Electricians

How to Wire an Electrical Circuit Breaker Panel

This overview describes how a professional electrician connects a residential electrical circuit breaker panel to the main service wires coming into the home, and to the individual branch circuits in your home. This is not a DIY project for most homeowners. Connecting a breaker panel is very dangerous work if you are not an expert, and in most communities, the building codes may not even allow you to do this kind of major electrical work yourself. It requires coordination with the electrical utility company.

example assumes that the electrical panel is being installed on the wall of a utility area near the point where the main feeder wires come into the home, and that all branch circuit cables and conduit runs are already installed. In a new home construction or a major rewiring project, the last step will be connecting all the wires to the circuit breaker box, as described here.

Check Feeder Wires for Power

The electrician first makes sure the electricity to the feeder wires has been shut off by the power utility company. They will check the feeder wires with a voltage tester to ensure that this is the case.

Open Knockouts in Box

The electrician then opens metal knockouts for the main service conduit as well as for each branch circuit that will enter the breaker box. Yet another knockout may need to be opened for the main grounding wire. The knockouts are the round metal discs visible in the top, bottom, sides, and back of the box, of various sizes to match different sized conduits that may need to connect to the box. The electrician uses a chisel or old screwdriver to open the knockouts. They may do all of these at once, or start with only the knockout for the main service conduit, then open the knockouts for the branch circuits later, as individual circuit wires are run.

Mount the Circuit Breaker Panel

Next, the electrician positions the circuit breaker panel, levels it, and anchors it to the wall with screws or anchors driven through the back of the panel and into the wall. If the holes don’t align with studs behind the panel, they may drill additional drill holes in the back of the panel to accommodate the installation or mount a piece of plywood to accommodate the panel.

 

Electrical Circuit Requirements for Kitchens

A kitchen uses more electricity than any other room in the home, and the National Electrical Code stipulates that it should be amply served by multiple circuits. In a kitchen that uses electrical cooking appliances, this can mean it needs as many as seven or eight circuits. Compare this to the requirements for a bedroom or other living area, where a single general-purpose lighting circuit can serve all the light fixtures and plug-in outlets.

At one time, most kitchen appliances were plugged into ordinary general outlet circuits, but as kitchen appliances have become larger and larger over the years, it’s now standard—and required by Building Code—for each of these appliances to have a dedicated appliance circuit that serves nothing else. In addition, kitchens require small appliance circuits and at least one lighting circuit.

Be aware that not all local Building Codes have the same requirements. While the NEC (National Electrical Code) serves as the basis for most local codes, individual communities can, and often do, set their own standards. Always check with your local code authorities on requirements for your community.

Kitchen Wiring in Older Homes

In older homes that have not had their wiring systems updated, it is very common for kitchen wiring to be undersized for the electrical demands of a modern kitchen. It is not uncommon, for example, for a kitchen to have only two or three circuits, and for basic appliances such as the refrigerator, dishwasher, garbage disposal to be powered by the same general-purpose circuit that powers the light fixtures and countertop receptacles

Generally speaking, older wiring systems are allowed to remain in place (“grandfathered in”) when a kitchen undergoes modest remodeling efforts, such as simple replacement of appliances, flooring, and countertops. However, during major remodeling projects that require building permits, you may be required to bring your kitchen fully “up to code,” and this very likely will require adding several electrical circuits.

 

What to Do When Your Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping

Q: Every few hours—sometimes minutes!—my living room and one side of my kitchen lose electrical power. Lamps won’t come on; I can’t make toast or watch television. I’ll check the breaker panel and, sure enough, a circuit breaker has tripped…again. I flip it back on and all is well until it happens again! I’m concerned about the wiring in my home. Should I call an electrician, or is there a simple DIY fix I can try first?

A: While it’s frustrating to have to keep switching a tripped breaker back on, keep in mind that a circuit breaker is an important safety mechanism. Designed to shut off the electrical current when something goes wrong, it’s one of the best ways of protecting your home from an electrical fire. You may ultimately have to call an electrician to deal with whatever causes your circuit breaker tripping—electrical current isn’t something to mess with—but a little sleuthing will help you see if it’s something easily remedied.

First, let’s review some basics to help you understand what might be happening. Electricity from your local utility company runs through a cable directly to your breaker panel (service panel). From there, the electricity flows through individual circuits (a circuit is a wiring loop that starts and ends at the breaker panel). Each breaker you see in the panel has an ON/OFF switch and controls a separate electrical circuit in your home. When a breaker trips, its switch automatically flips to the “OFF” position, and it must be manually turned back on in order for electricity to flow through the circuit again.

Test for circuit overload.

A circuit overloads when more electrical current is being drawn through the wires than they can handle, causing them to overheat and trip the circuit breaker. You mention that when the breaker trips, power goes out in your living room and part of your kitchen. This indicates that a single circuit is powering multiple outlets and switches, which is probably too much of a burden on the circuit. This type of wiring configuration is commonly seen in homes more than 40 years old, before we used a lot of electrical appliances and gadgets (big screen TVs, PCs, space heaters, and powerful kitchen appliances).

To test for circuit overload, the next time the breaker trips, go to the electrical panel and turn off all the switches in the affected area and unplug all appliances, lamps, and other devices. Flip the breaker back on and then turn on the switches and plug in/turn on devices one at a time. Wait a few minutes in between to see if the circuit will remain on. Each time you turn on a light or run an appliance, you’ll be drawing more electricity through the wires. If the breaker trips before you turn on all the appliances, try the experiment again, this time turning on the appliances in a different order. You may need to go through the process several times to get a good idea of how many appliances you can operate at one time before overloading the circuit.

