Holiday Lighting Tips
December 8th, 2010
As we are full-swing into the holidays, here are the most common things regarding festive lighting to help keep the projects safe, fun, and frustration free.
Super Important Prerequisites!
TESTING and ORIENTATION – test your lights before you put them up, and make sure you have the correct end of the light strand at the right location before you spend the day covering the house, only to find out that that you are trying to plug in 2 of the same cord ends together.
Light Selection:
LED LIGHTS – these are becoming more popular and do offer some significant benefits. Because of the lower power consumption you can link A LOT more of these together. The high end products have replaceable lamps, but most are of a sealed variety that does not allow for individual lamps to be replaced. The better LED lights come with a separate “driver” that connects the first strand to the outlet. Also keep in mind that LED light colors can vary a lot from company to company and will typically look different than the standard lights – there are also special effects that may or may not fit your preference, so check colors and functions in the store before you buy.
STANDARD INCANDESCENT LIGHTS – Not all ornamental lights are created equal. If you are using the old standby 120 volt ac powered strands with replaceable lamps look for ones that are of a feed thru design – that means they still work even if a lamp is out (this will be indicated on the box). Nothing is more frustrating than a whole strand that goes out because of one bad lamp. Also be careful how many you link together; in many cases the manufacture only allows for 2 or 3 strands to be plugged into each other – exceeding that limit can be dangerous and will cause them to burn out much more quickly (many companies now install in-line fuses in the cord end to prevent this).
Addition Wires:
EXTENSION CORDS – use good quality cords with 14 gauge wire (or larger) that are rated for outdoor applications. Be careful were you route the cords (smashing them in windows or doors is always bad) and how you install them – nails and extension cords don’t mix well when it comes to wires.
CONNECTIONS – Look for strands that have weatherproof connection points – typically some kind of 2 pin / 2 piece connector with a gasket (see picture). If you use the standard 2 prong plug together type lights try to wrap the connections with good electrical tape or put them in a sandwich bag and seal the bag with tape or a twist tie.
LIVE WIRES and METAL SIDING – if you your home has aluminum siding or you are hanging lights from metal surfaces (like gutters) take EXTRA CARE. These surfaces are very conductive, just like a wire, but often have no effective path to ground. Just this week we had a call were a defect in a wire caused 120 volts to be flowing in the aluminum siding of a home. This is a very bad situation that can cause a sever shock under the right conditions.
Up to Code:
GFCI PROTECTION – the NEC code states that any temporary power or lighting of this type installed out of doors should be GFCI protected. A GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) is a specialty outlet that shuts off in the event of a fault to ground… basically when ever you use electrical cords and lighting that has the potential to get wet they are a must.
OVERLOADED CIRCUITS – We see this one a lot… couple of 50 foot extension cords that have undersized conductors (like 16 or 18 gauge), with several hundred feet of lighting strands plugged into them, running back to a garage light that someone (of course not you) has taken the lamp out of and screwed in one of those “plug in adapters”. Remember that all that conductor length and all those lights are adding significant load and resistance to a circuit. As resistance goes up, so does AMPERAGE. It is really easy to overload an existing circuit with that plug in Santa you want out by the road. Overloaded circuits get hot, when things get hot enough they burn
Personal Safety:
LADDERS – be cautious of using metal ladders around electricity – do I need to say more about that, really! Also remember that more people get hurt from falls from ladders than any other single workplace or home accident – most fatal falls are form short distance under 12’. Try to refrain from putting up lights on an icy afternoon after too much of your “special” eggnog and leftover turkey sandwiches – running outside without your coat on while shivering too much to actually focus on what you are doing.
Installation: Never mount or place lights near gas or electric heaters, fireplaces, candles or other similar sources of heat. Do not close doors or windows on light strands – this can damage the wiring inside.Secure outside Christmas lights with insulated holders (never use tacks or nails) or run a strings of lights through hooks.Don’t string more than three strands (300 lights) together. Run the next strand from a different outlet.
