I’ve been an electrician in the Los Angeles area since 1979. In that time, I’ve worked on many older homes in Pasadena CA with wiring systems that were insulated with cloth that’s been varnished. Surprisingly, prior to 1950, many electrical systems relied on cloth insulation. Who would think to put flimsy cloth around a live electrical wire?! However, cloth doesn’t conduct electricity well, so it’s a good insulator. Before the age of plastics, cloth was the insulator of choice for electrical wiring.

Unfortunately, cloth insulation has a liability. As it ages, the cloth can disintegrate and expose bare wires. Cloth insulation can pose shock and fire hazards that modern insulation isn’t subject to.

Does Your House Have Cloth Wiring?

Some cloth-insulated wiring systems can look like modern wiring. Was your house built prior to 1950? If so, it may well have cloth-insulated wiring. A qualified electrician in Pasadena CA can tell you with certainty.

Cloth Insulation Falls Off Wires

Cloth insulation can become brittle over time and fall off the wires, sometimes in chunks. Bare wires pose the danger of shocking anyone who accidentally touches them or of causing fires if two bare wires touch or come too close.

Cloth-Insulated Electrical Systems May Be Ungrounded

Cloth-insulated wiring systems may not have been grounded. Grounding provides additional assurance that excess electrical charges will be routed out of your house and into the ground.

One benefit of grounding that many people are unaware of is that without grounding, low-level electrical charges can build up in your wires and can shorten the lives of computers, entertainment systems, refrigerators, microwaves — any device which includes electronic components like sensors and timers.

Even more importantly, grounding protects people and animals from shocks should an appliance or an electrical system malfunction.

Upgrade for Safety

Upgrading cloth-insulated wiring systems is recommended for fire safety, protection of modern electronics, and for the safety of your family against electrical shocks. If your electrical wiring was installed prior to 1950 and you think that it might have cloth insulation, call The Electric Connection, a licensed Pasadena electrician, to take a look. Many electricians will do an inspection for free and give you a free estimate for any upgrading that might be needed.

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Have you thought about dressing up your house so to speak? A fresh coat of paint, a new piece of art on the wall or even a new plant or sofa can help add a little life to a room. It is exciting to walk into a room that has a new look. You don’t always have to spend a lot of money to make your home look a little different. Consider hiring a Santa Monica electrician to install a new chandelier in your entryway or dining room. The team at The Electric Connection is here to help.

The new chandelier models that are currently on the market today are gorgeous. Many of the chandeliers are designed to look old fashioned, but they are designed to accommodate energy efficient bulbs. If you have an old chandelier hanging in your home right now, you have probably discovered the CFL bulbs don’t fit. It may not seem like a big deal right now, but the bulbs are being phased out. It is time to replace your old chandelier with one that suits your personal style.

Take some time looking at the vast variety of chandeliers that are currently available. This will take some time. Once you have made the decision, call an electrician. Santa Monica homeowners will want to make sure the fixture is hung appropriately and securely. New wiring may be needed if the existing wiring is outdated or worn. Your electrician will be able to determine the status once the original fixture is removed. If you don’t have a chandelier, but want one, your electrician will need to run new wiring to the area. Part of the installation process will include adding a dimmer switch so you can control the amount of light emitted from the chandelier. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your chandelier installation.

Showing some love to your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day is a beautiful thing. Are you also showing that love to the electronics that keep things running smoothly in your home year-round? Much like your honey, ignoring those electronics for any length of time without giving them a little much-needed TLC could leave you in the doghouse.

Or your 2-year-old… Or your morning coffee… Or your dog. Your electronic devices need to be protected. Are they properly cased and safely stored?

Cleaning your electronics immediately is essential after unwanted exposures to items of all sorts, from your daily cola, food crumbs, dirt and grime, to a hosing from an over-friendly pet, and more. Don’t just grab a wet paper towel. Make certain to use compatible cleaning solutions and rags by making a worthwhile investment in specialized cleaning sets available for each of your sensitive devices. Here are some tips for properly cleaning and maintaining your electronic devices:

Recycle unnecessary or extraneous cords and chargers. Properly organize wires leading to electronics like televisions and DVD players, which are dust bunny magnets courtesy of static electricity. Untangle wires and straighten them together with zip ties to allow for easier cleaning and vacuuming without dislodging connections.