Circuit overload is one of the most common reasons for circuit breakers tripping, and you can prevent it from happening by running fewer appliances at the same time on that circuit. The best long-term solution, however, is to have an electrician update your home’s wiring to add additional circuits. In your situation, having a separate circuit to handle the part of the kitchen that’s now on your living room circuit would allow you to use your kitchen appliances (mixer, bread machine, toaster) without fear of overloading the living room circuit.

 

New Electrical Circuits

Just because you have sufficient power for your home now is no guarantee that it is going to accommodate any additional demands that you place upon it. While many home-owners are under the impression that just adding circuits to the breaker box will handle any additional demands, this isn’t always the case.

Most homes are outfitted with an electrical panel that is suited to its electrical requirements, with a little room for increased electricity. Adding a circuit or two might be just fine to accommodate your new electrical needs, but it’s quite easy to exceed the safe threshold if you’re not careful.

When do you need to look into adding circuits or updating your electrical panel?

Any time you add an appliance to your home, you are increasing the demand on the electrical system. Consult with a licensed electrician before hooking up a major appliance to determine if your system is ready for the added load.

Whenever you set up a big holiday light display, this is one of the leading causes for needing upgraded circuits. Hot tubs draw a lot of electricity and are almost always a time for installing new circuits and potentially upgrading your electrical panel.

If adding a new room to your house or other additional square footage is added, this will need to be accommodated by adding one or more new circuits to the system. Depending on the size and electrical requirements of your addition, the increase in amperage could require updating the electric panel as the only viable option.

 

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Electrician?

Electricity is an important and integral part of every home. And if you are updating any part of the electrical wiring, lighting, or panels in your home, you need to make sure that it is done safely and correctly. That means hiring an electrician to do the work. They can handle many project types from simple outlet installations to completely rewiring your home.

Electricians charge between $40 and $100 per hour for most jobs. Low-cost projects, such as installing an outlet, start at around $85, whereas high-cost projects like upgrading a circuit panel can cost as much as $11,000. The national average cost for hiring an electrician is between $300 and $9,000, with most people paying around $399 for a new ceiling fan installation.

Electrician Cost Per Hour

Electricians typically charge between $40 and $100 an hour, which is influenced by where you live and the electrician’s license grade. There are three grades – Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master. To achieve each grade, electricians must meet specific testing requirements

Apprentice Electrician

To receive an Apprentice license, the electrician needs to complete hundreds of hours of classroom work, as well as 8,000 hours of supervised on-the-job experience. Apprentices can complete many basic electrical tasks, such as installing outlets and light fixtures, and they charge an average rate of $40 to $50 an hour.

Journeyman Electrician

A Journeyman electrician has completed their apprenticeship and taken and passed the Journeyman electrician exam. They are qualified to take on more complex projects in your home, such as wiring and installing an electrical panel or car charging station. They charge $50 to $70 an hour on average.

Commercial electrical maintenance tasks this Spring

Spring is traditionally the time for cleaning and starting anew, and that’s why this is the perfect time of year to consider your electrical maintenance tasks. But what should you include on your checklist? And what are the advantages of tackling your electrical maintenance work?

What are some of the most important commercial electrical maintenance tasks this Spring?

After the winter months, where weather can cause damage, and wear and tear can be more pronounced by use, electrical maintenance can be essential for keeping your property safe and sound, and maintaining your legal obligations to Electrical Safety.

You should:

Book a PAT test- at this time of year, there are generally more electricians available than during autumn or winter months when demand is highest. This means it can be a good idea to book a PAT test for any new electrical appliances, and be prepared and legally covered, for the rest of the year.

Carry out electrical testing- you should consider hiring an electrical team to carry out any electrical testing during this time of the year. This usually involves testing emergency lighting systems, and backup power supplies and generators.

Carry out independent maintenance- you can also carry out your own maintenance at this time of year too. You should consider checking all light bulbs and fixtures and making any appropriate changes, as well as checking any damage or wear and tear to cables, cords and electrical items.

 

Electrical Services

skilled staff are dedicated to not only excellent customer service, but prompt professional attention to your business and home electrical needs. We repair and maintain electric hot water systems, stoves and CCTV systems and run scheduled maintenance programs, plus all the day-to-day jobs of installing lights and power points.

If you are building or renovating, talk to us about lighting design and your lighting signs. We will make sure your lighting is functional, attractive and efficient. It goes without saying, our industrial, residential and commercial electricians are experts at lighting installation, too. And when it comes to PLC wiring and installation, we have the experience and skill to not just do the job, but do it well.

reliable industrial electricians

Industrial electrical projects require a team of specialists that complete their work to relevant industry standards and guidelines to ensure maximum safety.

Residential electrical services

Whether you’re looking to save money on your power bills by becoming more energy efficient, are renovating your home or need urgent electrical work,

Commercial electricians for large-scale projects

From lighting systems to electrical design, contact Salt Electricians. And we are your electricians for making home or office energy efficient.

