Many people in the Alpharetta area have barns without pole barn lighting. It is still fairly common to see pole barns with no artificial lighting or traditional sodium lights installed. Both options can lead to unsafe situations.

Pole barns have many dark nooks and crannies and often have sharp objects stored in them. Sharp objects plus dark areas is a recipe for injury. To prevent potentially dangerous conditions, you should have a lighting system installed. It is especially important to get these lights installed before winter, as the days are shorter and nights are longer. The pole barn will be left through those long nights without natural or artificial lighting unless you have an electrician install illumination now.

Here are the options:

● Fluorescent Lights. Fluorescent lights are a good option for a relatively small space, especially if the ceilings are low. Fluorescent lights are cheap to buy and run. They are also fairly energy efficient, which means your electrical bill will be lower.

● Halide Lights. While fluorescent lights have long been popular for many residential and commercial applications, halide lights are relatively new. They have been around a few years but are not as common as fluorescent lights due to their more specialized nature. Though halide lights are stronger than fluorescent lights, they do have a few drawbacks. They are more expensive to buy and operate, and they take a while to reach full power after being turned on. Nonetheless, they’re likely the best option for large pole barns because of their power.

Veterans go through a lot.  For us that have never served it may be difficult to fully understand what a veteran has to go through.  For some veterans the challenges they face do not stop once they arrive back home. Some may have physical limitations while others may have mental.  The fact is that veterans have put there lives on line and many have gave their lives for our freedom.  Over 42 million Americans have served during war time with over 1.2 million American deaths during war time.

Custom Electrical Services would like to personally thank all the men and women who proudly serve in the U.S. military.  It is fair to say we can never thank you enough for our freedom.  On this day we renew our continued appreciation for you and our freedom!

Veteran Who Attend A Chicago Cubs Game With Us.

Please take the time to personally thank a veteran.  May it be simple words and a hand shake, anonymously buy the uniformed military person in line behind you lunch, or if you have an extra ticket to a game or an event find a veteran to give it to.

Although Christmas is now behind us, we are still deep in the midst of winter. The ground is frosty early in the morning, and the temperature throughout the day can easily fall below zero. When traversing through your daily routine this winter, be prepared for the worse and stop accidents in the home before they happen. Here are some winter electrical safety tips that could prevent serious injury and harm:

Keep away from downed power lines – A few weeks ago we discussed power line safety. This is a hot topic during the winter because roads are slippery and car accidents increase. If a car hits a power line and the electrical wiring falls down, keep at least three metres or 10 feet away. Power lines are very powerful and can cause serious electrocution if you are not careful. Keep your family and children educated, as they could come across a downed power line during their daily commute. Always call 911 when you see a power line down.

Place your space heater at a safe distance – Space heaters are a great way to keep specific rooms warm without ramping up monthly heating bills. Because of the high heat output of electrical heaters, it is important to keep them away from flammable material.  Ensure that they are not in contact with any furniture, rugs, and curtains. If you feel surrounding objects becoming hot, move the heater. Fires are easily started if the heater is unattended. Always turn off the heater when it’s not in use.

Ensure your backup generator is ready to go – As we said, dangerous road conditions can cause damage to power lines and in turn results in power outages. For those homes and businesses equipped with standby generators, it is a good time to have regular maintenance and check-ups done. Have a professional inspect the power generator to ensure that oil levels and gas levels are correct, and the connection to the home is safe and secure. If a power outage occurs, you want to be confident that it will power your home/business when it needs to.

Avoid using candles during power outages – Many people use candles to light their rooms during power outages. While this can deliver a nice ambience, it is very dangerous. If the candles are unattended or wax drips and causes build up around the candle, it can result in a fire. Instead, use flashlights or LED candles.

Unplug major appliances during power outages – During an extended power outage, unplug your major appliances (oven, fridge, freezer, television) and turn off light fixtures (You can leave on some lights so you know when the power returns). This can prevent power surges from occurring and damaging the appliances when power returns.

Prepare an emergency safety kit for long outages – To be prepared for extended power outages or even in the event of a serious natural disaster, have an emergency kit ready. The emergency kit should be readily accessible and contain batteries, flashlight, blankets/sleeping bags/warm clothes, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, and sufficient water for your family. This will keep your family warm, fed, and safe during an emergency. Check with your local safety authorities and put together a safety kit.

The winter can bring harsh weather conditions that affect our daily lives. With the proper precautions you can be prepared for the worst situations. If you have questions about your home electrical system during the winter or power generators, contact your local Expert Electric at 604-681-8338.

The idea of creating something new from a disused item, “reclaiming” or “upcycling” forces us to look at our surroundings with new, environmentally conscious eyes. Below are five examples of innovative and elegant lighting designs that prove that there are no limits to what the mind can create!

It is difficult to obtain total peace of mind when you can’t really see what is going on behind the walls of your house. Because of this, you may want to look into having an electrical safety inspection completed by an electrician in Glendale. The electrician will go through and check some of the most common problems that lead to an electrical fire. The inspection will certainly make you feel better knowing your home is safe or identifying problems that could lead to a disaster if left unchecked. The Electric Connection has the staff available to complete one of these inspections in a professional and timely manner.

A quick inspection takes only a few minutes, but can quickly identify any potential problems. If you are not sure whether you need an inspection follow these guidelines.

*Lights that flicker, pop or don’t work at all could indicate a bigger problem.

*An outlet that doesn’t work or when it is in use, the breaker trips.

*You have exposed wiring anywhere in the house.

*A home that was built before 1950 and has had no electrical updates.

These are just some of the most common and obvious signs of trouble. If you have recently moved into a house, but are not sure about the condition of the Glendale electrical system, it is always a good idea to get a complete safety inspection. Older homes may have been constructed with aluminum or cloth insulated wiring. Today, we know this is not an ideal situation and should be upgraded. This isn’t something the average person would be able to see just by looking at it. This is why you need an experienced professional to take a look and determine just how safe your home’s electrical system is. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your electrical safety inspection before it is too late.