You may think that, because your air conditioner has not been in use for some time, you don’t need routine maintenance prior to the cooling season. This is why so many homeowners are caught off-guard when they find that their AC systems are not in prime working condition when summer rolls around, though. By allowing a qualified technician to thoroughly inspect and meticulously tune up your AC system prior to the onset of summer, you ensure that you will receive the quality cooling performance that you both desire and deserve.

These days’ computers exist in our homes within one form or another. These machines are quite valuable and expensive, and damaging them is not a good feeling. As computers run on electricity, improper use and function can result in electrical related damage. Keep these following simple tips in mind when working with your computers.

We have previously talked about the proper use of extension cords in the past, but this is especially applicable for computers. Extension cords are not meant to be a permanent solution when it comes to placing your computer away from an electrical socket. An extension cord can hinder surge protection and make the computer vulnerable to shocks that can damage the computer hardware.

If you have a computer, laptop, or monitor, the power cord likely has three prongs. These are not suggestions. Too many times people will try to fit these cords into two-prong sockets. The button prong that only appears on some cords is actually the grounding cable. This protects us from electrical currents that can spread to the metal casing surrounding the computer. If the grounding prong is not connected properly, you are risking a chance of serious electric shock.

Electricity powers computer hardware, but too much of it can damage the components. With a GCFI outlet you add another layer of protection to your devices. If there is an electrical storm or problem with your home electrical system and a surge occurs, you can rest assured that it will not reach your devices.

If you have an office setup that includes a monitor, computer, and printer a surge protector is highly recommended. The surge protector will shut off when a surge is detected and protect the electrical devices. Make sure that you know the load that the electrical devices have and check that both your electrical circuit and surge protector are rated for that load. If not, you will find the surge protector or breaker tripping constantly.

If you are setting up an office with computer hardware and electrical equipment, or require GCFI outlets in your home, contact your local Expert Electric. We can help to review your setup and provide you with solutions to keep you and your hardware safe.

It is important to know the basic information about workplace electrical risks and prevention, especially if you are working in the Here are some of the most common workplace electrical risks:

Faulty Equipment: Equipment that isn’t working properly can cause electrical shocks. These shocks can cause serious injury in and of themselves, but can also lead to workers falling off ladders or other platforms. Faulty equipment and electrical appliances can also cause fires.

Misuse of Equipment: Workers who do not have adequate training on certain pieces of equipment may not follow all the necessary safety precautions. This can result in electrical shocks or fire.

Misperceptions: Workers may be working on or near equipment which they thought which they thought was dead but is actually live.

If you are working around electrical equipment, it is highly likely that you might encounter workplace electrical risks on a daily basis. Raising awareness for you and your co-workers, in addition to proper care and maintenance of electrical equipment is key in preventing hazards, injury and damage.  That’s why it’s so important to familiarize yourself with potential dangers, learn how to avoid them, and be prepared in case of emergency. Good luck keeping yourself and your workplace safe.

Even though they won’t be able to provide full power to your home in the event of an extended power outage, there are many practical uses for a portable generator. Depending on what you do in your free time, you may be surprised at how many parts of the country do not have electricity that is easily accessed. A portable generator can help ensure that you have access to electricity, even when you want to spend time outdoors. If you need to take electricity to an area that has no electrical outlets, then a portable generator is one of the best routes to go. Here are a few ways to use your portable generator:

Tailgating – Many tailgating locations do not have electrical outlets that are easy to access. To solve this problem, just bring your own generator along. You can place your generator in the back of your truck so that you have all the power that you need to keep your television, satellite dish and any other electrical devices going for the entire game.

Camping – Even if you like to rough it for most of your trip, having access to electricity while camping can be very handy. This way, you can charge your phone and use any electrical devices that you may not have brought if you did not have access to electricity.

Emergency Backup Power – Though portable generators are not designed to provide long-term emergency power, they can be great to have around when power is lost. You will need to keep your portable generator outside of your home so that you do not vent combustible gases into your home. You can still, however, bring lines of power into your home to keep essentials such as lighting and refrigeration going for a short period of time.

Portable generators are good to have, because you can take them with you to provide power wherever you need it. They are not stationary, and do not require the assistance of an electrician in Santa Monica such as The Electric Connection to set up and start using. Give us a call if you have any questions about standalone or portable generators.