 

INDUSTRIAL ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE TRAINING COURSE

This course is designed to provide basic electrical skills to those who need to perform first-line electrical maintenance tasks including the safe isolation, replacement and testing of a range of common electrical devices (motors, sensors, heating elements, solenoids, etc.) in a safe and effective manner. Importantly, the format of the course is specifically designed so that, when combined with suitable on-site consolidation of training, it will assist the maintenance manager in meeting the legal requirements for employee competence in electrical work.

PARTICIPANTS

No prior electrical knowledge is assumed. The structure and content of the course is aimed at those who currently fulfil a maintenance role, for example mechanical fitters. Many companies use this course to help introduce flexibility to their workforce, as part of a multiskilling programme.

Candidates with previous electrical experience (for example instrument engineers, electronics engineers, or those that have gained the necessary knowledge of electrical principles from elsewhere can attend a shortened version of this course. An eligibility assessment is available on request.

COURSE PRESENTATION

The course has an extensive hands-on practical approach, placing emphasis on safe working practice and on the development of useful, practical skills. Comprehensive course notes are provided.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

On completion of the course, participants will be able to

practice safe working methods on electrical systems

understand the relevant regulative requirements

demonstrate an understanding of electrical principles and units

identify a wide range of electrical equipment & devices and understand their principles of operation / connections

understand the principles of earthing / protection and associated protective devices

demonstrate an understanding of electrical systems, switchgear and circuit types

diagnose basic faults and recognise their associated symptoms

work with a range of cable types and carry out correct terminations and connections

recognise the most common industrial motor types and understand their operation, connections and maintenance requirements

use electrical test equipment effectively and carry out testing of a range of motors, solenoids, cables, etc. (using insulation, continuity, tong testers, etc.)

identify motor and power circuit faults

use circuit diagrams as an aid to maintenance

access electrical enclosures and replace fuses, reset overloads etc

perform electrical isolation, testing for dead, etc on a wide range of devices and circuits safely.

 

INSTALLATION ELECTRICIAN AND MAINTENANCE ELECTRICIAN

Duration

It is unlikely that a candidate coming to this apprenticeship without previous relevant experience would complete the apprenticeship in less than 42 months, and a typical completion time is likely to be 48 months. This may reduce if an apprentice is part-qualified or has relevant experience on entry

Typical job titles:

Installation electrician, Maintenance electrician and Electrician

Occupational profile

Electricians install, maintain and repair electrical systems in industrial, commercial and domestic environments. Electricians might work in both indoor and outdoor settings. Electrical equipment and systems may include switchboards, motors, cables, fuses, thermal relays, fault current protection switches, heating, lighting, air conditioning and metering equipment as well as crime and fire alarm systems and renewable energy technologies. They are able to work on their own proficiently and work without immediate supervision in the most efficient and economical manner.

They may contribute to the design of electrical systems. They are able to set out jobs from drawings and specifications and requisition the necessary installation materials. Electrical safety is an important area of Electricians’ work. On completion of their work the electrical systems must be safe to use. They must adhere to safe working practices without endangering themselves or others

Entry requirements

Individual employers will identify any relevant entry requirements in terms of previous qualifications, trainability tests, or other criteria. Most candidates will have English and mathematics at level 2 on entry.

Knowledge and Skills

Electricians will use engineering knowledge and understanding to apply their technical and practical skills. They will contribute to the design, development, manufacture, construction, commissioning, operation or maintenance of products, equipment, processes, systems or services. Electricians must:

Understand and apply the principles, practices and legislation for the termination and connection of conductors, cables and cords in electrical systems

Understand and apply the practices and procedures for the preparation and installation of wiring systems and electrotechnical equipment in buildings, structures and the environment

Understand and apply the principles, practices and legislation for the inspection, testing, commissioning and certification of electrotechnical systems and equipment in buildings, structures and the environment

Understand and apply the principles, practices and legislation for diagnosing and correcting electrical faults in electrotechnical systems and equipment in buildings, structures and the environment

Understand and apply the electrical principles associated with the design, building, installation and maintenance of electrical equipment and systems

Oversee and organise the work environment.

 

Maintenance Electrician Resume Examples

Maintenance Electricians work in a variety of industries and make sure that electrical equipment is functioning properly. Typical duties listed on a Maintenance Electrician resume include inspecting machines, diagnosing technical issues, performing repairs on site or in repair centers, making sure safety guidelines are being followed, and reporting to supervisors

Based on our most successful resume examples, Maintenance Electricians should demonstrate technical skills, troubleshooting abilities, attention to details, proactivity, stamina, and teamwork. Employers select candidates holding an Associate’s Degree in electrical maintenance.

Industrial Maintenance Electrician

Extensive experience as industrial electrician in reputed steel organization. Install new or upgrade existing systems and equipment at major manufacturing plants to achieve energy conservation goals system. Detailed knowledge of electrical systems including preparation, added extras and modifications on minor circuits. Excellent in computer knowledge and English communication.

Installed, maintained, repaired and tested equipment for plant utilization of electric energy.

Recommended organization on whether continuous function of equipment could be risky,

Performed general electromechanical repairs on systems and equipment, ensuring adherence to code requirements.

Troubleshoot and install PLC’s.

Constructed different electrical equipment by using hand tools and power tools.

Maintenance Electrician

Modified and developed programs in Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) using RSLogix 5000/500/5, and PicPro software.

Troubleshot and repaired machines on-site and through ControlLogix 5000, SLC 500, PLC 5, Micrologix, CompactLogix, Siemens S-5, and Giddings & Lewis (G&L) PLC, UltraWare and AB DriveExecutive software.

