I have surge/lightning protection on my home. Am I totally safe from lightning strikes?
The short answer is NO. By themselves, surge protectors cannot protect your home’s electronics from being damaged by a power surge caused by direct lightning strikes… in fact nothing can….
I have two telephone lines in my home. Why, when I’m on the phone and the other phone line is in use, do I hear the other conversation in the background?
This is commonly called Bleed over and usually results from one of three conditions. Excessively long runs of wire within the home of non-twisted pairs.Loop wiring from phone station to…
If I have problems with TV or telephone wiring within the house, whom should I call?
With deregulation of the utility companies in most areas of the country, the cable or telephone companies are no longer responsible for the equipment or wiring in your home. This…
My smoke detector keeps chirping. What does this mean?
This could mean one of two things. 1. An intermittent chirp is probably an indication of a defective smoke detector. 2. A consistent chirp is probably an indication of a…
What is the difference between a breaker panel and my old fuse panel?
Both devices, either breaker or fuse, are designed to trip (turn off) in the event of an electrical overload, i.e. 20Amps of electrical load on a 15Amp circuit would cause…
What is a GFCI device or breaker?
GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter which is a fast-acting circuit breaker designed to shut off electrical power in the event of a ground-fault within as little as 1/40…
I have a 110 volt outlet on the exterior of my home. Can I plug my Christmas lights into it?
Yes. Within reason, if the quantity of lights creates a load greater than the capacity of the circuit breaker, the breaker will trip off. In this event, additional circuits may…
How much should I attempt on my own?
At the present time most states allow you to do whatever you want in your own home. But doing electrical work yourself is a gamble. How much are you willing…
I have a new home. Why does my refrigerator or freezer, located in my garage, keep going off?
Unless you made provisions with the builder for a dedicated circuit, the outlets in your garage are GFCI Protected per National Electrical Code. This device will not tolerate the additional…
If I have surge/lightning protection on my main service, should I use point-of-use surge plugins at my TV, stereo, computer, etc.?
Yes. Main line surge is no absolute guarantee and any additional surge protection down stream in the system offers a greater level of protection; though, nothing is absolute when it…
Why do the bulbs in my exterior fixture burn out so often?
This is usually caused by several factors. Use of non-brand named bulbs.Larger wattage bulbs, which cause excessive heat build-up shorting the life of the bulb.Power Surges.Bad light bulbs The bulb…
How many convenience outlets in each room?
In every kitchen, family room, dining room, living room, parlor, library, den, bedroom, or similar room or area of dwelling units, receptacle outlets shall be installed so that no point…
What does it mean when my fluorescent lights are flickering or cycling on and off?
If your fluorescent bulbs flicker, most likely the problem is with the bulb itself. If the bulb is very dark on either end, it may be defective and burned out….
What are the red and black buttons on my GFCI outlet?
The black button is a test button and when pressed, should deactivate the outlet and any other outlet fed from it – Indicating a properly functioning device. The red button…
Can I plug any 110-volt device I wish into my regular 110-volt outlets throughout my house?
Yes. Though, if the device exceeds the capacity of the circuit, the breaker will trip off.
What size service do I install in my home?
Most states call for 100 amps minimum, but with all the new electronic devices, air conditioning and electric heat, I would suggest 200 amps especially in new homes. This also…
How do I reset my breaker when it has tripped off?
Most breakers are the same in that you have to turn them off before you turn them on again. One brand trips to the off position and no reset is required,…
Can I dim fluorescent lights?
Yes. Dimming fluorescent requires not only a special dimmer, but also special fixtures. You cannot place a typical incandescent dimmer on existing fluorescent. A common fluorescent bulb will not work…
When my air conditioner cycles on, I notice my lights blink. Is this normal?
Yes this is completely normal for when most HVAC systems turn on. If your lights dim for less than a second or their brightness is reduced by only a fraction…
What should I do if my lights, switches and receptacles don’t work?
Check to see if the outlet is on a switch. Check and reset GFCI outlets and circuit breaker. Check light bulbs and replace if necessary. See if any other outlets…
What causes the lights in my house to flicker?
Central air conditioning and heat pump condensers may cause a noticeable slight dimming on start up. Lights may flicker or dim due to startup of some appliances or motor driven…
Why does my recess can light cycle on and off after I put a larger wattage bulb in?
Modern Recess Cans are rated for a maximum wattage bulb and are equipped with a thermal device that does not allow a bulb larger than that rating. If a larger…
Can I plug my coffee pot and toaster oven into the same kitchen counter outlet?
Yes. Though, if the two loads exceed 20amps, your breaker will sense overload, do its job, and trip off. Under this condition, you must plug one of the appliances into…
Why do I blow fuses or why does my circuit breaker trip?
Except in the case of ground fault interrupters, which are susceptible to moisture and/or weather conditions, fuses and circuit breakers should not trip. Check to see if some type of…
Can I hang a ceiling fan where a light is?
Yes, but first you must make sure the electrical box is properly braced and rated for the weight and torque of the ceiling fan you are installing. We’ll give you…
What is an AFCI?
Starting January 1, 2002, The National Electrical Code , Section 210-12, requires that all branch circuits supplying 125V, single phase, 15 and 20 ampere outlets installed in dwelling unit bedrooms…