This is the second in a series of blogs which will culminate in identifying some potential circumstances under which you might consider upgrading from a fuse panel to a circuit breaker panel. In this blog I review circuit breakers and the benefits of a circuit breaker panel. Circuit Breaker Panel What is a Circuit Breaker? A […]
Smoke Detectors I know – you know all about this topic. Everybody knows you need smoke detectors, right? In fact, 13 out of 14 homes do have smoke detectors. So why am I writing about this? Simple: In 2015, there were 365,500 home fires*. That’s 1,000 home fires per day. Approximately 50% of those homes […]
Clients often ask me how they can protect expensive HVAC systems, electronics, and appliances from damage resulting from the frequent electrical storms we see in Vero Beach. A comprehensive surge protection system offers good protection, at minimal cost, against loss (or damage) to appliances and electronics. Lightning Strikes and Power Outages As mentioned in one […]
This is the start of a series of blogs on safety information. This article is on lightning and GFCIs – an important safety feature in your home if they’re working. Lightning, Florida, and the Potential Impact on Your GFCIs Florida is the “lightning capital” in the U.S. with thunderstorms occurring, on average, about 100 days each […]
I’ve been promising this post for several weeks. Hope you find it useful! Maintaining electrical service with fuses is similar to driving a 1950 Chevy. Why do I say that? A 60-amp electrical fuse panel is about the same age as a 1950 Chevy – it’s safe to assume a 60-amp fuse box is at […]
What Does an Electrical Service Panel Do? The purpose of an electrical service panel is to SAFELY distribute power from some source (most likely your local power provider) to different areas of the home. Branch circuits, which feed the outlets and switches in specific rooms/areas of the home or individual appliances, are responsible for getting an appropriate […]
My ultimate goal of this and the next several blogs, is to explain the circumstances under which you might want to consider upgrading from an electrical service panel using plug and/or cartridge fuses to a circuit breaker panel. I start with explaining fuses, how they work, and potential hazards. Fuses So what is a fuse […]
Have you ever been betrayed by someone you thought was your friend? That’s called backstabbing and it’s the only definition most people know. But there’s a good chance some (or all) of your receptacles and switches are “backstabbed” and at some point you will be betrayed. What does “backstabbing” or “stablocking” mean from an electrical perspective? […]
Depending on when your home was built, you will have ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) installed in your bathroom, kitchen, garage, unfinished basement, and on the exterior of your home. These are important electrical safety devices that are nearly 100% effective: since the 1970s GFCIs have saved thousands of lives and have helped cut the number […]