Modified and programmed Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) using Factory Talk View and Panelbuilder32 software.

Updated and created electrical schematic drawings and ladder logic diagrams.

Assisted in upgrading and starting up various machines.

Industrial maintenance experience in 480V, AC/DC drives and motors, servo drives and motors, encoders, VFD, starters, safety relays, control relays, safety switches, proximity switches, photo eyes, conveyor systems, general mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic valves.

Created work lists, scheduled and performed electrical predictive and preventive maintenance.

Installed necessary components to existing machinery for better performance.

Maintenance Electrician

Ran own van and worked independently as well as in teams as needed

Retrofitted commercial and industrial lighting systems of various sizes and styles

Installed new circuits and updated circuits ranging from 120V systems up to 480V systems

Troubleshot and installed various ballasts, lighting contactors, neon signs, etc. on live circuits

Performed preventative maintenance procedures in industrial, commercial and residential settings

Ran new circuits for various machines, lighting systems and anything else per customer work orders

Troubleshot, diagnosed and repaired neon signs or all different sizes and types

What is a Panel Heater?

A panel heater is a type of electric heater that you can mount on the wall. You can put panel heaters anywhere you like, as long as there is a 30cm clearance at the top and bottom of the panel to allow for the convection current and a nearby power socket. As panel heaters are usually IP22 waterproof, you can also use them in the kitchen and bathroom with complete confidence.

Panel heaters are a popular choice due to their slim design and fast acting heat. They work particularly well in smaller spaces or spaces you use infrequently as they provide instant heat as soon as they are switched on meaning that you don’t have to wait around before you can comfortably use the room.

 

How the panel heater works – Natural convection technology

Econo-Heat wall panel heaters offer out-of-the-way wall mounting and are an economic way of providing efficient room heating at a low cost. Using natural convection technology, heat is mainly generated behind the heater in the space between the panel and the wall, which leads to an efficient up draught of heated air circulated into the room (the heated air rises at a speed of 0.7m per second!). This principle of convection means that about 90% of the heat comes from the back of the panel, while only 10% is radiated from the front of the panel. This form of background heating is extremely economical, safe and efficient.

Your Econo-Heat wall panel heater is designed as an alternative to conventional bar heaters and other forms of high output heaters that use large amounts of electricity. It operates at relatively low surface temperatures (75 – 90°C, dependent on the ambient temperature), and uses minimal electricity.

 

Benefits of Electric Heating

Electric is the fuel of the future for heating requirements. With volatile oil prices and supplies, less and less natural gas and more renewable electricity production, heating your home with an electric heating system will future proof your property Dwindling supplies of north sea gas, the uncertainty of imported gas supplies, the volatility of oil prices and the commitment to reduce the U.K. carbon footprint all point towards electricity as the fuel of the future. The government has set a clear path towards a lower carbon future, with electricity to be generated by nuclear power and sustainable sources e.g. wind power, solar energy, wave power etc. Electric heating is 100% efficient and carbon neutral at the point of use, and with electricity being generated by nuclear and renewable sources in the future it will become completely carbon neutral. The government also promotes the use of micro generation technologies e.g solar panels, photovoltaic’s and wind turbines. Electric heating appliances are compatible with all these micro generation technologies. As more low carbon and renewable sources of electricity become available we will increasingly see electric heating being favoured over gas.

Low Installation Costs

Electric heating is very easy to install. There is no requirement for unsightly pipe work, and minimal disruption during installation. Because each electric radiator can work independently, it is easy to add to a system as necessary or as budgets permit. Also because each radiator is controlled independently from the system, it allows much better control over room temperatures and energy usage than is possible with a boiler based system.

LOW OWNERSHIP COSTS

The true ownership costs of a heating system should be looked at over a system lifetime. Electric heating systems have no moving parts and can be expected to last over 15 years. The boiler industry quotes a lifetime of 10 years for a boiler. Boiler based systems require costly yearly maintenance whereas electric systems are maintenance free. Electric heating is 100% efficient at the point of use meaning all the fuel used is turned into heat unlike boiler systems where energy is wasted through the flue. No Maintenance and no annual inspection. Yearly maintenance and safety checks can add significant costs to the running of a system. Gas boiler systems require yearly maintenance and if used within rental properties, both private and social housing landlords are responsible for annual safety inspections. This can also be a major hassle for landlords needing to gain access to properties to conduct maintenance and safety checks. Electric heating does not require any maintenance or safety inspections.

 

What does this mean?

Put simply the cost of buying your gas powered boiler is more than an electric heating system. So is the cost of servicing, maintenance and potential repairs. In addition, the electric heater should last 50% longer than the gas boiler! Put together, this figure will almost always cancel out the fact that gas is cheaper than electricity; electric heating is a better solution over the long term for your wallet!

 

Meet the Modern Electric Heater

The electric heater has evolved over the last few years. They now have sophisticated and ultra reliable thermostatic controls. These can ensure that your room temperature is kept constant whilst activating the heater only when needed. It is much easier and cheaper to keep a room warm then to let it cool and reheat it!

The array of options can be decided by you at the time of purchase. Heaters can have a plug-in control module, or they can be supplied with every imaginable feature built in. You can even control all your heaters from one programmer and link them to a smart system; enabling heating control away from home!

It is also important to consider then fact that electric heaters are generally safer. A gas or other fuel burning system will produce carbon monoxide; which is deadly and must be removed from the home. This is not an issue for the electric heater.

