A Simple Guide to Installing Light Fixtures

When it comes to setting up or changing a light fixture in your home, it’s typically recommended to hire a certified electrician. However, if you’re feeling a bit adventurous and have some DIY skills, there are certain tasks you can tackle on your own. Here’s a straightforward guide on how to properly install a light fixture:

Electrician Tips: Installing Light Fixtures

Installing a Light Fixture:

It’s important to understand that each light fixture is unique, so there isn’t a universal rule for installation. The good news is that every fixture comes with its own set of instructions to help you through the process. But if you want to be safe, you can hire an electrician in Myrtle Beach.

If you’re planning to add a new light in a room, consider installing a fresh electrical circuit. While an electrician can tap into an existing circuit, it’s crucial not to overload it, as this could trip the circuit breaker.

For retrofitting purposes, you might find it necessary to cut into the drywall to provide additional support or locate the electrical box on a nearby stud or ceiling joist.

Recessed lights are typically installed after the framing but before the drywall. If that’s not the case, you can retrofit a recessed light by using a part equipped with a setup bracket designed to fit through the hole.

Use the fixture’s housing as a guide to mark the hole’s location, then carefully cut the hole using a keyhole saw. Keep in mind that the specific steps may vary depending on your electrical system.

Installing Track Lights:

Track lights can greatly enhance a room’s aesthetics, and installing a new one on a finished ceiling is a relatively manageable task.

If you’re not replacing an existing light, you’ll need to install a new junction box and run power to it using a new cable.
Properly position the track so that the bulbs are angled at approximately 30 degrees toward the objects or areas you want to highlight.

A typical light kit usually comes with connecting wires, but you can create your own if needed. Simply cut a piece of wire to the appropriate length, allowing it to connect the power source cable to the track terminals.

Strip the wires, connect them securely, cap the connections with wire connectors, and bundle them together neatly. Thread the wire ends through the fixture’s mounting plate and firmly attach it to the electrical box. Pass the wire ends through the openings in the track at the terminals. Secure the track to the ceiling, either by screwing it into the ceiling joists or using toggle bolts.

Connect the ground wire to the base plate of the fixture. Strip the wires, ensuring they’re securely attached to the corresponding track terminals. Attach each individual light to the track. It’s crucial to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, as some fixtures may snap on, while others require the use of a bracket.

Remember, while DIY installation can be rewarding, it’s often advisable to seek the expertise of a professional residential contractor in Myrtle Beach, especially for more complex electrical tasks.

If you’re unsure or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to MB Electrician Pros. They can ensure your light fixtures are safely and properly installed.

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

Electrician Tips for Handling a Power Blackout

We’ve recently experienced a couple of storms, and some of you may have encountered power outages. As we’re just beginning the storm season, if you find yourself facing a power outage, the first thing NOT to do is panic. If possible, call your local electrician to assess the status of the outage.

Many electrical companies have a recording that provides information on outages in your area and an estimated time for electrical repair.

Tips for Handling a Power Outage from an Electrician

If you live in an area prone to power interruptions, it’s a good idea to have essential supplies on hand. Water, canned food, blankets, flashlights, and batteries are some of the basic items you should keep available.

Having at least three days’ worth of supplies is a wise step for electrical emergency preparedness.

A generator is another valuable backup resource to have. There are various types of generators on the market, ranging from low-powered ones that can run a few appliances to high-powered ones capable of running an entire home.

Avoid opening the freezer and refrigerator unless necessary. Keeping the doors closed will help retain the cold air and preserve your food longer. Food can typically remain in a fridge for up to 24 hours and in a freezer for at least two days.

Disconnect any appliances that might be susceptible to damage when power is restored. Items like radios, computers, televisions, and microwaves should be unplugged to prevent potential issues.

 Call An Expert

However, if you experience a power outage limited to your home, you’ll likely need the assistance of a local electrician in Myrtle Beach.

For instance, if you reside in Myrtle Beach, there are a few simple steps to take before contacting a professional Myrtle Beach electrician. First, check whether the entire house has lost power or just a specific area. If only a portion of your home is affected, you can often resolve the issue by inspecting the circuit breaker. If the entire house is impacted by the blackout, reach out to your electric company to determine if there’s a problem on their end.

If you’re unable to restore power by resetting the breaker and communicating with the electrical company, it’s advisable to contact an expert. Tampering with electrical wiring when you’re unsure of the problem can be hazardous and, in some cases, even life-threatening. A professional electrician in Myrtle Beach is your best option for safely and promptly restoring power.

For your electrical repair needs, contact MB Electrician Pros.

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

Illuminate Your Outdoors: Bright Ideas for Home Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting does more than just brighten up your home’s exterior; it boosts safety, security, and aesthetic charm. Dive into these enlightening suggestions to illuminate your property’s best features.

