Solving electrical problems and doing electrical repairs can be risky things to do if you don’t know exactly what you are doing.  Sometimes it is absolutely necessary to hire a certified electrician to do these things for you so that you don’t put yourself or your property at risk.  Here are some key things you should keep in mind when choosing an electrician.

Certifications: You should always feel free to ask an electrician about their certifications; if they aren’t willing to answer your questions about it, they probably aren’t the right electrician for you.  There are different levels of training that an electrician must go through before earning certifications.  Typically, they start out as an electrician apprentice working under the direct supervision of a journeyman and the general supervision of a master electrician.  A master electrician has the highest level of certification and more experience than an apprentice or a journeyman.

References: A good electrician should always be able to give you references if you ask for them.  Any hesitation in this area is not a good sign.  It is a good idea to check with the references that the electrician gives you before hiring them.

Insurance: It is very important to hire an electrician that carries the proper insurance.  Without proper insurance, you could be responsible for any damages they happen to cause, such as an electrical fire or other accidents. Did you know that electricians are only required to have $300,000 worth of coverage? Be sure to confirm that you are hiring an insured electrician.

Communication: It is also important for the electrician you hire to have great communication skills.  They should be friendly, courteous, interested in your problem, and listen to your concerns.  They should also be upfront about costs and give you an estimate of how long the project should take.

Keep all of these things in mind as you seek out someone for electrical consulting.  For Dallas electrical repairs, www.ElectricManInc.com offers 27 years of industry experience, and they are open 24 hours a day.  They have a master electrician on staff, they are properly insured, and they offer free estimates.

About ElectricMan Inc.

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

1.  Size and install smartly:  Whether you are installing a crystal chandelier over your dining room table or as a central design feature in your master bedroom, the diameter and height of your fixture must be in proportion to other items in the room.  The diameter of a dining table fixture should be 12 inches less than the diameter of the dining table.  The height of the chandelier should allow for a clearance of 30 inches from table top to the bottom of the fixture.

Quoizel’s “Tricia” chandelier adds elegance to this contemporary dining room.  * Interior design by Sandra D’Amata International, Inc.

If your crystal chandelier will be a central focal point in your foyer, living room or master bedroom, take into account your ceiling height and choose a chandelier that may be installed to leave at least a 7-foot clearance from the floor to the bottom of the chandelier.

2.  Reflect Resplendence:  The true beauty in a crystal chandelier extends far past the light source, decorative finishing and crystal configuration.  Crystal facets reflect and refract a brilliant array of colors and illuminating effects, especially when combined with sunlight and/or electric light sources.  Matte finishes on furniture and surrounding walls work well with crystal illumination.  Avoid creating glare and unflattering shadows off metallic or shiny surfaces.

3.  Choose the Right Bulb: Most chandelier bulbs will be candelabra-based, yet what type of candelabra bulb you choose will make a tremendous difference in both the total presentation of your chandelier and the overall illumination in your room.

Crystorama’s “Mercer” chandelier–installed with dimmable LED candelabra bulbs–provides magnificent illumination in this master bathroom.*

Frosted bulbs provide a more subdued illumination. They are recommended for most traditional dining room chandeliers.  Clear bulbs work well with chrome finished retro-modern chandeliers and may add to the radiant sparkle of modern crystal chandeliers.

For a more traditional look, flame tip bulbs are the right choice.  Flame tip bulbs also look best in chandeliers with faux drip-candle holders.  Torpedo bulbs are less tapered and present a contemporary look.  Round bulbs add an eclectic vibe to a traditional chandelier.  Uniquely-shaped and/or textured candelabra bulbs may add a custom-designed artistry to your chandelier.

Acquiring Pennington generators falls under preparedness for emergencies. With such equipment available, there is no need to worry about unexpected power outage for there is a ready alternative source of energy to run several appliances, depending on the power capacity. In purchasing such apparatus, several aspects should be considered. It offers an array of advantages and disadvantages, thus these should be weighed before considering the purchase of equipment that will best fits a household’s needs.

Also referred to as the emergency power source, it is generally known to produce clean energy, converting fuel into electricity in the process. Most use gasoline, because this is one of the cheapest fuel alternatives. However, some run with diesel or propane. Fuel is readily available almost everywhere, but some prefer storing fuels at home so that when the need arises, it can be easily loaded to the generators. Note however that fuel, especially those that are fossil based have short shelf life. Storing would entail the purchase of anti-coagulants to lengthen the storage life of fuel. Therefore it is not also advisable to keep the fuel inside the generator set for it may pose a certain degree of risk to the system, which may lead to permanent damage.

The engine of the equipment requires regular test runs. It is not recommended to allow it to stand idle for a long time. Allowing it to stand idle would lead to malfunction. Once every month, even in the absence of a power outage, Pennington generators should be run and allow to run so as to optimize its operation. This is to prevent the scenario of having a dysfunctional system when real power emergency occurs.

In running the engine, an average noise level of 60-70 decibels is produced for portable type and even higher for heavy duty types. Portable Pennington generators actually exceed the noise level produced by normal conversation by a few decibels, thus it is more advisable to choose this instead. In general, noise is a distraction that can hinder the normal flow of activities in the household. But it should be noted that power outage does not happen often and the noise is just a little sacrifice compared to the benefits that we reap from a reliable alternative energy source in times of emergency.

The dimensions of the entire package should likewise be considered. Compact versions, considered to be space savers, are more favorable because it is easier to keep and store compared to the bulky heavy duty type. However, if the heavy duty type is preferred, especially for larger Pennington households with larger electricity demand, transportability and mobility can be assured if the generator has built in wheels.

Lastly, it should be made sure that the product purchased complies with the safety and environmental standards. This way, it can be assured that only clean energy is generated and no harmful fumes that can adversely affect the health of family members are emitted.

In choosing Pennington generators, make sure that it is worth the investment by studying carefully all the aspects of the equipment.