Emergency Electrician On Sparking Electrical Outlets

 According to a Myrtle Beach emergency electrician, one of the common emergencies their assistance is called for is when homeowners notice sparks coming out of their electrical outlets. And most often, this can be due to a short circuit, old and worn out electrical outlets or exposure of the outlet to water.

Sparks coming out of an electrical outlet is not always an indication that something is wrong with the outlet. It should not always be a cause for panic. There is a normal spark that also happens in electrical outlets.

What is a normal spark in an electrical outlet?

If you see a brief and small spark in the outlet when you plug in an appliance, you do not have to worry and immediately call your emergency electrician Myrtle Beach. This spark is normal and can be compared to static electricity. This happens every once in a while because of the sudden diversion of power from the available circuits in your home to the outlet and to the appliance that you have plugged in.

You should know that electricity flows quickly and is always fast moving to easily flow through the circuits of residential homes and back to the main grid. This fast-moving phase makes it difficult for outside elements to break and interrupt the cycle. As a result, there is a quick flow of electricity and you are able to use your blow dryer or coffee maker the minute you plug them in.

Because electricity is hot and it flows quickly, the sudden diversion of its path as a result of plugging an appliance to an outlet sometimes causes a brief spark. This is what many homeowners often notice occasionally. But if you notice bigger and more frequent sparks coming out from your electrical outlet, you could be facing a more serious problem. Thus, you will need to hire a professional.

Why do electrical outlets spark?

As mentioned above, there are 3 general reasons for an electrical outlet to spark. It can be due to short circuit, old and worn out electrical outlets or exposure of the outlet to water.

• Short circuits – Short circuits happen when electrons leap into the wrong area, particularly an exposed wire, as a result of the quick phase of the electricity. Wires become exposed due to a lot of reasons including old age and wear and tear. Another reason could be too much heat built up in the outlet has caused the surrounding insulation of the wires to melt; thus, leaving the wires exposed and vulnerable to receive stray electrons from the quick and sudden change of direction of the electricity from the circuit to the outlet.

• Old and worn out electrical outlets – Similarly with other things, an electrical outlet wears out after some time, especially if you use it several times during the day. An old and worn out electrical outlet often has loose wire connections, which is what causes the sparks in the outlet. If you notice signs of old age in your electrical outlets or if you notice they are wearing out, you will have to hire an electrical contractor to replace them with new ones.

• Exposure of the outlet to water – Obviously, water and electricity do not mix and when this happens, an electrical spark can occur. Depending on the size and severity of the spark, it can quickly lead to causing an electrical fire. To prevent this from happening, you should consider replacing your outlets with a ground fault circuit interrupter outlets. This is a special outlet that automatically shuts down the circuit when it detects a sudden change in the electrical flow to prevent sparking and starting an electrical fire as well.

For more information on sparking electrical outlets, call MB Electrician Pros now and speak with their emergency electrician.

MB Electrician Pros
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-353-6345
electriciansmyrtlebeach.com

Your Guide To Finding A Qualified Emergency Electrician

 Every homeowner should work with a qualified emergency electrician. The primary reason for this is that electrical accidents are inevitable and you would not want to be caught in this situation without a professional to call and depend upon to help you resolve the problem. Postponing the necessary repairs and wait for when an electrical engineer is available to assist you will only result in bigger damages and more costly problems. Thus, it will save you time and money if the electrician you are working with offers emergency electrical repairs.

Many electricians in Myrtle Beach now offer emergency service and you want an electrician who is suitable to your needs. Plus, you want to ensure that the emergency electrician you are considering is highly competent and well skilled.

The electrician you should hire should have the following:

• An updated state license
• At least two years of experience working in the industry
• Certifications noting that he has passed a standardized test
• Knowledge of the National Electric Code and any state modifications
• Qualification or master’s license to plan, design, install and maintain an electrical system
• Updated worker’s compensation and liability insurance

 Choosing the right emergency electrician in Myrtle Beach

Different electricians may have different areas of expertise. Some focus on new construction, while others work solely on commercial establishments. There are others who are licensed to provide minor electrical repairs but are not qualified to work on a whole electrical system upgrade.

