Been keeping up with our blog? If so, you may have been noticing a lot of talk about electrical code, and how important it is. Why all of the insistence? Because code is code for a reason! Not only is the electrical code here in Baltimore set to protect your home, but it protects you as well. And to the electricians at Kolb Electric, nothing is more important than your safety!

This is why your Baltimore electricians offer comprehensive code inspections. We want to guarantee your home or business is safe and secure. And we want to keep you out of possible legal issues, too! And that’s always good. But what exactly is a code inspection, and what does it entail? Let’s find out!

When we provide an electrical code inspection in Baltimore, we want to cover each and every base. This means we start at the top, work our way down, and keep going until we’re satisfied with the safety and integrity of your electrical systems. Our process includes:

Out of all the questions a Baltimore electrician at Kolb receives, this might be one of the easiest. The NEC electrical code was established and remains relevant because electricity, when poorly used or misused, is very dangerous. Code must be observed and enforced, for both safety and legal reasons. And to the team at Kolb, meeting your needs is our primary objective.

Need code-related services or code corrections from a certified and trustworthy Baltimore electrician? Our specialists would be proud to provide! We’ve been handling electrical services in Maryland for nearly a century, and our name is trusted for a reason. Kolb always brings the best, and we can guarantee you the service you deserve! Contact our experts today!

Electrical installation testing is a practice that has become more important over time. This is due to the increasing complexity of installations in both commercial and residential spaces. When it comes to electrical work, the top priority is always going to be safety. This focus is the reason electrical standards and wiring regulations exist in the first place. Electrical installation testing serves the purpose of identifying any possible deficiencies. These shortcomings could be areas in which an electrical system doesn’t meet regulations.

It’s important to have older electrical systems looked over to ensure they’re still in good working condition. At the same time, new installations need an inspection to make sure they conform to today’s stringent standards. You might also feel inclined to have testing done if you’ve recently purchased a building with preexisting installations. If you’re curious about what makes electrical installation testing so complex, or if you’re wondering why only a professional should be doing it, read on for more information.

There are different phases of an electrical installation to keep in mind. The first step is to perform a visual inspection, which is exactly what it sounds like — an expert will confirm the permanently wired electrical components are compliant with safety regulations. He or she will make sure there are no outward signs of damage, and that the required safety measures are present.

After the visual inspection, electrical testing begins. This is where having a qualified individual working becomes even more critical. Everything from specialized training to safety-oriented clothing is necessary for this aspect. In fact, non-authorized people might have to keep a certain distance away from the testing itself.

The testing will cover a building’s wiring, as well as its various components. This can include electrical panels, outlets, distribution boards and lighting. Essentially, the examination covers all systems that conduct electricity within a building. The electrician will use the tests to make sure every necessary precaution is in place to reduce the risks of injury or death due to electrical shock.

In some cases, the testing will call for exploratory work to complete the job as effectively and safely as possible. Parts of the system might need to be temporarily shut off for this. This means you should make sure you don’t have something important — and electricity-based — going on while the installation testing is taking place.

When I was a kid growing up in Los Angeles, I never saw a ceiling fan in my friends’ homes. We called them “swamp coolers,” and they appeared as props in movies that were set in the deep South or in Casablanca.

While I never saw a real one as a kid, ceiling fans date back to the late 1800’s, when they were originally powered by water. In 1882, Philip Diehl, the German-American inventor of the motor for Singer sewing machines, adapted his sewing machine motor for the ceiling fan. Electric ceiling fans grew in popularity and were quite commonplace in both America and abroad by the 1920’s. Movies from the 20’s often feature them in restaurants and hotel lobbies.

Between the 1930’s and 1950’s in the U.S., however, the fans went out of vogue. Thus, my lack of experience with them as a child (which dates me as a Baby Boomer!) However, with the oil shortages of the 1970s, we started to wake up to the cost of electricity, and the fans experienced a revival. Since the 1970’s their popularity has gone up and down, but has been in uptrend since about 2000, when energy conservation again became a priority. If you would like to save energy and money, check out how ceiling fans can save energy and money in both summer and winter.

Click here to visit our website.