Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a top-tier electrician in Columbia, Maryland? Maybe you’re looking for a new, exciting and rewarding career. Or maybe you just want to know what it is that makes Kolb Electric’s certified electricians so darn good at what they do! In either case, the answer to this question is a two-parter.

There is, of course, a practical aspect. Education, training and all of the necessities of being a bona fide electrician. But there are some personality and professionalism requirements, as well.

An electrician has to become highly versed in a ton of information. You may think it’s a lot of “this plug goes here”, and yes, there are some pretty simple connections to make. But electricians actually learn way, way more than just basics. A successful electrician must learn:

As an aside, we would like to point out that if you ever consider undergoing training to be a certified electrician, do not ignore safety and first aid training. A lot of our job is about how to avoid setting ourselves, or others on fire.

Where Do I Start?

There are a few methods of receiving electrician training. Kolb reccomends trade schools or a community college, as there are plenty of them that offer excellent courses in Maryland. Training will involve years of classroom study, practical applications and apprenticeship before you can acquire certification. Sound like a lot? It is, but it is entirely worth it, and everyone needs to know that you’re completely trained!

So aside from the extensive training, what makes a Kolb electrician great at what they do? A lot of it comes down to attitude, willingness to serve well, and professionalism. A successful electrician in Columbia is:

Another important thing to keep in mind as an electrician is that training never ends! Technology is always changing (often very rapidly), and staying on top of all of the latest technology, trends and techniques is one of the primary goals of a successful electrician. Besides, learning new things is fun, and keeps the job interesting!

Our teams at Kolb are extensively trained, highly effective and very skilled at what they do. If you need electrical services including repair, installation, replacement, rewiring or anything else, you can call on Kolb!

If you find yourself making that frustrating trip to the circuit breaker often enough to remember, there’s a good chance your electrical panel is overworking itself. An outdated electrical panel is a hassle no homeowner should have to put with. It’s not just an issue of faulty outlets and tripping over extension cords. An outdated electrical panel is a serious fire hazard.

It’s outdated for one, and that can cause a lot of problems, especially for any home improvement projects. An electrical panel’s job is to determine how much electricity is distributed to all appliances, lights, and outlets in your home. If your electrical panel is outdated, not only is it unfit to meet your electrical needs, it puts you and your home at risk. An up-to-date electrical panel has a circuit breaker, which trips or turns off when the wiring is overworked; this prevents your electrical system from overheating and starting a fire. An outdated electrical panel isn’t only a fire hazard; it’s harmful for the following reasons.

If your home needs an electrical upgrade, it can be as simple as replacing a few circuit breakers or replacing the entire electrical panel. It’s best to contact an electrical technician as the wiring in your home is a complicated mess, and a professional knows what to look for. They can inspect your home and provide the best suggestions on how to upgrade your electrical system.

One of the most affordable and effective components of any home security system is motion detecting outdoor lighting. Installed by a professional electrician, these lights can give you years of reliable service and peace of mind.

But like any part of your household electrical system, problems can arise from time to time. If your outdoor security lights are staying on all the time, not coming on at all or otherwise performing poorly, you can try these simple DIY fixes before calling an electrician.

Most motion detecting light fixtures allow the motion detector to be aimed at a specific area. If your lights are coming on too often, it could be that the sensor is aimed at a nearby street or an area where wildlife roam around at night. If the lights aren't coming on at all, the sensor might be aimed directly at the ground or into the side of the house. Experiment with different sensor positions after dark and walk around in the areas you want to secure to fine-tune your aim.

Motion detectors also typically come equipped with sensitivity settings. Too sensitive, and something as small as a fly could set it off. Not sensitive enough, and a prowler could come within a few feet of the fixture before it lights up. Locate this setting and fine-tune it to your liking.

Another common setting for motion detector lights is a light duration time. This can be as long as 30 minutes, and if your lights are unwittingly set this way, it could give the impression that they stay on all night. A good duration for most security light applications is one to two minutes.

A dirty sensor can’t detect movement properly. If dirt and dust have accumulated on your motion detector, use a wet rag to wipe it clean, then re-test your lights.

Security lights can get off-kilter if there are interruptions in the electrical supply, such as power outages, power surges and accidentally flipping light switches or breakers. Sometimes this can result in lights that stay on or off all the time. To reset most motion detecting lights, shut off the power supply at the switch for at least 30 seconds, making sure there’s no motion in front of the sensor during this time. Then turn the light back on and test it to ensure proper function. If there was motion in front of the sensor while the power was off, this may need to be repeated.

Not all motion detector problems can be fixed this easily. If you have persistent problems, storm damage or faulty installation, it’s important to call in your local licensed electricians for a professional evaluation and repair.