5 Signs Your Commercial Electrical Panel Needs An Upgrade

January 29, 2021 | Cristina Dinulescu

There comes a time when upgrading your commercial electrical panel or the circuit breakers, lighting and other electrical components becomes a necessity in a commercial property. The age and size of your building are not necessarily the defining factors here. Upgrading electrical components could very well be triggered by the need to save on energy costs or enhance workplace safety. The truth is that making different upgrades like replacing your commercial electrical panel can lead to significant improvements.

Just like in a residence, in a commercial building the electrical panel is the point where power from the utility provider reaches your property. In order to ensure that electricity is efficiently used, upgrading the electrical panel is sometimes necessary. It’s true that you can repair an outdated or faulty commercial electrical panel, but in the end, a full upgrade may be needed. Additionally, you always want to think about electrical safety in a commercial building.

As the panels age and the power required by a business changes, they become out-of-date. But just to be sure you are not rushing into anything, here are a few signs that an upgrade is necessary that you should be aware of. 

1. Your Workers Are Constantly Tripping Circuit Breakers

commercial electrical panel breakers

Probably the most obvious and common sign that your electrical system is having some technical issues and may need replacing is the fact that your circuit breakers trip. You’ve just arrived at the office, turned on the desk lights, and are getting ready to start the day by preparing a coffee in the cafeteria area. Just as you hit the coffee maker, everything shuts off. This is a clear sign that the individual circuit powering your office isn’t exactly up to the task. 

The most obvious solution to this particular issue appears to be replacing the circuit breaker, which is supplying your cafeteria area, with one that has a greater capacity. However, this may create difficulties if the wiring supplying the area is not fit to handle that load. 

If you are having problems with your circuit breakers, the best thing you could possibly do is contact a qualified electrician or contractor to learn about all your options. You might discover that changing the circuit breaker is enough, but you might need to install an additional circuit or upgrade the wiring. 

2. Your Commercial Electrical Panel Is Hot

If you notice that the panel is hot, or that one of your light switches or electrical outlets is unexpectedly warm when touching it, you might be facing a serious problem. When your electrical system is adequately designed and maintained, hot panels, receptacles or light switches are not common occurrences. You should contact an electrician as soon as possible and have them verify your electrical wiring. 

If your panel cannot handle the power requirements of your operations, it’s very likely that the excess heat will build up and your wiring’s insulation will melt. This can create sparks which can lead to a fire. 

Plus, if the individual circuit breakers aren’t fit to fulfill your business needs, they will most likely trip and shut the power off just when you need it. This is clearly a huge inconvenience, not to mention dangerous, as you are exposed to a significant fire risk. 

3. You’re Using Too Many Extension Cords

office extension cords

We’re all familiar with the jumble of cables under the desk. Sometimes extension cords make their way in conference rooms, hallways, break rooms and more, which means employees need to be cautious when walking around the office so they don’t trip. This is far from ideal. If you notice that you’re relying too heavily on extension cords, power strips, or multi-outlet power taps to plug in your devices, then you’re having a real problem. 

These are not only a messy solution, but they also increase the risk of overloading the circuit. In return, this could cause breakers to trip and the wiring to be overloaded. You need to consult with an electrician and ask them to add extra outlets in those areas that are heavily used. You might also consider upgrading the wiring and even the commercial electrical panel. 

4. Rust or Corrosion on Your Commercial Electrical Panel

If you’re experiencing any of the common signs mentioned above, then you should also check for signs of deterioration on the panel, like rust or corrosion. In an electrical connection, these create extra resistance to the electricity flow and consequently they create heat. In severe cases, excess heating and electrical arcing can occur inside the panel and both of these issues are fire hazards. 

If a panel is rusted on the outside, the electrician will also investigate the interior of the panel. Rust and corrosion are definitely red flags. If you notice any of these signs on the lugs, busbars, breakers, or wiring, you need to contact an electrician and have the panel checked. Corroded breakers: 

  • may fail to trip;
  • may be slow to trip;
  • may not come out with excessive force.

So, corrosion may cause the component not to operate adequately. Some may no longer function at all due to corrosion. 

