| |
| What is a GFCI Device or Breaker?
|
|
| Answer
- GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.
In layman's terms this device protects you from electrical shock.
When it senses the slightest increase in resistance resulting from
ground fault, (i.e., the use of electrical devices in or near water), it
trips off to protect you. |
| |
|
|
| |
| What are the Red and Black Buttons on my GFCI
Outlet? |
|
|
| Answer
- The black button is a test button and when pressed, should deactivate
the outlet and any other outlet fed from it - Indicating a properly
functioning device.
The red button is the re-set button that you depress to reactivate
the outlet or outlets in the event of deactivation resulting from a
fault. |
| |
|
| |
| What is the Difference Between a Breaker Panel and
My Old Fuse Panel? |
|
| Answer
- Both devices, either breaker or fuse, are designed to trip (turn off)
in the event of an electrical overload, i.e. 20Amps of electrical load
on a 15Amp circuit would cause a trip. The only difference is that a
breaker is mechanical and may be reset. Whereas, a fuse is one time only
and must be replaced.
Please Note: Modern breakers are much more efficient and offer
greater levels of protection. |
| |
|
| |
| How do I Reset My Breaker When it Has Tripped
Off? |
|
|
| Answer
- First, disconnect any additional devices that may have caused the
breaker to overload and trip. Breakers are mechanical devices and must
be turned all the way off before turning back on. Remember this is a
mechanical device, so this may require several attempts. If this fails
to reset the breaker, there may be a more serious problem. Contact a
licensed electrician in your area. |
| |
|
| |
| What Does it Mean When My Fluorescent Lights are
Flickering or Cycling on and off? |
|
| Answer
- Flickering may indicate impending bulb failure, minor power
fluctuation, and/or improperly installed bulbs. Cycling on and off is
usually a clear indication of ballast and/or bulb failure. It is
recommended when replacing a ballast to replace bulbs as well. |
| |
|
| |
| Can I Hang a Paddle Fan Where a Light is? |
|
|
| Answer
- Yes, but first you must make sure the electrical box is properly
braced and rated for the weight and torque of the paddle fan you are
installing. |
| |
|
| |
| Can I Dim Fluorescent Lights? |
|
| Answer
- Yes. Dimming fluorescent requires not only a special dimmer, but also
special fixtures. You cannot
place a
typical incandescent dimmer on existing fluorescent. |
| |
|
| |
| I Have a New Home. Why Does My Refrigerator or
Freeze , Located in My Garage, Keep Shutting Off? |
|
|
| Answer
- Unless you made provisions with the builder for a dedicated circuit,
the outlets in your garage are GFCI Protected per National Electrical
Code. This device will not tolerate the additional resistance load
created by refrigeration equipment. The GFCI senses there is a fault,
and therefore trips off. The only cure to this problem is to provide a
dedicated, non GFCI circuit allowable by code. |
| |
|
| |
| Can I Plug My Coffee Pot and Toaster Oven into the
Same Kitchen Counter Outlet? |
|
| Answer
- Yes. Though, if the two loads exceed 20amps, your breaker will sense
overload, do its job, and trip off. Under this condition, you must plug
one of the appliances into a different kitchen outlet on a
different circuit, in order to balance
the load. |
| |
|
| |
| Can I Plug any 110Volt Device I Wish into My
Regular 110Volt Outlets Throughout My House? |
|
|
| Answer
- Yes.Though, if the device exceeds the capacity of the circuit, the
breaker will trip off. |
| |
|
| |
| When My Air Conditioner Cycles on, I Notice My
Lights Blink. Is This Normal? |
|
| Answer
- Yes. This is a common occurrence when large motor/compressor loads
start. These devices cause a minor momentary voltage drop, demonstrating
itself as the blinking in your lights. This has no negative effect on
the electrical equipment within your house. |
| |
|
| |
| I have Surge/Lightning Protection on My Home. Am
I Totally Safe From Lightning Strikes? |
|
|
| Answer
- No. Surge/Lightning Protection only offers additional levels of
protection. Nothing can guarantee completely against mother nature and
where she chooses to strike. |
| |
|
| |
| If I Have Surge/Lightning Protection on My Main
Service Should I Use Point-of-Use Surge Plugins at My TV, Stereo,
Computer, etc.? |
|
|
| Answer
- Yes. Main line surge is no absolute guarantee and any additional surge
protection down stream in the system offers a greater level of
protection; though, nothing is absolute when it comes to the power of
Mother Nature. |
| |
|
| |
| I Have a 110Volt Outlet on the Exterior of My Home.
Can I Plug my Christmas Lights into It? |
|
| Answer
- Yes. Within reason;if the quantity of lights creates a load greater
than the capacity of the circuit breaker, the breaker will trip off. In
this event, additional circuits may be required to accommodate your
holiday display. |
| |
|
| |
| I Have a 110Volt Convenience Outlet at My Dock.
Is This enough to Power My New Boat Lift? |
|
|
| Answer
- No. With few exceptions, i.e. davits, a boat lift requires at least a
20Amp dedicated 110Volt circuit and possibly as much as several 30Amp
dedicated circuits. |
| |
|
| |
| Why Does My Recess Can Light Cycle On and Off Since
I Put a Larger Wattage Bulb In? |
|
| Answer
- Modern Recess Cans are rated for a maximum wattage bulb and are
equipped with a thermal device that does not allow a bulb larger than
that rating? If a larger wattage bulb is used, as the excess heat builds
up, the thermal device will shut the can off until it cools. This is a
safety device to protect your home against fire. |
| |
|
| |
| I Have a New Home. If I Have a Problem with TV or
Telephone Wiring within the House, Who Should I Call? |
|
|
| Answer
- With deregulation of the utility companies in most areas of the
country, the cable or telephone companies are no longer responsible for
the equipment or wiring in your home. This responsibility has fallen to
you and your electrical contractor. Therefore, when a problem arises, we
would recommend you contact your electrical contractor. Most TV and
telephone utilities will still service within your home for a
substantial fee. This service, as in the past, is no longer free. |
| |
|
| |
| I Have Two Telephone Lines in My Home. Why When I'm
on the Phone and the Other Phone Line is in Use, do I hear the Other
conversation in the Background? |
|
| Answer
- This is commonly called Bleedover and usually results from one of
three conditions.
1. Excessively long runs of wire within the home of
non-twisted pairs .
2. Loop wiring from phone station to phone station.
3. A nick in the phone wire somewhere within your residence
causing a weak interconnect between phone lines.
Phone wiring installation today should be done as a home run system,
each phone station being a dedicated run back to a common terminal
block.
Please remember if you have a problem with your phone wiring within
your home, it is today the responsibility of the electrician rather than
the phone company as in the past. |
| |
|
| |
| Why do the Bulbs in My Exterior Fixture Burn Out so
Often? |
|
| Answer
- This is usually caused by several factors.
1. Use of non brand named bulbs.
2. Larger wattage bulbs which cause excessive heat build-up
shorting the life of the bulb.
3. Power Surges.
Helpful hints in the solution to this problem should be to use only
brand named bulbs and try to buy 130Volt rated bulbs instead of the
normal 120Volt rated bulbs. This should significantly extend the life. |
| |
|
| |
| My Smoke Detector Keeps Chirping. What Does this
Mean? |
|
| Answer
- This could mean one of two things.
1. An Intermittent Chirp is probably an indication of a
defective smoke detector.
2. A consistent chirp is probably an indication of a low battery
condition and the smoke detector requires a new battery. |
