Most Colorado homes built in the 1950s-1980s either have Federal Pacific or Zinsco Panels installed. Home inspectors and Colorado electricians near Denver noticed that Zinsco Panels were failing after years of usage. As such, both panels were recalled and were not used in new construction from the 1990s onward. Though, there’s a lot of properties that still use these antiquated products today. 

Electrical panels are considered the most vital part of a home’s electrical system. They facilitate the receipt and distribution of electricity from the transmission circuit throughout the circuits in your home. A panel’s job is to protect from power surges and other possible electrical hazards, as well as, allow one to safely make repairs giving accessibility to the system. With proper maintenance by a licensed electrician, experts believe that most electrical panels (regardless of brand) can still be functional for as long as 50 years. 

Malfunctions happen when the panel’s bus bar gets in contact with the breaker and prevents the breaker from tripping which is what it is supposed to do whenever it detects short circuits or abnormally excessive current flowing through the circuit. Clearly, this puts households at risk for fire and/or electrocution.

Data shows that every 1 of 4 Zinsco circuit breakers is bound to malfunction in response to a short circuit or overcurrent, creating possibly hazardous consequences. However, such problems are hardly possible to be monitored nor detected by the naked eye, and thus will need a licensed electrician’s regular inspection or electric panel replacement service.

You Should Have Your Zinsco Panel Removed. Here’s why…

Experts have recognized two major reasons for the potential danger from using a Zinsco panel:

1. Zinsco Panel’s noncompliance with updated safety codes.

Although the Zinsco panel is still one of the most commonly used panels to date, its manufacturer stopped its production in the mid-1970s. With a lot of changes in the safety code from that time onwards, experts have concluded that the Zinsco panels would likely have a hard time keeping up. Distribution or sale of Zinsco Panels has been prohibited for a long time now as they do not pass the present safety standards.

2. The Zinsco Panels design has flaws.

Licensed electricians and experts have noticed significant flaws in the design of Zinsco panels:

• The panel’s bus bar easily corrodes.
• There is a delicate, non-solid connection between the bus bar and the breakers.
• Some of the panel’s components contain aluminum which can expand and contract at a high rate, causing loose connections. Also, if the aluminum gets in contact with copper which is what the bus bars of Zinsco panels are made of, it creates resistance, increased expansion, oxidation, and heat which can trigger a fire to happen.
• Design issue, i.e. although the breakers are turned off, at times, the internal panel may still conduct power.

If you notice anything below that might raise your concerns, call us at ElectriCall right away to have the panels thoroughly inspected:

• A burning smell from the panel
• If after opening the panel, you could see damaged wirings or wear and tear
• A buzzing panel
• Presence of flickering lights within your home

If your instinct is telling you that the panel is most likely outdated or it lacks proper maintenance, do not hesitate to contact a licensed electrician nearby right away for inspection or removal.

Your trusted electrician from ElectriCall will never advise you to remove the Zinsco panel by yourself to see if the inside wireworks have melted. Such a task is safest handled by the expert’s hands.

The Cost of Zinsco Panel Removal and Replacement

The cost of removing and replacing a Zinsco electrical panel ranges from $1500 to $2000. However, it may go beyond that depending on some factors:

• The needed scope of labor
• The amount of demolition work
• The panel’s size
• The accessibility of your area

For your Zinsco panel replacement needs or for your other electrical concerns, you can count on us at ElectriCall. We are a team of experienced professional electricians that guarantees your safety at a reasonable fee. We’ve been providing reliable and quality electrical works for commercial and residential establishments since 2011. Call us today; you’ll be glad you did!

When it comes to electrical panels, one of the popular brands for the longest time is Federal Pacific. First introduced in the market in the 1950s, Federal Pacific panels were commonly installed in residential and commercial establishments initially in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and then throughout the world. Because of FPE Panels’ popularity despite their unreliability, many residential and commercial properties still have the outdated panels today.”

What are Federal Pacific Panels for?