Opt for additional insurance or available protection plans that cover the parts and labor necessary to resurrect expensive devices.

Remove batteries from items you don’t use often to prevent damage from corrosion. Keep batteries on hand for items like remotes (which should also be cleaned) and store chargers carefully. Consider the addition of a professionally designed and installed charging station for the safety of sensitive portable electronics and to drastically cut the clutter.

Today’s expensive electronics and appliances are more sensitive to power spikes and surges than their predecessors. Keep them protected with whole house and point-of-use surge protection. The cost of replacing a single item destroyed by a surge will often cover your investment. Losing a single large home appliance will cost you double the investment of professionally installed surge protection from Mr. Electric®.

Ready to show the love? Contact Mr. Electric today.

Enjoying your back deck after dark is something that many homeowners may appreciate. However, many lighting options, such as floodlights, attract bugs and really do nothing to improve the overall ambiance and atmosphere of your property. A better option is to consider the options in accent lighting including low-voltage or solar lighting. An electrician in Glendale, such as one of the team from Electric Connection, can help you choose the right garden lighting and begin the installation process.

On a warm summer night, what is more relaxing than sitting out on the deck?  There are a variety of options available to create the perfect effect for your deck. There are lighted post caps that provide just the right amount of lighting or there are under-step and riser lights that add needed light without taking up space.

Safety and security is another major concern. With the right lighting, you can add an element of security to the rear of your home making it less attractive to thieves or miscreants. Additionally, with plenty of lighting, you are less likely to have falls and other accidents outdoors.

All of these benefits come together to mean that deck lighting is something you cannot live without adding to your home. Consider all these benefits paired with the relatively low cost of installing this lighting and you will find this is a simple way to add value to your home too.

While it may be possible to handle some of these installation tasks yourself, calling the experts in electrician Glendale—Electric Connection will give you the best possible results. If you have any questions or concerns about deck lighting, give us a call or contact us online today and let us work with you. We want to make your deck a comfortable place for you to enjoy with your family and friends.

LEED) is a program that offers certifications for green buildings. The third-party verification program was created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) as a means for healthier, sustainable, environmentally friendly, more efficient, buildings, homes, and neighborhoods. In a nutshell, LEED supplies the guidelines for creating a green building. Using individual points-based rating systems that differ by project type, building projects can achieve Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum statuses. Project types can include new building design and construction, building operations and maintenance, interior design and construction, homes, and neighborhood development. For each project type, LEED has a list of credits with specific requirements regarding anything from building materials to bicycle storage. Points are awarded based on the degree to which the requirements are met. There are several credits that include LED lighting is the first choice of any builder trying to achieve an LEED status.

The following LEED credits relate to lighting for new construction:

full-cutoff LED wall packs that are designed to reduce glare by emitting illumination downward instead of outward. Many indoor and outdoor LED lights come with or can be used with dusk-to-dawn or PIR motion sensors to prevent wasted light.

A19 bulbs to powerful EAp2 – Minimum Energy Performance

Buildings must meet a minimum level of energy efficiency to receive points for this credit. The goal is to minimize environmental and economic problems that can be caused by high energy use. As mentioned above, LED lights are extremely efficient and can dramatically reduce a building’s carbon footprint.

dimmable under-hutch LED strip lights with handheld remotes and bulbs, or other dimmers.

SFGATE, “The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warns that, given the current trends, energy-related emissions will increase by 70 percent by 2050. This can accelerate the negative consequences of climate change, including higher temperatures and a rise in the frequency of extreme weather events.” Lessening energy consumption with LED lights and renewable energy sources will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help prevent that prediction.

website, the USGBC states that 92.2 percent of 7,100 LEED-certified new construction projects are improving energy performance by at least 10.5 percent. In addition to other methods of energy improvements, lighting plays a key role. One building can have hundreds of lights. Using LED lights will not only help achieve an LEED status, but they will also contribute to a greener future.