Flush or Semi Flush?

Flush mount and semi-flush mount lighting fixtures are integral components in lighting design, adding interest and depth while providing ambient illumination and decorative lighting effects to hallways, bedrooms and bathrooms.

The difference between a flush and semi-flush light fixture is that a flush fixture fits snugly to the ceiling, while a semi-flush fixture is suspended, leaving a small gap between the ceiling and fixture.  Opting for a flush or semi-flush light fixture is based upon taste and proportional considerations, but a few standard rules apply:

♦ Semi-flush—Somewhere in between the chandelier and standard ceiling fixture, the semi-flush fixture shines with distinction.  Taking up just the right amount of space with the power to attract desired attention, the latest semi-flush light fixtures provide superb illumination with artistic excellence.

♦  Semi-flush fixtures provide an added benefit: the small gap allows for double the illumination with indirect uplight rebounding off the ceiling and downlight emitted directly from the fixture.

♦  Flush fixtures—Most often employed in homes with standard 7-foot ceilings to provide general illumination for bedrooms, bathrooms, foyers and hallways.

Novel compositions and unique finishes are available at a variety of price points and are being featured from top lighting vendors around the world, making it easier than ever to find ceiling light fixtures in keeping with your budget and style requirements.

Corbett Lighting offers outstanding flush and semi-flush lighting designs:

-CQ33 “Cirque” Semi- Flush Fixture

-120-33 “Karma” Flushmount Fixture

Electricity exists everywhere, from high voltage power lines to phones and computers. Understanding the basics of how it works remains essential to using it safely and efficiently.

When electricity travels from a positive lead to a negative lead in a circuit powered by a battery, it is considered direct current. This type of current powers electronics, LED lights, and cars. Alternating current is generated from rotation, usually by a generator. The direction of the current and the voltage flips as the generator completes a rotation. The faster the generator spins, the faster the flipping of current direction occurs. In North America, the typical frequency of AC power is 60hz or 60 alternations per second. The advantage of AC power is that the voltage can be stepped up easily by use of a transformer, which allows high voltage transmission. AC power is also useful for electric motors.

Specifically, power is a measure of energy usage over time. The standard unit of power is the watt and calculated as P (watts) = V (volts) x I (amps). Utility companies sell electricity in units of kW*h (kilowatt hours), which is simply one kilowatt of power delivered continuously over one hour.

There’s something exciting about making a large purchase: the rush of buying, the nagging fear that you can’t afford it, the anticipation of it making your life better or easier.  This feeling is especially true when it comes to a new appliance; it’s an investment in saving you time and effort. What if the investment you just made turns out to be a dud because of overlooking the impact it would have on your electrical system?

A lot of the work of an appliance happens within the machine, we tend to not think about the fact that an appliance is really a very complicated electrical machine. In addition, we ignore that they require a lot of electricity to operate. They can really strain your electrical system. This is especially true of modern appliances; it seems like they’ve found a way to computerize everything, and that only makes the power needs of an appliance grow even when they are “Energy Star” rated. Installation of these complex modern appliances seem as easy; some almost seem like they only need to be plugged in and forgotten. This approach neglects the fact that there are important things to keep in mind with regards to appliance installations that can cause serious problems for you down the line.

Obviously, you don’t always need to call an electrician whenever you install an appliance. With that being said, there’s nothing wrong with doing so if you’re not sure what you’re doing. The Best Dallas Electrician you can hire can help you avoid a lot of potential hazards and costs down the line. If you’re still planning on installing your new appliance yourself, keep in mind the following electrical safety do’s and don’ts:

Have you ever noticed a small spark when you plug an appliance into an outlet? This may be normal or it could be cause for concern, depending on the size and frequency of the electrical outlet sparking. It’s important to recognize the difference between a normal spark and a dangerous one—as well as possible causes for outlet sparking—so you can pursue an electrical repair if necessary.

The supply line that carries electricity through your home measures about 115 to 240 volts with a frequency of 60 hertz. In layman’s terms, this means the flow of electricity runs very fast and hot through the wires behind your walls.

Electrical outlets tap into this fast-flowing stream of electricity, powering everything from your lamps to your laptops to your coffee maker. A small blue spark arcing from the outlet to the plug can occur as the appliance suddenly draws amperage and electrons begin to flow through the cord. Once the flow steadies, the spark should disappear. This type of electrical outlet sparking is completely normal and comparable to static electricity.

Electricity generates heat as it travels through wires. Insulation surrounding a wire may begin to melt, exposing the bare wire. If it comes in contact with the metal outlet casing or even another wire, electrons can leap out of the wire and create a dangerous spark. This is called short circuiting and could cause an electrical fire if not repaired promptly.

Short circuits may be caused by a number of things, including old outlets with loose connections and too many appliances being plugged into the same outlet via a power strip or extension cord.

Water and electricity don’t mix. That’s why bathrooms should have special outlets called ground fault circuit interrupters (GCFIs). These outlets automatically shut down the circuit when they detect water, which can help prevent electrocution and house fires. If the bathrooms in your home have ordinary outlets, you should have an electrician replace them with GCFIs.

If you’ve had an electrical problem in the past, you may have attempted to perform a repair yourself or used a cheap electrician. Electrical wiring can be extremely dangerous if you don’t the proper licensing and qualifications and lead to potentially serious issues, electrical outlet sparking being just one of them. Fortunately, a professional electrician can undo the damage and make your outlets safe to use once again.

When you need a repair for electrical outlet sparking, Kolb Electric is the company for the job. We hire only licensed, fully qualified electricians to handle important outlet wiring repairs in your Maryland, Virginia or Washington DC home.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment or call 877-287-1179 to have an emergency electrician sent straight to your home.