Indeed, if a radiator bursts or the boiler breaks it is highly likely that your heating system will be shut off. But, if one electric heater breaks; the rest will still function perfectly. There really is much more to electric heating than meets the eye!

Tips for Choosing the Best Electrical Contractor for Your Business

Whether you need to retrofit an area of your business or remodel your entire building, choosing the right electrical contractor is one of the most important decisions you make to determine the success of the project. Commercial electric work requires an electrician with experience and skill working on large scale projects at businesses such as yours.

Gather Recommendations from your Network

Work your network to get good recommendations from family, friends and other business owners. Specifically, ask about the scope of their projects and whether they were satisfied with the finished job. You can also consult with local hardware and electrical supply stores, which often have a short list of professionals they recommend to their customers.

Verify Licensing and Insurance

Going with the lowest bid on your project might save some money in the short term, but you need to make sure that the commercial electrician you choose has the appropriate licensing and insurance for the work you need completed. A licensed electrician by law must carry worker’s compensation and liability insurance for accidents and injuries that might occur at your business. Hiring someone that only carries the minimum is opening yourself to risk, so never be afraid to ask a company for a copy of their insurance certificates. This is very common and they should have this information readily available. Note that bonded electricians have insurance that covers you if your electrician abandons the project and disappears.

Assess Credentials and Training

When you interview each electrician, you should evaluate their experience and capability, based on their past work. You should also find out if each electrician has the proper license. The highest license in Florida is the Unlimited Electrical Contractor license, which means the company is qualified to do anything electrical. There are various other licenses for specialties like fire alarm, low voltage, etc. Besides the company being state licensed, individual electricians can be licensed as either Master or Journeyman electrician by their local county. If they are a “card-carrying” electrician, they will at least have passed a basic test on code requirements.

Check Reviews and References

References still mean something in an increasingly digital world. So, find out as much as you can about the kind of jobs the commercial electrician has done. Then, ask for and call prior clients to assess their satisfaction with the work done. If you can, ask the electrical contractor to provide the contact information of recent clients for the same work being done on your home. Though it’s time-consuming to do this for each company you evaluate, make sure to follow through on the top three to five picks.

 

Expert Guide to Commercial Remodeling

Taking on a Commercial Construction Project

Commercial building remodeling is a big undertaking for any property owner. It’s so big that many will only go through a major remodel once or twice in their lifetime. When the remodel begins, many property owners don’t know what to expect. Being informed can help make a remodel or upgrade less stressful and more worthwhile. Doing research and working with top commercial general contractors is important.

Commercial building remodeling helps businesses stay relevant and functional. Buildings deteriorate quickly when they’re not maintained. As fixtures become inefficient and break down, repairs become critical. Buildings that do not get the maintenance they need when they need it may someday become too difficult or expensive to repair

Shut Down or No?

Business may not have to stop while the remodel takes place. Contractors can work in shifts before or after customers arrive, on weekends when the business is closed, or behind curtains, while business is conducted as normal.

Improved Use of Space

It’s important for businesses to optimize their use of space. Installation of custom cabinetry, reshaping or redesign of an attic or storage area, and even redesign of offices and cubicles are ways that a commercial renovation project can free up space in the office.

Cosmetic Improvements

Cosmetic improvements should be performed on a regular basis to prevent a building from looking dated or poorly maintained.

 

Tips from Lightning Mobile Electric

Whether you’re remodeling your entire business building, or simply doing a lighting retrofit, finding the right electrical contractor is one of the most important things you need to do for the success and safety of your establishment. Commercial electrical work is a little different from its domestic or residential variants. The former requires specific skills, experience, equipment, and tools, among other things. Hiring a professional contractor like Lightning Mobile Electric can make your life easier and save you money

Get Recommendations

As a business owner, you typically work with different companies and deal with different people on a regular basis. Use your network and ask around for any recommendations. Ask your family and friends, or other business owners. Make sure you inquire about the scope of their projects and their customers. Were they satisfied when the job was finished? You can also visit your local electrical supply and hardware stores and ask about their opinions on different contractors in your area. There’s a good chance they have a short list of professionals that they regularly recommend to their customers. Many electrical contractors in Denver, for example, are well-known in their local electrical supply stores in Colorado.

Ask About their Experience with Commercial Projects

Commercial electrical projects are different from residential ones. Obviously, you don’t want to risk your business establishment’s electrical system being installed by poorly trained and inexperienced electricians. Ask about the experience of the contractor’s workers with regards to commercial projects. Make sure they can provide you with workers who have all the knowledge, skills, and tools to do the job

Ask About their Guarantees and Warranties

A good company will stand behind their work, and will go above and beyond to provide you with the best service possible. Thus, choose those companies who take pride in their service. One great way to do this is to ask about their guarantees and warranties.

Ask for Their Estimates

You may have heard the horror stories of electricians demanding more money through excess charges, drawn out timeframes, and unexpected costs. Nothing scares business owners off more quickly than hidden fees. These things can affect your budget and the finances of your business. A good contractor will never do that. Thus, make sure you broach this subject with your contractor

 

Improving the Speed of Commercial Electrical Installations

Tough commercial installations

Commercial electrical installations are a tough job by any standard. As an electrician, you have to pay extreme attention to detail (locations of convenience sockets, lamp types, signal systems, etc.), while also having a broad overview of the electrical system of the building as a whole. Residential installation may seem like child’s play in comparison.

