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The Importance of Electrical Safety Inspections
Many property owners believe electrical inspections are solely reserved for detecting and diagnosing electrical faults. However, that is not the case. To empower customers to uphold the electrical performance and safety of their San Jose, CA properties, Dalcon Electric is here to explore the importance of electrical safety inspections.
Your Source for Electrical Excellence
From whole-house rewiring to commercial energy-saving solutions, Dalcon Electric is your source for electrical service excellence. Backed by a legacy of trusted expertise, we prioritize our customers’ safety and the efficiency of their properties. Partner with us for the highest standards of quality electrical services in San Jose, CA.
Understanding Electrical Safety Inspections
Electrical safety is non-negotiable for industrial, commercial, and residential properties. Faulty wiring, non-compliant electrical features, and outdated systems can lead to costly damage, health and safety risks, and monetary fines. Routine electrical safety inspection services are paramount to mitigate these concerns and maintain a reliable and secure electrical system.
What Are Electrical Safety Inspections?
Electrical safety inspections are proactive and preventative services designed for homes and businesses alike. These detailed assessments involve inspecting and testing each component within an electrical system to ensure code compliance, safety, and functionality. The results generated through electrical safety inspection services serve as roadmaps for projected repairs or upgrades.
When to Pursue Electrical Home Safety Inspections
Electrical safety inspections are not a one-off service. They should be factored into your property maintenance plans every three to five years to ensure code compliance as regulations evolve and continued safety as your system ages. It is also vital to pursue electrical home safety inspections when purchasing or renovating a property.
When to Schedule an Industrial Electrical Safety Inspection
It’s essential to schedule an initial commercial or industrial electrical safety inspection when purchasing a new business property, followed by regular inspections every three to five years. Visual inspections are also advised annually to detect wear. Furthermore, inspections are imperative when remodeling or introducing new electrical equipment.
The Importance of Electrical Safety Inspections
The importance of electrical safety inspections cannot be overstated. These proactive solutions are your first line of defense against significant property damage, safety risks, and non-compliance. Staying up to date with your safety inspection needs also enhances the lifespan of your electrical system, combating premature wear and unnecessary expenditure.
Prioritize Sustainable Safety
Perhaps the most impactful component of electrical safety inspections is the reinforced security these solutions bring to your home or business. These services allow experts to promptly detect and correct electrical faults to reduce the risk of electrical fires and electrocution that may otherwise result in severe injuries or even fatalities.
Regulatory Compliance
Regulatory compliance with local and national electrical codes is imperative to homes and businesses alike. As these regulations are constantly evolving, it can be challenging to remain compliant without routine electrical safety inspections. Failure to adhere to these regulations can result in monetary fines and rejected insurance claims in the event of electrical fires or damage.
Enhanced Energy Efficiency
Without maintenance, worn or faulty electrical components have to work twice as hard to get the job done. As a result, you may be faced with increased electrical bills. Electrical safety inspections can mitigate this risk, promoting cost savings by identifying and correcting electrical inefficiencies that may be contributing to energy waste.
Obtain a Better Insurance Premium
Insurance companies appreciate property owners who pursue regular electrical safety inspections. They view properties protected by electrical safety inspections as less of a liability. In fact, if you can provide evidence of routine inspection services, your insurance company may be willing to offer you a reduced premium.
Boost Your Property Value
The upgrades derived from electrical safety inspections may seem like an unnecessary expense. In contrast, these replacements and repairs are wise and cost-effective investments. A well-maintained electrical system equipped with the latest electrical features can boost your property value.
Combat Repairs & Premature Replacements
Among the benefits of electrical safety inspection services is the chance to combat repairs and premature replacements. Safety inspections identify faulty electrical equipment and opportunities for upgrades, contributing to the longevity and reliability of your electrical system and reducing the risk of unexpected malfunctions and complete system overhauls.
The Benefits of Electrical Safety Inspection Services
To recap the many pertinent factors that contribute to the importance of electrical safety inspections, let’s review the benefits. The benefits of these crucial, preventative maintenance services include:
1) Protection and safety of residents/occupants
2) Electrical system efficiency and longevity
3) Increased property value
4) Reduced insurance rates
5) Regulatory compliance
6) Cost-effective and value-addingWhat’s Included In Electrical Safety Inspection Services
We offer multipoint electrical safety inspection services. These in-depth assessments cover every part of your electrical system, including:
1) Evaluation of electrical component installation and performance
2) Testing of outlets, fixtures, and appliances
3) Wiring inspections to detect wear/damage
4) Verifying wiring insulation
5) Detecting overloaded wiring and sockets
6) Verifying proper bonding and grounding
7) Ensuring proper circuit protection
8) Detecting electrical non-compliance and upgradesOur Electrical Safety Inspection Process
At Dalcon Electric, we prioritize full-service solutions and meticulous attention to detail. Our electrical safety inspections involve a comprehensive assessment of your entire electrical system, circuits, and associated components to identify symptoms of wear, damage, fire hazards, and non-compliance. From there, we develop a report that features our upgrade and/or repair recommendations.
Electrical Code Compliance Standards
Homes and businesses must adhere to local codes and the National Electric Code (NEC). The NEC is updated every three years to promote optimal electrical protection for residential and commercial properties. At Dalcon Electric, our experts are familiar with this ever-evolving code and are prepared to upgrade your property to meet the current standards.
Electrical Safety Upgrades
Following electrical safety inspections, our experts provide property owners with a detailed outline of recommended upgrades. These upgrades often include:
Electrical panel upgrades
Minor electrical repairs1) GFCI outlet installation/replacement
2) Rewiring
3) Surge protector installation
4) Tamper-proof outlet installation
5) Circuit breaker replacement
6) Dedicated circuit installationSchedule the Best Electrical Home Safety Inspection
Invest in sustainable safety with Dalcon Electric in San Jose, CA. Our commercial and residential electrical safety inspection services preserve and enhance your electrical system for years of uninterrupted performance, compliance, and protection. To get started, contact our friendly team to schedule your electrical safety inspection today.
