It is now easier than ever to find the right electric car to fit your needs. In the past, the only models available were rather small and compact. People scoffed at the idea of a car that was barely big enough for two people. Nowadays, there are plenty of makes and models to choose from. You have the freedom to go big or small. You will be able to save money on gas once you make the electric car purchase, but only if you have the right set up at home to effectively use your electric car. This is where the help of an experienced electrician in Los Angeles, like those at The Electric Connection comes in.

When you buy your car, you will typically be offered the choice of a Level I charging station. This is a system that you can plug in anywhere. It can plug into an available outlet in your garage or carport. This charger is the least expensive and will fully charge your car—in about 24 hours. Most people don’t have the luxury of not leaving their house for a full 24 hours. This means you would either not be able to use the electric power for your drive and have to rely on gas or only be able to use it for a short while before the car resorted to fuel.

Your Los Angeles electrician can help solve that problem by adding the proper outlet needed for a Level II charging station. These chargers will get the car to a full charge in less than 8 hours. That is a little more practical for daily use. The charger requires more volts to run, which is why you need an electrician. Los Angeles residents can call The Electric Connection to schedule their 240-volt outlet installation in their garage and make their electric car investment a little better.

Fully automated homes offer the ultimate in Smart Home Technology, boasting George Jetson-like advancement once believed to be many years in the future.

Today’s Smart Home Technology offers everything from Wi-Fi home thermostats, to wireless door locks and outlets that can be turned on and off remotely, as well as inform you if your infirm Granny has started her morning pot of coffee. What’s more, the ability to manage outlets, appliances, heating and cooling, and more with the help of the wireless Internet, a smart device, and a few apps is now an affordable reality.

How can you make your home a bit smarter? Mr. Electric® has ways to help you power your tomorrow with these technology options.

Fitting over your existing deadbolt, smart locks automatically disengage when a phone with a digital key is near. They allow for remote operation, unlimited keys for family and friends, and notify you of activity at your home.  

Control your home’s lighting wirelessly, including lighting intensity, color and scheduling.

Smart open/close sensors for windows, doors, and cabinets can text and inform you of a breach, and when used in conjunction with other home automation products, can even turn on lights, adjust the thermostat, and more.

Plug smart outlets directly into existing wall outlets for remote on/off operation, create a schedule, and track power usage of plugged-in appliances.

As technology rapidly advances and becomes affordable, upcoming Smart Home Technology is sure to be limited only by our imaginations. Visit our website or give us a call to find out about how we can help you capitalize on home automation opportunities today! The future is waiting…

Part of the recent trend to go eco-friendly has been the emergence of electrical cars. Electrical cars emit no pollution and eliminate trips to the gas station, saving you money. Instead of going to the gas station though, you will need to find another destination to top up your new vehicle electric car’s batteries. Installing a car charger in your home makes it convenient and efficient to fill up every day.

Most electrical vehicles can be charged over the course of a night. For those commuting daily with an electrical vehicle, this ensures that you are charged and ready to go every morning. A car charger is likely to be installed at the location where the car is parked for the night. This is likely either in a carport or garage, but this doesn’t mean it cannot be installed outside. If you decide that the best location for your charger is not a covered area, (this may be the case for a housing complex installing a station), make sure that you purchase an outdoor charger.

When you are ready to purchase your indoor or outdoor charger, review your vehicle’s owner manual for the recommended charger requirements. The car may require either a level 1 or a level 2 charger and should specify a recommended voltage and amperage. Chargers can be purchased at a variety of different retailers. Some cars come standard with a 120V charger or a faster 240V charger. Once you have determined the specifications for your charger you can purchase the right one for your vehicle.

Electrical car chargers can be used on standard 120V outlets, but for faster charging, 240V chargers can be purchased. Even if the charger you purchased can be plugged into a standard outlet, it is recommended that you have your outlet and wiring inspected by a professional. The charging will increase the load on your electrical system. If your wiring, breaker or electrical meter is too old, you could run into issues. It is advised that if you are using a 240V charger, a dedicated circuit is installed for it.

If you are interested in having an electric car charging station installed in your home, contact Expert Electric. We can help identify the requirements and ensure that your home is prepared to charge your new vehicle.

Electrical conduits are an electrical piping system made of plastic, metal, or fiber, that are used to provide wiring or cable route to protect it. The use, form and installation details for electrical conduits are specified by the wiring regulations such as the US National Electrical Code (NEC) or other national or local code.

The location of an electrical conduit will usually determine what kind of material may be used. Since electrical conduits are used mainly in the outer wall surface in exposed locations, they are made of a material that is either flexible or rigid.

The following are the most commonly used materials:

Rigid steel The type of conduit system that is to be applied depends upon the wall thickness, mechanical stiffness and the material used to make the tubing. The material can be chosen for mechanical protection, corrosion resistance and for cutting the costs on installation charges. As far as wiring regulations for electrical equipment in hazardous areas are concerned, certain kinds of conduits need to be used depending on the regulation specifications.