Protecting your homes electronics with whole house surge protection is dramatically more important today then just ten years ago.  Your home becomes more and more filled with electronics and appliances that need protection from power surges.  A lighting storm can wreak havoc on the utility grid and your homes electronics.  A good lighting storm will generate 12-18 calls in one day just for our local business Custom Electrical Services.  Sometimes it even seems you can almost track the storms path as it moves across the Des Moines Metro based on the incoming calls.  Customers who experienced power surges have received thousands of dollars and in some cases tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage from one major power surge.  A surge is most commonly known for taking out electronics such as computers, TV’s and stereo equipment.  But did you know many of your homes appliances now have sophisticated electronics built into them?  We see garage door openers, refrigerators, dishwashers, and even the homes hot water heater, air conditioner and furnace all taken out by power surges.

You should know that nothing will fully protect your home from a direct lighting strike.  However in most cases the damage is caused by the power surge rather than a direct lighting strike.  We are all familiar with the power strips that offer surge protection you can purchase from the big box stores.  Even if you have a whole house surge protection system we still recommend point of use surge protection.  When purchasing surge protection you want to look at the joule rating.  The joule rating is the amount of energy absorption / dissipation a surge protector can handle before the surge protector fails.  The higher the number the better the surge protection device is at protecting the electronics plugged into it.  But what about the items not plugged into the power surge strip?  Well unfortunately anything not plugged into the power surge strip is not getting any protection.  So that $1200 dishwasher, $600 garage door opener, or $4,000 air conditioner is not getting any protection from your point of use power strip.  But don’t worry you now have options.

We have installed hundreds of whole house power protection devices in peoples homes across the Des Moines Metro.  One customer in West Des Moines received frequent issues from power surges.  After we installed a SPD (surge protection device) in each of his electrical panels he has not lost any electronics since.  A whole house surge protection device like a power surge strip is only capable of absorbing or dissipating so much power.  This particular customer received a significant power surge which he said would of normally damaged his very expensive home theater equipment and whole house automation system in the past.  A SPD when properly installed in your electrical panel can protect your entire home from power surges.  Not just electronics plugged directly into a surge protector.

There are several types of whole house surge protectors on the market.  Many are good while others are not.  Even the best whole house surge protectors are not as effect if they are not properly installed.  Manufacture specs are specific when it comes to the required installation so the device can properly perform the way it was engineered.  A good quality whole house surge protection device will come with several thousand dollars worth of manufacture insurance covering your homes electronics if the device were to fail when properly installed.

We have a variety of whole house surge protections devices capable of providing safe and reliable protection for your home.  We offer Siemens devices as well as Eaton products we can install in your home or business today.  Stop procrastinating and call us before the next big storm moves across the Des Moines metro.  From Adel to Altoona, from Norwalk to Ankeny and all the surrounding communities we are here and ready to serve your 24/7.

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high-tech smart bulb that’s trending in 2015 lighting technology. But in the late 1800’s it was the Edison bulb that transfixed the world as one of the most technologically advanced inventions of its time. In a practical sense, the electric bulb was the ‘smart technology’ of the 1800’s. Fast-forward a century, and the term Edison bulb holds an entirely new meaning.

In present-day design, Edison bulbs are vintage-style incandescent light bulbs with clear glass envelopes and visible filaments. You’ve probably also heard them referred to as antique light bulbs. Today’s reproductions are modeled after — you guessed it — Thomas Edison’s earliest light bulb productions. The exposed filaments (the string-like wires inside the bulb) are what set the Edison bulb apart from its 21st century counterparts like the LED.

It’s interesting to note that while historians agree that Thomas Edison Humphry Bulb doesn’t sound nearly as cool.

Today, when someone characterizes a modern bulb as being an Edison Bulb, they’re usually referring to a handful of common characteristics that these vintage bulbs inspire…

Edison Muckers, Your blog for everything Edison, everyday.

