An electrical circuit works as a loop where electricity flows from a source and then returns to that point again after powering the device connected to it. The power flow interrupts or stops if the path is broken. There are also receptacles, fixtures, or switches joined to the course through different types of electrical wiring.

Every electrical circuit has a specific breaker or fuse that controls it. Inside the main electrical panel of your house, you will find reference numbers to identify which breaker or fuse is assigned to which circuit. Mapping of them is a standard electrical safety procedure.

power company supplies electricity to your home through the transmission and distribution lines. The energy enters the service panel, also known as the fuse or breaker box, after passing through a meter. Then, the box has three wires (hot, neutral, and ground featuring insulation of different colors) that do the jobs of transmitting the power to an external outlet, returning to the source, and providing the ground.

The wires of your home are generally installed in three ways:

It’s a wiring system where a single electrical circuit supplies power for several devices. There are various housing boxes from where both hot and neutral wires emerge and run along the route. They branch off to single receptacle and fixture.

It’s the most common of all the systems seen in residential settings.

Switch Wiring

Installed on hot wires, such a system has switches that either transmit or break the current flow to various devices or lighting fixtures. A switch changes its position to allow or interrupt the flow of electricity to electrical machines and instruments.

The system routes the hot wire through various fixtures before joining to the neutral one, which then carries the power to the source. It’s the least used and most inconvenient of all the types because it connects the devices, i.e., lights in a series. So, the circuit breaks off when just one light is burnt out.

Parallel wiring is the best option for household settings because it does not break even when one of the connected fixtures goes kaput. Nevertheless, remember not to run too many electronics from one source because each circuit can carry only a maximum electrical flow.

Home maintenance can be overwhelming, especially when you don’t know where to start. Roofs that need re-shingling, carpets that have seen better days, that occasional leak you still have yet to place… there’s usually always something that needs fixing. Problems that are visible are usually easy to track and stop before the problem gets worse, but what if there’s an issue inside your walls?Outdated wiring is an issue all homeowners will eventually face. Homes that are at least 30 years old are likely to have outdated wiring not designed to operate with the modern homeowner’s lifestyle. Older homes with 60 amps can’t handle powering multiple appliances at once, not when the typical homeowner needs a house with at least 100 amps. It’s important to note that old wiring isn’t just an issue of inconvenience, but safety.

So when customers ask us how many ‘Watts” do I need to replace an existing light source, we always convert them to lumens.

•  Pay special attention to the lumens per watt of a fixture. IT DOES MATTER. A LED product at 135 lumens/watt will consume far less energy than a LED product producing 97 lumens/watt. Not all LED solutions are the same. (remember, always buy on the lumens you need, never on the watts you think you need.).

•  To calculate lumens per watt, take the total number of lumens a product produces and divide it by the watts it consumes.

For indoor fixtures, figure on:

utility company. You can check if a product is DLC Qualified on the DesignLights Consortium website. DLC has rebates for Commercial LED Lighting and Industrial LED Lighting

•  Rebates with DLC Premium should be higher than rebates with DLC Standard. Your utility company is typically who provides the rebates and sets the rebate amounts.  Check their website.

•  All UL Listed or ETL Listed.

•  Replacing the light parts of an existing fixture with the a Retrofit unit will not void the UL/ETL Listing of the fixture. However, the exception to this rule are explosion proof rated fixtures (ie. Class I Div 2). Never retrofit a certified explosion proof fixture. UL1598C does not cover these types of retrofits.

•  ETL Listing is the same as UL Listing. They perform the same test, and the certification is the same. The only difference is that the company who performs the test.

When homeowners think about licensed and bonded electricians, they mainly think about them in terms of fixing broken outlets in the bathroom or kitchen. Sometimes they know they need a pro for landscape lighting needs. But there are a multitude of jobs that residential electrical repair services perform.

Moving to a new home?

What you say you are moving to a new home it doesn’t always mean you’re are moving into a recently built home. Many, many people like to purchase older homes and put their own personal marks on them. Usually this means updating the kitchens and baths. A plain kitchen it turned into a chef’s kitchen with all the updated appliances. Will the electrical panel be able to handle the current for all these appliances?

Luxurious master baths are now the norm with the look and feel of an expensive spa. Along with the spa comes the jetted tub. Can the prevailing electricity run the current needed for the tub? Oftentimes the panel needs an addition to accommodate the tub jets working while other appliances are in use.

Remaining in your current home?

If you are staying where you are, you still may be thinking about making updates. The same situations apply to you. So many people like to watch the television programs about flipping homes and those about modifying homes to sell or to live in. It is not a surprise to the slippers or the construction crews when they tell their hosts that a totally new electrical panel needs to be installed or that the whole house needs rewiring. The only way you will know if you have these issues is to have your electrical system inspected by a licensed electrician.

Has your cooktop or range exhaust stopped working on your electric range? It’s time to call in an electrician. Maybe your ceiling fan has quit working and you are waiting to purchase a new one. Have you had an electrician look at it to determine the problem? He may be able to repair it and save you from buying a new one.

Want to protect you and your family with outdoor lights that come on when someone walks past your windows or doors? Your local electrician can handle that job for you. Are you considering a new hybrid car that runs on electricity? You will need a licensed electrician to install your charging station.

Trust your electrician

One you have used a bonded and insured electrician you trust, he can be your friend for life. He may even become a member of the family. When you are having electrical problems or you want to add services, he will look at the situation 360 degrees. He will view it from all angles. He knows you and your family. He will make recommendations – sometimes there will be several options. Ultimately it is your decision.

The bottom line is that you want to keep your family safe. You also want your most expensive investment to be in perfect working order.