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What to Do In Case of a Power Outage

Power outages can take place no matter how established the infrastructure for electricity is in Colorado. Our electrical infrastructure is never going to be resilient enough if nature decides to take its course and bring natural disasters such as storms, lightning, ice, etc.

In most cases, high power demand will result in a shortage of electric supply and can also lead to rotational power outages. Sometimes, a simple electrical issue at home can escalate, automatically signaling the circuit breaker to cut off its power supply, thus a sudden power outage. Sadly, regardless of the cause of the outage, there is no such thing as a convenient time in losing electricity. Hence, it pays to always be ready.

Unless Arvada’s local power distributor prompts you ahead of its scheduled power service interruption, you can never be certain that they’re responsible for the outage that you’re experiencing. That said, you can always assess the situation in advance; read this guide below:

DIAGNOSING A POWER OUTAGE

As mentioned above, there are a number of potential reasons why you may face a power outage. It could be infrastructure related, i.e. a thunderstorm has struck and hit a nearby post or transformer, or it could be an issue within your home’s electrical system. As for the latter, an outage can definitely occur by having device failures and loose connectors which ultimately lead to a short circuit or a circuit overload.

That said, whenever you experience a power interruption, the first part of your diagnosis should be to check your neighboring areas and see whether or not they are experiencing the same. If they are, then you may stop doubting your electrical system as the culprit and just wait for their emergency team to respond to your area to do the necessary repair.

Now, if you feel like your home is solely affected, the first thing you should do is to check your main breaker for any signs of tripping. If it is tripped, immediately switch it back on and see if the power restores. If it looks like the outage is only on selected sockets, you can run a test using a tester. However, this can expose you to electrical hazards such as being shocked or starting a fire-related incident. That is why experts have always advised homeowners to never deal with any electrical-related problems on their own. If you are caught in the same situation, find an electrician nearby instead. A reliable electrical service company in Arvada like ElectriCall can dispatch a licensed electrician who’s equipped with the right knowledge, skills, and tools to carry out proper diagnosis and the necessary repair your electrical system will need.

We are the electricians you can trust in case of an emergency!

Here at ElectriCall, your safety is our topmost priority. Our service line is ready to take your emergency electrical service call. No matter where you are in and around Arvada, Colorado, our certified electricians will take your situation with urgency and will carefully evaluate your electrical situation in the most professional way. All at a reasonable rate. Give us a call! You’ll be thankful you did.

Why You Should Label Your Electric Panel

Our homes are supposed to be the safest place at all times but with the electrical hazards that are potentially present, it pays to be meticulous in dealing with electrical-related problems and entrust the job to a licensed electrician nearby. But did you know that labeling your electrical panel is also a form of safety precaution?

Also referred to as the fuse box, fuse panel, or circuit breaker panel, an electrical panel is a device that is tasked to ensure a regulated and safe distribution of electricity throughout your home’s electrical system. At the same time, the device can detect whenever there is an irregularity of power supply or a potential electrical issue. Although there are panels installed indoors, most homeowners opt to have them installed in the basement or garage.

The electrical codes in the United States, including in Colorado, mandate that homeowners must have their electrical layouts printed and panels labeled, especially before putting them on sale. The purpose of this is to warn future homeowners or family members about the potential risks that can arise in touching them. At the same time, this will help electrical technicians easily locate the circuit breaker in case electrical installations and repairs have to be done in the future.

Labeling Your Electric Panel the Safe Way

As anything electrical-related has to be dealt with properly, the same thing applies in labeling your electric panel. However, at times, this can be hard especially if you lack the proper background and skills required to do it right. For instance, the process begins with identifying which outlets and fixtures are currently connected to your circuit breaker and these should be detached one by one before you start the labeling. If you feel like this is a threat, do not hesitate to seek help from a local electrician. On the other hand, if you want to give the task a try, below is a brief guide to follow:

Step #1: Turn off your circuit breaker and test the outlets one by one to take note of an accurate layout.

This is to totally eliminate the probability of electrocution or other electrical related accidents. Once this is done, check your fixture or appliance one by one and take note appropriately; an appliance that can still be powered on is an indication that it is probably connected to another breaker.

If you are hesitant to plug the appliances as this can end up damaging them, another way to check your power outlets is by plugging in a lamp, an alarm clock, or a voltage tester.

The entire process will be time-consuming but for you and your family’s safety, this will be worth it.

Step #2: Start labeling.

Here, you have two main things to label: your appliances and your breaker box.

· In labeling your appliances note that the purpose of this is to indicate which circuit breaker the particular appliance connects. At the same time, also include the amperage rating in the label. This will help you recognize defects in case it gets a disrupted power supply.

