas to work for you. No, not your obnoxious uncle who chews beans with his mouth full. We're talking about the sun. The sun generates a lot of energy. How much, you ask? A LOT, we reply. Ok, honestly, We'll share the numbers, but they are
Electrical Safety for the Elderly
You might have noticed we always stress safety. It only makes sense: electricity is a powerful force that can cause fires, shocks, and death. Taking it seriously is absolutely paramount, especially for electrical professionals. You should take electricity seriously, too. One way to protect your
Why You Should Install a Surge Protector
Analogy alert! Let's say you just gave an all-star quarterback a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract to play on your team. With their talents, you could go all the way! Meanwhile, however, the offensive linemen on your team are 5’4” and weigh about 145 pounds. They’re up against gigantic 6’3”,
How to Fix a Broken Circuit Breaker
To start this blog about circuit breakers (and broken circuits), let's start in Borneo. Obviously. See, there's this ant in Borneo, the Colobopsis saundersi, that blows itself up whenever it’s seriously threatened. Seriously. Let's say there are a bunch of these ants, just hanging around the
How Electricians Stay Safe
Last century, Men Without Hats had a hit song called "Safety Dance." One line is "And I can act like an imbecile." Sure, you can act like an imbecile when you dance. But if you do that when you're working with electricity, you could lose more than your hat. Here are a few safety rules the pros
What an Electrician Does
Some folks take a shower before work, others clean up after. If you think the worker who gets their hands dirty is an "unskilled laborer," you don't know what it takes to be an electrician. Come on. Just look at the training. And, we're hiring! Becoming an Electrician The path to becoming