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The Difference Between Residential vs Commercial Wiring

Residential and commercial electrical work requires different procedures and materials. They differ in load demands, equipment used, and energy needs. Know the difference between residential vs commercial wiring before you conduct electrical work.

Although on the outside residential and commercial electrical wiring might look the same, there are a number of crucial differences that are specific to each.

Power Supply

Residential properties do not require a massive supply of power, which is why local residential electricians often only utilize single-phase and single sets of electrical wiring. In terms of power, residential houses normally use alternating currents. That means the electricity travels long distances, reverses direction, and changes magnitude.

Without the right power supply to a commercial building, the risk of losing power or causing a fire is high. Commercial properties use three-phase power which has higher output, better efficiency, can handle high-powered motors and equipment, and is typically used for industrial applications.

Wire material

Another notable difference between commercial and residential electrical is the wiring material they use. At a residential property, the wiring is commonly placed either in the crawl space or the attic. That is why it is important that the wire is encapsulated in a PVC and a plastic sheath or insulation to protect residents from electrical shock.

In a commercial building, Arvada electricians use a different material. The electrical wiring is held in protective tubes and more visible for easy access. Generally, the electrical wiring for commercial buildings has more thermoplastic insulation to protect it from high-heat and corrosive environments.

The entire network of cabling and electrical wiring is the most crucial part of any real estate property since they deliver power, data, and security for the entire infrastructure. The six most common type of wires and cables used in building residential and commercial buildings are:

Armored cables. The primary goal of this cable is to make the transfer of data fast and easy.
Low voltage cables. This type of cable is common in both residential properties and commercial buildings.
Non-metallic sheathed cables. This comes with insulated wires that make the flow of electric current safer.
Instrumentation cables. This is used for allowing communication between operators and instruments within a site, hence it is only commonly used only at the industrial level.
Communication cables. The sole purpose of this kind of cable is to transmit signals such as high-frequency broadcast transmission.

All these types of wiring and cables are being used when building residential or commercial infrastructure. Each electrical wiring should be insulated and labeled properly to avoid costly problems. Hiring a seasoned electrician nearby who knows the standard materials, as well as, the proper electrical wiring methods will save you money and effort in the long run.

Have an electrical issue you need to get fixed? Get in touch with ElectriCall today!

Type of outlet

In some commercial buildings, the need to install high-grade outlets is important to allow colossal power to pass through. Commercial buildings usually use devices that are bigger and require more power compared to regular household appliances. For example, hospitals use heavy-duty medical equipment in order to provide the right service to the people. Installing the wrong electrical outlets could damage such devices and cause hazards to the patients.

The takeaway

These are the major differences between residential and commercial wiring. With basic knowledge of these differences, you should be able to make a simple electrical assessment in your home or office. However, due to the several factors that must be considered when doing electrical work or when rewiring a house, it is always best to ask for the assistance of a professional electrician in Arvada, CO.

Are you looking for a seasoned electrical expert to perform an electrical inspection on your commercial property? Or are you searching for a residential electrician that can provide high-quality home electrical repair service? We are the right partner for you!

ElectriCall consists of expert electricians that can help you with technical and electrical troubles. We are just a phone call away if you need professional residential or commercial electrical services. Let our skilled team help you fix any issues you have with your electrical wiring system.

When & How to Fix Loose Outlets

It is so easy to ignore broken electrical outlets because we often forget how dangerous they are. They hold high-voltage electrical power, which is why it is essential to fix loose outlets right away. But how do you know when & how to fix loose outlets?

When should you fix loose outlets?

Several indications will tell when it is time to repair or replace electrical outlets.

Receptacles are difficult to plug into

First of all, check what type of receptacles you have. Some outlets are tamper-resistant, which makes them more difficult to plug. This safety feature is designed to block foreign objects from being inserted.

Electrical receptacles come in different types. There are the Standard Receptacles that you usually see around your home. These are: the Range Receptacles, which are designed only for the electric range cooker, the Dryer Receptacle with three or four pins, and the GFCI receptacles that have narrow slots and semi-circle hole.