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How is Aluminum Wiring Dangerous and What to Do About It
Replacing Dangerous Aluminum Wiring with Copper Wiring
The Risks of Aluminum Wiring
If your home was built between 1965 and 1974 with aluminum wiring, you’re at a high risk of a fire hazard. Copper wiring prices in the late 1960s spiked, leading many builders to find a less expensive alternative to wiring. Aluminum wiring fit the bill, but many builders didn’t realize it couldn’t conduct electricity as well and ran hotter than copper wiring. Aluminum wiring’s issues with oxidation and corrosion make it more prone to contraction and expansion, leading to fire hazards. The good news is that Dalcon Electric can help clients with aluminum wiring. Our team in San Jose, CA, and the surrounding areas will replace it with safer options. For over 30 years, we’ve provided the area with education and installation of the highest quality electrical systems. Contact us to learn more!
How Can I Tell if My Home Has Aluminum Wiring?
The easiest way to check if you have aluminum wiring is to look at your electrical panel or cables. There should be visible labeling with “AL”, “ALUM,” or “ALUMINUM.” The most important thing is to ensure you do not touch the wiring while looking for the labels. There should be a plastic sheath to protect you from electric shock, but it’s essential to proceed with caution. Our team of professionals can perform an electrical inspection to check your switches, fixtures, panelboard, receptacles, and appliance connections. We’ll check for discolored or loose connections and melted insulation.
Dangers of Aluminum Wiring Detection
The Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests any homes built before 1972 with aluminum wiring are 55 times more likely to reach fire hazard conditions. Signs of deterioration and overheating of aluminum wiring include:
- Buzzing sounds in outlets
- Hot cover plates
- The smell of burning plastic
- Discoloration of switches
- Flickering Lights
- Loose outlets
Dalcon Electric’s Whole House Rewiring Services
Our Dalcon Electric team is passionate about ensuring your home’s electrical system is as safe and dependable as possible. Our whole house rewiring services are often necessary when your home’s wiring is not up to code or presents a fire hazard. We understand the dangers of aluminum wiring and are here for your wiring needs. We offer free home safety assessments to inspect your wiring system.
Going Beyond Wiring for Your Safety
Removing and replacing your aluminum wiring with copper wiring is a tedious job that is meant for professionals. Never try to take it on yourself. Our licensed electricians have over three decades of experience and training in rewiring homes and businesses. We go beyond simply changing the wiring in your walls. We replace electrical panels, upgrade sockets and light switches, and inspect all areas of your home for better wiring protection.
Contact Dalcon Electric for More Info Today
Dalcon Electric is here to ensure you feel safe and secure in your home using your electricity. Our team is highly trained to grant you the confidence to feel safe with your wiring. If your home was built between 1965 and 1974, contact us to inquire about aluminum wiring removal. We’ll ensure your home’s electrical system is code compliant today!
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Resetting Circuit Breakers
Resetting Circuit Breakers
The first thing to understand is that a circuit breaker can have tripped off even when it looks like it’s in the “ON” position. This is because a circuit breaker will sometimes trip off internally, without the “ON/OFF” handle flipping to the “OFF” position.This is what to do when you have a loss of power that you suspect may be caused by a tripped circuit breaker.
1. Shut down any computer equipment that may be affected by a loss of power.
2. Go to your circuit breaker panel and firmly flip the first breaker OFF and then back ON again.
3. Do the same thing with each circuit breaker until you have flipped all of the circuit breakers OFF and then back ON again.
4. Now check and see whether the device that didn’t have power is now back on again.
5. If your power has been restored… you’re done! If your power is still out, it’s time to call an electrician.
Note: About 25% of all electrical power problems can be solved using the above technique. Good Luck!
More Technical Stuff About Circuit Breakers
Inside most circuit breakers there are two types of protection: One is thermal. The other is magnetic. The thermal strip measures heat build-up caused by overloading. When it reaches a certain temperature, it will shut off the breaker. The magnetic coil measures sudden increases in current (such as a short). At a predetermined limit it will shut the breaker off. Older breakers sometimes have only one of these features. For maximum protection, a breaker with both types of protection is recommended.
There are usually three spots on the outside of a breaker that show wear. If the “ON/OFF” switch (located at the top) has broken off or is loose, we recommend the breaker be replaced. Next is the load lug. If it is burnt or abnormally loose, we recommend the breaker be replaced. Last, and most common, is the stab. The breaker stab is what makes contact with the bussing in the panel (the bussing carries the power throughout the panel). The stab connects to the bussing through friction and spring tension. The spring tension, over time, may break down. If so, arcing or burning may result. If the stab has become burnt, discolored, or is abnormally loose, we recommend that the breaker be replaced and that the bussing in the panel be checked.
NOTE: It is possible for a breaker to appear OK in regard to it’s outward appearance and its capacity to carry continuity, but still be questionable, bad, or intermittent. The opposite may be true as well. A breaker with a poor outward appearance may be perfectly safe and structurally sound. Therefore a decision to replace a breaker should not be based solely on appearance, continuity, age, etc. A good electrician can recommend the proper course of action based on taking into account all the relevant factors.
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Telephone Power
Telephone Power
When power goes out in your home, remember, YOUR CORDLESS PHONE WILL NOT WORK IF THE PHONE’S BASE UNIT HAS NO POWER. However, if this happens you can still use any telephone that is plugged directly into a telephone outlet.