FINISHER ELECTRIC BLOG

Across the nation, the statistics are growing in favor of the number of electrical issues older homes pose. Outdated systems and materials cause a variety of electrical problems. Did you move into a house with old electrical wiring? Or purchase a commercial building that needs updated electrical? Don’t worry; outdated electrical issues can be fixed. Below we share the top four common dangers of old electrical wiring in older homes and provide helpful solutions. First, we are going to talk about outdated wiring. Many older homes have aluminum wiring, or what is called knob and tube wiring; these standards are to be considered unsafe for today’s electrical rules and regulations. These types of electrical wiring techniques are at more risk for fire hazards and risk for deterioration. This wiring issue occurs not only in homes but also in commercial buildings. What’s the solution? The best solution is to hire a professional electrical contractor , such as Piper Electric, to change your outdated wiring needs. This is not a task that should be tackled as a DIY project; often, there will need to be a city inspection to ensure ultimate safety and protection. Second, there are ungrounded outlets. Proper grounding is critical for safety because your home may be at risk for electrical fires or even electrical shocks. A grounded outlet in 2024 has three-prong plugs, while ungrounded outlets have two-prong plugs. Two-prong plugs will always be considered old wiring. The best solution to something of this caliber is to replace electrical outlets for proper grounding by residential electricians. Third, there could be a lack of GFCIs, which stand for Ground Fault Circuit Interpreters. These devices are essential in preventing electrical shocks in wet areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor outlets. GCFIs monitor the current flow from hot to neutral in the electrical circuit. When the device detects an imbalance, it trips the circuit, cutting off electricity and preventing harm. If you are still determining whether your home is up to date on this technology, it is best to reach out to an electrical professional to assist you with further needs. Finally, the fourth common danger of outdated electrical wiring is a faulty or outdated electrical panel. Outdated electrical panels are dangerous for several reasons: The aging component provides wear and tear that will degrade and loosen connections over time. It can also cause corrosion; this is a risk of electrical faults and fires. Old panels don’t have an adequate capacity. Modern houses have a higher demand for electricity due to the household’s number of appliances and electronics. A panel that cannot hold this amount of electricity will cause frequent tripping of breakers and blowing of fuses. Outdated electrical panels can lead to a fire risk due to obsolete or faulty wiring or electrical shock due to degraded insulation or exposed wiring. Contact an electrical professional if you think your electrical panel needs to be updated. Above all, if you feel your residence needs updated electrical wiring, give us a call at, 985-966-5651, or visit https://www.whodatfinisher.com/residential for more information on our Residential Electrical Services. Electrical issues must be assessed by qualified electricians who can make professional recommendations and updates to ensure your safety.