The electrician that you are considering working with should know about essential wiring strategies to help you organize all your wiring should you decide to have a home renovation or electrical system upgrade. In addition to this, he should also be able to conduct thorough electrical system inspection to identify old and worn out electrical outlets, circuit breakers and panels.

Be sure to spend time checking the electrician’s references and looking for online reviews and feedbacks to help you determine whether or not the electrician matches your needs. This will help you assess the electrician’s work quality and performance. Keep in mind that electrical upgrades and repairs are highly dangerous and may put you and your family’s safety if not done properly. For this reason, you need to be sure you are hiring a qualified professional.

You can usually find a qualified electrician in Myrtle Beach by doing a quick search online. You can also ask for recommendations and referrals from your friends and family. Another strategy you can try is to ask your utility provider for qualified electricians in your area that offers emergency electrical services.

Working with an emergency electrician in Myrtle Beach

Once you have found a professional you can work with, you will need to work with him to maintain your electrical system. Have the electrician come to your house for an initial inspection to identify the areas that need repair, replacements or upgrades. Work out a plan together with your electrician on how to go about the necessary repairs and upgrades.

You can also ask for recommendations and professional advice on how to properly maintain and take care of your electrical system. And most importantly, you should be able to contact your electrician anytime you may need his assistance, especially during emergency situations. Having a strong working relationship with your electrician will help both of you in maintaining your electrical system in tip top shape.

Looking for a trustworthy and highly skilled emergency electrician to work with? Call MB Electrician Pros now and inquire about their services.

MB Electrician Pros
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-353-6345
electriciansmyrtlebeach.com

Easy Ways To Save Electricity

 This time of year our electric bill seems to be rising as we are warming our homes.  During peak times such as cold winter or warm summers, the demand for electricity will increase and so will the resulting utility bill.  Electricians said that the best way to lower your bill is to cut back on how you use electrical power.  This can be done without sacrificing your current lifestyle.  It is just a matter of paying attention to a few details and the results will add up.

Tip 1 – Kill Phantom Power

How many of the electrical devices in your home stay plugged in when not in use?  Look for television sets that are in extra bedrooms or areas not frequently used and are still plugged in. Older TV sets use electric power to keep the cathode ray tube in operation so the set will come on right away without having to “warm up.”  Battery chargers, computers and other electronic devices still use small amounts of electricity even when they are not in use.

Tip 2 –  Use LED’s

As you have read in the news, compact fluorescent lights are replacing the incandescent light bulb.  Despite the fact that the new light bulbs are more expensive that a traditional bulb, because they last a lot longer and use less electrical power, you will save money over time.

Tip 3 – Use Electricity in Off Peak Hours

The prime time for electricity use is between 7 am and 11 pm.  The cost of utility goes down during the other eight hours of the day.  One great way to take advantage of these off-peak hours is to replace your water tank with one that is a time-of-use system that will heat the water during the low period. Another idea would be to use energy thermal storage units.  This technology releases the heat that builds up during the inexpensive time of day and is stored in ceramic bricks for use during peak times. You can set the unit to shut off power during peak hours and use the reserve.

Tip 4 – Take a Look At Changing Your Tap Washers

One drain could be leaking hot water taps.  These leaks cause the hot water tank to keep heating the water and this can add up to hundreds of dollars wasted on utility bills each year.  Change out corroded tap washers or call your local plumber and have them checked.

Tip 5 – Install Motion-Brightening Lights

A motion light will stay off until something moves that sets off its motion detector.  If you want your home lit to deter unwanted guests, you will want to consider a exterior light system that has a very low glow that comes on at dusk and then will switch to bright when motion is detected.  This keeps the lighting on low power consumption while still maintaining the security of your home. Hire an electrician Myrtle Beach if you need help with its installation.

Tip 6 – Cold water washing

Yes, mom always said to use hot water to get your clothes clean, but mom did not have the advantage of today’s detergents that work just as well in cold water.  Turn off the hot water inlet to your washer and enjoy the savings.