The outlets are ungrounded and outdated.

If the electrical outlet only has two holes instead of three, it is ungrounded, hence will not give off enough electricity for high-powered devices. In other words, this kind of outlet could severely damage your devices.

Discoloration and scorch marks from the plastic covering are signs that the outlet is outdated. Cracks are also an indication of old outlets. For instance, debris and dust trapped inside might have significant damage to the entire outlet.

Fix these problems immediately. You could be putting your life at risk leaving these problems untreated. Have you heard about GFCI devices? Here is a short article we wrote about GFCI benefits. Installing GFCIs in your home will help eliminate your problem of ungrounded and outdated outlets.

The outlet works 50/50

Does the outlet you are worried about works one day and then not again? Does it work for one device and not the other? These are signs of loose outlets.

The complication could be from the electrical wiring. Never attempt to open, rewire or replace it on your own. Hire a professional that will look into the problem.

Plugs won’t stay put in the outlet.

The receptacles or prongs might be the reason why plugs keep falling from an outlet. Be sure to try out other devices to ensure the outlet is loose.

Contact points get damaged over time. Bad wiring that causes heat and sparks could damage the whole outlet. That is why it is essential to contact a local electrician nearby to conduct an electrical inspection.

Ask an electrician to rewire your outlet. Trained professionals can conduct home electrical repair services and know the correct electrical kits to use.

The outlet feels hot when you touch it.

Outlets should not feel hot when you touch them. So if they are, that could indicate that the connections insides are loose or too close to each other. This electrical issue poses serious consequences when not dealt with right away. Call an electrician nearby to fix it.

Young children are curious beings, so if you have kids at home, it is crucial to make your home childproof. We listed the top 9 tips for electrical outlet safety to help parents create a safer environment for their children.

How to fix loose outlets

First, the primary tools you will need to fix loose outlets include safety gloves, wire cutter, screwdriver, replacement outlet, and a multi-tester.

To start, turn off the circuit breaker of your home. Make sure it is flipped off the whole time you are working.
Next, use a multimeter to check whether electricity is still flowing in the outlet. Make sure there is no power.
After double-checking there is no electric current, you can now unscrew the plastic housing of the outlet.
Next, unscrew and detach the receptacle from the housing.
Removing screws should also allow you to separate the wires that are connected to it.
If you see any torn or burnt wirings, stop and reach out to an electrician nearby. ElectriCall is an expert when it comes to repairing and replacing loose outlets. We do all kinds of home electrical repair service!
If electrical wires just became loose, use a wire cutter to strip the cable. Expose only just enough wire to go around the terminal screws. Do not overexpose the cables.
The most crucial part is wiring the cables to the screws. To save you from any accidents, call our hotline. ElectriCall will help you fix loose outlets spick-and-span!
Once all the wirings are in place, you can now reattach the receptacle and the plastic covering.
Flip on the electrical box to test the outlet. Use the tester to check if the correct voltage is passing through.
Lastly, check if the devices will connect and work when plugged in.

For non-electricians, it may be difficult to track the cause of loose electrical outlets. To prevent any further damage and problems, ask for the assistance of professionals. ElectriCall has years of experience serving the community. We are just one phone call away!

Energy Saving Tips and Options for Your Home

Reducing energy consumption in your home will no doubt save you a lot of money. After learning about these energy-saving tips and options for your home, you will surely be calling your local residential electrician to help install better alternatives. These energy-saving tips are hard to turn down!

Tip #1: Control plug and vampire loads

Plug load means that there are several devices plugged into a power strip or outlet. It is difficult to manage since they are often scattered and placed in different rooms in the house.

On the other hand, vampire loads refer to the appliances or devices that are plugged in but not turned off, hence secretly draining electricity. Some of the common home appliances that create vampire loads include plugged-in coffee makers, printers, stand fans, cable boxes and toasters.

