When it comes to electricity usage, an electric stove is a powerhouse. Consequently, you can't just plug them into the standard 110 volt outlets that are most common in the United States – most stoves require a special 220 volt outlet instead. If you are building or remodeling a kitchen, read on for a rundown on how to install one of these special outlets. However, remember that installing an outlet or performing other electrical work is not for amateurs. If you have any doubt about your own experience or qualifications, ask an electrician for help instead of embarking on a tricky and potentially dangerous operation.

All the Voltage You Need

A 220 volt outlet allows the stove to draw more power so it can quickly generate and maintain heat. The same heavy duty outlets are also used for big-ticket appliances like electric dryers and water heaters, occasionally with minor modifications.

The first step in installing an outlet, as with all electric work, is to shut down the power at the source. Open up your circuit box and switch the main disconnect to OFF, turning off the electricity to your entire home. You should double check that you've cut the power by trying some lights or devices to eliminate any risk of electrocuting yourself once you start dealing with wiring.

Breakers, Cables and Outlets

Next, you need to install a switch in the circuit box to control your new outlet. Look for two open slots in a row to ensure room to install a double-wide circuit breaker switch, then install it following the manufacturer’s instructions. You'll need to install a connector into the side of the circuit box as well so that you can connect the electrical cable inside the box. If you feel unsure at this or any other point and need help, just ask. An electrician will be able to make sure that your installation is done safely and effectively.

Next, run the cable through the wall to the area where you want to locate the outlet. You may need to drill holes in the home’s frame to allow the cable to reach the kitchen without interfering with other wiring or utility systems. When everything is lined up, strip away the insulation at the end of the cable and connect it to your new outlet. Screw the outlet into the wall and you're almost ready to go.

Ready to Start Cooking

Finally, you need to run the cable through the connecter that you installed in the circuit box, and then wire it into the circuit breaker. Don't forget to hook up the grounding terminal as well. When you're confident that everything is wired correctly, turn the new outlet's breaker to the off position and switch the main power to the house back on. Turn on the new breaker and test the outlet with a voltmeter to ensure that it's receiving the proper amount of power. Only then are you ready to start cooking.

Note that the exact process of wiring the outlet and the breaker involve quite a bit of detail, so you must carefully read all instructions that come with your outlet kit. If at any point you run into trouble or don't feel comfortable, ask an electrician to come lend a helping hand.

Tired of a spotty wireless network impeding your home Internet use? Walls, ceilings and distance all conspire to degrade the strength of wireless signals, which can make it difficult to stream movies or even just browse the Web in certain parts of your home. Fortunately, there's a piece of technology that can bypass the downsides of wireless and bring high-speed Internet to every room in your home. You can buy adapters that piggyback on your existing electrical wiring to transfer data – and they’re easy for homeowners to install without the assistance of an electrician. Read on to learn more about how to use your electrical system to harness the power of the Internet.

The Internet in Your Walls

With Netflix, Spotify, email and Facebook, the Internet has become an integral part of our home activities. Wireless networks are a decent solution for broadcasting your signal through the home, but when they don't get the job done, you need a more hard-wired way to go. In the past, that might mean paying an electrician to run ethernet cords through the walls. Today, you have access to products like powerline adapters, which use your existing wiring as a data connector.

The adapters are simple to use. All you have to do is connect the device to your modem or router and plug it into a wall socket. Then, anywhere you want to use the Internet, just plug another adapter into the wall and connect it to the device in question. In lieu of plugging in every computer or Internet device in the house, you can also use powerline adapters to set up mini wi-fi networks in various rooms so you can still take advantage of the flexibility of wi-fi without the disadvantages of weak signals from far away routers.

Some Flies in the High-Speed Ointment

Of course, powerline adapters aren't perfect, and for a variety of factors, they don't always reach the blazing-fast speeds that they advertise. Various models claim to clock in at 200, 500 and 1,200 Mbps, but they never really came close to those speeds during testing by PC Advisor. For one thing, your electrical system can slow down the signal with old wires, power fluctuations, noise in the wires and interference from the circuit breaker. Charging up devices like cell phones and tablets can also interfere with the signal.

What's more, the data speed can be limited by the capabilities of the ethernet cord you use or the device itself, not to mention the speed of the internet coming into your modem. Nevertheless, the adapters are still almost always a better bet than wireless when it comes to speed.

If you have any questions about the suitability of your home for powerline adapters, call your local electrician today.