Tip 7 – Save electricity with solar dryers

I love this tip! Dryers use a lot of electrical power.  Hang your clothes on an old fashion clothes line and they will smell fresh without a dryer sheet and you will save money.  Don’t have time? Consider doing part of your laundry such as towels and sheets using your solar dryer.

Tip 8 – Check for electricity leaks – Caulk

If your home is over twenty years old you probably have dozens of small leaks that are caused by wood shrinkage and holes that were inadequately sealed. When you caulk around windows, door frames and other places where leaks occur you will save hundreds of dollars in heating and air conditioning costs.

Tip 9 – Solar Powered Lights

If you have small children or older adults in your home I am sure that you have night lights in hallways and bathrooms.  These are great for lighting the way for those unexpected needs during the night. Consider using low-voltage LED lighting that is charged during the day with solar energy.  This type of light is great for under the kitchen cabinets and over counts in the bathroom because they do not need a power source and are a source of free lighting.

Tip 10 –  Consider a Hot Water Inlet Tank

There is a new trend in home building has a water inlet tank installed that goes between the water source and the hot water tank.  One of the highest uses of electrical power is warming your water for the shower.  By letting the water sit in a holding tank that uses solar energy to warm the water before it goes into your hot water tank you are cutting down on the time and cost of heating cold water to warm for showering.  By bring the water temperature up 20 – 30 degrees from the ground water, you can save hundreds of dollars a year.

Do you want to save electricity? Give MB Electrician Pros a call to day for a complete energy audit of your home.

MB Electrician Pros
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-353-6345
electriciansmyrtlebeach.com

Top Services From Your Local Electrical Contractor

 There are different services that your local electrician can provide you with – from electrical upgrades or rewiring to an emergency electrical situation. A professional electrician is one of the contractors that you will be working with throughout your journey as a homeowner. As a homeowner, it helps if know the different services and situations when you need an electrician’s assistance.

Services offered by Local Electricians

Replacing outlets with tamper-resistant ones

This type of outlet is also safe for use by families and households with small children and babies. Replacing your old outlets with this type of outlet will surely increase safety inside the house. It will prevent you and all the members of your family from accidental shocks when plugging in appliances and electronic gadgets.

What make these outlets safer are the shutters that are placed in each opening. These shutters should be pressed or pushed at the same time with the same pressure for the electricity to flow. This only happens when you insert a plug correctly. This is indeed a huge advantage over plastic outlet inserts or covers which can be easily peeled off, even by small hands.

Wire damage from drilling holes in the wall

Sometimes, when redecorating a room in the house, you accidentally damage your electrical wiring behind your wall when you drill a hole. Whether you want to hang pictures or paintings on the wall or add another curtain rod, drilling on the wall without the proper preparations may cause you to hit or damage a wire. Should this happen, you need to call in your electrician Myrtle Beach at once. Do not attempt to fix the problem on your own as you might only end up causing more damage or harming yourself.

However, there are some things you can do to so you can safely drill a hole into your wall without hitting or damaging any of the wiring behind it. Experts suggest using a stud finder and aiming your drill at the center of the stud. To be sure that you are hitting the stud and not an open space where a wire might be, use a small tipped screw driver.

Hanging a ceiling fan

Although this might seem easy and simple to many homeowners, there are certain requirements that should be completed when hanging a ceiling fan. An electrical contractor in Myrtle Beach would know what these requirements are and how best to comply with them.

These requirements may include having a ceiling fan rated brace and box and properly weighing the blades while being attached to the motor. Aside from this, specific wiring leads should also be properly connected to the appropriate power leads. Failure to do so and your ceiling fan will not function properly.

Remember that improper installation of the ceiling fan will put you and your family’s safety at high risk. Aside from electrical problems, the ceiling fan might fall on you if it is not properly and securely installed. Always have an experienced electrician, such as MB Electrician Pros, install your ceiling fan to ensure safety and security.

Upgrading your kitchen lights

As part of your kitchen renovation, you might want to add more recessed lighting or install pendant lights with dimmer switches for more dramatic effect on your kitchen. Another lighting improvement you might want to add to your kitchen is under and above cabinet lighting which helps indirectly light your kitchen. As a result you do not have to leave lots of lights in the kitchen overnight. No matter what your purpose is, always work with a professional electrician whenever doing a lighting upgrade.

