A variety of ways exist to quickly and efficiently complete an electrical installation. One method involves using pre-made and pre-fabricated conduits, cables, panels, and devices. Pre-fab strategies cut down on repetitive labor costs and scrap material waste.

Furthermore, pre-fabricated components are assembled in quality-controlled factories by highly trained technicians. This ensures that every device and termination is in working order and properly connected. These technicians work faster and cost less per hour than a journeyman electrician, therefore saving the contractor time and money.

Another option to increase efficiency involves using pre-wired devices. They can be used for repetitive tasks like receptacles, switches, light fixtures, data ports, or fire alarms. They save time by eliminating the need to terminate each device individually. Instead, boxes are made to order and ready to install. The desired length of cable is attached and ready to run to the nearest junction point. Simply attach the box, route the cable, and connect to the supply wires. Most suppliers prepare a custom quote, further reducing time spent by the foreman planning and ordering parts individually.

Pre-wired panels are possibly the simplest way to save money, as they require no special tools. Wiring up a panel at the shop before heading to the job site allows you to function test it before installation. This ensures proper functionality. In addition, it keeps the interior of the panel away from weather and other possible sources of job-site damage. For larger or more complex panels, suppliers can be arranged and have the work performed by specialized technicians. Panels can even be ordered with pre-cut and pre-terminated lengths of cable or cord.

Most electricians have used pre-formed conduit, especially PVC which requires specialized tools to bend. However, entire runs of pipe can be custom ordered and pre-shaped. Especially useful in underground conduit networks or when complicated bends are required, these pre-made conduits drop in place and fit perfectly to the engineer’s prints. They also ensure that conduits are not damaged or kinked during the bending process and that no sharp edges or rough spots are left to damage wires or cables.

If the project demands it, entire buildings can be pre-made and pre-wired in a factory setting by trained technicians who specialize in quickly and efficiently preparing custom ordered buildings. Especially useful in industrial settings, these buildings come complete with all interior and exterior lights, switches, receptacles, and control wiring.

Often, motor control centers (MCCs) for large industrial installations are constructed this way. Therefore, on-site electricians are free to begin immediately running cables to motors and devices, with simple termination points inside a completed building. In addition to using fewer electrician hours, they also reduce required hours from other tradespeople such as welders or cladding installers.

Finally, pre-fab strategies are a great solution for reducing material waste, worker hours, and downtime while making deadlines a snap. Projects run smoother with fewer errors.

A home power outage can happen without warning and at the most inconvenient time. Really, there isn’t a convenient time to lose electricity. We often forget just how much we rely on power throughout the day until we lose it.

The loss of lights, refrigerators, washers and dryers, computers and electronic devices, and more make residential power outages both irritating and disruptive– there are a number of steps you can take to fix the situation.

Diagnose the Problem

There are many reasons you may have lost power.

First, something may have caused an interruption of power from your provider.  In addition, Colorado thunderstorms can cause a disruption , or it could be a problem with a circuit or other electrical system in your home. Loose connectors, device failures, ground movement, underground root growth, or improper wire installation can all cause shorts or overloads as well.

If you have lost power, check with your neighbors to see if the power outage is widespread. If they don’t have power either, the problem is with your power provider, not the electrical systems in your home. Your power company should be informed, and you will have to wait for them to address the issue.

If the power outage is limited to your home, check your main breaker to see if it’s tripped. Flip the switch back on if it is tripped, which may restore your power. If you are only experiencing a partial power outage, you can try to turn on your electric dryer or range as a test. If it doesn’t turn on, or if the main switch trips again at any point, you will need a professional electrician to come and diagnose the specific problem you are having.

A Trusted Emergency Electrician in Arvada