Summer is here, and the fun is ready to start! However, before all the summer fun begins, there are some essential outdoor electrical safety tips to check out for maximum safety. Taking precautions outdoors to protect kids, pets, guests, and you is vital. With the summer fun happening all around us, sometimes it slips our minds to double-check electrical safety in our outdoor spaces. Here are some key tips on keeping your outdoor spaces safe! Tip One: Use Outdoor Rated and Waterproof Equipment Ensuring you have the correct electrical devices and cords designed explicitly for outdoor use is essential. Products like these are built to withstand outdoor elements, such as; UV exposure, high heat, and moisture. Call an electrical professional to assess your outdoor safety equipment if you need clarification on whether you have the correct devices or chords. Tip Two: Protecting Electrical Connections Remember, moisture and electricity are not friends. Therefore, it is critical to keep your electrical connections away from moisture. All outdoor electrical connections, outlets, and plugs should avoid moisture, such as rain, sprinklers, or other water sources. It is a good idea to use weatherproof covers for your outlets and protective enclosures if needed. Tip Three: Properly Installing Outdoor Lighting Tip number three is properly installing outdoor lighting. Whether it is maintaining or installing new outdoor lighting, you must always turn off all power to that area before working on the fixture. There are specially designed lighting fixtures with specific bulbs for outdoor use to avoid fire and electrical hazards. As always, if you need help installing electrical fixtures, contact a professional with electrical training who knows what to do. Tip Four: Be Mindful of Powerlines One of the most essential tips is to stay away from electrical powerlines! Keeping a safe distance from overhead powerlines is imperative if you are outside; this applies to working outdoors and kids playing outside. Summer is a popular time for afternoon thunderstorms to roll in and sometimes knock our powerlines loose or entirely down. If this happens to you, keeping ten feet away from the downed powerline is critical and occasionally life-saving. If you are a parent, staying away from fallen powerlines is a conversation you should have with your kids. Downed powerlines can be extremely dangerous. Call your local Utility company or an electrical professional to assess the situation’s safety if you have a downed power. Tip Five: Educate Your Kids on Electrical Safety Teaching your children electrical safety tips is one of the best things you can do for them. During summertime, it is fun to let the little ones have the run of the yard, but if they have the run, then educate them on the importance of electrical safety. Electrical safety is not a joke and can end up saving a life. Here are a few critical points to teaching your kids electrical safety tips: Begin with the basics: electricity can be dangerous if not handled properly. Identifying electrical hazards- exposed wires, damaged chords, and water near electricity. Keep fingers and objects away from outlets. Proper use of electrical cords. Staying away from low powerlines or downed powerlines. Display a demonstration to show your kids what to do and what not to do. Remember to check your outdoor electrical safety components every year. If you need assistance because you need help with what to look for, reach out to Piper Electric, and one of our licensed technicians will assist you. All our techs are proficient in electrical training and will be able to answer questions you may have. If you have exposed wiring, call Xcel Energy or your local utility company immediately. Summer safety is always number one, and summer fun is number two!

Security lighting has many advantages, whether it is a home or a business. Most commonly, security lights enhance safety and deter intruders or potential threats. Security lighting also provides enhanced visibility when it’s dark; this is prominent for apartment buildings and businesses with dark surrounding areas. Most importantly, security lights will give homeowners, businesses, and apartment buildings peace of mind, knowing the property is well-lit and secure. Let’s dive into the various types of security lighting and their benefits. Floodlights These provide an intense illumination and cover large surrounding areas. Motion-Activated Lights – These lights turn on when motion is detected. It will alert you and provide luminous lighting, adding safety to your surroundings. When the movement has been caught, a camera records what made the light go on. This is great for all types of buildings and homes. Solar-Powered Lights – These lights are environmentally friendly, using solar panels to charge during the day so you will receive powerful lighting at nighttime. Smart Security Lights – These lights can be controlled remotely through your smartphone applications; some include additional features such as adjusting the lighting or setting lighting timers. Strobe Lights – This type of lighting is a rapid flashing light in conjunction with a tripped alarm system to serve as a visual deterrent. Strobe lights are common in business buildings. CCTV Lighting – These lights are specifically designed to work in sync with surveillance cameras. This type of lighting is made to enhance the video quality at night. Determining which lighting choice is the best fit for your property can be challenging. Well-lit areas are less attractive to potential intruders. Security lights make it clear to outsiders that the property is occupied and monitored. Here are some tips on choosing the best type of security lighting for your area. Asses the Vulnerable Areas- Examine the entirety of your property, all 360 degrees of it. You will look for vulnerable areas, including dark corners, blind spots, pathways, or entrances. If you find these dark spaces where someone can easily hide in or access your property unnoticed, security lights are a must-have for you. Crime Activity in Your Area- It is a good idea to research crime activity in your area. It will give you a good indication of the different types of security cameras and lights you will need. Higher crime areas often benefit from increased visibility and well-lit areas. Reflect on Security Standards- Security standards mean something different to everyone. It is essential to reflect on your personal and business security concerns. Some questions to ask are: do you worry about the safety of family, employees, or the property? Have there been specific security issues at the current location? Do you have valuable assets that need to be protection? All these questions are helpful when choosing your type of security. Ultimately, deciding to install security lighting will depend on your specific circumstances. No matter what, security lighting is an extra protective step to ensure situational awareness and safety, along with minimizing potential threats. If you have additional questions, it is wise to chat with a security professional. When installing security lighting, it is recommended to hire a licensed electrician to ensure it is done correctly. Call Finisher Electric and speak to a specialist today. Give yourself a peace of mind and install security lighting at your property today.