A professional electrician has the right tools and skills to efficiently install your preferred lighting in your kitchen. They are also knowledgeable of the best ways to efficiently and effectively install lighting throughout your home.

Always ensure you are working with a professional electrical contractor. Ask for a copy of their licenses, certifications, and insurance. Make sure all these are updated and recent copies. These are extremely important to ensure you and your family’s safety.

For more information on the best electrical contractor in Myrtle Beach, call MB Electrician Pros now.

MB Electrician Pros
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-353-6345
electriciansmyrtlebeach.com

When To Call In An Emergency Electrician

 There are electrical repairs that cannot be postponed and for these, you need to call in an emergency electrician. Although electrical problems are serious matters that should not be ignored, not all of them require emergency services from your local electrical contractor. Some could be as simple as restarting your electrical panel, while others require replacing such as flickering light fixtures – which you can do on your own.

There are also other electrical problems that require professional skills and tools such as upgrading the wiring system in a room where you want to install additional plugs or outlets. Note, however, that these do not necessarily need immediate attention. For these electrical repairs, you can first discuss your options with your electrician and then set up a schedule for when it will be convenient for the both of you to implement the repairs.

And there are the electrical emergencies. These are those electrical repairs that need immediate attention from a professional. And in these instances, you need to call in a 24-hour electrician. Postponing these emergency electrical repairs may result in more severe and costly problems that may put you and your family’s safety at risk. Continuing to utilize electricity knowing there is an electrical emergency is unsafe. Moreover, you will need to shut down your home’s main electrical power switch to prevent electrical fires and other related disasters.

What is an emergency electrician?

An emergency electrician Myrtle Beach is someone who provides his or her services anytime of the day or night. Note that not all electrical companies provide this type of service; although, more and more are realizing the strong demand for it and considering ways to have electricians available anytime homeowners call for assistance.

For your convenience, find out whether or not your electrical company provides 24-hour service. This will ensure that you will receive professional electrical assistance anytime you may need it, especially in emergency situations. You can never tell when you might need an electrician, so it helps if you work with an electrical contractor who you can count on anytime.

What types of electrical repairs need emergency repairs?

As what is mentioned above, not all electrical problems require emergency electrical repairs. And it is not highly advisable to call in a 24-hour electrician for simple repairs that you can do on your own. Keep in mind that you are not the only homeowner serviced by your electrical contractor. Thus, it helps if you know when to call in for emergency repairs.

Here is a list of some electrical repairs that need emergency service from your electrical contractor.

1. When your heating and air conditioning system suddenly stops functioning in the middle of summer or winter.

During the hot days of summer and cold nights of winter, homeowners greatly depend on their heating and air conditioning system. And sometimes, despite how efficient they maintain and tune their systems up, it could suddenly stop functioning right when you need them the most. And most often during these emergency situations, the reason is not because your heating and air conditioning system has failed on you. The emergency is due to an electrical problem.

One of the most probable reasons is a tripped breaker. This happens when your circuit breaker failed to provide for the electrical needs you are demanding at the time when you are running your air conditioning and heating system. For example, you are running your washer or vacuuming when you opened the air conditioning system. And because all these are connected to a single circuit breaker, it will trip. Should this be the case, all you have to do is turn off your thermostat and then switch your breaker off. Wait for a couple of minutes before switching it back on. Observe for a couple of minutes if it will trip again. If not, you can switch your HVAC back on. If the breaker trips again, call in a 24-hour electrician at once.

2. When the power in your house goes out

First thing you need to do when power goes out in your house, check with your neighbors if their power has gone out, too. If so, there is a problem with your service provider. Call them at once to confirm and ask for assistance.

If you are the only one in your entire block whose power has gone out, it is time to call in an emergency electrician like MB Electrician Pros. Have him or her inspect your home’s electrical system to identify the cause of the problem and discuss with you your potential options. You could need an entire electrical upgrade or a re-wiring. Your electrician will work with you on how best to resolve this problem and discuss with you whether or not there is a need to call in your service provider.