Turn off lights when you go to bed or leave the house: Even new lights that are installed properly can malfunction. Do not leave them unattended. Christmas lights can get hot enough to burn or ignite other decorations. Turn off all lights after bedtime – no one sees them anyway. If you habitually forget to turn the lights off, a digital timer can turn them off automatically. Timers can be purchased for as little as $20 at home improvement stores.
STORAGE – still looking for a good way to store your lights so that they are ready to use next year and don’t become a tangled up mess. Old wire spools work great for this; best part is you can get these for free from about any electrical supplier or electrical contractor. They really do help make install and take down painless. TIP: leave all the strands connected together, put the spool on a pipe and a set of jack stands and you can roll / unroll easy as pie.
To ensure a safe holiday, call Mr. Electric for a complimentary home safety check.
Mr. Electric wishes you a happy holiday season!
The entire staff of Mr. Electric Vancouver & Portland
Tags: Christmas lighting, decorative lights, LED, Tree lights
Posted in Life as an Electrician | 1 Comment »
Home Heating
November 9th, 2010Holistic Home and Heating
Now that the summer is long gone and you’ve put your house fans in storage for the Northwest 7 month rainy stretch, let’s consider making every effort to stay warm in a holistically healthy way. Know your home’s envelope (overall energy consumption capacity). Realize that staying warm is only a part of the equation for healthy living. Clean air free of toxins that can build up from synthetic materials exposed to long-term home heating is critical. And the location of furniture with respect to heating appliances and the paths that air circulates in the home affects the overall health of its inhabitants… so thinking Feng-Shui actually makes “cents”!
Just as whole-house fans during the warmer summer months can completely exchange inside and outside air with fresh oxygen, it is wise to apply the same principle during the winter. Beyond the usual spring and fall check lists we’ve posted on Mr. Electric Portland, take the initiative to service all appliances related to home heating. Inspect air-ducts and ventilation devices. If something is dirty or broken, efficiency is lost which translates quickly to cash loss as well. It doesn’t take an energy auditor to find seals and cracks – the “candle-trick” to locate air loss near doors and windows works too (but never where exposure to gas lines is!)
If you’re a home owner:
1. Get your old furnace checked out. If it’s been over 10 years since the last upgrade, you can save BIG by installing a heat-pump; yes, even up to 250% heating bill savings!
NOTE: A geothermal heat pump may receive a 30% tax credit in most states.
2. Consider a new thermostat – programmable types are the best since they control how much energy you are using as well as have the ability to manage the areas you want to keep warm.
Extra Health Related Tips:
A. When cooking, make use of overhead stove fans and leave a few windows slightly ajar with a ceiling fan on to allow for impurities to be vented outside.
B. If you don’t have an air-exchange system, running a centralized air-conditioning system’s fan with your front and rear windows open for 15 minutes will replenish oxygen levels and allow for toxins to be flushed daily.
C. Bring indoor plants into the home to “scrub” the carbon monoxide out of the air.
Duct taping around windows and doors is unsightly; rather use insulation sealing foam tape. There’s a whole lot more you can do to increase energy savings in your place of living. So if you aren’t able to install a new heating unit because you live in a rental dwelling, a few basic and low costing measures still can be used beyond reaching for that Snuggie©.
1. Use a space (area specific) heater such as a sealed oil radiator – low power consumption but lasting heat retention allows for medium sized rooms to stay comfortable
2. Instead of duct tape for temporary sealing of windows and doors, use 2 inch wide 3M painter’s tape. It leaves no residue to clean up after that super cold spell has passed
3. Use area rugs to retain heat in rooms where you lounge the most
4. Although burning wood in the fireplace seems like a good idea, most of the heat is lost upward. So if you do, remember to keep the chimney fluke closed when not in use
Sensible and safe methods to keep toasty during these upcoming winter months will keep you and your loved ones healthy and happy. Let us serve you and ensure your holidays are joyous and warm by calling on our professionals for maintenance and installations that will make you the wiser among your neighborhood and friends!