You might be another homeowner who is guilty of having plug and vampire loads. But don’t fret, there are simple and straightforward measures you can implement that will help manage this electrical problem. Reduce energy consumption by following these management steps:

Step 1 – Inspect

Which rooms in your home have multiple outlets or are using power strips? Are all the outlets working properly? Also, find out which devices and appliances are often left plugged in even if not in use.

Step 2 – Unplug

Once you discover which devices and appliances are creating unnecessary electrical loads, unplug them. Or simply turn off unused devices. It is that easy!

Step 3 – Repair, Replace, or Remove

Are there any electrical outlets in your home that are not being used, broken, or need to be upgraded? Faulty sockets not only disrupt energy flow, but it is also very safe to use. If you are unfamiliar with electrical systems and wiring, it is best to consult and hire a professional home electrical repair service in Arvada to do the job.

Upgrading the outlets could help minimize the use of power extensions. For example, install a separate USB wall port to deal with the bulky chargers and adapters. With it, you can directly plug your mobile devices into the outlet. It is convenient and safer to use.

If you are replacing outdated, traditional outlets, another alternative you should look into is the recessed electrical component. This is not only aesthetically pleasing, it helps with cable management. This type of outlet generally costs less and has enough space to accommodate a couple of electrical plugs and USB cables.

There are various factors to consider when changing electrical outlets such as voltages, frequencies, and correct routing. Seek the assistance of professionals before diving into a project.

Tip #2: Use energy-efficient light options

The HVAC, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, computers, and oven ranges are the common home appliances that are thirsty for energy. But did you know that on average, light fixtures take about 5% to 10% of energy?

Although that percentage seems small, it adds up to your energy bills. You can save more money and help the environment by switching your traditional incandescent light fixtures or bulbs to better alternatives. So what are your better options?

CFLs or Compact Fluorescent Lamps

Although this type generally costs more than other options, it has long-term benefits that will ultimately cut down your utility expenses. CFL consumes less energy compared to traditional bulbs. A 22-watt CFL has the same performance as a 100-watt incandescent bulb.

LEDs or Light Emitting Diodes

This is one of the consumers’ favorites for being cost-effective and energy-efficient. Unlike incandescent bulbs, LEDs operate at lower temperatures so no energy is lost or wasted.

Halogen Incandescents

If you like compact, but bright lights, this is what you need. Halogen incandescents may be a smaller fixture, but it produces brighter white light and has a life span 3x longer than the traditional incandescent bulb.

Tip #3: Look for the Energy Star Certification

When purchasing new appliances, really consider brands that have Energy Star certifications, which means the product helps protect the environment, has better energy performance and costs less to operate. If you opt for Energy Star-certified products, you can be confident that the product is of high quality. And you can check all these out of your list:

Comfort
Savings
Energy-efficient

Tip #4: Install a smart thermostat

If your home is not using a smart thermostat, you definitely have to! A smart thermostat helps in controlling internet-connected devices and appliances. You can customize settings to fit your routines like set temperatures for each room, monitor conditions of each space, and easily make adjustments via voice command or phone app.

Best of all, you can schedule operations! That means you can time when the devices and appliances should turn on and off, letting you prevent running power thirty systems unnecessarily. Smart thermostats have a plethora of awesome features that will make your life more comfortable while lowering the percentage of your energy bills.

Tip #5: Hire a professional local residential electrician

Do not want to mess up the wiring of your home? Hire a professional local residential electrician.

Upgrading electrical outlets, replacing light fixtures, and installing thermostats are not that difficult to do. However, if you are not very handy and if you want to prevent causing electrical problems, talk with an electrician nearby first.

People should be energy-savers too! Although these tips and alternatives are like the lowest hanging fruit when it comes to conserving energy, you cannot reap the benefits if you do not make the essential changes.

Need an electrician nearby? Contact us. We can handle any and all electrical-related projects. Installing or upgrading electrical systems is no sweat for us. Talk with us today. ElectriCall has the insights and skills to make your home more energy-efficient.

