Electrician Tips – Maintaining Home Electrical Safety During The Holidays

The holiday season is just around the corner. It’s that time of year again when people start to decorate their homes with lighting and other ornaments. However, not all holiday decorations are made with electrical safety in mind. Any local electrician would tell you that some lighting and electronic decorations may come with some risks if not used properly. That’s why every homeowner should make it a point to ensure every type of electrical decoration used is installed in the correct manner.

Here are some tips from electricians for the holidays:

1. Have all electrical decorations inspected – if you are planning on installing decorative lighting inside and outside your home, be sure that they are all thoroughly inspected. Inspect each light bulb for defects, check the entire length of electrical wire for any exposed areas, and look out for any signs of damage. During the holidays, one of the common causes of house fires is bad decorative lighting. That’s why each one should be checked thoroughly before use.

2. Avoid overloading electrical outlets – one of the most common mistakes people make is to overload an electrical outlet. Do bear in mind that a single electrical outlet can only bear a certain amount of electrical load. If an outlet is overloaded, it can heat up, melt the faceplate and insulation, and start a house fire in the worst-case scenario.

3. Limit the use of incandescent lights – unlike LED lighting, incandescent lights use up more electricity and produce more heat. Stringing more than three incandescent lights together is not a good idea. If you want to install more lights, use LEDs.

4. Keep your Christmas tree from drying up – a dried-up Christmas tree is dangerous for several reasons. First of all, it will put your home at risk of an electrical fire. Dried Christmas trees inside the house can easily catch fire. To ensure electrical safety, always keep your tree fresh by constantly watering it.

5. Avoid using traditional candles – instead of using wax candles, use battery-operated ones instead. The ones that use batteries are far safer and have little to no risk of causing fires. Check with your local North Myrtle Beach electrician for a list of holiday decorations that won’t hurt your home’s electrical safety.

6. Keep electrical appliances away from heat sources – never keep any electrical appliances near heat sources or expose them to direct heat. Electrical appliances have the tendency to overheat, short out, and cause fires when sitting next to heat sources.

7. Hire an electrician – the best thing that you can do to prevent any electrical issues during the holidays is to prepare. Every single electrical problem can be avoided by hiring an electrician like NMB Electrician Pros. If you are not sure how to proceed with ensuring electrical safety at home, your best bet is to hire an electrician and have your electrical setup inspected. Don’t skimp on hiring these professionals as they provide valuable services to keep your home safe and comfortable this coming holiday season.

Make sure that you have top-notch electrical safety at home this holiday season! Call NMB Electrician Pros for the best electrical services in North Myrtle Beach. You may reach us at (843) 491-4489.

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

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When Should You Have Your Home’s Electrical System Maintained?

Regardless of how old your home is, electrical problems can still arise. Newer homes have lesser chances of encountering such issues. However, the chances of encountering electrical problems arise in older homes. This is the reason why you should have a local electrician maintain your home’s electrical system on a regular basis. First of all, there are a lot of things that could go wrong when your home’s electrical wiring and other components start to go bad.

Here are some signs that indicate it is time to have electrical maintenance done

When you are having issues with the circuit breaker

While it’s not so easy to tell when there’s an issue with the circuit breaker, it’s not impossible to tell. One sign that your circuit breaker is having issues is when there’s no electricity in one or a number of electrical outlets at the same time. Circuit breakers also frequently trip if they are faulty even when there is no overload in the system. Although it wouldn’t cause more issues, faulty circuit breakers can be inconvenient. Be sure to have your local North Myrtle Beach electrician have a look at your service panel and circuit breakers in case you notice these signs.

Your electricity bill is spiking or is increasing each month

There are times when the electricity bill spikes and then normalizes again in the next month. The usage of certain appliances can affect your monthly electric bill. However, if you can’t seem to justify the electric bill versus your daily usage, you should be worried. There are instances where the electric bill rises even without added usage of electrical appliances. This happens due to a number of reasons. First, the electric company might have increased their rates. This very common and you should make it a habit to read your bills. Second, there could be issues with your electrical system and appliance settings. In case you are completely oblivious about what’s causing the spikes in your electric bill, hire a residential electrician to have a look.

You are having lighting issues at home

Lighting issues can come from a number of issues. The lighting fixtures in your home might be old enough that it starts to fail. Another reason that could cause flickering lights is loose contact. The light bulbs and the fixtures might not be connected properly. It could also be caused by faulty wiring or insufficient electricity leading to the lighting fixtures. The bulbs themselves could also be the culprit. Either way, you must have all electrical appliance circuits, wiring, and electrical components in your household checked and maintained.

Who should maintain my home’s electrical system?

It can be tempting to do your own maintenance. However, this task is not as straightforward as it seems. A lot of things can go wrong. This is the reason why you should only let experts like NMB Electrician Pros do the electrical maintenance. Professional electrical services can ensure electrical safety inside your home. Always hire professionals especially since the risks are high with electrical work when done by non-electricians.

