Have you ever seen the outlets that have buttons in the center? Or perhaps ones that have a little light that you take to indicate that it is working properly? Then you’ve seen a GFCI outlet.

GFCI stands for ground-fault circuit interrupter; this is indicative of the outlet’s ability to stop the current in the circuit if there is an imbalance between the hot side of the plug and the neutral side.

There are many different circumstances in which having GFCI outlets installed could be beneficial. In fact, there are several circumstances in which building codes require the installation of them by a certified electrician.

Say, for instance, that you’re using a hair dryer and for some reason it isn’t functioning properly. The electricity may want to try and take the shortest way to the ground versus continuing to flow through the circuit. This is one way an electrocution can happen. If the current starts shifting towards the person holding the appliance, a GFCI outlet will register that and trigger in less than one-thirtieth of a second, stopping the continuation of the electric current.

GFCI outlets should be installed by an electrician in places that could experience moisture such as around the kitchen counters, the bathroom, and for outdoor outlets. As we mentioned previously, some building codes require GFCI but any homeowner should consider installing GFCI outlets throughout the house to help prevent over two-thirds of electrocutions that happen.

Contact the Electrical Gurus today for more information about GFCI outlets and how we can eliminate the hassle of installation.

It seems like every day some fantastic new “must-have” electronic device comes out. Is your home equipped to handle them all? Energy use in homes these days averages around 14,000 kWh (that’s kilowatt-hours) per year—up an astounding 636 percent since the 1950s and still growing! If you live in an older home in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC, your electrical system may not be able to handle the increase in energy requirements. That’s why you might need a heavy up!

Service panel upgrades, also called “heavy ups,” will enhance your electrical panel’s capacity and make it safer to operate the variety of electronic devices you may have in your home.

Getting an electrical panel upgrade will provide you with a number of impressive benefits to improve your home’s electrical service all around, including:

Better Electrical Performance – do your lights flicker when you turn on certain appliances? Does your breaker trip frequently for no apparent reason? A heavy up will take care of these problems, providing a more consistent energy supply throughout your home.

Improved Electrical System Safety – while most new electrical panels are designed with safety in mind, the same can’t always be said for panels built 30 years ago. Overloading the electrical panel can lead to major fire hazards, many of which could cost you your home. An electrical panel upgrade can resolve these dangerous issues and improve the safety of your home.

Future Expansion — if you ever need to add circuits to your home, you’ll need a larger service panel. A heavy up gives you options, whether you need to really expand your electrical system (say by adding a new addition or central air conditioner) or you just need to add a few more outlets.

What does a heavy up entail?

Depending on your specific goals, you have a range of upgrades available for a heavy up. Some service upgrades are as simple as adding a few additional circuit breakers to the existing box, or expanding the box with a subpanel. More complex upgrades may include things like replacing a fuse box or an aging panel with one that allows for higher energy capacity. A Kolb Electrician can evaluate the condition of your current panel with any problems you are experiencing to determine how extensive your upgrades will be.

How long does an electrical panel upgrade take?

The time depends on the job. Adding additional breakers to an existing panel is usually pretty quick, often taking less than an hour. Installing a subpanel is not too complicated either, often taking no more than a few hours.

Where it starts to take a long time is when you need to make serious upgrades. If you need to replace a fuse box or circuit main, you could be looking at a job that takes all day.

Still asking yourself “Should I upgrade my electrical panel?” Let us help you decide! Already know you need a heavy up? Don’t let your favorite electronics put your home at risk—for electrical panel upgrades in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC, call Kolb Electric at 877-385-0818 today!

There are a lot of reasons to love your older home.  Whether it’s a part of history or simply more cost effective than buying a brand new home, older homes can be just as nice as a newly built home with the right care.  Unfortunately, that level of care is often overlooked when it comes to licensed Dallas electrician to ensure that your home is as safe as possible.