When and Why Do You Need To Replace Your Surge Protector?

Unlike diamonds, surge protectors do not last forever. They have a limited lifespan and that means at a certain point in time, it will stop providing protection for your gear from power surges. It can be quite difficult to tell if they have become a dumb power strip. However, if you are still using an outdated surge protector, which you might have purchased ten years ago, then obviously, it is time to have it replaced. But if you are unsure, asking an electrician near me can be of great help. Surge Protector 101 Surge protectors sit between the gadgets and electrical sockets and they protect your appliances from power surges as well as making sure that that they get a constant voltage of electricity. It is possible for a voltage spike, which may have been due to a problem in the power grid to cause damages to your costly electrical equipment, and that is what surge protectors are made to stop. They Do Not Last Forever Surge protectors are not magical items. When they get a power surge from the electrical outlet, they are plugged into, they need to do something with that additional voltage to deal with it and protect the connected appliances from it. A regular surge protector utilizes a component referred to as a metal oxide varistor or MOV. If the voltage increases, the surge protector efficiently channels that additional voltage to the MOV component. This element will eventually degrade and once it is exposed to a small number of huge surges or a bigger number of smaller surges. The extra energy will not damage your appliances, it remains in the surge protector, where it deteriorates the MOV. Therefore, your surge protector can only take too make surges before it finally stops working as a surge protector and begins functioning as an ordinary power strop that will allow everything to go through to your devices. How Can You Tell? It is impossible to know exactly when a surge protector will stop functioning even if you ask an electrician near me. A few surge protectors come with lights that are made to signal you to this issue and let you know when the surge protector has to be changed. But you cannot always count on these lights since it is not a foolproof system. In case your surge protector is giving you a warning that it is has stopped protecting you or if it needs to be replaced, then you should most likely get a new one. However, don’t assume right away that your decade-old surge protector is still fully functional since the warning light has not come on yet. So when do you have to replace your surge protectors? The longer it has been used then the more at risk you will be. If you know already that your surge protector has had to take in a serious power surge, you most likely need to change it right away. A surge protector does not have an exact lifespan as it varies from one area to another. It will depend on the number of surges that take place in your area and how many joules your surge protector can absorb. Several people will suggest that you replace your surge protector every two years or so. But if you want to make sure that your surge protectors are working well or if you need one to be changed, then be sure to get in touch with an electrician North Myrtle Beach.

Call NMB Electrician Pros for all your electrical-related needs.

NMB Electrician Pros North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 (843) 491-4489 http://nmbelectricianpros.com info@northmyrtlebeachhomeservices.com

http://nmbelectricianpros.com/when-why-replace-surge-protector/

Signs Of A Bad GFCI Outlet

What are GFCI outlets? For starters, they are designed to protect you against electrical shock. As mandated by the electrical code, GFCI outlets are located in your house where there is a higher risk of electrocution. These include kitchens, bathrooms, or anywhere where there is water. GFCI outlets come with sensors that are made to determine changes in current, which could indicate shock risks or unsafe conditions. There is a breaker located inside the outlet, which will trip once there is a surge in electrical current. This will turn off the power that is being supplied to the outlet as well as any connected outlet that will protect you from electrical shocks. GFCI outlets have two buttons, commonly red and black. One will serve to test the outlet and then the other one will reset it once the breaker inside has tripped. A bad GFCI outlet can cause a lot of problems, because they are too crucial for you to disregard them for any significant amount of time. It is essential that you remain aware of when you may have a problem with one of yours. In most cases, GFCI outlets protect you by not giving you any electrical power. In case there is problem with an appliance that is plugged into it, the power will most likely be switched off long before you even have the chance to utilize it. Once this happens, it could be easy to assume that there is something wrong with the outlet on its own. However, in the majority of instances, its breaker tripped because of a good reason. GFCI outlets are made to turn themselves off in case someone gets shocked, which is not always simple for it know with that much accuracy. In other words, the breaker of the GFCI outlets may trip even if you are not actually in danger. GFCI outlets may also trip constantly due to wear and tear. As time goes by, the effectiveness of GFCI outlets lose some of their effectiveness. If the outlet is tripping more frequently that it is supposed to, then it could mean that it is nearly at the end of its lifespan. This is because GFCI outlets lose the ability to adjust to alternations in the current as effectively as they were before. GFCI outlets are too crucial to risk an installation that is subpar. There is a certain level of danger if you try to change a bad GFCI outlet. You can get electrocuted if you mishandle wires or worse, you may be running the risk of committing a critical mistake that would not have happened if it was done by a professional electrician. Apart from the possibility of getting a serious electrical shock, you may also face the unexpected result of wiring the outlet the wrong way, which could lead to the serious risk of damage to your electrical system or electrical fire. Once you have discovered that you have a bad GFCI outlet or if you would like to change some of the older ones before they become less effective, the next thing you have to do is find a reliable North Myrtle Beach electrician who can get the job done.

Call NMB Electrician Pros if you are thinking of having your GFCI outlets checked or changed.

NMB Electrician Pros North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 (843) 491-4489 http://nmbelectricianpros.com info@northmyrtlebeachhomeservices.com

http://nmbelectricianpros.com/signs-of-a-bad-gfci-outlet/

Electrician Tips For A Beautiful Landscape Lighting

Your home is given a beautiful ambiance when the sun goes down by having an illuminated landscape. If you want your home to have this, then what best way to elevate your landscaping than by adding an outdoor lighting? If you are thinking of transforming your green spaces with lighting, here are some expert electrician tips you need to know about landscape lighting. Night Time Perspective In case you would like to have the best view of how outdoor lights will be featured, then position them at night. By doing this, you will have a better perspective of exactly how the outdoor lighting will complement your landscape. Setting the outdoor lights at night will also prevent potential misplacement, which could shine brightness and glare in windows, doors, or any other areas that you do not want to be directly visible at night. Preferred Light Placement Choose what outdoor areas you would like to illuminate. Do you prefer to highlight sidewalks or walkways or do you want the lighting to complement your water feature, porch, or patio? A professional electrician can help you come up with an informed decision and also assist in figuring out how to properly set up the wiring for the outdoor lighting. Choosing The Types Of Lighting There are different types of lighting designed for outdoor use. In case you would like to highlight a certain object, then good design technique that you need to consider is accent lighting. Overall lighting is made to illuminate the whole landscape. Meanwhile, task lighting can be used for safety and security purposes. You can also combine different types of lighting if you want a more customized design. Timers Scheduled timers that switch on and off the outdoor light automatically are ideal for busy homeowners like you. A North Myrtle Beach electrician can design an electrical system that lets you set your desired on and off times for your outdoor lighting. It is also possible for you to make the necessary adjustments so that later and earlier sunsets can be accommodated once daylight savings time starts.

Beautiful lighting both inside and outside your home can create an inviting and peaceful setting. Let  NMB Electrician Pros help you transform your landscape with the installation of the best outdoor lighting.

NMB Electrician Pros North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 (843) 491-4489 http://nmbelectricianpros.com info@northmyrtlebeachhomeservices.com

http://nmbelectricianpros.com/electrician-tips-for-a-beautiful-landscape-lighting/