Find a reliable and honest electrician in North Myrtle Beach today! Call NMB Electrician Pros for top-notch electrical services. You may reach us at (843) 491-4489.

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

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FAQs On How To Install Recessed Lighting

Upgrading the lighting in your home can lead to some significant improvements. Not only does proper lighting improve the mood ambiance, but it also provides more space on certain occasions. Upgrading to recessed lighting, for instance, will free up space that would have otherwise been taken up by traditional lighting. There’s are plenty of benefits when you consider switching to recessed lights.

Recessed lighting and its benefits

A lot of modern interior designs make use of a minimalist and clean approach. While traditional lighting fixtures can still work out, recessed lighting North Myrtle Beach has the upper hand. In general, recessed lighting can fit into just any type of design. It is installed flush with the ceiling. This means there won’t be any protrusions or visible distractions. Recessed lighting works for any kind of room. Both high and low-ceiling areas can benefit from this type of lighting. Also, just like any other lighting fixtures, recessed lights come in a wide range of designs, shapes, and sizes.

How are recessed lights installed?

Unlike your regular lighting fixtures, installing recessed lighting requires additional steps. You should consider hiring an electrician should you wish to have some installed. Other than the wiring leading to the fixture, a circular hole must be cut. The holes must be cut according to the specifications of the fixtures.

How are recessed lighting spaced?

Due to the nature of their installation, recessed lighting needs to be spaced just right so there are no dark spots in between a certain area. For 4-inch light fixtures, it is advised to install the lights four feet apart. As for 6-inch light fixtures, the gap needs to be at least six feet. The increment remains the same as the size of the fixtures expands. You might also want to consider the advice of professionals like NMB Electrician Pros for certain areas.

What type of bulbs goes best with recessed lighting?

You can find just about any kind of recessed fixture for any sort of bulb. What really dictates the type of bulb to be used is the application. Incandescent, halogen, or LED light bulbs can all be used.

What size of recessed fixtures should I use?

For residential applications, there are three sizes to choose from. Four, five, and six inches are commonly used for homes. Of course, you can still use other sizes but the ones stated are recommended.

Can I install my own recessed lights?

The short answer is, yes. You may install your own recessed lighting. However, do bear in mind that you need to do the wiring, cut out the holes, attach and secure everything in place. If you want to have recessed lighting installed, have it done by a professional electrician. Don’t skimp on professional electrical services since it is always a better option than DIY electrical work.

Are you planning on upgrading to recessed lighting? Call NMB Electrician Pros today! You may reach us at (843) 491-4489 to know more about our services.

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

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Electrical Outlets – When Do They Need To Be Replaced?

The kitchen, bathroom, or any other room inside a house has at least one electrical outlet. It’s an integral part of any household. Though electrical outlets typically last for years without breaking down, they also need to be replaced at some point. The huge question is when. There are tell-tale signs that indicate a replacement is due. Here are things about electrical outlets that you need to be aware of.

How to tell when your electrical outlets need replacing

The faceplate is broken – the faceplate of an electrical outlet is more than just a covering. It also serves as protection against arcing. When you notice that the faceplate is either broken or cracked, have it replaced immediately.

The slots have become loose – probably the most common issue anyone would face with a North Myrtle Beach electrical outlet is loose slots. This is normal due to normal usage. The contact points inside the outlet typically get loose when it has reached its usable life.

Faceplate feels warm – when you plug in an electric appliance and notice that the plastic portion of the outlet feels warm, have it checked out by an electrician. The heat is a clear indication that there is significant wear and may become a fire hazard.

Electric shocks are produced – when you receive electric shocks whenever you plug or unplug an electrical appliance, there’s definitely something wrong. It could either be the outlet itself that has an issue, the electrical appliance, or the electrical wiring. Either way, have it checked out by an electrician.

The outlet is no longer working – there are times when the outlet has gone completely dead. Before you think that it is dead, though, check your circuit breaker if anything has been tripped. If there seems nothing wrong with your service panel, it’s time you give your local electrician a call.

Your outlets don’t have any grounding – if you live in an older home, chances are the electrical outlets don’t have any grounding. You will know when there isn’t any grounding on your outlets when you see that there are just two slots for every outlet. Normally, a third slot is included when an outlet is grounded. Another thing to consider is an upgrade to GFCI outlets or ground fault circuit interrupter. These types of outlets help prevent electrical shocks when there’s water or a short circuit in the system.

How to properly care for electrical outlets

• Use gentle force when inserting or removing plugs.
• Turn off any appliances before plugging them out of the socket.
• Always pull the plug and not the cord. Also, don’t pull at an angle to avoid damage.
• Avoid overloading an outlet.
• Make sure that all your outlets are checked for issues from time to time.

Always bear in mind that no electrical component of your house can last forever. There will come a time when replacements are needed. When you do find out about issues with your electrical outlets, wirings, or appliances, call NMB Electrician Pros right away.