3. When you notice sparks and flames coming out of one of your outlets and plugs

According to experts, regardless of the cause of the fire, the fact that there is fire in, outside or near your home, you need to call in your fire department immediately. While waiting for the firemen to arrive, try to put out the fire and get the rest of your family away from the source of the fire. After calling the fire department, inform your emergency electrical contractor that the fire was caused by an electrical malfunction. Keep in mind that even a minor electrical problem such as short circuiting can easily lead to electrical fire if not handled immediately and properly by a certified professional.

Be sure you always work with a certified and licensed electrical contractor for all of your electrical needs. Call MB Electrician Pros now and inquire about their emergency electrician services.

MB Electrician Pros
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-353-6345
electriciansmyrtlebeach.com

Planning A Wiring Upgrade With Your Electrical Contractor

 Because of the continuous technology developments, many homeowners are finding the need to have their electrical contractor upgrade their wiring system. This electrical upgrade can sometimes be focused in one or more rooms or the entire house. Today’s families feel the need for an electrical upgrade because their outdated system may no longer be suitable to provide for their increasing electrical needs. Or they may no longer feel safe in running their modern and advanced gadgets and appliances with their current electrical system.

Whatever your reason may be for needing an electrical system upgrade, it is important that you always work with a trained and experienced electrical contractor. Call MB Electrician Pros now for professional assistance in planning and doing an electrical upgrade.

The planning phase

Include your contractor in the planning phase to ensure that you cover everything in the house and the entire wiring system. Here are some things that you need to keep in mind when discussing upgrades with your electrical contractor Myrtle Beach.

• Think about how many outlets you need in each room. This will help you determine if you need to upgrade your circuit breaker and power supply as well. Have the electrical contractor look at your circuit breaker and power supply to confirm if they are still suitable to accommodate the additional outlets that you want to add.

• Consider not only your present needs but your future needs as well. Your family may use more electric-powered appliances and gadgets in the future as your kids grow into teens and adults. Including your future needs in your electrical upgrade now will not only save you money but will ensure your house and electrical system is safe for you and your family for many years.

• Have your Myrtle Beach electrical contractor check your wiring to see if it needs to be replaced. Replacing old and worn out wires is an important part of an overall electrical system upgrade. Plus, considering the amount of electricity that you will be using in the future, upgrading your wiring to more suitable and durable ones becomes essential.

• Include safety precautions in your electrical system upgrade, especially if you have an old home. Remember that older homes do not have the necessary safety precautions that are now required. The reason for this is because the electrical needs at the time the house was built were not as much as today’s needs. Some of the safety precautions you should consider adding to your home are grounded outlets and safe and child-proof outlets, especially if you have little kids and babies in the family.

• Look at the areas in the house where you will be installing large electrical appliances such as a dryer, stove, air conditioner and refrigerator. Note that these need specially sized outlets and often, their own circuit breaker since they require a huge amount of electricity to operate.

• Note the areas in the house where you are more likely to run multiple appliances or plug in several gadgets at the same time. These rooms may need their own circuit breaker to prevent short circuits and electrical fires.

Remember to always work with a licensed and trained electrical contractor for all your electrical system upgrades. Call MB Electrician Pros now and speak with their electrical contractor.

MB Electrician Pros
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-353-6345
electriciansmyrtlebeach.com

Electrician On The Importance Of Electrical Inspection

 

When making a home purchase, professional electricians in Myrtle Beach agree that it is important for you to inspect and take a closer look at the entire property, including every major system inside the house such as the electrical system. Keep in mind that this is a house that you will be living in for the coming years and it is essential that you work to make sure it is in tip top shape.

Benefits of an electrical inspection before purchasing a home

The primary reason for conducting an electrical inspection before you sign the contract is to identify potential problems in the system and issues with the wiring installations. Note that these could pose safety hazards and may put you and your family’s safety at risk.

Identifying these before you sign the contract enables you to renegotiate with the seller. Obviously, these problems should be fixed and resolved before you move in. Discuss with the seller how you both will pay for the necessary repairs. The costs can be deducted from the total purchase price or the seller can have them repaired and fixed at a certain amount of time before you close the deal.

