Seattle Electricians: Why Install a Generator in Seattle?

Seattle Electricians Today: Why Install a Generator in Seattle?

Seattle Electricians: Proper Disposal of Compact Flourescent lights (CFLs)

Seattle Electricians: Proper Disposal of Compact Flourescent lights (CFLs)

Why Install a Generator in Seattle, WA Or Bellevue, WA?

INVEST IN A GENERATOR TO PROVIDE BACK-UP POWER AND PEACE OF MIND IN AN OUTAGE
Seattle,WA- The lights go out, the TV powers off, an eerie darkness sweeps over your home or office. How long will it last? After a few minutes, the search for candles and flashlights begins. Life without power is disruptive, unproductive and can be perilous.
When weather hits, Mother Nature wields extensive power, and can shut down whole cities at a time. Think Katrina and the devastation of New Orleans a few years ago. Residents in that city are still relying on generators in some situations.
Construction too can affect your power if the construction is on the same power grid. If a construction worker hits a power line, the grid can be compromised throughout.
Also, most burglar alarm systems are powered by electricity and a power outage can leave your home or office unsecured during the time of the outage.
A standby generator can be the answer, according Brian Lee, Electrician of Electricians Today Inc, a full-service electrical contractor serving Seattle, Bellevue, & Lynnwood WA.
This electrical powerhouse is small but mighty. Fueled by natural gas, diesel or propane, a standby generator is able to meet a essential electrical needs in a time of crisis.
A generator is capable of powering an entire house or like-sized office, even when you’re not there. Among other services, Electricians Today Inc. installs standby generators that don’t have to be plugged in or manually started, giving you 24/7 protection and electrical service. In the event of a power outage in your absence, a generator kicks in, preventing pipes from freezing, basements from flooding, food from spoiling and mold infestations. When the power fails, an automatic transfer switch shuts off the main supply of electricity, starts the generator and directs it to the designated emergency circuits in the generator. When the power recovers, the switch automatically turns the generator off and restores the house’s association with the power grid.
Standby generators are relatively inexpensive compared to the financial headache they will save you in the event of an outage that last for any length of time
Installation if a generator switch can run $1,000, far less than the damage that can occur from no power service. In an average family home, an 11-kilowatt generator is more than enough to power an entire home including: heat and lights, security system, well or sump pumps, refrigerator or freezer, water heater, air conditioner, medical support, computer or television for days or even weeks depending on the judiciousness of use, says Parker.
Portable generators, a less expensive option, are more labor-intensive than standby generators. They need to be started manually, constantly monitored and require refueling with gasoline every few hours during use. Portable generators are unable to be used in basements or garages as exhaust fumes, risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning can occur.
Never, warns Lee, use a portable generator in an enclosed area.
Whether it is a few hours of no power or a few weeks. A generator provides the safety and assurance you need to rest assured that you and your family is taken care of in a time of need.
Contact Electricians Today Inc. for a free bid for a back-up generator. Assessment of a generator to be used in your home or office. Electricians Today Inc. can be reached at
206-971-7131 or 425-739-6592

Tripped Breaker in Seattle? Sammamish WA? Short Circuit in Bellevue WA?

Circuit Breaker Tripping OffA circuit breaker is designed to trip off when it detects too much power running through the wire it's protecting. There are three main reasons circuit breakers trip off:
1. There is a short circuit.
2. There is an overloaded circuit.
3. The circuit breaker is broken.

Short Circuits
Short circuits occur when two electrical wires accidentally touch each other. A short circuit will immediately cause one of your circuit breakers to trip off or one of your fuses to blow.

To fix a short circuit, ask yourself this question: "What was happening right before the short circuit?" If you had just plugged something into a receptacle (outlet) or turned on a light or an appliance, then this gives you a clue as to what caused the short.

If you just plugged in an iron, for instance, you can simply un-plug the iron and then re-set the circuit breaker or replace the fuse. If everything is now OK, then your electrical system is fine - and it's time to get a new iron!
If, however, you can't find anything plugged in which is causing the problem, then it's time to call a good electrician to locate and repair your short circuit.

Overloaded CircuitOverloaded circuits occur when too much power is running through an electrical wire. To protect the wire, the circuit breaker does its job by detecting the overload and tripping off. The solution to this problem is to remove some of the appliances that are connected to the overloaded wires. You may wish to add a new set of wires so that you can supply power to all your appliances. For this, you'll need a good electrician.

Broken Circuit Breaker
Sometimes circuit breakers just wear out and need to be replaced.

Electric shock can cause death
When working with electrical equipment wear rubber-soled shoes, avoid damp locations and hold all tools by their insulated handles. Never touch conductive surfaces such as pipes or metal bracing. Use a non-conductive fiberglass ladder when working with electricity. Avoid shorting electrical circuits.

Fuses and Circuit Breakers
If a fuse blows or a circuit breaker is tripped, don’t just replace or reset it. Find out what caused the circuit to overload and correct the problem.

Never replace a fuse or circuit breaker with one that exceeds the amperage rating for a given circuit.
Avoid using several high-amperage appliances - such as irons or other heat-producing appliances - on the same circuit.

Never replace a fuse with a penny or any other material that conducts electricity.
Appliances

All household appliances should bear the label of an independent testing laboratory, indicating that they meet basic safety standards.
Keep heat-producing appliances, such as electric space heaters, electric ranges, and irons at least three feet (one meter) away from furniture, curtains, bedding, or anything that will burn.

Allow plenty of air space around televisions, computers, and stereos to prevent overheating.

Keep electrical cords away from heat-producing appliances, such as toasters and coffee makers.

Be sure that detachable appliance cords, such as those used with coffee makers, deep-fat fryers, and popcorn poppers are rated for the electrical-load requirements of the appliance Electrical Outlets

Have a professional electrician replace old or damaged outlets with modern, three-wired, polarized receptacles. Proper grounding is essential to minimize fire and shock hazards.

Plugs should match outlets. Three-pronged plugs require three-wired receptacles or a properly grounded adapter. Polarized plugs (now standard), with one prong wider than the other, require polarized receptacles.

Never cut off or bend the ground pin of a three-pronged plug. This ground connection protects you from severe shock caused by a faulty cord or malfunctioning appliance.

Never alter the wide prong of a polarized plug to make it fit into an outdated outlet. Have the outlet replaced and properly grounded.
Protect children from electrical shock by installing plastic safety inserts in unused outlets.