Considering making some changes regarding the electricity in your home? Before you buy a brand new electric panel for your Bethesda home, there are some important details you should know about sizing.

Ready for a heavy-up or electrical panel installation in your home or business? Trust the certified electricians at Kolb Electric to bring you the best in dependable quality and satisfaction!

First off, there are some terms and important points we should hash out before you start making electrical purchases. Generally speaking, when a homeowner is considering a heavy-up for their electric panel they’re either trying to improve home electrical safety or trying to do electrical updates to modernize a home.

If you’re looking to increase the safe capacity of current in your home, you’re looking for a panel upgrade, or heavy-up, which you’ll need to ask your trusted electricians about to ensure you get the right service for your needs.

And if we’re talking about improving safety, you’re probably looking for breakers to match new wiring, or GFCI outlet/breaker wiring to reduce risks of ground faults associated with sources of water near outlets. Breakers should always match the amperage of the wire they are servicing, by the way, though your electrician should be the one to handle this. But, having said all of this, if you’re looking for an electric panel…

When you’re talking about the “size” of an electrical panel installation, what you’re actually referring to is the amperage capacity of the panel. This is the measurement of electricity the panel can safely accommodate in your home. It is a common misconception that the panel actually determines the amount of electricity that comes into your home. To alter that, you need to seek a heavy up!

To determine the size of the panel you need, a comprehensive list of all appliances in use or planned to be used will need to be created. The capacity of your panel will directly correlate to the amount of power routinely used within your home. In all honesty, to do this accurately, your best bet is to work with a trusted electrician! We have all of the training, knowledge and skill needed to guide you to making the right choice for your home electrical needs.

Ready to beef up the safety and function of the electricity in your home? Contact the certified electricians at Kolb Electric today to get the electrical panel installation services you need!

Your home is supposed to be your safe place, your sanctuary, but if you have an older home, it can quickly become a nightmare. Old home wiring, especially if the wiring is 50 years or older , can put your home and everyone it it at risk for an electrical fire. While wiring doesn’t quickly age, it does age, it does break down, and it does carry risks. Keeping an eye on your home’s wiring and the way that it behaves is one of the best ways to avoid an electrical fire and protect your home. Your home is trying to tell you exactly what it needs more often than not, so keep an eye out for some of the following signs that your home’s wiring is too old and needs to be replaced by a professional electrician.

While there could be a variety of reasons you might have dimming or flickering lights in your house, if it becomes a regular occurrence, it’s time to get an electrician out to your house. These kinds of symptoms are your house telling you that there is something going on in your electrical system. Whether it’s that there is too much power being drawn at one time or that the wiring is failing, a licensed electrician can help to diagnose and fix the issue.

If you’ve had a rodent problem in your home at any time, it’s exceptionally important to have your electrical system evaluated. While rodents would prefer to munch on the cereal in your cabinet, there is something about home wiring that is exceptionally appealing to them. While they’re burrowing around in your walls, there is a high chance that they either chomp through wiring or knick it enough to expose the wiring to the insulation in your walls. Both scenarios can put your home at risk for an electrical fire at any time.

If you’ve never had a circuit breaker trip on a regular basis, then you probably don’t know how absolutely frustrating it can be, especially when the problem is probably hidden somewhere behind the walls. A circuit breaker that continues to trip is a big indication that something is wrong with your wiring. Instead of trying to force it on, make sure to call your electrician to help root out the cause of the problem in order to fix it.

If you’ve ever gone to plug in an appliance and been shocked, that’s probably not a good sign. However, if this happens regularly where you get shocked or your switches and outlets start to look discolored from burns, you have a big problem on your hands. These signs are indicative of a wiring problem and wiring shorting from the energy heavy appliances that are more common today. Don’t just hide the problem with a new outlet cover, have the problem checked out and repaired.

Lastly, don’t dismiss random burning smells or the sharp smell of burning ozone. Both could be indicators that something is going on behind your home’s walls that you can’t see. When you flip a light switch, this connects a live electrical wire and allows power to continue into a light fixture or appliance. If there is burning when the switch is flipped on, the odds are the problem is in the wiring that connects the switch and the light fixture. However, a licensed electrician can determine the extent of the damage and what the problem is.

Electrical motors are wonderful devices that are used in a myriad of ways, making things easier in our daily lives as well as a wide range of industrial applications. When these gadgets fail, work often grinds to a halt till they’re back up and running, and the reasons for electrical motor failure can range from the commonplace to the bizarre.

While the list of possible causes can go on forever, we’ll take a look at some of the most common ones here:

Exposure to high heat is a top culprit for all kinds of equipment failure, and ranks as the number one reason for motor malfunctions and deterioration. Optimal running temperatures extend motor life, which is why they should be your first priority.

