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David Heintz
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A & H Electric Co.
3505 N. Loop 336 West
Conroe, Texas 77304
Office: (936) 756-0442

Category: power surges

Summer Electrical Problems to Watch For

Electrical Safety, power surges, Whole House Generators

Summer Electrical Problems

Summer is on the horizon.

That means longer days, warmer nights, and endless fun.

It also means increased reliance on air conditioning to stay cool.

This, along with heat and humidity can cause several summer electrical problems that you should watch for, as well as contact a Houston electrical contractor to repair.

Stormy Weather

Summer thunderstorms can interrupt power – sometimes for several days, depending on the storm’s severity. One of the first things you should do when the power goes out is alert your utility company of the outage. Installing a generator at least 30 feet away from your home can help ensure you’re not left in the dark while the power’s out.

There are several types of generators sold including portable and standby. These generators are available in a variety of fuel types such as gas, propane, and diesel. Some can even be connected to your home’s existing liquid propane or natural gas fuel supply (if applicable). They are also available in a wide range of power capacities.

Increased Consumption

Cooling demand increases during the months of June through August. There is also an increased demand for lighting, appliances, and electronics. The amount of money residents spend on energy tends to be higher as well. In fact, according to the EIA’s Short-Term Energy Outlook forecasts, electric expenditures will be upwards of $420.

The best solution is to conserve energy. You do not have to do without air conditioning, TV or lighting to save money. For every appliance, electronic or light bulb, there is now an energy efficient alternative. Other simple and cost-effective ways to save energy and money during Houston’s 90+ weather include:

  • Plug electronics into a power strip
  • Don’t heat your home with appliances
  • Caulk and weatherstrip around windows and doors
  • Check your air filter monthly, changing it as needed
  • Program your thermostat to save energy when you are asleep or away
  • Turn lights, fans, and electronics off when you leave a room or don’t need them

Summer Power Surges

A power surge is a sudden increase in voltage that can occur for several reasons. For example, power-demanding electrical devices like air conditioners, refrigerators and stoves can create a voltage spike when they’re switched on or when their motors kick in. Surges can occur because of lightning strikes as well.

Regardless of the problem’s source, power surges can cause irreparable damage to your electronics, and/or appliances within seconds. Having a certified Houston electrical contractor install a whole-house surge protective device (SPD) is your best defense against harmful summer power surges.

Protect Your Home with a Whole-House Surge Protector

A&H Electric, Electrical Safety, Home Appliances, Power Outages, power surges

Each electronic device in your home, from your HVAC unit to your large screen television, and high-tech audio equipment has a microprocessor. Without adequate protection, power surges can destroy these microprocessors, rendering your home electronics and/or appliances completely useless. The cost to replace each damaged device is much more expensive than installing a whole-house surge protector.

Where do surges come from?

Power surges can originate from external and internal sources. External sources include lightning striking nearby circuits and the electric utility company switching power grids. These surges can enter the house through several pathways. Internally, power surges result when large appliances like air conditioners and refrigerators turn on and off their motors, decreasing the flow of power. Static electricity can also cause power surges.

Whole-House Surge Protectors

Type 1

A Type 1 Surge Protection Device (SPD), also known as a secondary surge arrestor, protects against external power surges, such as those caused by lightning striking utility equipment, tree limbs touching a power line or your power company switching power grids. They are typically installed on the line side of the main service entrance. They are your first line of defense against potentially damaging power surges.

Type 2

A Type 2 SPD, also known as panel protector, is installed at your branch panel (more commonly referred to as your breaker panel). Wired directly to a dual-pole breaker in your panel, type 2 surge protectors protect all the circuits in that panel, as well as any subpanels that might be connected downstream. They generally provide protection against surges originating from inside your home.

Type 3

This category is one you are probably already familiar with. Devices, such as power strips and battery backups with built-in surge protection, suppress the lower level voltage spikes that can be especially damaging to high-tech electronics (e.g, computers, audio components, Smart TVs, and other household electronics). Power strips should specify that they have surge protection capabilities to be considered an SPD.

A full-featured whole-house surge protector diverts power surges away from your home and into the ground. Look for an SPD with a minimum rating of 50kA (1kA equals 1,000-amps). You will also want to make sure the device you choose complies with the most recent UL rating. Contact a licensed electrician in your area for professional whole-house surge protection device installation.

Common Electrical Problems

Circuit Breakers, Electrical Safety, Light Bulbs, outlets, Power Outages, power surges, sparking

common electrical problems

Why do my lights flicker?

