If you are looking for a place to escape from life’s every day hustle and bustle,Look for IP (Ingress Protection) rated fixtures that are waterproof, meaning dust-tight and protected against long immersion in water, rather than simply “water safe” or “wet location safe” options.  Waterproof fixtures are meant to be submerged and will prevent water from entering them due to sealed assembly.  Take the precaution to ensure that your fixtures will meet all safety and application standards for an underwater environment prior to purchase or installation.

Ingress Protection (IP) ratings specify the environmental protection the enclosure provides.

The IP rating normally has two (or three) numbers:

An “X” can used for one of the digits if there is only one class of protection, i.e. IPX1 which addresses protection against vertically falling drops of water e.g. condensation.

IP First number – Protection against Solid Objects

IP Second number – Protection against Liquids

Voltage Requirements

When weighing your options on which type of fixture to choose, cost, convenience, and the size of your project are important. If one were to complete a large project for the grounds of a grand hotel, for example, line voltage (120V) would be the ideal option as vast distances may exist between the focal point and the fixture itself.

While it’s also true that standard incandescent bulbs can be found at virtually any hardware or household goods store, in an age where environmental awareness is important to daily life, technology and the public are moving in tandem towards different solutions. Since line voltage lighting consumes much more energy and will typically require the expertise of a licensed electrician, more homeowners are choosing low voltage (12V) options. Low voltage fixtures are notably the safer and less hazardous of the two choices, are often smaller, and easier to conceal within a natural landscape. They also have the added benefit of lower cost over time. Note that a transformer is required to convert to the lower voltage for fixtures which will be used underwater. You may also make use of photocells and timers to save on electricity consumption costs even further.

Let’s take a look at some examples of the different types of submersible low voltage products available today:

Low Voltage Halogen

This LED lights consume approximately 75% less power than incandescent units for the same amount of light output. This amounts to a sizeable savings over their life span. Moreover, standard underwater LED fixtures consume about 1/5 of the power as standard incandescent bulbs!

Besides energy savings, the nature of LED production makes them ideal for underwater applications. There are no bulbs to change as LED fixtures typically come in a permanently sealed housing. Sealed construction means underwater lights may be left in a permanent location with no concerns about extra cable allowances, or making provisions to change bulbs. They should, however, be accessible in order to clean the lenses during regular pond maintenance.

DIY, or Do-It-Yourself, repairs and renovations are a common response to many home needs or emergency situations. It can be time-saving to begin a job immediately, could cut down on the costs of hiring a professional, or may just be an opportunity for homeowners to develop a skill or work on a hobby without calling a professional.

Certain areas of home repair and improvement, like plumbing and gas fixes, should be left to professionals. Electricians especially should be called in to oversee or complete repairs and renovations, as they know the laws, have built relationships with the local utilities, and have specialized training and expertise in the field.

Why You Shouldn’t DIY Electrical Work

DIY might work for small repairs in cases of electrical work, but since these issues deal with live wires and active electricity, it would be best to be safe and call in a professional in most cases. Electricians have specialized training and access to the tools necessary to safely and effectively make repairs and renovations to electricity. The result of DYI gone wrong with electrical work can be fires, electrocution or even death, so the margin for error is slim.

Electricians know how to test wires for power and turn power on and off safely before and after they have worked. While most homeowners know to test switches against breakers, few have voltage meters and insulated tools to protect themselves while working. When replacing circuits, rewiring a new space, or renovating old systems, most communities have codes and require permits for extensive work to oversee that is it done safely and in accordance with local law. In these instances, it’s best to call an electrician.

DIY work stops being time and cost-effective when it puts a homeowner and his or her family and property in danger. There are times when a professional electrician should be called in to help.

A home theatre system is the corner stone for any man cave. With the huge TV and massive speakers, it can make any movie seem like a reality. But to get that home theatre system perfect it requires organization and the right tools.An Expert Electrician can help get your home theatre system setup just the way you like it.

Home theatre systems can use a lot of power. When you have everything plugged in (the television, speakers, blu-ray player, gaming system) there is a lot of power that is required to keep it all going. Sometimes it is not as simple as plugging into the wall outlet and turning it all on. You want to ensure that the outlet is strong enough and the wires behind the wall can support the load. If your overload your outlet you could cause damage to your new electronics and home electrical system. Similarly, if you have too much load on a circuit, you could be risking electrical problems that could damage anything on that circuit or cause constant tripping in your breaker. When you have all your equipment prepared, have an expert electrician assess the output that the circuit and outlet will need. We can make the necessary upgrades to get you going.

One thing we have been encouraging everyone with lately is to have a surge protector on your appliances and electronics. There is no exception here. You have a lot invested in your home theatre system, so using surge protectors will add a barrier of safety to your expensive devices. Whether it is a power bar or a home surge protector, it is worth the investment.

One sign of a properly setup theatre system is the absence of visible cables. There can be several cables connected from one device to the next. This makes an eyesore if it is not properly sorted. When you have your equipment and the necessary wires, make a plan of where you would like everything to go. If you have difficulty mapping out your wires, call in the experts. We will help create a plan of action to place each and every wire. Keeping the wires organized and out of sight will make the system not only aesthetically pleasing, but also much easier to switch out and upgrade in the future.

It can be complicated setting up a home theatre system, but if you are organized and have a plan you will end up with an area all your friends will be jealous of.