Speed through factors

The factors that affect large commercial electrical installation include busways, wiring, raceways and conductors. Each can be optimized to provide some time savings. From the use of I-line busways to EMT raceways, here are a few ways to improve the speed of commercial electrical installation.

Type of busway

Using an I-line busway over cable and conduit can boost your speed. The busway is one of the most important parts of any commercial electrical installation.Electricity is passed through a conductor, which is typically copper wire. The copper is not allowed to touch anything, or else it may lose the current. That is why conductors come with some kind of cover or sheath. Together, they make a wire.Many wires can be bundled together with a single sheath to deliver more electricity. This is called a power cable. In lieu of a power cable, many electrical installations use a busway or bus duct.The busway is a series of sheet metal ducts used to carry large amounts of current. The I-line busway is noted for having among the easiest installations, which is why it is a good choice if you want to speed things up.

Wiring method

Due to the plethora of regulations that exist in regard to wiring, this is actually a factor over which electricians will have little control. Regulations exist partly because of the sensitivity of wiring materials to degradation by heat, moisture and age. Even a light commercial installation may see several wiring changes a year. Facilities that handle special chemicals may be even more restricted by their wiring methods. Regardless of your wiring method, you will find that preparation, staging and proper organization techniques will increase the speed of installation. These include straightening the cable out first, so it’s easier to slip through holes, neatly packing electrical boxes and making snagless fish tape connections.

Type of raceway

The raceway is the part of the electrical system that protects the cables from the elements. It is basically an enclosed metal box in which the cables are placed, protecting them from heat, humidity, corrosion, etc.If the raceway is well grounded, it can also serve to deflect radio frequencies. In some occasions, plastic is used instead of metal, but only in cases where the cables have their own RF-shielding, as plastic does not provide this.There are many kinds of raceways, but one of the easiest and quickest to install is electrical metal tubing. Made from galvanized steel or aluminum, EMT is lightweight and easy to bend, cut and ream.

 

MAKING THE JUMP FROM RESIDENTIAL TO COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION

if you are a residential contractor, you likely spend considerable downtime contemplating ways to increase company revenues. But, aside from improving efficiency, greater revenues are often realized only by way of greater sales, and additional work can prove hard to come by in an already competitive local market. So where does one go for new opportunities? Well, instead of laboring to wring every last drop out of your current residential market, maybe it’s time to expand the market itself. Maybe it’s time to look into commercial construction.

NEW HORIZONS?

But I know what you’re feeling—apprehension, uneasiness, and that’s understandable. To those not yet indoctrinated, commercial construction (CC) can appear daunting. Suddenly there are architects, engineers, liquidated damages, bonding, and a cast of wealthy business clients with short attention spans and scary-sounding law firms on speed-dial. There are new regulations, strict protocols, and new competition. “I wouldn’t know where to begin,” you tell yourself.

FINDING COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION WORK: REPORTING SERVICES

As a residential contractor, new work likely came via local advertising, your website, personal referrals, and industry contacts (i.e., real estate brokers, material suppliers). These are still great strategies for acquiring work in CC, but there are other avenues for an opportunity in place for you. One of these is known collectively as reporting services. You may already be familiar with these reports,

These services are for construction managers (CMs), general contractors (GCs), subcontractors, suppliers and anyone with a vested interest in commercial construction work. Most of these reports include pertinent details regarding the project such as a description of the work itself, the architect/engineer (A/E), the owner and even bidding companies currently holding plans. They’ll also give a bid date/time and may even tell you how to go about acquiring bidding documents (many sites even offer downloadable electronic versions).

CONSTRUCTION ORGANIZATIONS & PLAN ROOMS

Another popular avenue for exploring CC opportunities is through your local construction organization such as the AGC (Associated General Contractors) and ABC (Associated Builders & Contractors) and a host of other groups that represent a wide and varied array of sub-contractors, suppliers, support agencies and government bodies who work in the CC industry. You may already belong to one of these associations. These groups also often sponsor local and/or area plan rooms (both physical and online) where blueprints and specifications on upcoming/bidding CC projects can be viewed or (in some cases) checked out or downloaded for you to perform takeoffs and estimates. Again, some ask for a fee and others don’t.

Tips for Choosing LED Bulbs for Your Home

Be Careful of Using LEDs in the Garage

Note that LEDs don’t fair well in many garages. First, they can confuse older garage door openers and sensors. Second, the vibration caused by the garage door opening and closing can damage the diodes over time.

Stay Away from Extreme Temperatures

High temperatures can quickly fry an average LED bulb cluster, and freezing temps aren’t great for longevity, either. Stick to mild-temperature locations for LEDs, and use LED bulbs designed for the outdoors when necessary.

Read LED Labels

Manufactures are beginning to adopt LED-specific labels with many of the standard specifications. Compare bulbs by referring to the information on these labels.

Be Wary of Enclosed LED Bulbs

Enclosed (when you screw on a translucent covering) or recessed lighting can be dangerous for LED bulbs. LEDs only produce a small amount of heat, but they are highly susceptible to heat damage, so heat needs to be channeled away with a heat sink, a metallic base designed to conduct heat away from the sensitive parts of the LED. Enclosed bulbs can’t get rid of heat as easily, which can kill LED bulbs not designed for those situations.

