When your home or business experiences a power outage, it’s essential to have a backup plan. Electrical generators are an efficient solution that can provide power for your appliances and lights in the event of a disaster or an unexpected outage. However, installing a generator requires professional knowledge and expertise. An electrician can help you choose the right generator for your home or business, determine the required size and location, obtain the necessary permits, and perform the installation.
Electricals services can also include installation of alternative energy systems, such as solar panels or wind turbines. These allow you to generate your own clean, renewable energy and reduce dependence on the local electricity grid. Additionally, these professionals can help you connect smart appliances to your home or business’s electrical system. This ensures that your appliances are powered efficiently and can even be controlled remotely.
Electricians can provide preventative maintenance as well. This includes regularly inspecting outlets and switches to identify signs of wear and tear. By catching problems early on, they can fix them before they escalate into bigger issues that require costly repairs.
When choosing an electrical contractor, be sure to find one with a good reputation and extensive experience. Look at their website and “About Us” page to get a feel for the company’s culture and approach to work. You should also check if they offer 24/7 emergency services and a convenient scheduling process.
The most common type of Electricals services in residential homes is single phase 240V. This is the most cost effective way to power large loads, such as air conditioners and electric hot water heaters. However, if you have an older home, it may be time for a service upgrade to a 3-phase 208Y120, or “wye”. This will provide higher voltage and more circuits than the standard 120V.
A homeowner or DIYer should never attempt to perform a service upgrade or any other electrical project without the proper knowledge and tools. This can be extremely dangerous and lead to expensive repairs, a fire hazard, or even injury or death. An experienced electrician can perform the upgrade safely and quickly for a reasonable cost.
An electrical service upgrade typically involves the replacement of all components at the electric meter and meter base, including the line side service entrance cable, the meter grounding and bonding system, and the new electric panel. It’s important to make sure that the new system is up to code and safe for modern day use. Some of the most common signs that you need an upgrade are: if you hear buzzing near your breaker box, there are fuses or fuses in the electrical panel, the breaker keeps tripping and won’t reset, the electrical meter is rusty or falling off the pole, there is visible deterioration of the wires feeding your panel, or your home has more than 60 amps of service. If you plan to sell your home in the future, insurance companies will often require a 60-amp service be upgraded to 100-amps before they will insure the home.