Most people have dealt with a power cut at some time or the other. There could be a very bad storm or lightning could strike and the power could get cut; but it also returns quite quickly. However, you might switch on the computer and notice it has stopped working.

This is caused when lightning hits a power line which results in a sudden surge on the electrical pressure that overloads the electronic circuitry. It’s true that lightning strikes cause power surges; even everyday appliances in our homes can cause power surges every time they are switched.

Over time, these seemingly small surges can cause a lot of damage to your property; and they slowly reduce the lifespan of your refrigerator, computer or air-conditioner or any other appliance that’s plugged into a power outlet or any that’s been hardwired into the electrical system in your home. The one way to protect your property from damage is to learn more about what power surges are.

Across Australia, the basic electrical voltage for residences is 230V + 10% up to – 6%. The load vibrations are taken into account in this particular range, as the appliances quickly cut in & out. In case the voltage increases above the working range of the appliance, it can result in arcing in the appliance.

These arcs generate heat, and these results in damage to the electrical components within the appliance. This type of damage is cumulative and the appliances are still able to function normally, till the point the damage becomes so excessive that your PC or TV just stops working for no apparent reason.

For all plug-and-play appliances like your TV and PC, you can connect them to a point-of-surge protector, and that becomes a very easy solution. This particular system is very much like a standard power board. You simply have to plug in the appliances that have to be protected, into the device. This device doesn’t suppress/arrest the surge; it redirects that surge straight into the ground. If you have to protect only a single appliance and a point-of-use protector doesn’t fit, then it’s possible to get a special outlet with the built-in protection installed.

Even as the point-of-use devices protect various appliances which are typically plugged into any power outlet, you would have to get another device to protect those items which are hardwired into the electrical system of your home, including the lights and air-conditioners. These devices can be easily complemented by an electrical panel surge protector.

If it’s installed inside the mains, it will level out the fluctuations and power spikes; or it might also stop them well before they reach the devices. When a mix of electrical panel surge protection and point of use protection are used, it helps provide your equipment and devices from very powerful voltage spikes.

If you have consistently experienced any power surge issues in the past or if you want to just protect your property against the probability of surges, you only have to call us and speak with our experts. They will provide you with all the information and guidance you need and will ensure that you get the kind of solutions that work perfectly for you.

For more information, simply speak with the experts at Allround Electrical and take their advice on various aspects of CBUS installations. The number to call is – 1300 169 263. You can also write to us at this email address.

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Having a ceiling fan in the bedroom or living room is a pretty common feature in many homes. The fans are far more energy efficient than an air conditioner and can help keep a room’s temperature fairly comfortable in mild heat. Any movement of the air helps keep it feeling fresh in a space and the warm environment is much more tolerable. An electrician in Santa Monica is here to tell you it isn’t just your living room and bedroom that could benefit from a ceiling fan. Your patio could as well. The team at The Electric Connection can get you all set up with an outdoor ceiling fan that makes sitting outside on a summer day much more tolerable.

An outdoor ceiling fan isn’t quite as common as the ones you will find for inside the home, but they are available. The fans will need to be installed by an electrician. Santa Monica homeowners who have a deck or patio that is partially covered can take advantage of these awesome fans. The fans are specially designed to withstand the elements. The wiring and electrical components for the fan are housed inside protective plastic that keeps the fan from shorting out. The blades are made with a variety of materials that will keep them from rusting or rotting.

An outdoor fan has a number of benefits. You can enjoy a meal or a little relaxation on the patio without worrying about the stifling heat. A slight breeze can make it all better. The gentle breeze over the patio will also keep a lot of the irritating bugs like flies, mosquitoes and bees at bay explains a Santa Monica electrician. This will make your outdoor dining experience that much better. Give The Electric Connection a call today if you would like to learn more about outdoor ceiling fans or would like to have one installed.