Tags: Heating Savings Ventilation
Posted in Life as an Electrician | No Comments »
Keeping Up with the Electricians
November 1st, 2010
Everyday at Mr. Electric we receive calls concerning emergency electrical problems that occur around the office or home. Knowing that inclement weather is a norm in our town, we know that harsher conditions are forced upon us. The most common problems deal with water. And we understand that water damage is invasive and can wreak havoc on the normally dry interior conditions we rely upon for productivity and a comfortable life.
When a person thinks about dangers dealing with water and electricity, images of being struck by lightening in a storm might be conjured up. But the probability of that is minuscule as compared to hazardous conditions of more common conditions caused by rain. Harsh injury and death can result from lack of knowledge when improper drainage and leaking roofs produce enough dampness near poorly insulated wiring.
An electrician’s everyday concern for himself can be summed up in a few words – proper insulation. Personal protective equipment and OSHA laws aren’t just for the professional, but should also be practiced by consumers like you, especially if water and electricity mix. Nobody is safe when it comes to potential electrocution.
Anytime an exposed source of electric exists, electricity is busy at work to find a way to be grounded. A positive lead charge seeks to neutralize itself and as physics proves, it will use anything it can find as a conductor to get there. In this case, it is you and me!
When it comes to spotting danger, here are a few things to keep an eye out for when rain storms occur:
- Condensation or moisture forming on walls in the form of warping or paint peeling
- Sparking or electrical buzzing when plugging an item into an outlet
- Obvious dripping from ceiling and/ or fixtures, or pooling water on surface
- Flickering lights or electrical surges experienced via television or computer monitor
- Fuse breakers popping off relating to an associated location of your home or office consistently
Here’s where stating the obvious isn’t something to apologize for. If you spot any of these potential danger signals in any combination, do NOT attempt to touch the surface that are wet or damp. Rather contact a professional to determine the source of leakage.
Like water, electricity also can “leak” in tandem using water as it’s primary mode of seeking ground as the conductor. Avoid touching plugs or cables and ensure you are wearing insulated rubber soles near these areas.
Staying safe through electrical consciousness is never secondary whether at home or work. Using good sense will save you and your loved ones from undue harm. So when calling on a professional, our experienced team of electricians are always here for you at Mr. Electric twenty-four seven!
Tags: electrocution, insulation and sealing, Leaking roofs, Mr. Electric Portland, Water damage
Posted in Life as an Electrician | 6 Comments »
Are You Fall and Winter Ready?
October 12th, 2010Okay, okay… now that the signs of seasonal change are upon us, the fall leaves of yellow, orange, and red are playing peek-a-boo along the landscape, we can either accept two things. (1) The fact that our Northwestern lives will enter once again into a kind of pseudo-hibernation, (2) or as some might believe we go into state of denial that the sun will be taking a vacation while mother nature begins her cleansing cycle for the next six to seven months.
No matter what you emotionally feel or believe, the fact that our “coin-toss” weather brings more precipitation than the rest of the West coast means that we ought to be ready. To be prepared for the natural elements means we can choose to live as reactionary folks or proactive people. At Mr. Electric, we surely adopt a similar principle as a Boy Scout would have; to be prepared, ready for anything.
Here are a few winter maintenance tips that everyone can benefit from; ultimately saving you headaches, time, and money!
- Remove screens from windows and install storm windows
- Clean out gutters and downspouts
- Insulate pipes in your home’s crawl spaces and attic
- Store firewood at least 30 feet away from your home
- Familiarize responsible family members with the gas main valve and other appliance valves
- Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper and space under the dryer
- Make sure all electrical holiday decorations have tight connections
- Check the attic for adequate ventilation
- Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter
- Check the water hoses on the clothes washer, refrigerator icemaker and dishwasher for cracks and bubbles
- Test all ground-fault-circuit-interrupter (GFCI) outlets
The quality of life we are afforded and the freedom we have to enjoy it truly is a motivator itself. We wish you and your family a smooth transition into the next season that is not only marked by safety but comfort and joy. Live well and should you need to call on the professionals, our electricians are here to serve and make your day a great one!
Posted in Life as an Electrician | No Comments »
Overloading Circuits Start Fires
September 12th, 2010“Karen and Floyd Clardy remember hearing a giant pop from the garage. The lights in their Lake Highlands home went out, and suddenly there were flames.”