5. Lights Are Flickering

office lights flickering

Another sign that could indicate potential issues with your business’ electrical system are flickering and dimming lights. To understand the type of problem you are faced with, you will have to categorize the behavior: 

  • When the load on the circuit is increased, your lights dim. If the lights in the cafeteria area dim when you turn on the coffee maker or if the lights in the office dim momentarily when you turn on different devices, it’s an indication that the wiring in that particular space cannot handle your demands. This can lead to overheating the wiring or the receptacles, which is of course a serious issue. 
  • A random flickering in your lights is yet another sign you should be aware of. First, you should pay attention to whether the flickering occurs with one or numerous lights. If the problem is limited to one light, then that wiring, in particular, is the problem. If there are numerous lights involved, then you might have a more complex problem. 

In any case, you need to pay attention to dimming or flickering lights. Consult a qualified electrician or contractor and have the panel and wiring checked. 

The right electrical upgrade can dramatically improve the value and appearance of any home or business. You’ll be amazed at what a difference the right electrical upgrade can make for your home or business. Make sure that when you select an electrical company to do the enhancement of your home and you have decided to take your enhancement to the level where you require an electrical upgrade that the technician at the company has a good working knowledge and the experience to properly guide you in this area.

When you decide to upgrade, our well-trained and certified electricians have all the experience and training needed to complete your electrical panel upgrade project from start to finish, with a minimum of fuss or disturbance. Please contact us right away at 310-800-2401

Power Outage vs. Power Surge: Differences You Need To Know

January 22, 2021 | Cristina Dinulescu

We are using more electricity today than ever before, having all sorts of devices and appliances at our disposal. However, even though modern electrical grids are very good at supplying power in a safe and even manner, there are still plenty of ways your electronics can be seriously affected, like a power surge or outage. Although they both pose a danger to your home’s electrical system, a power outage and a surge are not the same, and it’s important to know the difference between them. This will help you know what to do in case of a power outage, as well as what steps to take if a surge occurs.

The differences between an outage and a power surge are important not solely based on the steps you take, but also in terms of how they affect appliances. Check out below the main distinctions between the two and how to to react to each.

Power Outage vs. Power Surge: Definitions

power outage vs surge

A power outage is the loss of power usually caused by a problem with either your power infrastructure or supply. The majority of power outages will be over as soon as they begin. However, some might last longer, up to days or weeks. Freezing rain, high winds, and sleet storms can damage power lines and equipment and cause outages. During a power outage, you could find yourself left without lighting, heating/air conditioning, hot water, even running water. Plus, if you do not own a crank or battery-powered radio, you might not be able to monitor the news. 

A power surge, on the other hand, is different. It is a very fast, intense power spike in your home’s electrical current. Usually, a wall outlet supplies  120 volts AC power. Most home gadgets and appliances use around this much power, even though there may be level fluctuations between  0-169 volts.

When a surge enters your home’s electrical current, the voltage supplied spikes considerably above the safe limit. As you can imagine, home appliances aren’t built to tolerate that much power and that is why power surges can be dangerous and damaging. 

Lighting is one of the causes people tend to associate the most with a power surge, but it’s only one of multiple possible causes. When lightning strikes close to a power line, its energy discharge can increase the line’s electrical pressure by millions of volts. That boost travels through the power line into your home and your appliances are instantly damaged. 

It is true that lightning is one of the causes of power surges, but it is among the rarest. Surges are a bit more day-to-day. Power-hungry appliances like the refrigerator or the air conditioner need a lot of power to function. When these request power, a spike can appear. Even though these “switching surges” aren’t that severe as lightning ones, they can still cause damage. And, last but not least, your electric company could be responsible for a power surge, accidentally during maintenance or operation. 

Power Outage vs. Power Surge: How Do They Affect You?

With most modern devices, a power outage can cause problems associated with power loss, which can lead to data loss. If you own an older computer, which is not as stable as a modern one, a sudden power loss can lead to data corruption or other performance issues. However, generally speaking, power outages will not cause hardware damage unless they are followed by a power surge. 

In the case of power surges, things are a bit different, as they may have serious consequences. Surges can destroy plugged-in devices. The device can overheat, break down, or even ignite when too much electricity flows through it at once. 