This problem can be caused by several factors including plugging in an appliance that temporary draws more power causing the lights to flicker. Flickering lights are also often indicative of a defective or loose light bulb. If replacing or tightening the bulb doesn’t solve the problem, it is best to consult a licensed electrician, for expert diagnosis. The fault may be in the light fixture or its connections.

What is a GFCI device?

A GFCI or GFI is short for ground fault circuit interrupter. This inexpensive device is designed to protect you from severe electrical shocks. Through constant monitoring, a GFCI device immediately shuts off an electrical power circuit when it detects a differing flowing current along an unintended path, such as through water or a person. It can also shut off when outlets are overloaded to prevent electrical fires.

Why did my circuit breaker trip?

A circuit breaker plays a vital role in ensuring your safety by protecting the home from an electrical overload, which could damage your appliances, and ultimately result in an electrical fire. There are two conditions for circuit breakers tripping: 1) overloading and 2) short circuiting. It is common for older breakers (those 15 to 20 years old) to trip more often than newer circuits.

Why do my electrical outlets spark?

A brief spark may occur when power is suddenly diverted to an appliance. This is totally normal. However, if too much heat builds up in an outlet, the insulation can melt causing the wires to become exposed and ultimately increasing the risk for an electrical fire. This is known as a short circuit. Installation of a GFCI can prevent the overheating of electrical outlets thus ensuring your safety.

Why do my bulbs keep burning out so fast?

If you find yourself constantly changing light-bulbs, – at a rate of one every few weeks – you may be using a bulb with a higher wattage than your light fixture can handle. Check your light fixtures to make sure you’re using the correct wattage light bulbs. Other common causes include: too much voltage coming into your house, tightly screwed in light-bulbs, too much vibration, and poorly installed fixtures.

Are You Protected Against Power Surges?

A&H Electric, Circuit Breakers, Electrical Safety, power surges

Do you have expensive electronics such as big screen TVs, bluray players, and gaming consoles? Then you need a surge protector! Surge protectors, which aren’t necessarily the same as power strips, can keep all of your electronics and appliances safe from becoming useless due to a power surge.

Dangerous Power Surges & Spikes

Your home’s electrical sockets were designed to provide a consistent amount of voltage; which your electronics depend on for power. An increase in the amount of voltage they receive, no matter how short, can have devastating effects on both your electronics and wallet.

What causes power surges? Power surges are often the result of lightning strikes, power outages, and malfunctions in the power grid (your electricity company is responsible for maintaining the grid). Surges tend to last at least three nanoseconds. Anything less than that is considered a spike.

Power surges can, unfortunately, break down the electronics’ circuit board, wires, or both – no matter how old (or new) it may have been. The increase in voltage can render them completely inoperable. Damaged upon repair the only remedy is replacement.

So How Do You Protect Yourself?

You install a surge protector of course! Surge protectors, which easily connect to a standard electrical outlet, can safeguard you from a power surge’s potentially devastating results. Relatively inexpensive, surge protectors generally come in a magnitude of sizes; even travel sizes.

I personally have one that was designed to fit 10 devices plus my modem’s coax cables (in and out). Surge protectors work by diverting the energy over the safe threshold to a protective componenent that ensures only the safe amount of voltage reaches your electronics.

For the peace-of-mind you’ll receive – surges protectors are priceless!

Flickering Lights: Why Do My Lights Flicker?

Electrical Safety, Lighting, power surges, sparking

 

flickering lights
{Image Source: pixabay.com}

Do the lights in your home flicker? Flickering lights don’t always signify a serious issue with your electrical system but it is still a situation that necessitates attention. If you’re dealing with flickering lights, it’s best to call a licensed electrician to check it out, as electrical work can be risky.

As with any problem, the best way to diagnose it is to start with the simplest and least expensive possibilities first, and then work your way towards more complex problems. The following causes of flickering lights can help you narrow down what might be going on with your electrical system.

Causes of Flickering Lights

1) Loose Light Bulb

If only one light bulb is flickering, then the issue likely begins and ends with that particular bulb, which makes remedying the situation quite simple. If a light bulb becomes loose, the connection socket becomes compromised, causing the bulb to receive inadequate voltage.

With the light fixture off, make sure the bulb is tight. Sometimes it helps to unscrew the bulb completely and re-screw it back in. Turn the light fixture back on. Does it still flicker? Then replace that particular bulb with a new one. If the problem persists, the issue lies elsewhere.