Have Your Home Inspected If You Have These Warning Signs

Flickering lights? Burning smells? Here are some electrical warning signs that you should be calling a local residential electrician right away.

Let us get real. How often do you hire a home electrical repair service to check your home’s electrical system? Maybe once every 5 years?

Ideally, electrical systems must be diagnosed and maintained on a regular basis, especially when you notice these warning signs.

Sign #1: Tripping circuit breakers

Have you ever experienced losing power for several minutes? Are lights and appliances not turning on? Your circuit breaker probably has tripped.

Although that is quite frustrating, do your own sleuthing before calling an electrician nearby. Circuit breakers have a safety mechanism that automatically shuts off the electricity to avoid electrical shocks or fire due to power overload.

One of these two culprits could be blamed for your circuit breaker tripping:

Circuit overload

Electrical wirings tend to overheat when more electrical current passes through more than they can handle.

Here is what must be done to test for circuit overload. When your breaker trips again, unplug all your appliances and turn off all the switches. Flip the breaker back on and turn on the switches and appliances one by one to see if the circuit will stay on or not.

You might need to try this a couple of times to gauge how much the circuit can handle before it shuts off again, and which appliance is causing the overload.

Abnormal connection between electrical wirings

Short-circuiting is the other common reason for a circuit breaker to suddenly flip off. Short circuit happens when electrical wirings become loose and touch each other causing overheating, explosion, or damage to the breaker.

Tracing a short-circuit is difficult. Suspected electrical devices or electrical systems causing the power trip should be opened up to detect, repair, and replace the damaged wires. You definitely have to hire a professional to perform an electrician inspection and ensure everything is in order again.

Sign #2: Blown fuse and melted fuse holder

Fuses can be found in traditional breaker boxes of older homes. They are designed to blow and melt whenever the electrical system is drawing too much current than it can handle.

A blown or melted fuse occurs when the fuse gets extremely hot and eventually softens the coating and holder. In other words, it blows due to excessive current. Although it is relatively easy to fix a blown fuse, to prevent further damage, consult with a professional electrician nearby.

Sign #3: Lights flickering when appliances are turned on

An electrical inspection should also be considered when your lights start flickering whenever you turn an appliance on. Be more concerned if small appliances like a coffee pot and toaster are causing the electrical problem. Such unusual activity could mean bigger issues:

Loose connectors in the electrical panel
Electrical overload caused by major appliances all plugged in the same circuit
Connections are too close to each other causing sparks

Whatever is causing the flickering, have a trained electrician perform the diagnosis and remedy. ElectriCall is experienced in remedying this type of electrical issue. Get in touch with us to learn about the home electrical repair service we can do for you!

Sign #4: Charred switches and outlets

The plastic housing of outlets and switches can easily burn. More often than not, it happens to houses built with aluminum wirings. Talk with an experienced local residential electrician if you are unsure whether your home is using aluminum wiring or not.

You will want the assistance of professionals to rewire your home. Some houses are “top wired” which means that the electrical routing goes up to the ceiling of the ground floor back to the outlets and switches. This routing system is more complicated to fix and demands the expertise of a local residential electrician.

Schedule an appointment with us

In order to have a safe and sound sleep at night, an accurate assessment of your home’s electrical system is necessary. Book ElectriCall to conduct an electrical inspection in your home right away.

We can evaluate the integrity of your electrical components. Our specialists will look for issues from the circuits, electrical boxes, to cable anchoring. With our expertise, we can easily detect the faulty installation of appliances, light fixtures, and outlets among others.

On top of that, our team will perform a couple of trial runs to your electrical system to ensure it is safe to use. And we will go as far as helping your home have surge protection.

A home inspection is important. Let ElectriCall eliminate your worries of fire hazards and the risk of electric shock. Call us now!

Avoid These 13 Electrical Problems That Will Destroy Your Home Sale

Electrical issues often scare potential homebuyers. Hiring an electrical service in Arvada to repair any electrical problems in your home is one of the upgrades home buyers should not have to request. Here are electrical problems that will destroy your home sale, hence should definitely be avoided.

