One of the biggest hazards of your home electrical system is the possibility of an electric shock. Whether there is an accident during an electrician’s work or there is exposed wiring that could shock someone inadvertently, this is a hazard that can cause serious injury and even death. Fortunately, by installing a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), you can help limit the exposure to shock and minimize the danger. Read on to learn more about GFCIs and how they work.

Limit the Danger of Electrocution

Electricity is always trying to find its way to the ground any way it can. Unfortunately, sometimes the most convenient path is through a human body. That's why if you touch a live wire, the current will likely run through you on its path downward. The consequences of electric shocks can include burns, heart arrhythmia, nervous system damage and death. That's why it's essential to protect yourself from shocks around your home, especially if you are using electrical equipment that is likely to contact water.

Ground fault circuit interrupters work by constantly monitoring the amount of current running through a circuit. The instant that the current level returning from the circuit drops below the level going out – which could indicate that the electricity is escaping to the ground, possibly through a human – the GFCI trips and cuts off the power. The device should kick in in as little as 1/40 of a second, potentially saving  you, your family member or your electrician from electrocution.

Where to Install Your GFCI

There are three types of GFCIs available. One is the receptacle type, usually in the form of electric outlets with small black and red switches built in. You can also purchase portable GFCIs to plug into any outlet, and some electricians actually build the GFCI into the home circuit breaker. Any GFCI should have a test button so you can make sure it is working properly before using it – a well-functioning GFCI should trip as soon as you plug in a malfunctioning tool, saving you from even a minor shock.

Ground fault circuit interrupters aren't ideal for every circumstance – very long circuits, permanent motors and fluorescent lights are all prone to tripping the GFCI even when there is no danger. On the other hand, GFCIs can provide crucial protection in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room and other areas where water could compromise a circuit, and are also useful when using power tools around water.

Protect Your Family from Electric Hazards

It's relatively easy to install outlets that have GFCI protection, and it could end up saving your life. If you are interested in installing ground fault circuit interrupters in your house, contact an expert electrician today.

Every spring we plan our summers with trips, barbecues and updating the outside of our homes and the landscaping. The summer is filled with time in the sun taking care of the lawn, planting new flowers and creating gorgeous outdoor spaces that draw us outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. As summer nears the end and we think about fall and the coming winter, our attention turns back inside. Now it is time to take another fresh look at our indoor living space and think about the things we can do to make it a little more attractive, functional and comfortable. One of the options you should consider is a lighting makeover completed by an electrician. Santa Monica homeowners can count on The Electric Connection to help them transform their home by simply changing out a few light fixtures.

Gone are the days when a homeowner had to settle for the typical light fixture in the center of a bedroom or no lights in the living room. Today, modern lighting ranges from very bright to subtle and understated. Kitchen lighting has come a long way as well. Track lights are very functional and provide the entire area with a flood of light. An electrician in Santa Monica can install several tracks or one large one that will provide plenty of lighting for your workspace.

Living rooms don’t have to be dark any more when recessed lighting is installed. This type of light will stay out of the way of the flat screen. The lights are flush with the ceiling and will not hang down, blocking your view. Your Santa Monica electrician can install a couple or several lights depending on the size of the room and your personal preference. When you think about your fall projects, add a lighting makeover to the list and give The Electric Connection a call to make it happen.

ElectricMan Inc. is one of Dallas’ most trusted electricians. Nick Schaeffer, Mr. ElectricMan himself, has quite the resume for a master electrician. He started the company by himself in 2004 and hasn’t looked back since! For more information about Electricman’s list of electrical repair services, please visit www.ElectricManInc.com

Keeping your home and family safe is a high priority for every homeowner. One of the best, yet often neglected ways to ensure their safety is to make sure that all of your home’s electrical components are in safe and good working order. When it comes to electricity, being safe is always far better than being sorry. Rather than worrying about loose wires, short circuits and other potentially dangerous situations, work with an electrician in Los Angeles to make sure that your home is as safe as it possibly can be.

Attempting to solve electrical problems on your own can not only put you in immediate danger, but can also make the problems worse than they were to start with. While it is perfectly fine to replace light bulbs, flip breakers back on and perform other similar simple tasks by yourself, tackling anything that has to do with wiring or the other electrical components in your home should be left to the professionals.

If you have a breaker or breakers that trip frequently, then it is time to call a Los Angeles electrician. This can be a sign that you may have malfunctioning appliances, or an overloaded circuit. This might mean that you need to address a problem with a particular appliance, or your electrical service in general. In some case, a small panel upgrade can add additional circuits to your home, allowing you to more evenly spread the load.

Regardless of whether you are faced with an electrical issue or if you need to have electrical components such as a whole house surge protector installed, your safety and the integrity of your home depend on the skills and experience that only a licensed, professional electrician has. For any questions, or to talk about your electrical jobs and problems, give us a call today at The Electric Connection. We’ll look forward to hearing from you.

Visit our company profile.