In fact, most of the other possible reasons for electrical motor malfunctions also lead to the generation of extra heat. A rise of even a few degrees can cause trouble over time, and if motor windings are exposed to an extra 10° C of heat, the life of their insulation drops by half!

As our #1 international customer base, Canada is enjoying brighter times ahead with the most outstanding light fixtures and lamps from Capitol Lighting’s 1800lighting.com.

Capitol Lighting provides Canadian customers with friendly, reliable service and custom quality illumination.

Here is what we offer…

• Capitol Lighting maintains partnerships with the most trusted lighting manufacturers throughout the US, and remains a family owned and operated business backed by 90 years of experience in the lighting industry.

• When you purchase from Capitol Lighting, you buy with confidence.  All of our products are backed by our 110% best price guarantee.

• From traditional to futuristic compositions, 1800lighting.com offers a world-class selection of chandeliers, wall decor, decorative accessories, track lighting and portable lamps for your residential or commercial space.

• Experience the latest in LED and energy-efficient illumination, as well as eco-friendly lamps and lighting products.

• Choose from a tremendous assortment of items including, exquisite foyer fixtures, decorative table and floor lamps, desk lamps and task lamps, superb outdoor and landscape lighting, ceiling fans and light kits, and automated lighting controls.

Capitol Lighting provides the best service and care, along with custom quality illumination for your residential or commercial environment.

We keep in touch with you…

• Within one full business day of placing your order, you will receive an initial order status email providing you with the initial “estimated” shipping dates for each item on your order.  These shipping dates are estimated based on the availability of the item(s) in our warehouses in New Jersey and Florida, as well as the warehouses of our Manufacturers.

• If an item you have purchased is made to order or is on back order with the Manufacturer, your order status email will reflect this along with an estimated shipping date.

• Until your order has fully shipped and is complete, you will receive Order Status Update emails if/when the estimated shipping date changes or we receive new information about the product that impacts your order.

• Using the shipping calculator tool in the shopping cart is fast and easy—you can even get FedEx rates to your door (inclusive of duty and taxes)!

• 110% best price guarantee

• Friendly, reliable service

• Dedication to top quality design and composition

Go to Capitol Lighting’s info page for details and get started on furnishing your home and/or office environment with the best illumination from 1800lighting.com.

Shipping to Canada:

• 1800lighting is pleased to ship directly to our Canadian customers.

• Standard Ground Shipping-FedEx/UPS items: All items will ship from warehouses around the US directly to your door via FedEx or UPS and their Canadian partners.  All our shipments will comply with Canada Customs regulations and pricing will include all duties and your local GST+PST or HST.

• To simplify the process, in the shopping cart our shipping calculator will calculate all related charges based on your postal code, connecting directly with FedEx to provide the most accurate delivery charges.  Please note:  We pass on our preferred shipping rates and do not mark up our shipping fees in any way.

• Shipping Lead Times:  If your purchase or project is time sensitive, it is strongly suggested that you contact a representative at 1.800.544.4846 or email ShippingToCanada@1800lighting.com to inquire about what expedited shipping services may be available.

Common Residential Wiring Problems

There are many wiring problems that your home can encounter throughout the years. Any residential wiring problems in Chester County, PA require immediate attention. While there are a variety of problems your home can experience, here are some of the more common code violations that could result in worse problems later on.

Junction Box Uncovered

Wires connect to one another at the splices which are housed in the junction box. Without a cover, wires could accidentally be damaged or someone could be shocked. This is a code violation and is a danger if wires are within reach. A new cover for the box is inexpensive.

Flickering Lights

If you notice your electrical lights flickering when it is windy outside, your home probably has frayed wiring in the weather-head which causes a short when the cables move. The weather-head is the fitting where overhead cables from the power line enter the house. This is a major danger, as it can arc and result in a fire. This is a problem that needs to be addressed by your electric utility provider.

Lack of Electrical Outlets

If your home has too few outlets, you are relying on power strips and extension cords. This results in minimal risks as long as you use extension cords that are 14-gauge or more, meaning they are heavy duty. Undersized cords can overheat and cause a fire, so it is wise to go ahead and have a professional electrician install additional electrical outlets.

Failing to have GFCIs

Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GCFIs) can shut down a circuit fast, within 4 milliseconds. While this is grandfathered in and is not a code violation. Codes for newer homes require GFCIs on all outdoor outlets, basement and garage outlets and within four feet of any sink. If your home does not have any GFCIs, you should add them to ensure safety.