Buy From a High-Quality Manufacturer

LED bulbs are famous for their long lives. In practice, they do last a long time, but not necessarily for years and years. Quality is still important, and poorly made LED lights for home will die just as soon as an incandescent bulb, if not faster. Choose high-quality, reliable manufacturers with good reviews, even if that means paying a little extra.

 

The Basics of LED Lighting

What are LEDs and how do they work?

LED stands for light emitting diode. LED lighting products produce light approximately 90% more efficiently than incandescent light bulbs. How do they work? An electrical current passes through a microchip, which illuminates the tiny light sources we call LEDs and the result is visible light. To prevent performance issues, the heat LEDs produce is absorbed into a heat sink.

Lifetime of LED Lighting Products

The useful life of LED lighting products is defined differently than that of other light sources, such as incandescent or compact fluorescent lighting (CFL). LEDs typically do not “burn out” or fail. Instead, they experience ‘lumen depreciation’, wherein the brightness of the LED dims slowly over time. Unlike incandescent bulbs, LED “lifetime” is established on a prediction of when the light output decreases by 30 percent.

How are LEDs Used in Lighting

LEDs are incorporated into bulbs and fixtures for general lighting applications. Small in size, LEDs provide unique design opportunities. Some LED bulb solutions may physically resemble familiar light bulbs and better match the appearance of traditional light bulbs. Some LED light fixtures may have LEDs built in as a permanent light source. There are also hybrid approaches where a non-traditional “bulb” or replaceable light source format is used and specially designed for a unique fixture. LEDs offer a tremendous opportunity for innovation in lighting form factors and fit a wider breadth of applications than traditional lighting technologies.

LEDs and Heat

LEDs use heat sinks to absorb the heat produced by the LED and dissipate it into the surrounding environment. This keeps LEDs from overheating and burning out. Thermal management is generally the single most important factor in the successful performance of an LED over its lifetime. The higher the temperature at which the LEDs are operated, the more quickly the light will degrade, and the shorter the useful life will be.

 

Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

Introduction

LEDs are all around us: In our phones, our cars and even our homes. Any time something electronic lights up, there’s a good chance that an LED is behind it. They come in a huge variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, but no matter what they look like they have one thing in common: they’re the bacon of electronics. They’re widely purported to make any project better and they’re often added to unlikely things (to everyone’s delight).

Unlike bacon, however, they’re no good once you’ve cooked them. This guide will help you avoid any accidental LED barbecues! First things first, though. What exactly is this LED thing everyone’s talking about?

LEDs (that’s “ell-ee-dees”) are a particular type of diode that convert electrical energy into light. In fact, LED stands for “Light Emitting Diode.” (It does what it says on the tin!) And this is reflected in the similarity between the diode and LED schematic symbols:

In short, LEDs are like tiny lightbulbs. However, LEDs require a lot less power to light up by comparison. They’re also more energy efficient, so they don’t tend to get hot like conventional lightbulbs do (unless you’re really pumping power into them). This makes them ideal for mobile devices and other low-power applications. Don’t count them out of the high-power game, though. High-intensity LEDs have found their way into accent lighting, spotlights and even automotive headlights!

Are you getting the craving yet? The craving to put LEDs on everything? Good, stick with us and we’ll show you how!

Suggested Reading

Here are some other topics that will be discussed in this tutorial. If you are unfamiliar with any of them, please have a look at the respective tutorial before you go any further.

 

Everything You Need To Know About LED Lighting

What Does LED Stand For?

A diode is an electrical device or component with two electrodes (an anode and a cathode) through which electricity flows – characteristically in only one direction (in through the anode and out through the cathode). Diodes are generally made from semi-conductive materials such as silicon or selenium – substances that conduct electricity in some circumstances and not in others (e.g. at certain voltages, current levels, or light intensities).

What is LED Lighting?

A light-emitting diode is a semiconductor device that emits visible light when an electrical current passes through it. It is essentially the opposite of a photovoltaic cell (a device that converts visible light into electrical current).

How Do LED Lights Work?

It’s really simple actually, and very cheap to produce, which is why there was so much excitement when LED lights were first invented!

The Technical Details: LED lights are composed of two types of semiconducting material (a p-type and an n-type). Both the p-type and n-type materials, also called extringent materials, have been doped (dipped into a substance called a “doping agent”) so as to slightly alter their electrical properties from their pure, unaltered, or “intrinsic” form (i-type).

Application of the Technical Details to LED Lighting:

When a light-emitting diode (LED) has a voltage source connected with the positive side on the anode and the negative side on the cathode, current will flow (and light will be emitted, a condition known as forward bias). If the positive and negative ends of the voltage source were inversely connected (positive to the cathode and negative to the anode), current would not flow (a condition known as reverse bias). Forward bias allows current to flow through the LED and in so doing, emits light. Reverse bias prevents current from flowing through the LED (at least up until a certain point where it is unable to keep the current at bay – known as the peak inverse voltage – a point that if reached, will irreversibly damage the device).

 

How To Determine How Many LED Lumens You’ll Need To Properly Light Your Space

Efficacy

The number of lumens a bulb produces for each watt it consumes. The higher the number, the more efficient the bulb. For example, lighting products that have been designated with the ENERGY STAR label are deemed high efficacy, meaning they have been determined to deliver the same features while using less energy.

The Breakdown—How Much Light is Enough?

Determine Room Square Footage. Multiply the length times the width of the room to get the room square footage. For example, if the room is 10 feet wide and 10 feet long, the room square footage will be 100 square feet.

