Convenience and Protection From Wall to Wall
Have you ever looked at an old electrical outlet and wondered if it was safe to use? It’s even scarier when you plug something in and the outlet sparks.
The harsh reality is that the majority of electrical fires are caused by faulty outlets. Sometimes, builders try to cut corners when it comes to cost, which can result in shoddy work by a disreputable electrician. The electrician will do things like plug wires into the back of plugs instead of wrapping them around the screws. It takes 10 seconds more to do it the right way, but the electrician is rushing and ends up doing a poor job with little regard for safety.
At the Neighborhood Electrician, we do things much, much differently. Not only are we meticulous in how we install electrical outlets, but we also use the safest and most reliable products on the market.
GFCI Outlets Protect From Electric Shock
Ever wonder why there are buttons and a sensor on certain outlets? Those are Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets. They are used to protect people from ground faults, which is when a person inadvertently touches an appliance with a live wire. A wire can become live if the appliance was improperly wired or if the wiring has deteriorated and becomes exposed. Due to this electrical disruption, the current will redirect to the path of least resistance, which is the ground. But because you’re in contact with the live wire, the electric passes through you as it heads downward. Ground faults are extremely dangerous and can even be fatal.
This is why GFCI outlets are lifesavers. They constantly monitor the flow of electricity within your circuits and can detect when electric is leaving the circuit, which is when a ground fault can occur. Almost instantaneously, the GFCI will shut down the electrical current and protect the person from electrocution. Even though circuit breakers and fuse panels will also turn off the power, GFCI outlets do this even faster.
We are firm believers in the power of GFCI outlets and can help you make your electrical much safer. In fact, under the National Electrical Code (NEC), there are many areas of homes and businesses that are now required to have GFCI outlets, such as outdoors, Kitchens and in bathrooms. During an electrical inspection, we can point out where GFCI outlets must be installed to ensure your home or business is fully up to code.
USB Outlets Offer Convenience and Additional Protection
From phones to tablets and more, nearly every home has some sort of smart device. USB outlets are ideal for today’s homes and businesses because, let’s face it, we’re living in a USB world! We offer a number of options and can install everything from USB-only outlets to outlets that combine three-pronged plugs with USB ports. With these outlets, you can:
- Eliminate the need for adapters to charge your devices.
- Free up space in the three-pronged plugs for other devices.
- Charge your devices faster. We install USB ports with smart chips that can detect the optimum charging amperage of every device. This accelerates the charging time while preventing wasted energy and overcharging.
Pull the Plug on Outdated Electrical and Upgrade Safely
Outlets might not seem like a big deal to the naked eye. But behind those walls, there’s an entire web of wires and electrical current that can pose a real danger if it isn’t up to par. We want to make sure your electrical is nothing less than 100 percent safe for you and your family. Or if your outlets are already up to code, we’d be happy to discuss USB outlets and other ways to enhance the luxury and convenience of your electrical.
To take the first step toward safer electrical, request your free estimate online or call The Neighborhood Electrician at 586.489.1504 today.