If you’ve spent any amount of time on our services pages, you’ve probably noticed us consistently mention dedicated circuitry. You need it for your outlets, for heavy appliances; gosh, you even need one for your microwave. But what is a circuit, and how many do you really need? Important questions, and luckily for you, our certified electricians have answers.

When it comes to electrical work, Kolb Electric has everything you need to maintain optimal home performance. Our Rockville electricians carry years of top-notch training, and possess all of the know-how and technical knowledge needed to get your circuit wiring done right. Contact Kolb any time you need electrical services!

Put super basically, a circuit is an engineered circular path that electricity takes to do work. Think about the light switches in your home. When you flick them on, electricity flows into the closed circuit that sends power to your fixtures and bulbs, and voila! You’ve got light. All electronics and electrical applications work off of the concept of circuits.

A circuit always starts and stops in the same place, creating a revolving door of sorts for harnessed electricity.

So, What Is a Dedicated Circuit?

Technically speaking, a dedicated circuit is no different from a regular circuit in application. It is simply set aside to power one, specific appliance , tool, or piece of equipment. Dedicated circuits are required by NEC (National Electric Code) for all major appliances (generally those that involve massive, fluctuating voltages). So what about portable tools that eat power? Your electric drills, and hair dryers? This is why outlets are on dedicated circuits, too!

The answer here is a little malleable. It depends on a number of variables including:

Notice that all of these variables can change, or be changed. That means the number of circuits you need equates to basically this: As many as it takes. If it has a switch, uses a motor, or gets plugged in, odds are it needs a circuit (maybe not a dedicated one, but a circuit). But how do you find out exactly how many you need? Well, that’s what electricians are for! One thing you can find out on your own, is if you have too few circuits.

If you experience any of these complications, you probably need more circuits, or an upgrade:

There are more complications than this, but they can get complicated, and often have other causes as well.

Think you might need some electrical work in Rockville? Call on the certified electricians at Kolb Electric! We can have your needs assessed and provided for in no time, and our services are guar

1.  Size and install smartly:  Whether you are installing a crystal chandelier over your dining room table or as a central design feature in your master bedroom, the diameter and height of your fixture must be in proportion to other items in the room.  The diameter of a dining table fixture should be 12 inches less than the diameter of the dining table.  The height of the chandelier should allow for a clearance of 30 inches from table top to the bottom of the fixture.

Quoizel’s “Tricia” chandelier adds elegance to this contemporary dining room.  * Interior design by Sandra D’Amata International, Inc.

If your crystal chandelier will be a central focal point in your foyer, living room or master bedroom, take into account your ceiling height and choose a chandelier that may be installed to leave at least a 7-foot clearance from the floor to the bottom of the chandelier.

2.  Reflect Resplendence:  The true beauty in a crystal chandelier extends far past the light source, decorative finishing and crystal configuration.  Crystal facets reflect and refract a brilliant array of colors and illuminating effects, especially when combined with sunlight and/or electric light sources.  Matte finishes on furniture and surrounding walls work well with crystal illumination.  Avoid creating glare and unflattering shadows off metallic or shiny surfaces.

3.  Choose the Right Bulb: Most chandelier bulbs will be candelabra-based, yet what type of candelabra bulb you choose will make a tremendous difference in both the total presentation of your chandelier and the overall illumination in your room.

Crystorama’s “Mercer” chandelier–installed with dimmable LED candelabra bulbs–provides magnificent illumination in this master bathroom.*

Frosted bulbs provide a more subdued illumination. They are recommended for most traditional dining room chandeliers.  Clear bulbs work well with chrome finished retro-modern chandeliers and may add to the radiant sparkle of modern crystal chandeliers.

For a more traditional look, flame tip bulbs are the right choice.  Flame tip bulbs also look best in chandeliers with faux drip-candle holders.  Torpedo bulbs are less tapered and present a contemporary look.  Round bulbs add an eclectic vibe to a traditional chandelier.  Uniquely-shaped and/or textured candelabra bulbs may add a custom-designed artistry to your chandelier.

Restrained ornamentation and a refined decorative look is the order of the day for Crystal lighting. Fixtures in this class usually have a smaller scale compared to the more Baroque-era grandiose fixtures with more excessive design elements.

Often times; Crystal lighting styles will have distressed tones that resemble their vintage-style lighting counterparts, but with heavier design elements and more intricate detail while using crystal as an accent to project the light in a visually pleasing pattern. An intricate pattern in an antique bronze finish with crystal inlays without invoking the more flared styling that is typical of earlier period lighting is a great example of Crystal lighting.