A recent national news article (Aug 21, 2010) highlighted the demise of one unsuspecting family’s tragic ordeal when their home’s circuit breaker “was shooting flames and sparks” which destroyed much of their property; $160,000 structural damage to their two bedroom home. Thankfully there was no loss of life.
The culprit behind this home fire was suspected to be the overloading of a certain kind of circuit breaker used. [Circuit breakers are designed to interrupt the electrical current when circuits become overloaded and overheated.] “Experts first began saying in 1980 that a high percentage of the circuit breakers failed to trip; only 1,200 out of 3,000 according to a former Federal Pacific engineer. But after testing the devices for about two years, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said the government lacked sufficient data to warrant a recall. No warning was ever issued.” And surprisingly there are an estimated 20 million homes in America still using this exact model.
In light of this incident, and with today’s new technologies and demanding electrical home appliances, it’s strongly recommended that we all take time out to check our homes’ circuit breaker boxes. We can save not only our properties, but even more the lives of our loved ones.
Here are some practical steps you can take to ensure your safety:
- This week(end) be proactive and take a few minutes to personally check if your home’s electrical panel contains the Federal Pacific Stab-Lok circuit breakers or Zinsco model.
So how can you tell if your home has a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok circuit breaker (FPE)? The faulty breakers would be inside a box in a wall of your home, probably in a closet or in the garage. Inside the panel door would be a label that says “Federal Pacific” or the letters “FPE.” The flaws in the breaker are not visually apparent.
- What should you do about it?
Experts say any Federal Pacific Stab-Lok breaker should be replaced (just as an a Zinsco panel and aluminum wiring materials of an older home should). FPE breakers that have a white dot on the handle were manufactured after a redesign by Federal Pacific. Testing shows they are statistically less likely to fail, but experts still recommend replacement.
Having seen this type of tragedy strike is unfortunately not new news for us at Mr. Electric. Our desire as a local business is to be an active voice in our community as well as consumer advocate. Take the time to protect your family and home investments with a simple phone call. And know that we are here to provide you with excellent and incomparable service. Mr Electric, we have the power to make things better!
Quotes sourced from http://www.ismypanelsafe.com/
Posted in Life as an Electrician | 2 Comments »
Back to School Checklist 101
August 4th, 2010Dorm Room Check 101
Fall is not but a hop-skip-and-jump away! So whether you’re a new or returning college student or a new parent sending off your budding collegiate, here are the 101s on electrical safety in the dorm room:
Prerequisite
- Many college dormitories and older apartments were built prior to regulations for grounding-prongs and polarized plugs which prevent electrical overloads; a leading cause for injury and fires. Here’s how to identify if the facilities are up to par. Count the number of prongs that an outlet receives; if it’s two, then caution is a must!
Syllabus
- Never remove the third grounding prong on your extension cord plug. Instead, purchase a power-strip with a built in safety reset fuse.
- Never overload your outlet with excessive power hungry devices, e.g. appliances such as TV’s, refrigerators, high-output lamps, stereo systems, etc.
- An indication that you are overloading a circuit is when the cables are warm to the touch, sparks from your device occur, circuit breakers cut off continuously, uneven current to your PC is seen as surges to your computer’s screen.
- Purchase quality extension cables with adequate insulation. Cheap (underrated wires) invite hazards such as pinching (if crushed) causing short-circuiting.
House Rules:
1. Treat anything that plugs in as if it were a worker with a grudge – willing to work, but awaiting its chance to zap you!
2. Liquid and electricity don’t mix, e.g. Soda next to computers, hair dryers in wet sinks
3. Appliances which heat such as: toaster and microwave ovens, hotplates, hair dryers, popcorn poppers, irons, coffee makers, use more electricity may cause overloads. So if your school allows these, exercise special care.
4. Small motors in a fan or mixer are stronger than your fingers: Turn it off first; unplug it before putting your fingers near them.
Keeping this checklist in mind upon entering the school year will ensure a safe and secure year to come!