Spotlight on Outdoor Lighting

Your garden is a testament to your hard work and keen eye for beauty. Why let it fade as the sun goes down? With decorative lighting, you can emphasize the beauty of trees, architectural nuances, and other garden highlights. Introduce uplighting, spotlights, and accent lights to celebrate the hues, structures, and forms of your garden. Blend lighting with pathways or water features to craft a mesmerizing nighttime ambiance.

Illuminate a Welcoming Entrance

A well-lit entrance does more than look good – it’s a beacon of safety and security. Equip your doorway with symmetrical wall-mounted lights for a harmonious look. Motion-sensor lights guide your steps, and choosing warm-toned bulbs can evoke a sense of coziness every time you approach.

Light the Way to Safety & Protection

Effective outdoor lighting is a guardian in the night. Brighten paths, stairs, ramps, and potential hazard zones to guide each footstep safely. Furthermore, strategic lighting can ward off potential intruders and enhance the clarity of security camera footage.

Brighten Outdoor Living Spaces

Imagine your backyard or patio transforming into a radiant extension of your indoor living area. Hanging string lights or lanterns over patios or decks can craft a space as snug and inviting as your interior lounge.

Elevate your exterior spaces with these outdoor lighting inspirations, ensuring functionality, beauty, and security. Want to take your outdoor lighting to the next level?

MB Electrician Pros are your go-to experts in electrical solutions. With our seasoned team, we’ll illuminate your vision, customizing outdoor lighting that suits your preferences and needs.

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MB Electrician Pros
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-353-6345
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Why Change Old Fuse Box To Circuit Breaker Panel

If you live in an older house, there’s a good chance you have a fuse box instead of a modern circuit breaker panel. While fuse boxes aren’t necessarily dangerous and used to be okay, they’re no longer considered safe for homes with today’s higher electricity needs. In fact, they could even pose a risk of causing an electrical fire in your home.

Don’t wait for something risky to happen before you reach out to an electrician. Here are three reasons why you should upgrade your old fuse box to a new breaker panel as soon as possible.

Why Upgrade To New Circuit Breaker

1. Circuit Breakers Cater To Modern Electrical Needs

Homes nowadays need a lot more electricity than they did decades ago. Think about all the things in your home that need power: appliances, phones, computers, tablets, hot tubs, big TVs, sound systems, and more. When you add up all these devices, especially if you have a lot of people in your home, it creates a big demand for electricity.

The problem is that old electrical systems, like the ones with fuse boxes, can’t handle this high demand, especially if you also have older wiring. This can put a lot of stress on your house’s electrical system, and it increases the risk of an electrical fire. A modern electrical panel that has circuit breakers is designed to handle these demands safely, reducing the chance of dangerous electrical problems.

2. Upgrading to a Circuit Breaker Panel Solves Ongoing Electrical Issues

As mentioned earlier, fuse boxes can’t handle today’s electricity needs. This can lead to frustrating electrical problems in your home. For instance, you might notice that your lights flicker or get dim when you use an appliance.

Maybe you’re constantly blowing fuses when you use several electrical devices at once. Even scarier, you might smell something burning when you plug in an appliance. Upgrading to a new breaker panel can fix these persistent problems and keep your home safe. You should call an electrician in Myrtle Beach to do this job for you.

3. Boosting Your Home’s Resale Value

Thinking about selling your house? If your home still has a fuse box, it’s a good idea to upgrade to a breaker panel before putting it on the market. Potential buyers might be turned off by the safety risks associated with a fuse box.

Upgrading tells buyers that your home is ready for the future, and it can even be a selling point. Plus, it might be hard to get homeowner’s insurance with a fuse box, so this upgrade can give buyers peace of mind.

Is it time to replace your outdated electrical system? Don’t hesitate to reach out to MB Electrician Pros today.

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

Electrician Tips on Storm-Damaged Electrical Wiring

The recent hurricane swept through and damaged residential and commercial properties throughout the state. Residents cannot ignore how devastating this can be, and you are fortunate to have experienced little to no damage to your house. If you encounter problems, you need to call an electrician.

Tips From Local Electricians

However, if you have been affected by a power interruption, you might be concerned about the performance of your air conditioning unit later on.

How do you know if you have electrical damage to your air conditioner? If a storm triggered a power surge in your house, causing a trip in your circuit breaker, you probably want to have your air conditioner up and running immediately.

But before you switch it on, electricians in Myrtle Beach suggest that it is necessary to look for signs of electrical damage to avoid further harm.

The very first thing you need to do is turn your air conditioning system off at the thermostats, then go to your electrical panel and turn the switch for the AC system to “off” and then back to “on.” This resets the external breaker.

Although it might be challenging with the hot and humid temperatures we experience following a storm, you must then wait for half an hour before turning your thermostat back on. This time allows your air conditioner’s internal breaker to reset.

