In a crowded home where every family member has a cell phone and a tablet, electrical outlet space can be in high demand. And even if there’s plenty of outlet space to go around, the clunky chargers for these devices can clutter countertops and disrupt what could otherwise be streamlined workspaces.

If the glut of USB chargers has got you down, worry not -- you can simply upgrade a few of the outlets around your home to USB combo outlets and put away those chargers for good.

A New Kind of Outlet

USB combo outlets are a lot like the ones you already have around your home, but instead of just two electrical outlets, there are one or two USB outlets squeezed in between. By upgrading, you’ll be able to plug your phones, tablets and other devices directly into the wall with only a USB cable.

With the chargers out of the picture, there’s no worrying about whether a bulky charger will cover up both outlets. And as an added bonus, these outlets may charge devices faster than other USB connections, depending on the amperage in your home.

Take Your Pick

USB combo outlets were difficult to come by just a few years ago, but they’ve become ubiquitous enough that there are now numerous manufacturers, designs and features to choose from. Some models have no electrical outlets at all and four USB outlets instead. If you have a home office or another area of the house where you’re always charging multiple devices, this design will allow you to get lots of charging power in one small space.

The increasing popularity of combo outlets is bringing down the price, too. Most models are available for less than $25 per outlet, and some can be found for as little as $10.

Combo outlets are also winning favor with home builders, who are increasingly making them standard in strategically placed areas of the homes they build.

Make It Fit

Before you get too excited, there may be a catch, especially if you live in an older home. While it’s true that these outlets save space by removing the need for an adapter, combo outlets take up a bit more space behind the wall. Most models are more than twice as deep as a standard electrical outlet. As a result, the existing junction boxes for your outlets might not be big enough to accommodate the upgrade.

All is not lost if this is the case -- junction boxes can be replaced, but this may require some cutting and patching of the wall around the outlet. An electrician should be able to quickly determine whether this kind of work will be necessary to make USB combo outlets fit.

You may also need to factor your home’s amperage into your expectations of charging speeds. The electrical systems in most modern homes will charge devices quickly, but older systems may not quite have the juice to save you charging time. It’s also possible for combo outlets to charge devices more slowly if multiple USB ports are in use simultaneously.

If you’re thinking about upgrading the outlets in your home, reach out to your trusted local electricians today for a no-obligation consultation.

Electrical repair isn’t a subject most people think of on a regular basis. Unless you’re an electrician, or you know an electrician, you don’t really think about the wiring inside your home and office walls, wiring that makes just about everything in our world possible!

Sometimes, though, an electrical system needs a little help. When it does, you’ll find yourself thinking about electrical repairs more than you ever thought you would. And you’ll need to find a good electrician, too!

But, first, how do you know you might need to make electrical repairs to your home or office?

If these sound familiar, you might be in need of electrical repairs in your home or office:

-> Appliances that switch off, consistently, when another appliance is switched on

-> Power off in just one part of the home

-> Do you consistently replace a certain breaker in your breaker box?

If any of these symptoms sounds familiar to you, you might need to make electrical repairs to your home or office. The best place to start is to find a good electrician. A good electrician can help you to locate the problem, estimate the repair cost, and get the job done right!

There’s no real science to finding a good electrician just like there’s no real science to living life! Ask your friends or neighbors for advice, or do some research online. Whatever your process might be, the following two items are *essential*. Your electrician must be both certified/licensed and insured.

The electrical system in your home is a complex and delicate thing. Don’t neglect it! Fire is a real danger when it comes to ignored electrical problems – in just 2011, alone, 43,700 domestic fires in the United States were linked to electrical problems in the home or office.

So, if you suspect trouble, no matter how small, find yourself a good electrician and find peace of mind!

An electric motor is a machine that uses the concept of conversion of energy and consequently converts electric to mechanical energy. The main parts that help propel the process are the rotor, stator, windings, air gap and commutator. The approximate efficiency of an electric motor is 70%-85% (extra energy is taken by the sound and heat emitted by it).

Whether for tasks as huge as building high rises, to ones as commonplace as warming food, electric motors play a significant role in our lives.

Electric motors, both large and small, can be used in a number of ways in residential and industrial applications.

Here are the general and specific requirements that need to be followed in order to install an electric motor:

Solar panels have numerous benefits. It is important to do research and understand how solar panels provide energy for your home. Understanding the process will allow you the benefit of realizing how unique and cost effective solar energy can truly be.

Since the sun’s light contains energy, when the rays hit an object, the energy emitted turns into heat. This is similar to feeling the warmth of the sun on your face. However, when it hits certain materials, instead of turning into heat, it turns into power that can be harnessed as an electrical current.

When using solar panels made up of these materials, your home can be powered by solar energy, while using your current electrical wiring to run it throughout your home. You also can stay on with your electrical company, so that when cloud covers and bad weather roll in, you will not notice any difference in your home’s power.

Now, since there is also the option of leasing solar panels, the cost of solar panels has decreased somewhat. One of the biggest setbacks for most people, in the past, have been the cost, but with the option to install solar panels by leasing them, combined with a significantly lowered electricity bill,  they have been able to be much more affordable.

There is also the benefit of using an energy source that doesn’t pollute like the current fossil fuels being used. The sun has an ample supply of energy, and a small percentage of one second of its energy being enough to power the entire world.

With so many benefits and understanding how the energy is transferred into power, you will be better equipped to make the decision to switch over to solar in your own home or business. If you have more questions, check out The Electric Connection’s website and blogs for more information about solar power information and solar panel installers.