For the best electrical services in North Myrtle Beach, call NMB Electrician Pros. You may reach us at (843) 491-4489.

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

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Different Types Of Electrical Outlets

Homeowners normally know their homes like the back of their hand. However, when getting into the finer details like electrical work, not everyone can relate. Your electrician knows all about these things and the different types of electrical outlets in particular. There’s a good reason why every homeowner should understand the different types of electrical outlets. First of all, electrical outlets are used all the time. Due to the constant usage, they are the first ones to wear out alongside light switches. Also, wall outlets are among the first things you install when planning a room addition project.

Here are the different types of electrical outlets

120-Volt outlets – among the most common type of electrical outlets you can find are the ones that carry 120 volts. They come in different colors but they are easy to identify from other types of outlets. A 120-volt outlet comes with two identical outlets and each one has three slots. The slot at the bottom is for the ground wire and the other two slots are for the positive and negative connections. Often times, with enough skills and knowledge, a homeowner can easily replace this kind of outlet without hiring a North Myrtle Beach electrician. However, it is recommended that all electrical repairs or installations be done by an electrical professional.

120/240-Volt outlets – another type of electrical outlet that you can find are those that support both 120 and 240 volts. Unlike the common electrical outlet that only supports 120 volts, this type of outlet has four slots. Two are for positive connections, one for negative, and one for grounding. Be sure that when you are buying an electrical appliance that it is compatible with your electrical outlets at home.

240-Volt outlets – unlike a 120-volt or 120/240-volt outlet, outlets that only support 240 volts have different usage and design. They are primarily reserved for use with power tools. They also have four slots but are arranged differently. This is to ensure that no other appliance is plugged into the sockets which could cause damage.

GFCI outlets – the last one on the list is the most useful type of electrical outlet you can install at home. GFCI or ground-fault circuit interrupter are electrical outlets that are used to prevent electrocution. It operates similarly to a circuit breaker but trips when there’s a short in the system. That’s why you should consider upgrading your old receptacles to GFCI outlets especially if you have children at home.

Hire an electrician

When you have issues with your electrical outlets at home, always hire experts like NMB Electrician Pros to fix the issue. Aside from that, any repairs, upgrades, and or installation must be done by a licensed electrical professional. This is due to certain coding regulations in your area.

Hire a reliable electrical contractor in your area. Call NMB Electrician Pros today and find out more about our service. You may reach us at (843) 491-4489.

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

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Circuit Breaker Troubleshooting Tips

If you are one of those homeowners who only have the time to check the circuit breaker when you tripped the circuits in your home and you need to reset it so the power will be restored. You need to know that a circuit breaker is an electrical safety device that does more than just turning on and off the power in your house. Your electrician can tell you how important this device is to your home.

One of the tasks of a circuit breaker is to protect the electrical wiring of your home from overheating. It is made to detect any electrical overload on the electrical wiring system. It is also designed to sense interruptions in the flow of electrical current. This safety device can help stop electrical blowouts that can result in house fires and physical injuries. A lot of homeowners know the primary function of the circuit breakers. However, many of them have no idea how to fix the problems related to their circuit breaker.

Circuit breakers are made to prevent the flow of electrical current the moment a defect like a short circuit or an overload takes place. Provided below are some tips you need to remember when performing a checkup on your circuit breaker.

Identify The Tripped Circuit Breaker

The circuit breaker produces a humming sound if it is overloaded by has not been turned off yet. In the interior of your electric access panel, the tripped circuit breaker lever can be found between the on and off switch.

Test The Circuit Breaker

Inspect the lever by switching it from on to off a few times to determine how lose it is. In case your breaker has no give and is moving easily then it is defective. You have to replace it as soon as possible. Since this requires technical knowledge and experience, it is best to hire a North Myrtle Beach electrician.

Turn Off All Appliances

Turn of all your appliances that are connected to the circuit breaker that’s currently having problems. In order to prevent a surge of electrical power once you reset the circuit breaker, you have to make sure that you switch off the appliance all at once. You also need to call a professional from NMB Electrician Pros in case the circuit breaker keeps on tripping.

Check The Wiring

In case your house has faulty wiring, you can expect your circuit breaker to keep on tripping and might even find yourself experiencing electrical shocks whenever you turn on certain appliances. Don’t do this on your own. It is much better to hire a North Myrtle Beach electrician.

Test Circuit Breaker For Right Voltage

Place one problem of the volt tester to the hot wire’s tip, while making sure that the other tips touch the bare grounding wire in the main electrical box. Utilize the neutral grounding terminal, which will be secured with neutral and ground wires for the probe. You need to change your circuit breaker with a new one in case you determine that the correct amount of voltage present.

Any problem related to the circuit breaker can result in serious issues for your home and put your safety and that of your family at risk. Do not take any risk with your property or your life. Call NMB Electrician now. You may reach us at (843) 491-4489 for more information.

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

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