However, the power will escape, forming an arc of electricity with the device. This generates heat, causing the components of the appliance to melt or erode and in the end, a fire could occur. 

Power Outage vs. Power Surge: What Can You Do?

what do in a power outage

A power outage is more likely to be announced, as opposed to a power surge. So, you have time to prepare for outages. Even though there isn’t a lot you can do in case of a power outage, you can do the following:

  • Make sure to back-up your data: one of the immediate risks during a power outage is the loss of data. To prevent information from being lost in the event of a storage drive failure, you can use some form of backup system. 
  • Disconnect your equipment: if you notice that there is something contributing to an inconsistent power supply at either your home or office like power outages, electrical storms, or brown-outs, which keep on appearing, then a good idea would be to simply unplug computers or sensitive electronics. 
  • Contact your power company: if a power outage takes place at home or at the office which is in no way related to the payment of your electricity bill, make sure to call the utility company for your area. The power company maintains the poles, the lines and the meters which bring the electricity to your home. 

When it comes to power surges, there are also steps you can take to protect your appliances and devices:

  • Surge Protector: the simplest way you can protect your home against a power surge is by using a surge protector. These come in the form of power strips. They have one input to be plugged into the wall, and several outlets to plug other devices into. What separates a power strip from a surge protector is that protectors absorb excess energy that is running through them. When a surge takes place, the protector redirects the excess voltage to the grounding wire to neutralize it. 
  • Hard-Wired Surge Breakers: this type of whole house surge protector is wired in line and installed either next to the main panel or in your main electrical panel. These are more effective than the power strip kind, as they keep excess current from reaching the circuit.
  • UPS Devices: UPS (short for uninterrupted power source) devices are perceived as a more complex solution for protecting sensitive electronics or computers against all levels of power surges, oscillation, interference, slumps, and other similar problems. There are several available options, depending on the demands of the application. Because of the high cost of UPS devices and their complex nature, they are used on a larger scale. However, they make one of the best options when used together with battery banks and generators for stabilizing voltage.
  • Reach out to your electrician: In case you need help with any electrical problem caused by a surge, contact your electrician. Only an expert can adequately diagnose the problem and fix it.  

The right electrical upgrade can dramatically improve the value and appearance of any home or business. You’ll be amazed at what a difference the right electrical upgrade can make for your home or business. Make sure that when you select an electrical company to do the enhancement of your home and you have decided to take your enhancement to the level where you require an electrical upgrade that the technician at the company has a good working knowledge and the experience to properly guide you in this area.

When you decide to upgrade, our well-trained and certified electricians have all the experience and training needed to complete your electrical panel upgrade project from start to finish, with a minimum of fuss or disturbance. Please contact us right away at 310-800-2401

What To Do In A Power Outage? 7 Dos and Don’ts

January 8, 2021 | Cristina Dinulescu

Power outages can be quite troublesome, but when they happen suddenly, they can also be extremely frustrating. If the power outage is 2 hours or even less, the impact may not be very significant. Your perishable foods, for instance, will be fine. However, for longer ones, you might want to learn what to do in a power outage in order to minimize losses as much as possible and keep everyone in the household comfortable.

Severe power outages can have a serious impact on the entire community and even the economy. Basically, a power outage is when the electricity goes out completely unexpectedly, which is why it can: 

  • Interrupt communications, transportation, and water. 
  • Close gas stations, ATMs banks, groceries, retail businesses, and other services. 
  • Limit the use of medical devices. 
  • Cause water contamination and food spoilage. 

The length of the interruptions in electricity service, as well as the frequency of these outages vary across the several distribution systems that serve about 145 million customers in the United States. 

The truth is that a local power outage can be a terrifying experience. Everything changes instantly. One minute, you are watching TV or casually enjoying dinner and the next, your entire home is completely silent and pitch black. You might be aware of what to do in a power outage, but do you know what not to do? Unfortunately, some myths of steps to take during an outage can be quite dangerous. So, here’s a list of things you should do and things you should never do during a power outage. 