Posted in Life as an Electrician | No Comments »
SAVINGS with the Envi Power Save System!
June 22nd, 2010
Mr. Electric is excited to announce this excellent energy savings installation offer for every home owner or property management group! This investment will provide a quick return on investment and certainly will pay for itself in a matter of a few short months.
Give us a call today for more information on how you can begin lowering your energy bills and make a greener difference in your community. Leading the way to a brighter and environmentally conscious future…
by clicking onto the PowerSave link in the top right navigation menu.
Posted in Company News | 1 Comment »
Ground me, Scotty! A lesson in surge protection.
May 28th, 2010
A very essential, yet, very overlooked piece of investment for your home theater system, computers and laptops, gaming consoles and even appliances is the humble surge protector.
Most of us are familiar with the “plug and protect” strips that are available at almost every store you shop. They work unassumingly, quietly, under your computer desk. However, there is a tendency to overload these strips by connecting too many of them together or they are just not enough to handle the vast amounts of wattage many electrical systems require. So what to do?
Did you know there is a WHOLE HOUSE electrical surge protector? Only available through your Mr Electric Service Professional, the Surge Assure provides protection for your entire home. No extra strips laying around and over desks, counters or worse yet, out in open view of children and pets. The Surge Assure needs to be professionally installed.
Is the peace of mind, pennies and aesthetics of your home worth the investment of the Surge Assure? Ask a Mr Electric service professional for more information. I’m sure the answer won’t come as a “shock” to you.
Posted in Life as an Electrician | 5 Comments »
Wrapping Up Electrical Safety Month
May 24th, 2010As the month of May draws to a close, we learn a few things about the word SAFETY and practically, what that encompasses. We all say it, let alone, repeat it several times a day. Yet, safety is not just a word or a phrase. It’s a lifestyle habit; one that needs to be practiced again and again in order to own it.¬†
A recap of our top electrical safety tips:
- Unplug outdoor tools and appliances when not in use.
- Inspect power tools and appliances for frayed cords, broken plugs and cracked or broken housing. Repair or replace damaged items.
- Water and electricity do not mix. Avoid damp conditions — including wet grass — when using electricity.
- Use outlet covers on outdoor receptacles near swimming pools. Keep cords and electrical devices away from pools. Never handle electrical items when you are wet.
- Do not allow power cord connections to become wet.
- Use only weatherproof electrical devices for outside activities. Protect outdoor electrical devices from moisture. Make sure electrical equipment that has been wet is inspected and reconditioned by a certified repair dealer.
- Keep dry leaves swept away from outdoor lighting, outlets and power cords.
Never allow pets to sleep on an electrical blanket.
Keeping these tips in mind will ensure a continuity of fun and SAFETY all season long!
Posted in Life as an Electrician | 2 Comments »
Going Green with Mr Electric
April 21st, 2010In honor of Earth Week, we would like to share nuggets of wisdom from our service professionals about What Would Mr Electric Do to Go Green.
Here is our first tip: The Attic written by Brian Simmons
Hot air!! Remember those 100 degree + days that we all shared last summer? Me too.
Do you have an attic above the living quarters in your home? If you do then what you should keep in mind is that hot air may easily exceed 140 degrees on a hot day! Do you hear the slight rumble of an attic vent fan on those hot days? If not then you should know that your sweltering attic may be causing you to spend big bucks on cooling!
Installation of an attic vent fan will take that super hot air and push it out of that space therefore making the task of cooling the area that you reside in much easier. Reducing the temperature of the air in your attic can have immediate benefits to your comfort level as well as greatly reducing the power used to keep you cool, be it paddle fans or air conditioners!!
Brian Simmons, Mr Electric
Posted in Company News | No Comments »
Mr. Electric of Portland and Vancouver. Portland and Vancouver's best electricians. Locally owned and operated
Portland location: 4950 South East Caruthers St., Suite 2A, Portland, OR 97215
Gladstone office: 260 82nd Dr, Gladstone, OR 97027
Vancouver Office: 12613 NE Hwy 99, Vancouver, WA 98686.