Outdated wiring systems. Old electrical wirings are often the culprit for house fires. To entice more potential buyers to pay top dollar for your home, increase the home’s safety feature. Replace old wiring systems and make sure electrical outlets are not faulty.
Not enough outlets. One thing potential home buyers do not want to deal with is battling the insufficient amount of power outlets. To impress them, make sure every room in your home has outlets that could cater to their appliances, devices, gadgets, light fixtures and more. It is always convenient to have enough power outlets.
As per building codes, all wirings should run through electrical panels. Any visible DIY electrical work that is not done up to standards can destroy your home sale. Some factors you should consider when doing electric panel replacement include the size of the panel, the materials to be used, and model. Of course, you should also check its functionality or features.
Double tapping the circuit breakers. This basically means that multiple wires are attached to one circuit breaker that cannot handle the capacity. This issue is often present in older homes and must be checked by qualified electricians like ElectriCall LLC.
Substandard electrical routing. Another red flag that could send homebuyers home is poorly routed electrical wiring. There are specific codes and practices for routing electrical wires. Cables must be placed in safe zones and not exposed. And they should not be positioned against sharp edges. If you think you need an electrical repair service in Arvada, we are the team to work with!
Not doing aluminum wiring repair. Another electrical problem that could have detrimental consequences is not repairing or replacing outdated wirings such as made from aluminum. This kind of electrical conductor tends to get damaged easily so inspection and maintenance is definitely a must.
Over Customizing. Ironically, overly customizing the electrical system of the home can also make buyers become reluctant to purchase the property. Electrical systems need not be fancy. As long as they are optimized to give high-performance, reliable, safe, and can accommodate the needs of the residents, that should be enough.
Not replacing painted outlets. If you think this is an inexpensive alternative to somehow upgrade the curb appeal of the home, you are wrong. If anything, one proof that a home is poorly renovated can be seen on painted outlets. Instead of being impressed, home buyers will be turned off. Paint can affect the functionality of an outlet. It poses safety concerns since it can contribute to overheating and fire.
Missing GFCIs. Outlets in the kitchen, bath, basement, garage, or locations near a water plumbing should be GFCI equipped. This device will help prevent exposure to electrical shock once the electrical system fails or when it gets wet. It is common for residential homes to have GFCIs protection, so to avoid eyebrows raising, make the necessary upgrade.
Not fixing reversed polarity outlets. Although it sounds like a small issue, not correcting it could be dangerous. Appliances could get damaged and plugging electrical devices could shock someone. However, unlike other electrical issues, this is not something that is visible or can be detected right away. Hiring an Arvada electrician nearby is crucial for testing and repairing of outlets. Expert electricians like ElectriCall LLC can easily identify and correct the situation.
Exposed wirings and splices. Aside from the obvious safety risks, exposed electrical wirings creates an eyesore in the house. Any homebuyer will not be pleased with such sight.
Missing electrical panel components. Residential electrical panels are usually rectangular in shape and have two sets of electrical knockouts which are basically openings on the top, bottom, or sides of the electrical panels where wires are inserted. According to residential codes, these knockouts should have plugs snapped into place, especially when not in use.
Overlamping or using light bulbs that are incompatible with the light sockets or fixtures. More often than not, home sellers use high voltage light bulbs during home staging to brighten the interior of the house and create a more appealing effect to attract more buyers. That is very dangerous because such incompatibility can quickly deteriorate the electrical cables.

The bottomline

Avoid these electrical problems that will devalue your property. Some of these issues make the structural integrity of the home below the standards, hence will put the safety of the potential homebuyer at risk. Safety and comfort must be the top priority during and after the sale of home.

Hire our pro electricians in Arvada! Electrical problems can create inconveniences to both the home seller and potential homebuyer. Get in touch with ElectriCall and we will help you assess the electrical system of your home.

Electrical defects can be corrected by ElectriCall LLC. As a team, we have seen and fixed a variety of electrical challenges that contributed to the success of a home sale.