FAQs

Electricians — Licensed Electrician Banner in Pompano Beach, FL

SOUTH FLORIDA RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL ELECTRICIAN

Frequently Asked Questions

When is it time to call an electrician?

When you are resetting circuit breakers or changing fuses too often. When you turn on your air conditioner and the lights dim in the room. When your lights flicker or go on and off. When you can smell electricity burning. When you have six electronic devices going into one outlet in back of your electronics center. When you have receptacle outlets overburdened by multi-plug strips. When a three-prong plug needs a two-prong adapter. If you have to run extension cords to plug in electrical devices.

What size electrical service system 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 gives you some space for future additions. This is not a job for an unlicensed person to attempt. In most cases it involves replacing everything from the service loop (this is the wire that extends from the top of your meter to the utility tie in ) up to and including the main panel.

What are the common Electrical Acronyms and what do they stand for?

G.F.I. – Ground fault circuit interrupter. It is an electrical wiring device that disconnects a circuit whenever it detects that the electric current is not balanced between the energized conductor and the return neutral conductor. Such an imbalance may indicate current leakage through the body of a person who is grounded and accidentally touching the energized part of the circuit. A lethal shock can result from these conditions. GFCIs are designed to disconnect quickly enough to prevent injury caused by such shocks. They are not intended to provide protection against over-current (overload) or short-circuit conditions.
A.F.C.I. - Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters are required by the National Electrical Code for certain electrical circuits in the home
NEC – National Electric Code

How electrical work 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 dangerous and could result in costly repairs as well as making more problems within your home’s system. How much are you willing to risk to save money?
There is a reason why it takes so much training to become an electrician. Do not make a mistake by taking electricity lightly, even the smallest job could be a safety hazard. Why take a chance. Get a professional to do this work. In some states the homeowner can pull his own Electrical permit for work in his single family home, what he does not know is that in case of damage or fire caused by his work, his homeowners insurance will not pay, they will only if the work is done by a licensed Electrical Contractor. You should check with your homeowners Insurance Co., and they should sign a document or something to this effect to acknowledge this when they pull a permit. The most dangerous time is when you tell yourself. This is easy. I can do it myself. Why should i get an electrician? Then, when you don’t remember where all those wires went or your hair is standing straight up, you say to yourself, “Well maybe we better call someone to straighten up this mess.”
Now it will cost you double what you thought you were going to save in the beginning.

What is the half-circle-shaped hole that you see on electrical outlets these days?

This very important addition to modern electric outlets is there to ensure your safety. It is a ground built in to the outlet in order to prevent contact between a hot wire and a neutral one, thereby avoiding the danger of electric shock or fire. If you move into an older house, you will need to install these outlets to replace the old ones.

Are there outlets manufactured especially to stand up to outdoor use?

Yes, you can purchase specially manufactured weather-resistant electrical receptacles. These are subjected to extra stringent requirements and tested for their resistance to factors such as exposure to intense cold or ultra-violet light.

What is a surge protector and should I get one?

Surges are created by lightning or from the local power station. Sometimes, a surge of electricity can flood out to the residents from the power station. A surge protector helps to protect your electrical devices from a power surge. Usually, surge protectors are used for electronic devices such as computers and flat screen televisions. If you appreciate your electronic devices and want them to perform efficiently without having to worry about replacing them, you may want to consider protecting your devices with a surge protector.

There is a humming noise coming from my panel. What does this mean?

This could be the result of a defective breaker. Replacement should be immediate as this defective breaker could cause serious harm to electrical components.

How can I tell when an electrical outlet is not safe?

The plug falls out of the outlet without touching it, or the outlet is not secure and will move easily when touching it. When the outlet is warm or hot to the touch, you need to immediately take care of the issue by unplugging the device and calling Burley Electrical Service as this type of problem can result in a fire.

Areas We Serve

Serving Broward & South Palm Beach Counties including:
  • Boca Raton
  • Coconut Creek
  • Coral Springs
  • Deerfield Beach
  • Delray Beach
  • Ft. Lauderdale
  • Lauderhill
  • Lighthouse Point
  • Margate
  • Parkland
  • Plantation
  • Pompano Beach
  • Sunrise
  • Tamarac
  • Wilton Manors
  • Weston
Call Today For A Free Estimate (954) 942-8343 or (561) 792-0034
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