Custom Electrical Services was voted by the community as USA Today Best Electrician in Des Moines metro.  We cannot thank our customers enough for taking the time to vote for us!  Winners were announced and presented by the Des Moines Register and the Des Moines Datebook.  Custom Electrical Services was also voted #1 for Urbandale and Johnston by the community.  Thank you Des Moines, Urbandale, and Johnston!

By: Maddie Ogletree

Your spring renovation isn’t complete without a functionality update for your electrical outlets. Standard outlets just won’t cut it anymore when it comes to powering your home and electronics. You’ll be surprised at how much a few simple upgrades can make your life more convenient.

USB outlets are becoming a necessity for charging your phone, tablet and other electronic devices. It’s always an inconvenience to lose that little white iPhone adapter. But if your outlets are equipped for USBs, your life is a little bit easier. USB outlets are becoming the standard for homes. You can easily plug in your device while you’re in the kitchen, home office or bedroom with a USB upgrade.

Bulky, inconvenient nightlights aren’t your only option. New outlets like the SnapPower outlet feature a nightlight as part of their design. When you turn the lights out, the nightlight comes on, illuminating the outlet from below. No longer do you need to unplug the light to charge your computer. It’s a simple idea to add to your spring remodel!

If you’re undertaking a bathroom renovation, adding an outlet inside of a drawer or cabinet is a way to conveniently power electric razors, hairdryers and more styling tools. If you add in a USB plug as well, you’ll keep your phone charging while you get ready to take on the day.

This idea can also carry over to creating a charging station in your bedroom or living room. Install a couple of plugs in the back of a drawer and let your devices charge without the unsightly wires sprawling everywhere.

Recessed outlets in the kitchen are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason! Keep your kitchen surfaces free from wires until you need them by conveniently hiding those not-so-pretty plugs. There are a variety of pop out outlets that let you stylishly hide your outlets when you don’t need them.

If you’re in need of a little help updating your outlets, we’d love to give you a hand with your spring renovations! Call Mr. Electric today to find out more.

Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS): RoHS Compliant

RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances. Certain materials used in electronics and electrical products have been deemed hazardous to people and the environment and, therefore, must be limited. For a product to be RoHS compliant, testing must be performed and documented to show limited or no use of cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, mercury, polybrominated biphenyls, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers.

Warranties

Super Bright LEDs, Inc. offers a minimum 2-year warranty to protect against manufacturer defects and malfunctions. Longer warranties are available depending on the product. If you experience failure of an LED or other component not caused by negligence, abuse, unauthorized repair, or disassembly, we will replace the product within the warranty period. If the same product is no longer available, a product of equal value may be substituted.

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Lifetime Warranty

Super Bright LEDs, Inc. offers a Lifetime Warranty on a variety of products to protect against manufacturer defects and malfunctions. If you experience failure of an LED or other component not caused by negligence, abuse, unauthorized repair or disassembly, we will replace the product. If the same product is no longer available, a product of equal value may be substituted.

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CE: Meets European health, safety, and environmental standards

In order for certain products within controlled categories, such as electrical and electronic devices, to be legally sold in the European Economic Area, they must bear a CE label, which stands for Conformité Européenne (European Conformity). Products with this label meet environmental, health, and safety standards put into place by European legislation.

UL Recognized: Product component safety and environmental certification from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) LLC

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) LLC is an independent testing agency that works to verify product safety and quality. A UL-Recognized label ensures that a product component, such as a power supply or LED light strip, has been tested and verified as safe to use in a UL-Listed product. UL-Listed product samples are tested by UL and meet their Standards for Safety requirements.

DLC: Listed as a quality, energy-efficient product by the DesignLights® Consortium (DLC®)

The DesignLights Consortium® (DLC®) partners with energy-efficiency groups and utility companies to establish a set of standards for commercial LED light fixtures. The product is tested and must meet quality, energy-efficiency, and performance requirements to be added to the DLC’s Qualified Products List. For more information, click

DOT Approved: Approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT)

The Department of Transportation (DOT) sets strict guidelines in respect to external vehicle lighting that must be followed in order for a light to be street legal. Vehicle fixtures, such as headlights and tail lights, that have a DOT mark are legal, safe, and considered to provide suitable illumination for street use.

