GFCI outlets in bathrooms and kitchens

In the beginning, the electrician you hire will assess your electrical system to confirm whether it can handle your current needs. If he or she finds that the wiring falls short of the task, an upgrade (for wiring or the panel) would be the next step.

If you’ve contacted a reputable expert for the job of upgrading wiring in an older house, you likely have more options at your disposal than you might expect. For starters, if you have an older building, you might want to keep certain features intact. It might be necessary to pay extra to protect the structural assets you want to retain, but taking this preventative measure up front can end up saving you a great deal on restorative work later.

Receptacles and light fixtures may also need upgrades. Since the wiring is getting an update anyway, you can keep your plans in mind as the new installation’s details come into focus. For example, if you want to have an entertainment room, with more outlets for the various devices, this can be part of the job (along with the essentials of the upgrade, of course).

Improved safety measures will also take effect when upgrading wiring in an older house. The electrician will install GCFI outlets in moisture-prone places that were likely unsafe for years. To reduce tripped circuits in the future, ask about wiring straight from an outlet to the breaker so that no other appliances will be on it. This is ideal for receptacles for items with high power demands, like air conditioners.

You may not think anything is wrong with your system, but you could still be at risk for dangerous complications with outdated wiring. Knob and tube wiring, which utilizes ceramic knobs and tubes for running the wires, is no longer legal for new constructions in the United States. This is because it comes with an increased chance of electrical fire. Unfortunately, this type of wiring is much more common in older buildings. To identify whether you have a situation like this, or for guidance and reliable service as the install takes place, go to the professionals.

This year marks our 15th anniversary, so we have been celebrating by taking trips down memory lane to 1999, the year of Pegasus Lighting’s birth. This month, of course, we are checking out what was going on in September 1999. Remember when Viacom merged with CBS, the Sega Dreamcast temporarily entranced the population, and lots of crazy stuff happened at the MTV Video Music Awards (In fact, the first five items on this list occurred during the VMAs)? Come check it out!

1. Lauren Hill Is the Queen of Hip Hop

Lil Kim had decided to wear a rather risque outfit to the VMAs, and Diana Ross decided to give the world her opinion of Kim’s outfit.

3. Mothers of Slain Rappers Unite

By presenting a host of male drag performers dressed as the singer in her past music videos, MTV paid tribute to the most nominated artist in VMA history, Madonna.

5. Beastie Boys Back with Vengeance

The first entry in the sixth genereation of video game consoles, slightly predating the Playstation 2, Xbox, and GameCube, was Sega’s Dreamcast. The last console Sega would ever release, its popularity was shortlived.

7. Viacom, Corporate Behemoth

U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno launches an independent investigation into the 1993 fire at the Branch Davidian church near Waco, Texas after watching a documentary film about it. Who says the movies don’t influence society?

9. John Elway’s Jersey Number Retired

NASA annouunced that it had lost contact with the Mars Climate Orbiter. Oops.

11. Ally McBeal Steals the Show

The Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series was given to The Practice. Also nominated were ER, Law & Order, NYPD Blue, and The Sopranos.

13. John Lithgow’s Still Got It!

The Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Acress in a Comedy Series was given to Helen Hunt for her role on Mad About You.

15. The Sopranos

There are several more reasons why you want to hire skilled electricians in West Chester PA. Some of these include:

1. Expert Installation: Purchase of sophisticated electronic or alarm systems. If you’ve recently spent a pretty penny on such items, you don’t want to risk them being ruined by allowing an untrained handyman to install them.

2. Electrical Troubleshooting: Perhaps the alarm system you’ve had for a while is starting to act up. Or, maybe you are having trouble with your hot water heater. From home theaters to electric stoves, and everything in-between, you need the services of trained electricians West Chester PA.

3. Ensure safety: Hiring a person who isn’t qualified just isn’t a safe decision. Such an individual can cause damage to wiring and electronic devices, both of which can cause overheating or even fire. Home owner’s insurance might not cover damage caused because you hired an unqualified electrician who is not certified.

4. Save Time & Money: A skilled and certified electrician has a wide range of experience in many different kinds of electrical work. They are able to decide quickly what a job needs and can complete the work in a timely manner. If they do need extra parts or equipment, they have contacts with professional vendors who can deliver what’s needed much quicker than a regular big box or department store thus saving you time and money with your specific electrical repair or installation needs.

Whether your child is well into elementary school or not yet in kindergarten, it’s never too early to talk about electricity. We know how daunting the topic of electricity may be, especially if you’re the one having to explain it; however, because so much of the world requires it, it’s important to at least understand some basics.

In our first ever edition of “Electricity for Kids,” we’re going to dig into the difference between protons and electrons, and then demonstrate, using a balloon and a can, how a negative or positive charge can change an outcome. You may be wondering: Will this be fun? Of course it will! And we’re not just saying that because electricity is our specialty. There are numerous experiments and demonstrations in which you and your child can conduct together – and they really are quite fascinating.  As a parent, you might even learn something along the way too!