Capitol Lighting created a friendly competition challenging local designers to create one-of-a-kind bathroom spaces and put a call out to all Northern New Jersey-area interior designers to participate. Two top designers were chosen out of numerous applicants to compete in the unique challenge of remodeling the men’s and women’s bathrooms at the company’s Paramus showroom — one of which will be crowned the “Thronedown” champion. The finalists were chosen based on previous work and have been given a $2,000 project budget with lighting supplied by Quoizel and Feiss.

Anna Maria Mannarino- Mannarino Designs, Inc.

These days’ computers exist in our homes within one form or another. These machines are quite valuable and expensive, and damaging them is not a good feeling. As computers run on electricity, improper use and function can result in electrical related damage. Keep these following simple tips in mind when working with your computers.

We have previously talked about the proper use of extension cords in the past, but this is especially applicable for computers. Extension cords are not meant to be a permanent solution when it comes to placing your computer away from an electrical socket. An extension cord can hinder surge protection and make the computer vulnerable to shocks that can damage the computer hardware.

If you have a computer, laptop, or monitor, the power cord likely has three prongs. These are not suggestions. Too many times people will try to fit these cords into two-prong sockets. The button prong that only appears on some cords is actually the grounding cable. This protects us from electrical currents that can spread to the metal casing surrounding the computer. If the grounding prong is not connected properly, you are risking a chance of serious electric shock.

Electricity powers computer hardware, but too much of it can damage the components. With a GCFI outlet you add another layer of protection to your devices. If there is an electrical storm or problem with your home electrical system and a surge occurs, you can rest assured that it will not reach your devices.

If you have an office setup that includes a monitor, computer, and printer a surge protector is highly recommended. The surge protector will shut off when a surge is detected and protect the electrical devices. Make sure that you know the load that the electrical devices have and check that both your electrical circuit and surge protector are rated for that load. If not, you will find the surge protector or breaker tripping constantly.

If you are setting up an office with computer hardware and electrical equipment, or require GCFI outlets in your home, contact your local Expert Electric. We can help to review your setup and provide you with solutions to keep you and your hardware safe.

An electrical circuit works as a loop where electricity flows from a source and then returns to that point again after powering the device connected to it. The power flow interrupts or stops if the path is broken. There are also receptacles, fixtures, or switches joined to the course through different types of electrical wiring.

Every electrical circuit has a specific breaker or fuse that controls it. Inside the main electrical panel of your house, you will find reference numbers to identify which breaker or fuse is assigned to which circuit. Mapping of them is a standard electrical safety procedure.

power company supplies electricity to your home through the transmission and distribution lines. The energy enters the service panel, also known as the fuse or breaker box, after passing through a meter. Then, the box has three wires (hot, neutral, and ground featuring insulation of different colors) that do the jobs of transmitting the power to an external outlet, returning to the source, and providing the ground.

The wires of your home are generally installed in three ways:

It’s a wiring system where a single electrical circuit supplies power for several devices. There are various housing boxes from where both hot and neutral wires emerge and run along the route. They branch off to single receptacle and fixture.

It’s the most common of all the systems seen in residential settings.

Switch Wiring

Installed on hot wires, such a system has switches that either transmit or break the current flow to various devices or lighting fixtures. A switch changes its position to allow or interrupt the flow of electricity to electrical machines and instruments.

The system routes the hot wire through various fixtures before joining to the neutral one, which then carries the power to the source. It’s the least used and most inconvenient of all the types because it connects the devices, i.e., lights in a series. So, the circuit breaks off when just one light is burnt out.

Parallel wiring is the best option for household settings because it does not break even when one of the connected fixtures goes kaput. Nevertheless, remember not to run too many electronics from one source because each circuit can carry only a maximum electrical flow.

This year, Pegasus Lighting is celebrating its 15th anniversary, and to commemorate we will be posting articles every month about what was going on – you know, in terms of pop culture – in 1999. Just so we don’t forget where we came from.

Here are 15 things you might remember from 15 years ago.