At the core, a Federal Pacific electric panel, comes with a Federal Pacific Electrical breaker box called the FPE Stab-Lok breaker, is an essential device that is designed to safeguard a building against electrical surges and the consequential potential safety and electrical fire hazards. It does the job by cutting off the power whenever it detects abnormally excessive current flowing through the electrical wirings, refraining them from getting hot.

The Catch

Like other breaker panels, FPE panels trip due to a detected short circuit or circuit overload. However, some FPE breakers have been criticized for not tripping as they were supposed to. After thorough investigation, the Consumer Product Safety Commission or CPSC has found out that more than half of the tested FPE breakers failed to trip. In most cases, despite the breaker’s “off” setting, the FPE Stab-Lok continued to power the circuit. Fire reports in the past suggest that this negligence accounts for as many as 2800 fire cases in the United States, killing 13 and incurring $40 million worth of property on a yearly average.

So, are FP panels still safe to use?

As per Federal Pacific Electric Company, their panels are designed to operate at an optimum for years from their installation unless and until perilous electrical problems arise. However, considering the aforementioned cases, the likelihood of them working perfectly fine and then suddenly malfunctioning is high and it will only take one overload or short-circuit incident to test their customers’ luck. On that note, CPSC recommends that licensed electrician’s checkup from time to time to see whether there are signs of malfunction or overheating among the circuit breakers, and to address underlying issues immediately.

Although the Stab-Lok breaker inspection job seems doable, it is a lot more complicated and dangerous than you think. Your trusted licensed electrician in Arvada, Co, in that of ElectriCall, will have to remove the breaker and test it to do what needs to be done and with such complexity, more often than not, it is a lot easier and cheaper to replace the Federal Pacific panel with a new one instead. At times, FP replacement is seriously necessary.

An electrician nearby such as ElectriCall will advise you to have your panel replaced if the following signs are present:

·         The panel itself has melted switches

·         An outlet ensues an electrical shock after a plug is switched on or removed

·         Unexplainable burnt bulbs or flickering lights

When it comes to Federal Pacific replacement cost, a few essential factors will be considered and this primarily includes the number and size of panels needed. In most cases, the type and location of the establishment will also be taken into account. You can consult your trusted electrician to have an accurate estimate regarding this matter.

A Reliable, Seasoned Electric Company in Arvada Can Help

Aside from enhancing electrical safety inside your building, having updated and secure electrical panels will also help you save money in the long run as new electrical panels will also help reduce the surges and fluctuations taking place, and their consequential energy waste.

If you are thinking about replacing your Federal Pacific electrical panel in Arvada, Colorado, or if you have other electrical concerns, do not hesitate to give us a call at Electricall. We are a team of seasoned professional electricians that treats your home or commercial establishment with respect and sees your electrical safety as our topmost priority. Since 2011, we have been providing quality and affordable electrical works and people in Arvada are completely satisfied. Our great reviews do not lie; we are the most preferred residential and commercial electrical service provider in the area for a reason. Call us today!

Before discuss the summer storm electrical problems, here’s a brief little history of the origins of electrical use. Electricity was first discovered in the 1800s strictly for vital purposes. Over the course of a few decades, the world was dependent on it. Almost everything in life now runs on electricity. However, with every crucial innovation comes the risk of abuse. Electricity is no different and the consequences of mishandling can be fatal and damaging.  

Of course, the electrical issues we are talking about here are not the petty ones like having a busted charger or lamp but the real and hazardous electrical problems that might have been lurking within your house’s walls that can potentially cause escalating damages to your property if not thoroughly inspected and treated by a licensed electrician in Arvada.

Studies have listed a few most common pressing electrical problems at home that are best and safest handled by an expert. On that note, as soon as you come across either of these, do not hesitate to call an Arvada electrician right away:

1. ELECTRICAL SURGES

 When do surges really happen?