1. Do Prepare in Advance

power outage preparedness

For power outages that are sudden, making advanced preparations is close to impossible. For those that can be predicted, you can certainly start prepping in advance and assemble your very own emergency preparedness kit. Make sure you keep your supplies within easy reach and that you can also take with you in case of evacuation. Here are some of the basic supplies you should have in your kit: 

  • Food: easy-to-prepare, non-perishable (make sure you pack a 3-day supply in case of evacuation and a 2-week supply for home); 
  • Water
  • Hand-crank (NOAA Weather Radio is ideal) or battery powered radio;
  • Extra batteries;
  • Flashlight; 
  • Multi-purpose tools;
  • Extra cash;
  • Cell phone with chargers; 
  • Deluxe family first aid kit;
  • Medications (7-day supply), plus any medical items if applicable;
  • Sanitation and personal hygiene items;
  • Emergency blanket;
  • Copies of personal documents; 
  • Family and emergency contact information.

2. Don’t Light Candles

Candles may be romantic and may help you set a certain atmosphere, but they’re definitely not what to do in a power outage. They are dangerous, as they may cause a fire. What’s more, they don’t produce that much light anyway. So, sticking to a bright lantern is a much better solution. 

Don’t forget that a power outage can affect your home security system as well. If that’s the case, you should consider alternative lighting solutions for your property too. 

3. Do Keep Food From Spoiling

power outage food tips

To keep our food from spoiling, you may need to keep freezers and refrigerators closed. Your fridge will keep the food cold for about 4 hours and a freezer will maintain the temperature for about 48 hours. 

Additionally, you might want to consider using extra coolers. Packed with ice, these can keep the food colder for a longer period. A digital quick-response thermometer is also useful because this way you can monitor the temperature and make sure that it’s cold enough for your food to be properly preserved. 

4. Don’t Keep Electronics Plugged In

Before the storm hits, you should unplug all your electronics. A lightning strike could cause significant damage to your equipment. However, it’s best to unplug your electronics all-around your house, because this offers protection, especially when you can’t see the storm coming. 

In these cases, a good idea to keep your equipment safe is installing a surge protector breaker, which is usually hard-wired to your electric panel. Some people use surge-protected power strips for sensitive electronics, but a whole-house protector is a much better solution. 

5. Do Pay Attention To Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a real risk during a local power outage, and you should know how to avoid it. One way is to make sure you use generators, charcoal grills or camp stoves outdoors and 20 feet away from windows. Avoid using an oven or a gas stovetop to heat your home. 

If you do have a generator, make sure you install carbon monoxide alarms outside sleeping areas and on every level of your home. This way, in case something goes wrong, the alarm will go off and warn you. 

6. Don’t Play On Your Phone

While this isn’t a tip you’ll often find when searching what to do in a power outage, it is important to avoid playing on your phone, no matter how appealing it may seem. When you’re sitting in the dark, with no electricity and nothing to do, your smartphone does seem like the only way to make time go faster. However, you should avoid doing it, as you don’t know how long the power outage will be. The last thing you want is for your phone to die and you not being able to make important calls, such as to emergency services

7. Do Stay Safe After The Power Outage

power outage

Once the local power outage passes, it’s important to still be aware of some safety guidelines. If you aren’t exactly sure that the food left in the refrigerator is still good to be consumed, you might be better off throwing it away. Dispose of any food that has been exposed to temperatures of 40 degrees or higher, for a period of two hours or more. 

When it comes to refrigerated medicine, you need to dispose of anything that has been out for more than a day. Make sure you check the label for more information. And consult with either the doctor or the pharmacist for a new supply. 

The right electrical upgrade can dramatically improve the value and appearance of any home or business. You’ll be amazed at what a difference the right electrical upgrade can make for your home or business. Make sure that when you select an electrical company to do the enhancement of your home and you have decided to take your enhancement to the level where you require an electrical upgrade that the technician at the company has a good working knowledge and the experience to properly guide you in this area.

When you decide to upgrade, our well-trained and certified electricians have all the experience and training needed to complete your electrical panel upgrade project from start to finish, with a minimum of fuss or disturbance. Please contact us right away at 310-800-2401

5 Energy Saving Tips For New Homeowners

January 4, 2021 | Cristina Dinulescu

There are several things to consider when purchasing a new home. However, people admit they aren’t giving much thought to the level of comfort in their homes during the colder seasons.  A lot of properties are purchased during the summer so comfort in the cold seasons isn’t exactly a priority. In fact, the period from May to July accounts for more than 40% of annual home sales.