This cannot happen if the thermostat is signaling for cooling. After half an hour, turn your thermostat back to cool. Your air conditioner should turn back on; however, if it does not, then you might have electrical damage.

Inspect for other external circuits. If you discover that more of your external circuits will not switch back on, then you likely have electrical damage that extends beyond your air conditioner, which can result from a strong power surge caused by the hurricane.

Myrtle Beach electricians also warn that if a breaker keeps tripping, you should not try to turn it back on immediately. These breakers are designed to protect your structure and wiring by shutting down the flow of electricity.

Be sure to call MB Electrician Pros to have your electrical wiring inspected before and after a storm.

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

Spotting Signs of Bad Home Electrical Wiring

Owning a home comes with the responsibility of keeping it safe, and that includes ensuring your electrical wiring is in good shape. Faulty or old electrical wiring can be a serious safety hazard, but with some knowledge, you can identify potential issues early. Here, we’ll share straightforward tips to help you recognize signs of bad wiring in your house.

Signs of Bad Electrical Wiring

Frequent Circuit Breaker Tripping

A common sign of bad wiring is when your circuit breaker frequently trips. This happens when circuits get overloaded, or there are problems with the wiring itself. Pay attention to which appliances or areas in your home seem to cause the breaker to trip. This information can be valuable in pinpointing the issue.

Flickering or Dimming Lights

Do your lights flicker or suddenly become dim? This can indicate loose electrical connections or insufficient wiring. You may also notice flickering lights if the electrical load is heavy or when specific appliances are in use. If you notice this happening regularly, it’s a good idea to call an electrician like MB Electrician Pros to inspect your wiring.

Burning Smell or Discoloration

If you ever detect a burning smell or notice discolored areas around electrical outlets or switches, these are clear signs of bad wiring. Overheating caused by loose connections or faulty wiring can lead to these problems.

It’s crucial not to ignore them, as they could potentially lead to electrical fires. Take immediate action if you encounter a burning smell or see discoloration.

Non-Functioning Outlets or Switches

Have you come across outlets or switches that just don’t work? Faulty wiring could be the reason behind this frustration. Before assuming it’s a problem with your device, test it with another one to rule out issues with the outlet or switch. If the problem persists, it’s likely a wiring issue that requires the expertise of a professional Myrtle Beach electrical contractor.

Rodent Infestation or Pest Damage

Rodents and pests can wreak havoc on your house’s wiring. If you notice wires that have been chewed or frayed, this is a clear indication of bad wiring. These creatures are attracted to the warmth and insulation around wires, making them prone to gnawing on them. Regular inspections and pest control measures can help prevent this type of damage.

Recognizing signs of bad wiring is crucial for the safety of your home and your family. If you come across any of these warning signs, it’s essential to consult a professional electrician promptly. They can assess your home’s wiring and ensure it meets safety standards. Don’t compromise when it comes to the safety of your home – reach out to a qualified electrician in Myrtle Beach today to schedule an inspection and ensure your wiring is in excellent condition. Your family’s safety is paramount!

Call MB Electrician Pros now and let our team of experts take care of your electrical problems.

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

Finding The Best Surge Protector To Your Home

Giving your home surge protection is the best way you can keep it safe and secure. You may not have experienced a power surge, but it does not mean that you will not need one. If you are thinking about getting a power surge protector, do pass by the low-cost ones that are typically offered at your local electronic devices shop. If you can, pick the very best surge protector.

What is in a power surge protector?

Electricians say that there are numerous kinds of surge protectors. More are easily offered in today’s market at various costs depending on the brand name and design. However, naturally, you just desire the very best for your house. This is why we have noted some suggestions to assist you in choosing the best power surge protector.

If you choose the most expensive ones, it does not mean that it is the very best one. Yes, you would wish to invest as much as you have to get the very best defense for your house. Nevertheless, it is not as basic as purchasing the most expensive surge protector in Myrtle Beach. So, do your part to study and compare costs. You might not know it, but in some cases, the least expensive kind might be simply what you require.

Read online evaluations on the producer and the particular kind of surge protector that you are thinking about purchasing. This will assist you even more to ensure the trustworthiness of the item in addition to the track record of the producer.

Most significantly, you can get direct feedback from individuals who have really utilized this particular kind of power surge protector. If you’re not sure, you can always hire an electrical contractor in Myrtle Beach to help you.

How to choose the best surge protector?
When choosing which surge protector to purchase, do not forget to think about the particular kinds of electronic gadgets that you are to plug into the surge protector. Make sure the surge protector works with all the gadgets that you prepare to utilize with it. Likewise, make sure that your electrical gadgets work efficiently when plugged into the surge protector.

Picking the very best surge protector is extremely crucial in every house. This is among the most effective preventive steps that every American ought to be doing.

To help you find the best option for your home, call MB Electrician Pros.

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