Electricians advise that large and heavy appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioning units, washing machines and dryers, and smart home systems be provided with their dedicated electrical panels as they tend to eat up a lot of electricity.

· In labeling your breaker box, you can make use of already-numbered slots or a diagram that you can refer to as an electrical layout guide for future electrical repairs.

If electric panel labeling is giving you trouble, you should not think twice about calling a licensed electrician’s help. Labeling may sound simple but the truth is, it comes with a lot of safety issues that a professional electrical service company like ElectriCall is versed in handling. Entrust the job to the experts; give us a call. We will be glad to help.

Helpful Tips on Power Outages

The majority of power outages only last for a couple of minutes. However, in some cases, they can last for days or even weeks.

No matter how often the power company maintains its infrastructure, no power lines are resilient against sleet storms, freezing rain, falling trees, high winds, or heat waves. The worse these get, the more damaging they become to your home’s appliances and electrical system.

Power outages can affect a region, neighborhood, or exclusively on your property. The latter happens the power supply at home is cut off because the circuit breaker has detected some irregularities in the circuit and power loads.

Unfortunately, in this digital age, our life has become fully dependent on electricity. Thus, where there is a power outage, other essentials are usually taken away too, i.e. air conditioning, heating systems, pumped water supply, hot water, lighting, etc. That said, if you have no crank or battery-powered radio, then you cannot have access to the news. If you have no battery reserves, then your smartphones will die, cutting your medium of communication which is important in case of emergency. Being unprepared in such situations can be so inconvenient and stressful; this is why it pays to know what needs to be done in advance to be prepared in case power outages occur unexpectedly.

Tips on Power Outages

As per the leading electrical contractor in Arvada, you should heed the following tips to mitigate the impact of a power outage:

Tip #1: Based on previous experiences, thoroughly list down the things that need to be done before, during, and after a power outage. This includes ensuring that all appliances are plugged off before the power comes back to prevent damages to appliances because of an electrical surge.

You will also want to make sure that you have already saved your local power companies phone number so that you can easily inquire about the outage’s reason, scope, and estimated time of restoration. In such cases, it also pays to know a reliable Arvada electrician you know you can call and rely on especially for sophisticated electrical-related works.

Tip #2: Carefully come up with an emergency plan and communicate this up to the simplest detail to your family so that everyone left at home during the outage will know the ABCs in case of emergency.

Tip #3: Have your emergency kit prepared all the time. This should entail essentials, i.e. food supply, water supply, power banks, charged-up batteries, etc. that you and your family will be needing for at least three days in case the worst power outage occurs. (Do not forget to replenish these once used.)

These tips will even come handy against other types of emergencies that might come your way. Most importantly, you should be aware of the risks or hazards particularly present to your community in Arvada or Denver, Colorado, to help you prepare better.

Once you have lived through the ordeal and inconvenience brought about by long-term power outages, you will be able to master it. The sooner, the more resilient you will become.

However, as it may still be inevitable to end up having damaged appliances because of the power outage, as soon as you have noticed one that is not working, it would be safest not to try a DIY-repair especially if you have no clue about the real extent of the damage. Do not hesitate to give us a call at ElectriCall and have our team of seasoned, licensed electricians do the needed work. We have been one of Arvada’s most top-rated electrician because of the quality of work we provide at a reasonable rate. For all your electrical maintenance and service needs, reach us! Your safety is our topmost priority.

The Importance of Electrical System Inspection

Wear and tear problems on electrical systems, i.e. loose electrical outlets, are one of the many issues residential and commercial property owners face. While some of them are easy to fix, there are problems that need to be thoroughly evaluated and addressed especially if the problem keeps on recurring without apparent cause. In this case, skills and knowledge that only a licensed electrician bear are a must to ensure the quality of work. To prevent or eradicate electrical hazards in your property, a quality electrical system inspection on a regular basis by your trusted electrical service company will be necessary.

But before the problem escalates, as a homeowner or an occupant in a commercial property, it pays to be knowledgeable of the ABCs in inspecting and tightening electrical outlets as soon as you spot one.

Electrical Outlets Inspection

Although you already know which outlets in your property are heavily used and which ones are rarely touched, there is still that likelihood that you are going to forget the ones placed behind any fixture in your place. And if these outlets are loose but left unnoticed, you may be exposing your family or your company to electrical-related risks which can be fatal, i.e. fire, electrocution.