Surges are a product of any spike of electrical charge within the power lines that escalate up to residential electrical outlets. The two most common potential causes of an electrical surge are damaged power lines and summer storms or lightning. With about one billion volts of electricity that a single lightning volt can produce, lightning is fearfully considered as an electrical troublemaker.

Now if the surge has nothing to do with the abovementioned culprits, it may indicate a presence of faulty wiring or appliance issue. In such cases, the best thing to do is shut off the circuit breaker right away, unplug your appliances one by one and then wait for an electrician to carry out the inspection and necessary fixes.

2. POWER SAGS

When it comes to power sags and dips, appliances are usually the culprit, causing intermittent voltage drops. They usually last in a blink of an eye, i.e. you will notice your lights dying and brightening again. Also known as brown-outs, power sags take place when the current is no longer able to draw enough current for large appliances that are running simultaneously. Sometimes, an outdated electric panel or outdated and faulty wiring can start the damage.

3. OVERLOADED CIRCUIT

This happens when the amount of current flowing in the circuit exceeds what the device or appliance can handle. This may sound like less of a threat but if the overloading reaches a point of melting the socket and insulation in the wires, a spark might happen which can lead to fire without an immediate solution.

Your trusted electrician would advise you to use appliances or lamps with the right wattage to avoid circuit overloading. Also, it’s advised to avoid plugging in too many irons and hair dryers at once as they can also cause an overload. However, if the problems persist despite your preventive efforts, it could be a sign of an underlying electrical issue. When this happens, hiring a professional electrician is the safest and smartest decision to make.

4. OVERCIRCUITED PANEL

Panels are designed to handle a particular number of circuit breakers. You would know how many panels you will need depending on your house’s maximum load capacity which can be determined by adding up the wattage of all your bulbs and appliances. That said, an overloaded panel or a panel that has too many circuits is considered a fire and health hazard.

Some people try to cheat on the system by installing a tandem breaker in a slot to save money. This is actually a code violation. To avoid fines and eradicate the hazardous risks, call an electrician right away to install a sub-panel that can handle a bigger load.

5. FREQUENTLY TRIPPING CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Breakers are designed to break and shut the entire power supply off if they detect too much or irregular electricity flowing through the circuit. While a breaker tripping protects a household from fire and other electrical hazards, a frequently tripping circuit breaker clearly indicates a potential electrical issue that still has to be addressed. An initial solution would be to refrain plugging appliances from the same source. However, if the problem persists, it could be due to a faulty wiring or a pressing issue underneath the panel. Do not hesitate to call your trusted, local electrical service in Arvada if you are caught in the same situation.

6. ELECTRICAL SHOCKS

Although not definite, there has been a claim that old homes with old electrical systems are more susceptible to electrical shock incidents because of their likelihood of having poor insulations or ungrounded wiring. Fortunately, electrical systems built today have to be compliant with the standard electrical codes which make the modern buildings more resilient to shocks.

If your home was built in the last twenty years, you can check whether you are safe from this electrical issue or not by plugging another small appliance to one of your non-empty outlets. Here’s how it is done; if you get shocked after turning it on, then the shock is most likely wiring-related. On the other hand, if you do not get shocked after turning the appliance on, then most likely it is your appliance that is faulty.

7. UNCOVERED JUNCTION BOXES

This issue is one of the most dangerous potential issues beneath your walls. A single junction box is installed during your house’s construction phase or during an electrical upgrade. As it houses various wires, leaving it uncovered can pose serious fire and health risks with more exposure to electrical shocks.

Call your trusted electrician to have your junction boxes covered. It is something you should not deal with on your own if you do not have the right knowledge, skills, and tools.

8. OUTLET SHORTAGE

Shortage of power outlets usually pushes people to use extension wires or outlet extenders which has always been discouraged by fire bureaus as they are only best as a temporary fix because of their hazardous design and exposure.

Extension cords may seem like a cheaper and viable alternative compared to installing new power outlets but the latter is actually a lot safer and more efficient, outweighing its cons.