Lumens

Lumen output, also known as brightness or light output, is a measure of the total quantity of visible emitted by a light source per unit of time, weighted according to the human eye’s sensitivity to wavelengths of light, the study of which is known as luminous efficiency function. The reference point: a standard 100-watt incandescent light bulb produces about 1,500 – 1,700 lumens.

Watts

Not a measure of brightness; instead, it’s a measure of how much electricity (or energy) a light bulb consumes to reach its claimed brightness.  Each type of light source, LED, fluorescent, halogen or incandescent has a different lumen-per-watt ratio.  Below we’re going to use lumens as a measurement to make sure we have enough light for a space.

Wattage Equivalence

Since we’ve conflated watts and lumens, it’s easier to talk about bulbs in terms of watts. So if a 100-watt incandescent produces 1,500 lumens, and a 10-watt LED does the same, the 10-Watt LED may advertise “100-watt equivalent” on its label.

Electricians – What Their Work Includes

What is the job of most electricians? What do they do? Most people think of electricians as people that only come to your house to fix an electrical problem. Well, they do that a lot, but they also do other work that serves not only individuals but also large companies, the state, etc. Usually, the job of an electrician lasts about forty hours a week. That, however, doesn’t mean that it is fixed. Sometimes, they may work overtime. Other times, it may be necessary to supervise a certain machine for hours.

 

Work Environment

Electricians work indoors and out, at construction sites, in homes, and in businesses or factories. The work may be strenuous at times and may include bending conduit, lifting heavy objects, and standing, stooping, and kneeling for long periods. Electricians risk injury from electrical shock, falls, and cuts, and must follow strict safety procedures to avoid injuries. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that full-time electricians experienced a work-related injury and illness rate that was higher than the national average. When working outdoors, they may be subject to inclement weather. Some electricians may have to travel long distances to jobsites.

Most electricians work a standard 40-hour week, although overtime may be required. Those who do maintenance work may work nights or weekends and be on call to go to the worksite when needed. Electricians in industrial settings may have periodic extended overtime during scheduled maintenance or retooling periods. Companies that operate 24 hours a day may employ three shifts of electricians.

 

Training

Most electricians learn their trade in a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship program. For each year of the program, apprentices must complete at least 144 hours of technical training and 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training. In the classroom, apprentices learn electrical theory, blueprint reading, mathematics, electrical code requirements, and safety and first-aid practices. They also may receive specialized training related to soldering, communications, fire alarm systems, and elevators.

After completing an apprenticeship program, electricians are considered to be journey workers and may perform duties on their own, subject to any local licensing requirements. Because of this comprehensive training, those who complete apprenticeship programs qualify to do both construction and maintenance work.

Several groups, including unions and contractor associations, sponsor apprenticeship programs. The basic qualifications to enter an apprenticeship program are as follows:

• Minimum age of 18
• High school education or equivalent
• One year of algebra
• Qualifying score on an aptitude test
• Pass substance abuse screening

Some electrical contractors have their own training program. Although most workers enter apprenticeships directly, some electricians enter apprenticeship programs after working as a helper.

 

What Do Electricians Do

Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems. They also plan layout and installation of electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures, based on job specifications and local codes.

Other tasks include:

• Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components.
• Test electrical systems or continuity of circuits in electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures, using testing devices, such as ohmmeters, voltmeters, or oscilloscopes, to ensure compatibility and safety of system.
• Use a variety of tools or equipment, such as power construction equipment, measuring devices, power tools, and testing equipment, such as oscilloscopes, ammeters, or test lamps.
• Inspect electrical systems, equipment, or components to identify hazards, defects, or the need for adjustment or repair, and to ensure compliance with codes.
• Prepare sketches or follow blueprints to determine the location of wiring or equipment and to ensure conformance to building and safety codes.
• Diagnose malfunctioning systems, apparatus, or components, using test equipment and hand tools to locate the cause of a breakdown and correct the problem.

 

What Types of Electrician

Below are just a few examples of possible jobs you could take on when trained as an electrician:

• Domestic Electrical Installers

Perhaps the most common type of electrician, domestic electrical installers work on domestic properties. So that’s small and larger jobs around the home, ranging from simple socket fixes to installation of wiring throughout a property.

• Installation Electrician

You’ll be responsible for installing systems such as lighting, security, power, fire protection systems and structure cabling.

This job is slightly larger in scope than a domestic electrical installer’s work, as it allows the possibility of working on larger projects. Installation electricians can work anywhere ranging from construction sites to commercial properties.

• Maintenance Electrician

Maintenance electricians ensure that modern electrical systems and the equipment that they serve are always running effectively, safely and efficiently.

This can involve anything from maintaining the power grid to fixing problems with machinery within factories.

• Electrotechnical Panel Builder

They use programmable logic controllers and information technology to build and manage the electrical control panels that control buildings heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment.

• Instrumentation Electrician

This job involves commissioning, testing, fault finding and the repairing of building environmental control systems, such as large air conditioning units, heating and refrigeration.

• Electrical Machine Repairer & Rewinder

Skilled electrical machine repair and rewind specialists are required to repair and maintain equipment machinery such as transformers, compressors, pumps and fans within buildings.

• Highway Electrical Systems Electrician

Trained highway electrical systems electricians ensure that our street lighting, including traffic management systems are continuously managed and maintained to a high standard.