Be sure that you hire a professional and trained electrician Myrtle Beach to perform the inspection. He might be called in to verify and prove his observations. At the same time, the seller can also hire another third party contractor to conduct an electrical inspection.

Aside from potential problems and issues, you also want to be sure that the electrical system of the house you are considering buying complies with city and state standards and codes. If you fail to confirm this before signing the deal and moving in, you will be required to spend a huge amount of money to update the electrical system.

What happens in an electrical inspection?

Your local electrician will first look at the wiring scheme of the house and verify whether or not it complies with the city and state standards and other local codes. Every outlet, switch and receptacle will be inspected and tested. Every power line should be appropriately grounded. All wiring will be inspected to ensure they are not outdated and old, which makes them highly vulnerable to damage and causing electrical fire.ctr

All observations should be put on paper and properly verified and sealed by the electric company that conducted the inspection. A copy of the results of the inspection should be submitted to the seller for review and analysis. Seller will then decide whether or not he wants to conduct his own inspection. Otherwise the results will be discussed by both buyer and seller.

Make sure you are working with a licensed electric company for the inspection of the house you are considering buying. They should have years of experience conducting electrical inspection in the area. This basically means that they are well aware of the local standards and codes. Call MB Electrician Pros now to schedule an appointment.

MB Electrician Pros
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-353-6345
electriciansmyrtlebeach.com

Need An Electrician?

 

Myrtle Beach Electrician Pros Myrtle Beach Electrician – Why Us?

Do you own a home in the Grand Strand area?  If the answer is yes, you have probably needed an electrician at one time or another.  Whether it was the case of an emergency, a remodeling project, or you simply needed help installing your ceiling fans, it is good to have a Myrtle Beach electrical expert you can call on.

Many electricians will charge an additional fee if they are called out after normal business hours.  At MB Electrician Pros, local electrician in Myrtle Beach, we believe in charging the same price and giving the same service no matter what time of day you need us.  As you know, it seems that you need a professional when you are home after work or on  the weekends and you need someone you can rely on that won’t charge you extra because it may be inconvenient for the Myrtle Beach electrician.

6 More Reason To Call On Myrtle Beach Electrician Myrtle Beach Electrician Pros

Straight forward pricing.  You will always know the price for the work BEFORE we start the job. No guessing what the charge will be when we are finished.  This price will be in writing.

We use employees, NOT subcontractors, and all of our employees are drug tested and we do a background check. We know that you are expecting professionals to enter your home and we ensure that is what you get.

We have a warehouse on wheels of inventory when we come to your home to complete a job. No more wasting time while the electricians Myrtle Beach runs down parts. In most instances we will have what it takes to get the job done the first time.

Our electrical contractors are uniformed, clean and carry ID badges. We cover our shoes when entering your home to ensure that we are not tracking in unnecessary dirt and debris. You will never have a doubt as to who you are letting into your home.

Have you ever waited hours for a repairman to show up? That will never happen with our team – or the job is free. We are always on the job when we tell you we will be there, no second guessing.

Myrtle Beach electrical specialist works weekends, evenings and into the night for the same rate. No after hours charges.

Our motto is “No Call Too Small.”  Give MB Electrician Pros call today! Ask us about our Senior Citizen and active military discounts.

MB Electrician Pros
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-353-6345
electriciansmyrtlebeach.com

Electrical Safety Is Not Shocking

In electrical injuries there are four main types of injuries: electrocution (will cause death), electric shock, burns, and falls. These injuries can come from direct contact with the electrical energy, electrical arcs that jumps to a person who is grounded, thermal burns including flash burns from heat generated by an electric arc, flame burns from materials that catch on fire from heating or ignition by electrical currents, and muscle contractions can cause a person to fall. The fall can cause serious injuries also. High voltage contact burns can burn internal tissues while leaving only very small injuries on the outside of the skin.

There are some safeguard procedures that can be followed to ensure electrical safety:

1) Inspect tools, power cords, and electrical fittings for damage or wear prior to each use. Repair or replace damaged equipment immediately.