Give us a call at ElectriCall! We are a team of professional electricians who have the expert knowledge and skills to get the job done correctly. Address these common electrical issues with quality, reliability, and affordability; call ElectriCall today!

Spring has just started and the days are noticeably lasting longer and warmer. For a handful of Colorado families, this means traveling to many of the states’ desirable hiking and camping destinations. While others may opt toward working on their homes instead. For those that are working on their properties, here are 7 Spring electrical projects to work on.

Electrical upgrades at home are one of the most tempting things to work on. However, they’re also the riskiest especially if sophisticated wireworks are involved and which should be operated by a licensed electrician in Colorado to ensure safety and enhanced quality of work.

Below are 7 fun spring electrical projects you should do with caution.

1- Painting Decks and Deco Lights Setup

One of the ways you can enjoy the season is by giving your deck a makeover. Depending on the scale of the upgrade, this is a job that will surely keep you busy as deck projects can last up to weeks. As for the paint, pastel colors go well with the sunlight. To make it look as beautiful and cozy day and night, you can opt for LED string lights decoration, which is in-style nowadays. For your string lights project, you will need 4-6 pieces of stripboards that are 8 ft long each or more depending on your deck’s size. Moreover, you will need screws, screw eyes, and paint. Fortunately, string lights decoration will not require too much electrical work but can give your outdoor space a fantastic makeover just as much.

2– Outdoor Lighting

Much like string lights decoration, you can work on illuminating your outdoor areas by finding inspiration from posts on Pinterest or Instagram. There’s a plethora of cool ideas! 

You can still achieve awesome outdoor lighting with low-voltage lights. If you have no experience in the electrical field, this would be the safest path to take. Nonetheless, if you want to achieve a more-lit space, but you’re not confident that you can pull it off by yourself, a reliable Denver electrician is just a call away for a quality yet affordable outdoor lighting installation service.

3- Ceiling Fan Installation

Spring and summer are the warmest seasons and would be the best time to be reminded about how some areas of your home need a ceiling fan. Setting ceiling fans up is definitely something you can carry out on your own provided you have the tools and materials needed for it. However, as it comes with safety risks, you might want to call a professional ceiling fan installation service instead. ElectriCall is an Arvada electrician service that can carry out the job with the proper safety precautions.

4- Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

History shows that the top cause of poisoning deaths in the USA is carbon monoxide, sending over 20,000 people to ER on average, yearly. Known as a silent killer because of its odorless, colorless, thus hard-to-detect nature, the dangers that the chemical compound poses push a lot of Colorado homeowners to install carbon monoxide detectors in their premises.

You can install one in your home too. However, it would still be best to entrust the job in the hands of a licensed electrician who can give you a reliable hard-wire device installation.

5- Hot tub Wiring

You can visit an expensive spa to feel relaxed and experience momentary bliss or you can work on your hot tub wiring and installation to have an unlimited hot tub session at home.

As hot tub wireworks are quite complicated and hazardous especially when it comes to connecting the tub to the power source, this more often than not requires the help of a hot tub wiring expert.

6- Surge Protection

Studies show that every year, lightning accounts for millions-worth of damage to appliances and infrastructure. This spring, you might as well turn your home surge-proof to save your electronic equipment from the same fate. However, an entire house surge protection entails a thorough assessment and inspection of the main power panel box. On that note, the job should be carried out with proper caution provided you have the materials needed and the knowledge to do it.

7- Outdoor GFCI Outlets

If your patio or terrace is short of exterior outlets, spring should be the perfect time to install more. The job is as easy as connecting a new wire to your existing interior outlet and installing your new outlet on the wall’s opposite side. If it requires complicated mounting and cutting of a boxed-size hole, the degree of wirework that needs to be done will also get affected.

