Residential & Commercial Electrical Team – Frequently Asked Questions in Pompano Beach

• When you are resetting circuit breakers or changing fuses too often. 
• When you turn on your air conditioner, 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 the 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.

Most states call for 100 amps minimum, but with all the new electronic devices, air conditioning, and electric heat, we 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 (the wire that extends from the top of your meter to the utility tie-in) and including the main panel.

G.F.C.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 grounded person and accidentally touching the energized part of the circuit. A lethal shock can result from these conditions. G.F.C.I.s 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. - the National Electrical Code requires Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters for specific electrical circuits in the home.

N.E.C. – National Electric Code

Currently, most states allow you to do whatever you want in your home. However, doing electrical work yourself is dangerous and could result in costly repairs and 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 most minor 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 homeowner's insurance will not pay; they will only if a licensed electrical contractor does the work. You should check with your homeowner's insurance company, and they should sign a document or something 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 would save initially.

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

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

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 worrying about replacing them, consider protecting them with a surge protector.

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

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.