1) Impeachment Trial of President Bill Clinton Begins in the Senate

A tense moment in U.S. history, Bill Clinton’s Senate impeachment trial began in January 1999. Clinton had been impeached by the House of Representatives on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. It was only the second time in history that the House had impeached The President of the United States. The Senate trial, however, would end in acquittal.

2) Superbowl Commercials

Sure, there were a lot of interesting things about the game itself, but the commercials are what really bring us back to the 1990s. The Broncos won for the second time in a row. Depending on your football affiliations, this could be an omen or a prophecy for the game coming up soon. Also noteworthy is that in 1999 John Elway was the oldest NFL player to be named Super Bowl MVP.

3) Britney Spears Releases Debut Album

Can you imagine a world in which the name Britney Spears was met only with a “Who’s that?” That was the world of 1998. The world of 1999, in contrast, started off with a teeny bopping BANG, as Britney’s debut album was released, and her infamous single, “…Baby One More Time,” blasted to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Pop music was forever changed in January 1999.

4) Michael Jordan Announces His Retirement…Again

When the world considers you the best in the game, both physically and mentally, retiring is probably more difficult than playing ever was. So it’s understandable that Jordan, late in his career, struggled to call it quits in basketball and sports in general. In January 1999, we had to get used to the idea that watching NBA basketball would no longer entail watching Air Jordan in action.

5) Family Guy Debuts on Fox

Immediately after the Super Bowl in January 1999, Fox aired the first episode of FAMILY GUY to 22 million viewers, immediately generating controversy over its risque subject matter. Since that fateful evening, Seth MacFarlane’s animated sitcom has won 3 Emmy Awards, and FAMILY GUY has become a household name.

7) The Euro Is Introduced

Before January 1999, the word “euro” was mainly used to describe dance clubs or outlandish fashion trends. Now the euro is the second-most traded currency and the second-largest reserve currency in the world. In November 2013, the euro surpassed the U.S. dollar as having the highest combined value of banknotes and coins in circulation.

9) N’Sync Wins American Music Award for Favorite New Artist

It was the era of the boy band, and N’Sync had just displaced The Backstreet Boys as the newest teen idols. The American Music Award, based on a public poll, made it decidedly so. They stopped recording in 2002, but they have sold over 50 million albums so far, so I think they are all doing pretty well.

10) Jon Stewart Hosts His First Episode of THE DAILY SHOW

Up and coming comedian Jon Stewart starts his new job as host of Comedy Central’s THE DAILY SHOW in January 1999. One of his first guests, Michael J. Fox, claims that he has been on THE DAILY SHOW more times than Stewart. One of the central topics of the night? You got it, the Senate impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton.

12) A Ridiculously Large Cocaine Bust

The amount of cocaine captured by U.S. Customs agents in January 1999 would make Tony Montaña of SCARFACE wag his finger in disapproval. 9,500 pounds of the illegal drug were being shipped to Houston on board a cargo ship carrying iron ore when they were stopped and searched near Jamaica. Texas had never had a larger drug bust.

14) He’s Backkkk: Mike Tyson Returns to Boxing (With a Vengeance) 

Remember when Mike Tyson was a boxer? You know, before he became the comedic actor and performance artist with the face tattoo? If so, you’ll recall that Tyson had his boxing license revoked for biting a chunk out Evander Holyfield’s ear. After a two-year hiatus, Tyson returned to boxing in January 1999 in a bout with Francois Botha. Tyson started off the match a little sluggish, according to the commentators, but – oof! – check out that KO punch! Botha needed both a drink and a vacation after that one.

15) World Premiere of Music Video for Eminem’s “My Name Is”

In January 1999, the music video for Eminem’s “My Name Is” premiered, and Eminem became a superstar. The video really got people’s attention. You know how I know? BECAUSE HE IS THE BEST-SELLING ARTIST OF THE 21ST CENTURY!

So there you have it: 15 moments from 15 years ago. Stay tuned for my monthly pop culture updates as we celebrate Pegasus Lighting’s 15th anniversary. In the meantime, what are some moments YOU remember from 1999? What was your favorite music artist? Favorite movie? Tell me in the comments!