2) Faulty Switch or Connection

Outlet switches and light fixtures weren’t designed to last forever. If just one light seems to be flickering, try investigating the light switch itself, by switching the light on and off a few times to see if the flickering stops. If the flickering persists, you may have a faulty switch or connection, which will need to be troubleshooted and repaired by a certified electrician.

3) Voltage Fluctuations

If you notice your lights flickering on a regular basis, something may be interfering with the power supply, causing your home’s voltage to fluctuate. It’s important to take note of when the flickering occurs (i.e. during inclement weather, when the AC or heater kicks on, etc.) and provide this information to your electrician.

4 Ways to Prevent Electrical Fires

Electrical Safety, power surges

Facts & Figures

  • Roughly half (48%) of home electrical fires involved electrical distribution or lighting equipment in 2007-2011.
  • In 2007-2011, 46% of electrical failure home fires involved other known type of equipment. The leading other known type of equipment involved in home electrical fires are washer or dryer, fans, and portable or stationary space heater.
  • U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 22,410 reported home structure fires involving electrical distribution or lighting equipment in 2007-2011. These fires resulted in 325 civilian fire deaths, 950 civilian fire injuries, and $817 million in direct property damage.
  • Some type of electrical failure or malfunction was cited as a factor contributing to ignition for 74% of electrical distribution or lighting equipment home structure fires.

Source: NFPA’s “Electrical Fires,” by John R. Hall, Jr., April 2013

Keep Your Home & Loved Ones Safe

#1: Inspect Electrical Wiring

The lifespan of a home’s electrical system is 30 to 40 years. But, considering that many homes were built before the 1965, most systems are past their prime. Homes built before this time are insufficient at meeting the demands of today’s high-tech appliances and electronics. That is why it is so very important to hire a licensed professional electrician to come to inspect the wiring throughout your home.

#2: Don’t Overburden Electrical Sockets

As you continue to upgrade to the latest and greatest gadgets out there – or you just add new ones to your home – make sure not to overburden your electrical sockets with too many cords. And, while it’s a great idea to use a surge protector, you won’t want to overburden that either. If fuses blow or trip more often than not, you may want to consider contacting an electrician.

#3: Repair or Replace Faulty Wiring

If any of your extension cords, surge protectors, electric cords or other wiring is frayed, tattered, discolored or otherwise worn out looking replace it. Wiring in poor condition can overheat thus putting undue pressure on your electrical outlets which can cause a fire. It can also cause sparks to fly which can also cause a fire.

#4: Make Sure Electrical Products Are UL-listed

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is a nationally recognized electrical safety standards organization. Through numerous tests they determine just how safe a product such as extension cords, batteries, plug-in night lights and surge protectors are. Products that have passed their stringent tests will have a UL logo listed on them. Only buy these products.

Vampire Energy

A&H Electric, Electrical, Energy Saving, Helpful Tips, outlets, power surges

Is electricity being used when items in your home are plugged into an outlet but not on?

A&H Electric ElectriciansIn order to answer this question about vampire energy, we must first consider a few factors. First thing first, vampire energy is what many refer to as the electricity that is wasted as a result of plugged in items that are still using electricity when off. Depending on the appliance and/ or device, in most cases you will discover that the devices are never truly off. Usually, the device is in a standby mode, which still requires the use of some electricity. The amount used also depends on the device. For example, a large television, like a plasma television, will use more watts than something like a blender because it is constantly processing information.

“Vampire Energy”Continue reading

How Can I Protect My Home From Electrical Surges?

Home, outlets, power surges

Electrical surges can happen in your home for many reasons.  They can result from electric motors switching on and off, static electricity, lightning strikes or the electric company switching from one utility to another; these surges can damage your more sensitive systems due to the sudden changes in voltage. Some signs you might have had a power surge in your home are:

  • Your microwave lost its preset timings.
  • Your computer has faulty output, data loss, or total circuit failure.
  • Any audio/visual equipment’s transistors have been damaged.

If you think this might be the case you might want to invest in surge protectors.  An electrical surge protector is a receptacle that you use to sense high voltage surges and absorb them, protecting anything that is plugged into it.  Surge protectors can come in the form of multi-outlet strips, plug-in adapters, and permanent receptacles. If you aren’t sure what your electrical problem is, feel free to give us a call at (936) 756-0442 or visit A&H Electric today!