In any workplace, change is a common occurrence. Things like new equipment, movement of said equipment and any change in wiring is not visible to staff unless it’s properly documented. If it is properly labelled, a cable managing system can help in solving and detecting exactly where any problems occur.

Since practically every process in a company relies on electrical system, any disruptions can affect a wide range of processes, ranging from IT to basic infrastructure, leading to a possible halt in daily business activities and production.

Here are the main benefits of clearly labeling infrastructure components:

Without proper labels, a company can lose valuable time and assets trying to discover where and what the problem is, before they can work on fixing it, and without warranty protection and long-term maintenance of electrical, telecom, A/V and security networking systems, the loss can be immense.

A beautiful deck is something that should be enjoyed long after the sun goes down—which is why it’s important to have the right kind of deck lighting! From a purely functional point of view, deck lighting serves three purposes:

But when it comes to the right type of lighting for your home, deck lighting can do so much more! The key is to design a lighting system that performs all three of the above tasks while enhancing the look and feel of your deck. Rather than flooding the deck with simulated sunlight, integrate accent lighting with posts, railings, stair risers, and other elements to create an inviting after-dark atmosphere.

Low-voltage deck lights – the most common types of deck lights, low-voltage lights are a safer alternative to line-voltage, posing almost no risk of electric shock. Electrical connections with low voltage lights are simpler, requiring neither a permit nor a license to install.

Disadvantages of low-voltage deck lights are that they require a transformer, and unless they are divided into more than one run of wiring, they share the same 12V of power—which, if you have a lot of lights, can reduce the brightness.

Line-voltage deck lights – line voltage deck lights are brighter, but their installation is more strictly enforced. All connections must be made in an approved electrical box, and any cables run in the open must be enclosed in a proper conduit. Line-voltage deck lighting must be installed by a licensed electrician.

Solar-powered deck lights – because solar deck lights require no electrical connections, timers, or switches, you won’t need to drill routing holes, run wires, or make connections to install them. What you will need, of course, is steady sunshine—usually six hours per day, according to manufacturers. Sunlight charges the lights’ batteries, which mean they are typically limited to post-cap features, although lanterns, string lights, and recessed solar lights are available.

The solar batteries will need to be replaced every 500 charges or so, but fortunately doing so is fairly easy.

Once you’ve decided which type of deck lighting you want, it’s time to choose how you want that lighting installed. An ideal deck lighting design makes use of all three styles of lights: post-cap, side-mount, and recessed lights.

The largest and most prominent fixtures in the accent deck lighting category, post-cap lights sit at the top of your deck posts, usually at the top and bottom of staircases and at intermediate posts along the perimeter of the deck. Post-cap lights are available in a variety of colors and styles to match your deck, and most manufacturers make dummy post-caps, which are unlit and allow for some space between light sources.

Side-mount deck lights can be installed on the side of posts instead of the top. Side-mount lights can be beneficial if your posts come to eye level when guests are sitting down, as post-cap lights could shine light directly into peoples’ eyes.

Recessed deck lights are the perfect example of how to accent a deck without overlighting it. Recessed deck lights are installed in holes drilled in the stairs or the floor of your deck to provide lighting while being almost perfectly hidden during the day.

Incandescent Deck Lighting – incandescent bulbs are widely available in several different shapes and wattages, and because they are relatively inexpensive, replacement is quick and easy. They cast a softer, warmer glow than LEDs, but consume more energy, making them less efficient and shortening their lives.

LED Deck Lighting – because of the complex housing and circuitry involved, LED lights tend to be more expensive than incandescent lights. They tend to be more than worth the cost however, with vastly improved lifespans (10,000 to 100,000 hours) and high efficiency with almost no heat production. The trade-off is that unless mirrors or reflective surfaces are used, the light output is focused narrowly in only one direction and can be harsh on the eyes in contrast with a dark backyard.

The right type of lighting can make all the difference for your deck. For outdoor lighting installation in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC, call Kolb Electric today!