2) Always tape cords to walls or floors when necessary. Nails and staples can damage cords causing fire and shock hazards.

3) Use cords or equipment that is rated for the level of amperage or wattage that you are using.

4) Always use the correct size fuse. Replacing a fuse with one of a larger size can cause excessive currents in the wiring and possibly start a fire.

5) Be aware that unusually warm or hot outlets may be a sign that unsafe wiring conditions exists. Unplug any cords to these outlets and do not use until a qualified electrician has checked the wiring.

6) Always use ladders made of wood or other non-conductive materials when working with or near electricity or power lines.

7) Place halogen lights away from combustible materials such as cloths or curtains. Halogen lamps can become very hot and may be a fire hazard.

8) Risk of electric shock is greater in areas that are wet or damp. Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters, known also as GFCI, as they will interrupt the electrical circuit before a current sufficient to cause death or serious injury occurs.

9) Make sure that exposed receptacle boxes are made of non-conductive materials.

10) Know where the breakers and boxes are located in case of an emergency.

11) Label all circuit breakers and fuse boxes clearly. Each switch should be positively identified as to which outlet or appliance it is for.

12) Do not use outlets or cords that have exposed wiring or use power tools with the guards removed. Do not block access to circuit breakers or fuse boxes and do not touch a person or electrical apparatus in the event of an electrical accident. Always disconnect the current first.

A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) works by detecting any loss of electrical current in a circuit. When a loss is detected, the GFCI turns the electricity off before severe injuries or electrocution can occur. A painful shock may occur during the time that it takes for the GFCI to cut off the electricity so electrician Myrtle Beach say it is important to use the GFCI as an extra protective measure rather than a replacement for safe work practices.

• GFCI wall outlets can be installed in place of standard outlets to protect against electrocution for just that outlet, or a series of outlets in the same branch.
• A GFCI Circuit Breaker can be installed on some circuit breaker electrical panels to protect an entire branch circuit.
• Plug-in GFCIs can be plugged into wall outlets where appliances will be used and are commonly found in bathrooms.

Another common use for GFCI is for pools and hot tubs.  Test the GFCI monthly. First plug a “night light” or lamp into the GFCI-protected wall outlet (the light should be turned on), then press the “TEST” button on the GFCI. If the GFCI is working properly, the light should go out. If not, have the GFCI repaired or replaced.

Reset the GFCI to restore power. If the “RESET” button pops out but the light does not go out, the GFCI has been improperly wired and does not offer shock protection at that wall outlet. Contact a qualified electrician to correct any wiring errors. Power tools used incorrectly can electrically hazardous. Switch tools OFF before connecting them to a power supply. Disconnect power supply before making adjustments. Ensure tools are properly grounded or double-insulated. The grounded tool must have an approved 3-wire cord with a 3-prong plug. This plug should be plugged in a properly grounded 3-pole outlet. Do not use electrical tools in wet conditions or damp locations unless tool is connected to a GFCI.

The operation of power tools might ignite flammable substances and in can cause an explosion near certain vapors and gases. Never use extension cords as permanent wiring. Use extension cords only to temporarily supply power to an area that does not have a power outlet. Keep power cords away from heat, water and oil. They can damage the insulation and cause a shock. Do not allow vehicles to pass over unprotected power cords.

Cords should be put in conduit or protected by placing planks alongside them. Check power cords and plugs daily; discard if worn or damaged. Keep power cords clear of tools during use.  Extension cords themselves can be hazardous. Suspend power cords over aisles or work areas to eliminate stumbling or tripping hazards. Do not tie power cords in tight knots; knots can cause short circuits and shocks. Loop the cords or use a twist lock plug.

Many circuits are wired to twelve amp breakers so do not plug several extension cords into one outlet. Electrical safety is simple. Electricity should be respected and precautions should be taken to prevent injuries. Safety devises are becoming safer each year; It’s up to you to use them correctly.

Be aware and be safe. Call MB Electrician Pros if you need help with your electrical system.

MB Electrician Pros
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-353-6345
electriciansmyrtlebeach.com