So when inspecting your electrical outlets, here are important signs to look out for, indicating that you might need to call your trusted electrician in Arvada:

· Burns or Signs of Burns

· Frayed Wires

· Loose wires and outlets

· Loose faceplates

· Scorch Marks

If after an initial inspection, you could only notice loose wires and outlets, then a DIY electrical outlet repair would likely be safe. Otherwise, do not attempt such a dangerous repair. Call your trusted team of licensed electricians instead.

The Importance of Electrical System Inspection

Loose or damaged electrical outlets is just one of the many problems you would not know that could be putting your family or your property in danger. And it’s easily preventable after having an electrical system inspection carried out.

What are the other perks?

Regular inspection performed by an Arvada licensed electrician, such as ElectriCall will help ensure that all your wires and appliances are in working order, reducing the risks of accident or unfavorable incidents.
It will help you avoid spending on major repairs that you could have avoided if immediate electrical fixes were given.
An electrical system that is working at an optimum will help you save on energy consumption, thereby allowing you to save on your electricity bill.
Last but not least – safety. With a proper electrical system inspection carried out by a reliable electrical service company like ElectriCall, any possible complications with electrical connections, wires, circuits, or expanding fuses that can magnify risks of electrocution or fire can be significantly prevented. A real seasoned electrician will be able to spot if electrical wiring is outdated and poses a hazard. This perk alone makes your investment totally worth it.

ElectriCall can help!

In need of a reputable electrician in Arvada or Denver, Colorado that can perform an electrical system inspection or any electrical-related service, with premium quality and reliability? Give us a call at ElectriCall. Here, we are a team of highly qualified, licensed electricians nearby who have gained extensive experience after serving hundreds of clients in the greater Denver area. We have been of service for years and we have earned the trust of our clients because of the quality of service we provide at a reasonable price. We have been the leading electrical service company in and around Arvada, Colorado for a reason.

Eliminate electrical hazards in your property asap; call us today!

When to Replace Old Electrical Wiring

Fire-related incidents continue to rise worldwide. In the United States alone, statistics show that an average of 45,000 to 55,000 house fires take place in the United States annually. While a percentage of these were due to negligence, the majority of the cases are said to be caused by faulty or old wirings. With that said, homeowners in the state of Colorado are advised to ensure that their electrical systems go well with whatever upgrade in appliances, gaming, or home systems they have. Electrical wiring replacement or a major electrical upgrade conducted by a licensed electrician may be necessary especially if such appliances consume bigger electrical loads.

When is electrical wiring replacement really needed? As per the experts, below are the best times to call a reliable Arvada electrical service company like ElectriCall for an electrical upgrade:

1. Your tripper breaks or your fuses blow from time to time. A regularly blowing fuse or tripping breaker is one of the major signs that your current electrical system can no longer take the load demand at home. As any delay in addressing such issues can increase your house’s chances of catching fire, it is always best to act on the problem with urgency.

2. Your home is already 50 years old at the least. If your house falls under this condition, then chances are your electrical wireworks are already old and outdated. Always think and act steps ahead; consider calling a licensed Arvada electrician right away to have your system properly evaluated.

3. Your lights flicker or dim whenever you switch on an appliance. This could be an indication that your outdated electrical wiring can no longer supply sufficient power inside your home.

4. Your outlets have burnt or scorched marks or stains. This can be a result of power surges. If not addressed on time, the next surge might be enough to cause a fire.

5. Extension cords are getting more visible in your area. Although extension cords are a convenient solution to a shortage of power outlets, using them also comes with hazards that might leave you regretting why you had decided to use them in the end.

Consider updating your electrical system instead of investing in these temporary workarounds. Your trusted electrical contractor will make sure that enough outlets are properly wired and installed in strategic locations you will specify.

If the above-mentioned signs are present in your area, then your home will definitely need an electrical wiring upgrade. Here is where you may also want to consider having copper wires installed instead of aluminum. What is the difference?

Back in the days, aluminum wiring was more commonly used than copper in houses and commercial establishments primarily because the former was cheaper. However, in terms of safety, aluminum was far inferior. Moreover, aluminum is known to be corrosive and unmalleable unlike copper, thus is clearly a lousy conductor. This makes copper far ideal and safer for electrical wiring.

Another risk of using aluminum wiring is the fact that it is highly electrical resistant. This hinders the current to flow through the circuit at an optimum. Thus, an aluminum-wired home can be far prone to electrical losses, unlike copper wires. If you think that your home may still be using aluminum wires, do note that getting an electrical wiring upgrade is vital to ensure your family and property’s safety against fire and other electrical hazards. Do not hesitate to give us a call at ElectriCall for your electrical wiring upgrade and other electrical service needs. We can schedule an estimate for your upgrade asap; your safety is our topmost priority. We’ve been the most trusted electrician in Arvada and Denver, Colorado for a reason.