You may have heard the term GFCI from your electrician before. But what exactly does it mean? And is that type of outlet really necessary in your home or building?

We all know that water and electricity don’t mix. That’s what makes electrical outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, and other rooms where water is used so tricky. To reduce the chance of electrocutions, burns, and shocks, virtually all North American building codes require that ground fault circuit interrupter outlets (GFCIs) be installed where there is water nearby. GFCI outlets have a built-in circuit breaker that instantly stops the flow of electricity when it senses a surge.

A GFCI outlet not only helps keep you and your family or building occupants from getting shocks and burns, but it helps prevent electrical fires. In the even that there is an electrical fire, it can lessen the severity and any damage.

A GFCI outlet is important not only to meeting local building code requirements, but also to help prevent potentially-fatal accidents.

GFCI outlets are designed with a red button that activates the outlet after the built-in breaker is tripped, and a black button that tests the outlet to make sure that the breaker is working properly. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that all ground-fault circuit interrupter outlets be tested in the following intervals:

To test your ground-fault circuit interrupter outlets, plug a lamp into the outlet. Turn the lamp on and push the black test button. If the lamp goes out, the outlet is working properly. If the lamp remains lit, contact a licensed electrician to evaluate the problem. Electrical and wiring issues make poor DIY projects and are best left to electricians who are trained to safely handle electrical current and wiring.

At Kolb Electric, we want to help you keep your home or building safe in the Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC areas. We can save you time by inspecting and testing all of the ground-fault circuit interrupter outlets in your interior space and addressing any electrical issues we may discover during the tests. To learn more about electrical safety and GFCI outlets and/or to schedule a service appointment, call us at 877 287-1179. We’ve been helping Mid-Atlantic homeowners like you with their electrical needs since 1925.

Thinking of upgrading your home’s electrical system but not sure where to start? At Kolb Electric, we work hard to stay on top of the latest and greatest electrical products to make your life easier, safer, and more convenient. Here’s a short list of some of our favorites!

Do you have trouble remembering to adjust the timers on your outdoor lights during daylight savings time? With the astronomical timer from Leviton, you’ll never have to worry about that again! This programmable timer is set to the specific longitude and latitude of your home, so it always knows what time the sun rises and sets in your area.

The timer then automatically turns your outdoor lights on and off at sunset and sunrise, adjusting itself daily for the amount of light your home is receiving.

Unlike photo cells, which can go bad over the years, the Leviton Astronomical Timer lasts a lifetime, virtually maintenance-free. You can also operate it manually without having to change the settings. When it comes to upgrading your outdoor lighting system, you can’t do much better than that!

Cost: $45 – $120

This product combines two useful innovations into one item you can’t live without. Tamper resistant outlets have proven to be so effective at preventing electrocution, especially child electrocution, that the 2011 National Electric Code (NEC) was updated to require them in all new construction.

In addition to safety, these outlets have a USB port to allow charging of things like smartphones, tablets, and other similar devices. The Seymour USB charger is unlike others on the market because it includes two USB ports and a standard electrical receptacle, so it has plenty of space for all your devices. If you’re looking to upgrade your home’s electrical outlets, give these a try today—you’ll be happy you did!

Cost: $17 – $25

The second item on this list from Pass & Seymour is this audible GFCI, which can save you from an electric shock. We’ve written about the benefits of GFCI (which stands for ground fault circuit interrupters) before, and you may know that they’re already required in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor outlets. What makes this one so unique is that it sounds an audible alarm when tripped.

Say you have a freezer in the garage connected to a GFCI. If that outlet trips, would you know in time to prevent your food from spoiling? Say the outlet trips at your sump pump. Could you reset it before the big rainstorm? With the audible alarm, you’ll be able to reset the switch and not have to worry about any of these problems.

Cost: $20 – $30

These are just some of the many great new electrical innovations that have come out in recent years that can make your home safer and more efficient. If you want to upgrade your Maryland, DC, or Virginia home’s electrical system by installing these or any other new electrical products, don’t wait—call Kolb Electric today!

As a homeowner, you tend to notice electrical issues like flickers, breaker flips and outages. But keeping an eye on your electrical meter is important too! Without the occasional peek, you could find yourself with higher than average bills, or even a completely unexpected shut off.

The certified electricians at Kolb Electric naturally have spent loads of time with electrical meters, and we’ve got plenty of good information to share this week. Follow along to learn about issues that may arise with your meter, what they mean, and whether or not they indicate a faulty electric meter.

Hard to find a problem if you can’t find the meter, right? Electric meters are most commonly located on an outer wall; usually near where your power line runs. In some homes, particularly older ones, the meter might be found in the basement or a utility closet.

If you live in an apartment, the meter is almost always found near your building (or on it) in a cluster. The cluster houses meters for every unit, and all of them should be clearly labelled with the apartment number on them.

Do be aware that the chances of your meter being outright faulty are fairly low. The machines have exceptionally long lifespans, and are built to endure. It’s more likely you have one of many other electrical concerns, however, it is always best to check with a certified professional electrician if you have any questions or problems. While uncommon, a faulty meter is a pretty big issue, and you don’t want to leave it to chance. Just don’t be surprised if the issue turns out to be something else!

Whether you’re worried about your meter, or you’ve got any number of other electrical problems, the experts at Kolb can help! We provide our consumers with only the absolute best, both in service and skill, and we’re confident in our ability to meet your unique needs. Contact Kolb today to learn more!