When it comes to expenses though, everyone cares about the energy bill. It’s only natural, and it’s why people are always looking for energy saving tips. Energy efficiency is highly important to all homeowners, especially new owners. So, when investing in a property, it is very important for homeowners to consider several aspects like energy-efficient appliances or solid roofing. However, during the colder seasons, like fall or winter, comfort, in addition to efficiency, becomes increasingly important. 

It is during this time that people start noticing things like a cold draft, high heating bills, the difference in temperature between floors, and so on. Each home requires different considerations, especially when making preparations for the cold season. It’s true that making big improvements right after moving in can be quite difficult, especially from a budget perspective. But, you can make small energy-saving changes, which are not that costly and can make your home a lot more comfortable. 

1. Seal Air Leaks With Caulk

hand sealing air leaks to save energy

Cold drafts in your home, together with some of the crown molding trim are clear signs that you need to look for air leaks. Once you identify them, you should seal them with caulk. This is a simple and effective solution that can bring about other benefits too. It’s important to limit the amount of air that leaks in and out of your house because this is how you can cut down on your heating and cooling expenses, increase the level of comfort in your home, improve durability and create a healthier indoor environment. The caulking method is a simple and effective way to seal the air leaks, offering you a fast return on investment. 

2. Weatherstrip Windows That Leak Air

weatherstrip windows to save energy

Another method for you to stop air leaks, that is just as simple and effective as caulking, is weatherstripping. This technique can be used in your home to stop air leaks around doors or operable windows. Plus, window weatherstripping can be easily found at your local hardware store and you can install yourself, which of course is a huge advantage.

Weatherstripping is a viable solution for movable building components. However, for stationary ones, it would be better to use caulks for filling cracks and gaps. Before applying weatherstripping, make sure you first detect the air leaks and take the time to assess your ventilation. 

Use weatherstripping that can withstand weather, temperature changes, friction, and wear and tear associated with its location. When applied on a threshold, it can erode the carpet due to foot traffic. Also, when applying it in a window sash, you need to accommodate the sliding of panels. 

3. Use Foam Sealant On Larger Gaps 

hand using foam sealant to save energy

Foam sealant is a highly effective solution for sealing gaps that are large and allow air to leak out. Usually, the attic is accessible through the upper floor’s ceiling. And this is usually where a significant amount of heat is lost, through the access panel. In order to fix it, you can use a foam sealant to seal the gaps around the panel. Another idea would be to install an insulating cover box, located on your attic access stairs. 

Installing an insulating cover box and sealing gaps in the opening can both increase comfort and save energy and money. The attic stairs cover box should: 

  • offer an air seal.
  • have an R-value similar to the rest of the attic insulation
  • be durable enough to endure repeated openings and closings

4. Cover Drafty Windows

window coverings that save energy

To improve the comfort level in your home, as well as lower your heating and cooling bills, window coverings are definitely a solution, as they can reduce energy loss. It’s a fact that about 30% of a home’s heating energy is lost through windows. So, investing in curtains and blinds is also something you might want to consider. In cold seasons, around 6% of the sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows enters the house and becomes heat. 

It is true that window treatments in general result in energy savings. However, the amount of savings depends on the climate, season, and how the attachment is used. Additionally, storm windows with low e-coatings are effective when it comes to improving the thermal performance of windows. 

5. Install Foam Gaskets

When checking your home, you might discover that your walls aren’t adequately insulated. If this is the case, you should consider installing foam gaskets behind outlets, together with switch pallets. Later on, you should however consider adding more insulation. But, for the time being, adding foam gaskets around electrical outlets is a low-cost solution, and it provides protection from air leaks. 

Covering your floors with carpets and using padded rug backings is definitely something you should consider. This quick solution can also keep out the cold. 

While all these tips can have a positive effect on the level of comfort in your home, as well as lower your bills, you should definitely consider conducting a home energy audit to figure out where you can save more energy. Plus, an energy audit can show you where large investments can be made, leading to further energy savings.