Category: Electricians

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Some Interesting Facts About Electricians and What They Do!

Electricians provide essential services to homeowners, businesses, governments, and many more.

Though it might seem like electrical companies all do the same things, the field is actually very broad and becoming an electrician is harder than most people think.

Read these interesting facts about electrical contractors to get a better understanding of the work they do and what is involved in becoming one!

  • Training Time - To be fully trained and licensed, it takes most electricians just as much time as it does a medical doctor to complete medical school. For specialty training, it can take even longer!
  • Electrical Specialties - There are many, many specialty fields for electrical contractors, each one with its own educational and skill requirements. Whether training to become a residential, industrial, or commercial electrician or becoming a certified linesman or high-voltage electrician working for an electrical company, each of these and many other fields involves specialized training, passing specific tests, and obtaining individual licensing for these specialties. 
  • Safety Training - A part of the training that every electrician receives focuses on safety practices, regulations, and requirements. 
  • Good Eyes - Electrical work involves working with wiring of multiple colors, each of which means something different. To become licensed, every electrical contractor must pass a color blindness test to ensure the safety of every involved person. 
  • Broad Skillset - Electrical work requires electricians to have a broad skill set as it involves problem-solving, critical thinking, troubleshooting capabilities, and the ability to perform many different tasks. Some of those include installations, de-installations, repairs, upgrading wiring, and much more. They must be trained in the use of many different tools some specialized, be able to read blueprints and technical diagrams, and be able to work in a variety of conditions and locations, from inside small crawl spaces and attics to outside in different weather conditions. 
  • Personal Protective Equipment - Whether working as a linesman or doing wiring in a home, all electrical contractors are required to use certain types of PPE to protect themselves. Generally speaking, that usually means protective footwear, gloves, eye protection, and clothing that can reduce the chance of shock or related injuries. Electrical companies that provide specialty services frequently require their electricians to wear additional PPE based on the job and its location.

Being an electrician is a challenging occupation that requires a huge investment in time and training that many people may not realize.

When calling a licensed electrician for any reason, home and business owners can rest assured that they are dealing with a well-trained professional who will provide them with excellent, safe, and professional services!

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Hire the Best Residential Electrician With These Tips!

When in need of the service of residential electricians, homeowners want to be sure they are hiring the best ones for the job.

Not all electricians have the same experience or qualifications, so it is important to research each candidate.

These screening tips can help anyone find the right local electrician services to take care of any electrical repairs needed at their home.

  • References and Reviews - When researching for residential electricians online, check their business pages and social media for reviews from other customers, both the positive and the negative if there are any. After finding prospective options, ask for references that can be contacted for additional opinions. Check professional standing with the National Association of Residential Inspectors (NARI) and/or the North American Technician Excellence program (NATE), and other industry-related credentials. 
  • Electrical Licensing - Residential electricians are required to hold state licensing for electricians to do work for customers. Make sure that the electricians called are state licensed and that they are maintaining their license as required by the state. 
  • Contractor’s Insurance - In addition to licensing, all electrician services should have contractor’s business insurance to protect the property of their customers should a mistake be made or some kind of damage occur. Avoid doing business with uninsured electricians, as the homeowner's insurance policy may not cover any damage caused by them. 
  • Fast Response Time - When discussing work with local electricians, find out how quickly they can respond to work requests. Can they handle emergency work? How long of a wait is there for repairs and other non-emergency work? Make sure the contractor can fill work requests and schedule visits within a reasonable timeframe for the work being requested. 
  • Work Estimates and Warranties - Like other contractors, dependable electrician services will provide work estimates as needed for their customers. Make sure estimates are detailed and include all fees as well as information about any work warranties offered by the contractor. An unwillingness to give a written work estimate could be a red flag about pricing, or even experience if they are unable to at least predict the time and materials that a job might entail.

Like many other types of contractors, there is no shortage of handyman businesses and general contractors out there willing to do electrical work.

Unless these contractors are licensed residential electricians, it is best to seek contractors with the right qualifications and credentials.

Asking these simple questions will help any homeowner find the electrician services in their community that can be relied on!

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How Can Up Lighting Transform A Home Exterior?

Lighting effects can be used to make a space look certain ways, both inside and outside.

Up lighting, an exterior lighting technique that many electricians are hired to install, is one such effect that can transform the outside of a home to make it and the entire home lot look more attractive.

It is beneficial for much more than just looks, too.

What Are The Beneficial Effects of Up Lighting?

Up lighting installed by electrical services is a home design feature that uses light in a creative way.

Where most exterior light fixtures are installed on walls, poles, posts, and along the ground to shine downward and illuminate areas below them, up lighting is basically the opposite.

Up lighting fixtures installed by electricians are designed to shine their light up, rather than down, creating a totally different lighting effect.

  • Creates Atmosphere - The most striking detail about uplighting is how it shines up, creating a completely different look on and around a home than lighting that shines downward. By illuminating upward, homeowners can improve the appearance and attractiveness of their homes, making them stand out or highlighting the desirable architectural features of the home. Up lighting installed at entranceways, pointed up to windows, and illuminating landscaping features like trees, bushes, and ornamental plants can make a home look more stately and beautiful, creating a whole different ambiance on the property.
  • Improves Safety - Any lighting around the exterior of a home can improve safety. Up lighting installed by electricians can add even greater safety, as it is used to illuminate more than just the ground. Up lighting makes it easier to see certain architectural features and decorative installments around a home and its walkways, creating a safer, more well-lit environment.
  • Adds Extra Home Security - Similarly, many electrical services recommend up lighting outside a home to increase home security when used to illuminate doorway entrances, ground-floor windows, and other home access points.

Consider Up Lighting For Your Home!

Up lighting is an exterior lighting effect recommended by electricians for a more unique option to the traditional walkway and porch lights.

Not only can it be used as a transformative outdoor design element to make a home look more inviting, but it also creates a safer and more secure home environment by directing light up and out, too.

To learn more about up lighting and how it can be used to improve curb appeal and make a home more burglar-proof, contact an electrical service to plan it all out!