However, when planning your display remember that the danger should be make-believe only, and take care to dodge Halloween hazards -- bloated electricity bills, as well as safety hazards to life and property. Follow these tips to avoid spending a bundle on electricity, endangering visitors or burning down your house.

You don't have to bankrupt yourself on energy bills to have the spookiest yard on the block:

 When it comes to outdoor decorating, the worst-case scenario is a fire:

And take note of these general safety tips to keep everyone happy and healthy:

With just minor effort you can make your decorations safe and efficient, then relax and enjoy the holiday. Happy Halloween!

Does nuclear energy have a role in the clean energy future of our country? Currently, nuclear production accounts for 797.1 billion kilowatt hours annually, or 19.5 percent of total generation in the United States, according to the Nuclear Energy Institute. About 30 percent of all the nuclear power in the world is generated in the U.S. by 99 power reactors in 30 states, the World Nuclear Association reports. That number could grow or fall in future years, depending on a variety of factors. Read on to learn more.

Clean Power Opportunities

Nuclear power is far less harmful to the environment than burning coal or natural gas, most notably in its relatively negligible contribution to air pollution and climate change, according to NASA. If we want to make dramatic cuts to emissions, nuclear can be a major player along with wind and solar generation.

Despite its promise, nuclear power fell out of favor in the United States for decades, following the Three Mile Island accident in 1977 and cheap natural gas prices making nuclear less competitive for powering the country's electrical work. The World Nuclear Association does expect six new plants to be completed in the country by 2020, however. That number could rise in future years, depending on several variables including natural gas prices, public sentiment, technological advances and progress toward meeting emission reduction goals.

The Challenges Posed by Nuclear Energy

However, nuclear generation is not a panacea for our electrical work, and it does pose two large problems. The first is what to do with spent nuclear fuel, which can remain dangerous to humans for millennia. Currently, spent fuel is usually stored on-site at generating plants after it is used, but the country has still not figured out an effective long term solution.

The other big caveat when it comes to nuclear energy is the capacity for disaster. On a day-to-day basis, nuclear plants are far less harmful to humans and the environment than coal, but in the event of a meltdown or other malfunction, the damage can be catastrophic. Look no further than the ongoing health and environmental problems that stemmed from the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan to see the consequences when nuclear power goes wrong.

The Cloudy Future of the Nation's Electrical Work

For now, there is no firm answer to what the future of nuclear energy is in the United States. The industry could grow into a larger piece of the nation's clean energy future, or it could end up phased out entirely if there is another major accident, or if renewable sources continue to grow in market share and effectiveness.

If you have any questions about where your electricity comes from, or need any electrical work performed in your home, call a residential electrician today.

As we transition into Fall and Winter, there will be plenty of new outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy. It is important to remember that, there will also be new challenges associated with outdoor electrical safety. The piling of up leaves and falling of snow can create unpredictable electrical hazards around the home. Keeping safe while outdoors doesn’t have to be complicated. Practice proper electrical safety by following these 4 Expert Electric outdoor electrical safety tips:

It’s always a good idea to semi-annually audit your home’s outdoor electrical equipment, especially in between Winter and Spring and then again in Summer and Fall. This ensures that your home is fully prepared to take on any electrical hazards that could occur during severe weather and temperature fluctuations. A licensed electrician can can easily complete this audit for you; however, it’s also possible to undertake this task on your own if preferable. During this audit, ensure that all outdoor electrical equipment is not only functioning properly also stored properly.

Loose or damaged electrical wiring can pose a serious electrical threat to your home, especially if it comes into contact with snow or leaves. A thorough inspection of all wiring and electrical cords should be completed and followed up with a replacement if necessary.

Melting snow can often result in large amounts of water pooling on the ground. If this water comes into contact with electrical equipment and wiring, the equipment and entire home can be at risk. It’s best to plan ahead and ensure that all electrical equipment, wiring and cords are placed and stored so that they won’t come into contact with water sources.

When in doubt, it’s best to contact your local licensed electrician to ensure that your home or building is safe from outdoor electrical dangers. The team at Expert Electric can inspect all of your outdoor electrical equipment and appliances such as hot tubs and pools, ensuring that all of the necessary outdoor electrical safety requirements are met.

Have any questions about outdoor electrical safety or and of our electrical services? Please fill out one of the forms on our website. We are happy to answer any questions you may have. The Expert Electric team of licensed electricians is here to ensure all of your outdoor projects are handled safely. Call us today at 604-681-8338.