The safest path to take if you’re planning on making any of these upgrades would be to hire a professional instead. For all your electrical service needs, do not hesitate to give us a call here at ElectriCall. For years, we have provided premium quality electrical services at a reasonable price. We are a team of certified electricians committed to ensuring your safety while getting your electrical projects done right. Call us today! We’ll be glad to answer your queries.

Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that gets emitted from burning gasoline, propane, wood, charcoal or other types of fuel. It is odorless and tasteless but is poisonous and can usually cause victims to pass out to death. As timely detection of carbon monoxide compounds is extremely necessary, the use of carbon monoxide detector has been highly encouraged by environmental, health, and safety (EHS) bodies across the globe. The device aids in fire prevention by automatically producing an alarm, alerting homeowners, once carbon monoxide is detected.

The number of fire incidents in the United States keeps on growing, burdening many lives. In fact, according to the data from the National Fire Protection Association, 3,000 people on an average die every year because of fire. In the case of carbon monoxide, the gas or toxic fume build-up can be a fire hazard. If any household member were to use matches or a lighter, then the build-up can pose a serious threat. That’s why experts suggest that homeowners should use a licensed electrician to install carbon monoxide detectors, along with smoke detectors. 

The Importance of Properly Maintaining Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Proper upkeep of your carbon monoxide detectors is necessary to ensure that they will be able to do their job accurately at all times. Without it, here are the hazards that might await you:

GAS EXPOSURE. Most carbon monoxide detectors come handy and are battery operated. However, in order to perform at an optimum, their batteries need to be replaced at least once a year. Failure to do this at needed times increases your risk of gas exposure as your naked eyes and nose won’t be able to detect the gas. Unawareness of this leakage can severely damage your lungs or lead to other serious illnesses without you knowing it. Better than battery operated, you can hire your trusted electrician to install hardwire detectors.

FIRE. Having a faulty carbon monoxide combo smoke detector can mean that you will not be able to respond early in case of fire. As residential fires can spread a lot quicker, not having any means of the alarm might hold you many steps behind, costing your life, your loved ones, and your property.  

On the upside, having a reliable carbon monoxide detection system not only keeps you away from such life-threatening risks but also increases the appeal of your property in the eyes of real estate buyers. As the house owner, all you need to do is ensure that you bought the right brand and your detectors are well-maintained – something a licensed electrician can help you with.

Having a well-functioning, carbon monoxide detector system can do wonders in making your home safer, below are tips licensed electrician in Arvada would like to share:

1- Carbon monoxide detectors are worth investing in. Have at least one detector installed in your home as soon as possible and make sure that they are placed wherever the fire is likely to start or where gas-powered appliances are. If you have the budget, the most ideal thing to do would be to install one combo detector on every level or in every room of your home.

2-Choose a detector with a built-in “end-of-life” sensor feature. This feature can give you a signal that a repair or replacement is necessary, allowing you to stay on top in terms of fire safety.

3- Keep battery backed-up; call your trusted carbon monoxide detector electrician right away to have battery back-ups hard-wired in your system. This technology acts as a UPS; it automatically goes up when your detector’s old battery is no longer working, ensuring 24/7 carbon monoxide detection.  

4- Have your detectors checked from time to time, especially in winter where heating units are used the most? If you fell on the right brand, you will be able to test the detectors on your own just by pressing their “test” buttons. The good news is; your Arvada Electrician is an expert on the matter and can actually help you through your detector selection process.

5- Maintain a reliable detection system; replace your detectors or alarms before they completely break down. Every detector box comes with an expiration date label. That is usually five to seven years from its manufacturing date.

6- When your most dreaded time comes and your detector alarms, secure yourself and your loved ones out right away and immediately call 911 for a response as soon as you are already in a safe area.

You can take solace that a truly professional electrical company such as ElectriCall is within reach if you want to maintain a reliable carbon monoxide detection system. Call us today; we’ll be delighted to carry out a home safety inspection in your area. Our reliable team of professional electricians can even check your entire electrical system. All it needs is your yes.

Your safety is our topmost priority. Give us a call today and you will be grateful you did.