SAE International Class 1: Classified for use as emergency vehicle lighting by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

Vehicle warning lights are ranked by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) according to class. A Class 1 LED light delivers the most amount of light (in comparison to class 2 and class 3 lights) and is ideal for emergency lighting on ambulances and fire trucks as well as police and rescue vehicles.

ETL Listed: An ETL-Listed product meets national safety standards

A product that bears an ETL-Listed label has been evaluated by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) and meets national product safety standards. An ETL certification is accepted in the U.S. and in Canada.

FCC: Complies with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules. Won’t cause harmful interference.

Products with a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) label meet all requirements and rules set forth by the FCC and won’t cause interference with other electronic devices. According to FCC’s website, “The Federal Communications Commission regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.” Products that generate radio frequency (RF) energy, such as RF remote controls and certain LED light bulbs, are tested to ensure that they are within the FCC’s guidelines and limits and do not cause harmful interference.

SAA: Standards Australia (SA) compliance

Standards Australia (SAA) is a company that establishes guidelines and rules known as Standards. In an effort to create a sustainable environment, these Standards are designed to ensure that products are safe and function consistently. Products with an SAA label were tested and comply with set Standards.

IP65

The weatherproof product allows zero entry of dust. It is protected against jets of water and may allow limited liquid entry.

IP66

The weatherproof product allows zero entry of dust. It is protected against strong jets of water and may allow limited liquid entry.

IP67

The waterproof product allows zero entry of dust. It is protected against the effects of immersion between 15 centimeters and 1 meter.

IP68

The waterproof product allows zero entry of dust. It is protected against long periods of immersion under pressure.

IP69K

The waterproof product allows zero entry of dust. It is protected against high-temperature, high-pressure water and steam.

UL 844: Meets requirements from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) LLC for use in hazardous (classified) locations

UL 844 requirements cover fixed and portable luminaires for installation and use in the following hazardous (classified) locations in accordance with the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70:

These requirements cover luminaires for use only under the following atmospheric conditions:

The certified experts at Kolb Electric are fresh from the new year and ready to impart some more great advice! Looking to set a resolution that is easy to keep, and puts cash directly back into your wallet? As electric specialists, we naturally know lots of ways to use energy, but we also know some cool ways to not use electricity too!

We’re not going to suggest anything as radical as a solar energy overhaul, and most of these resolutions are simple behavior changes or little fixes. So follow along, and you just may find yourself with a lower electric bill this month!

We don’t claim to have all of the answers, but you can be sure we do our best to know everything there is to know about electricity! If you’re interested in learning how the professionals at Kolb can assist you in reducing energy costs, contact us today!

At Kolb, our master electricians have been providing the very best in service, skill and technology for years. It is our endless goal to bring our consumers the highest quality solutions to meet their every energy need. For electrical services you can trust, call on Kolb!

You work hard to keep a roof or your family’s head and you want to protect them while they are at home. You probably lock your doors and windows at night and leave a light so nobody trips when making one of those late night bathroom runs. Is there more you could do?

Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors

You can add an extra layer of protection to your home for your family by having smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the home. An electrician in Beverly Hills can hard wire a smoke detector into each room of the home. This is an ideal option, because you do not have to worry about batteries going dead or being “borrowed” for some toy or remote. The detectors rely on your home’s electricity. Of course, you will still need to have a battery powered detector in the home. In most models, the electric powered detectors also have a battery backup option.

Hard wired smoke detectors should be placed in every room somebody sleeps in as well as the basement if you have one. The detectors can be interconnected, so if one goes off, they all go off, alerting occupants to a fire. This is an ideal option for those who like to sleep with their bedroom doors closed.

Carbon monoxide detectors should also be installed by an electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners should absolutely have one of these detectors in their home to protect themselves against the odorless gas, carbon monoxide. As with the smoke detectors, an electrician will hard wire a carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home. These can be interconnected as well.

If you use a gas stove or have a garage connected to your home, you will definitely need to consider having a carbon monoxide detector. You can rely on The Electric Connection to get this extremely important job done for your family.