Halloween is a little over a week away, and whether you’re throwing or attending a party, taking your kids trick-or-treating, or getting your house ready for trick-or-treaters, it’s sure to be a night filled with endless fun – and scare. However, we want to help ensure that the kind of scare that may ensue is all in good fun, and not legitimate.  This is why we want to provide some helpful electrical safety tips to those planning on transporting party-goers or trick-or-treaters to another realm with their decorations.

Electrical cords in high-traffic areas can be dangerous as it can cause people walking over them to trip and get hurt. Furthermore, you should inspect your cords for exposed or frayed wiring. Wires that aren’t 100 percent intact increase the chances of electrocution and fire, so always err on the side of caution and replace cords that could pose a threat. While Halloween is intended to a night filled with surprises, but don’t let one of them be a trip to the emergency room.

To prevent guests from tripping over cords, consider purchasing cord covers or using duct tape. Your local hardware store should carry both of these.

Before hanging lights inside or outside, check the box to see that they are Underwriters Laboratory (UL) approved. This means they will have been tested and are completely safe to use. If lights are UL-approved and tested, you should easily be able to find the label on both the outside of the box as well as on the actual lights themselves.

Just like your electrical cords, you should always inspect your lights for frayed and exposed wiring as well as faulty plugs. If you do find that they’re not in good condition, the best thing to do is replace them. Continuing to use these lights will only increase the chance of electrocution and fire.

Don’t staple or nail electrical wires or cords because doing so could cause a malfunction in the system, sparks, or a fire. Furthermore, avoid attaching wires or cords to anything metal. Follow the directions closely to ensure safety.

Leaving for work? Going to bed? Don’t forget to unplug your lights and decorations! When you leave things plugged in for longer than they should be, you run the risk of having overworked bulbs and wiring, which could lead to a fire. By unplugging them, you can have peace of mind while you’re away, not to mention, you’ll save money on your utility bill!

The kitchen can be an accident-prone area. It can be the busy hub of the house, hosting multiple people and activities at a time. With a variety of large and small electrical appliances being used close to water, there are many potential hazards. Use these safety electrical tips to stay safe in the kitchen and avoid accidents.

Depending on how large or small your kitchen is, counter space can quickly disappear. While cooking a meal you can find yourself using multiple appliances including the stove. If you are not careful a cord from a blender can soon come in contact with a hot stove surface or a toaster oven. If it is left unattended the protective layer on the outside of the electrical wire will begin to heat up and melt. This damage will expose the inner wires and an electrical fire can start. When setting up an appliance on your counter, tuck the cable into a safe spot and keep track of the hot surfaces to avoid.

When baking or washing dishes water can make its way into just about any area. This can cause electrical shock and damage to appliances. Be extra cautions when using liquids around electrical cables and keep spills away from the outlet. To take it a step further you can use outlet covers on unused outlets to avoid liquids splashing into the sockets.

Fridges, freezers, ovens, and microwaves require a high amount of power. Their electrical demand can put a lot of stress on circuits in the home. By putting too many appliances on the same socket and circuit it will cause the breaker to trip. While this may seam like a temporary inconvenience, it is an indication of a larger problem. If this is an on going theme in your kitchen, it may be time to reorganize the arrangement of cables or upgrade your electrical circuits. The damage to appliances will cost a lot more in the long run.

When looking down the sides of your cabinets and counters you can find a lot of crumbs and dirt that you never noticed. Over the years this type of debris can collect behind appliances you never check. If this food is too close to an electrical outlet it could heat up and potential cause a fire. Make an appointment to check around all the outlets of your kitchen and clear out the dust, dirt, and food. While your guests may not be looking in these areas, this maintenance can avoid potential costly fires.

We know that when you are in the kitchen you are likely working overtime. But it is important to take some time to review your family’s safety in the kitchen. If you have questions about your kitchen’s electrical setup or potential issues you have noticed, contact Expert Electric at 604-681-8338.