One of the most popular tools in any home is the extension cord.  For a long time, rooms would be built with only one or two outlets, creating the need for additional power strips and extension cords as we moved into a more digital world.  As more devices found their way into our homes, the NEC updated standards for home construction to require additional outlets and electrical accessibility in each room.  Unfortunately, most homes still lack the proper number of outlets, and when a cable can’t reach, most of us will reach for an extension cord.

Most of the time, this isn’t a problem.  Extension cords function exactly as their designed to.  When you need a longer cord to place a fan or give a little extra reach to your vacuum cleaner, there’s nothing dangerous going on.  Where extension cords become risky is in their overuse.  Many people buy the longest, cheapest cord they can find and this is where danger sets in.

Electricity and metal have a very interesting relationship.  As current, the flow of electricity over a conductor, increases in a wire, the temperature increases.  Current is also adjusted as resistance increases to keep power at the same level.  When you add wiring to a circuit, the resistance of the wire itself stacks with the rest of the components on that circuit.  While one electrical cord doesn’t add much in the way of resistance, multiple cords will continue to increase the amount of power being used in the system.  As the current increases to keep up with the new demand, the temperature in the wiring also increases.

This relationship is used to great effect in your circuit breaker, where the difference in heat forces a breaker trip that protects your system.  In an extension cord that isn’t designed to handle the load being placed on it, insulation melts and fires can start.

Keep in mind that extension cords are always temporary.  Never use an extension cord for anything permanent.  They are designed to help you reach electricity for a task and nothing more.  When in doubt (or if you hear buzzing coming from the wiring, socket, or circuit breaker) switch to a higher amperage circuit and a lower gage wire for your extension cord (the lower the gage, the thicker the wire and the more current it will be able to handle).

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, Guidelines for using an extension cord are as follows:

Remember that the more power you need, the more current you’ll be using.  Any device that includes a motor or heating element will either need an industrial-grade extension cord (power tools) or should not be used with an extension cord at all.

For the best in quality electrical repair work and installations, contact the professionals at Custom Electric!  Be sure to check back here each week for helpful advice, news, and guides or follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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The energy consumed by a single building or business can prove to be a huge overhead cost, especially for those buildings of a much larger size.

Starting the initiative to reduce energy consumption is becoming more and more common as the benefits become more and more clear. The benefits of reducing energy consumption is often times for one major reason, and that is to reduce overhead costs. By making switches (such as those listed here), you could realize a 50% or more reduction in overall energy usage in your facility.

Sound interesting? Learn how you can do that with the tips below…

Whatever lighting technology you have right now, if it isn’t LED, then you are probably consuming more energy than you have to be when it comes to your lighting system.

By converting to LED from a technology like fluorescent, you will easily realize a 30% reduction (on average) in energy consumption from your lights. Now, if you have lights such as metal halide or HPS (often used outside or in high ceiling lights), then you could realize even greater savings (by up to 75%)! This, in and of itself, can prove to be a major way to reduce energy usage in your buildings.

facility manager is, but it’s just a fact. Think, who knows more; someone who works with all the equipment everyday or someone who overlooks said worker? Probably the former, and that’s okay! But, just remember to ask them to be on the lookout for things and get them on-board with your efforts to reducing energy in your building. It will help a lot with your efforts!

Planting save energy in your building, but they are definitely the huge players that eat up a lot of energy. By changing just these 9 things, you will be able to put your efforts to the highest reward type initiatives.

Once you’ve switched these major energy consumers, you can then work on smaller areas of your building that are inefficient, just not as much as these 9 things.

What is one thing not listed here that you find to be a huge energy consumer? Comment it down below so we are all aware of it!

When your car isn’t running right or you have a leaky faucet, you may try and diagnose and repair the problem yourself. These are fairly innocent symptoms and a number of people can safely take care of the problem just by using Google or talking to somebody at the auto parts store or their local hardware store. Unfortunately, electrical problems in the home, even those that seem relatively simple, can be extremely dangerous for the average person to fix. It is absolutely imperative you call an electrician. Santa Monica homeowners who suspect they have something going on with the electrical in their home can call The Electric Connection.

Sometimes, the obvious problem is just a symptom of something much bigger. A light switch that doesn’t seem to work or an outlet that is loose or makes a popping noise may seem like no big deal, but it is. It is hard to say what is happening without an inspection from a trained and certified electrician in Santa Monica. It could really be a quick fix that requires a little tightening of the wires or a replace of the switch or outlet. It could also be an indication of faulty wiring or wiring that is old and brittle.

There are plenty of other scenarios that would require you to call a Santa Monica electrician. If you want new outlets, additional outlets or new light fixtures, you will want to leave the job to the professionals. This ensures the job will be done right and you can sleep better at night knowing it was handled by someone who has been through extensive training and been certified. It is too risky to ignore the problem or attempt to diagnose it if you don’t have the knowledge. Give The Electric Connection a call today if you suspect your electrical wiring may need a little help.

When faced with home electrical issues, many homeowners are tempted to try and tackle the problem themselves. Even if you believe that you have the skills and knowledge to take care of the problem, you should always allow a professional to handle any electrical repairs. By attempting to fix it yourself, you are at risk of worsening a problem, leading to more extensive (and expensive) repairs later down the road. Furthermore, working with electrical components can be very dangerous, and there is no reason that you should risk your life to fix an electrical component in your home.

Rather than jumping at the chance to fix an electrical problem yourself, find a high quality electrician in Glendale to take care of the job for you. They will ensure that the job is completed safely, completely and to the satisfaction of all codes and regulations. While doing it yourself may save you a bit of money, it is never worth endangering your life.

If you are worried about the cost of hiring an electrician, think about how much it could cost if you end up making an error that puts you and your family at risk on down the line. Repairs after an electrical mishap can be extensive, expensive and inconvenient. If your repairs or electrical jobs are minor, consider compiling a list before giving your Glendale Electrician a call. This gives you the opportunity to bundle your tasks together, thereby making better use of your electrician’s time. This will typically result in a lower overall cost, because you do not have to call your electrician out multiple times.

Whether you call your electrician out for each job, or keep a running list of tasks for your electrician, the most important thing is to stay safe.