Knowing When To Call An Electrician | Conway, SC

9/27/2020

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Everyone uses electricity. Electricity is an integral part of our days. We need electricity to power our phones, lights, laptops, and refrigerators. We would undoubtedly be lost without it. Electricity is a powerful and sometimes dangerous force that allows us to enjoy the luxuries of our modern-day lives. This is one of the reasons it’s so important to repair, maintain, and update your electrical systems when needed. You can do this with the help of a licensed and reputable electrician. If you’re in need of an electrician, contact Mister Sparky of Myrtle Beach, in Conway, SC.

The electricity that flows through your home comes from a complex system of wires, breakers, meters, and receptacles. The electricity flows from 120 voltage wires to generate power. Electricity can be hazardous if it isn’t properly contained. Only a professional should handle electrical wires and systems.

Understanding how electricity powers your home and is distributed will help you make the right choice when it comes to calling an emergency electrician. If you live in an older home you may want to have a local electrician ensure your systems are up to you. Some older homes experience electrical issues due to fray or outdated wires. By contacting a local electrical engineer, you ensure your electrical systems are in compliance with local laws and regulations. Professional and local electrical companies are required to abide by the local regulations and will make sure your systems are up to date.

How Your Home’s Electrical Systems Work

Utility Companies Service Feeds

The service feeds are where all your home’s electricity comes from. Your utility company overhead service lines feed tons of voltage into your home by sending the electricity to a service head. The service head is usually attached to a conduit attached to a meter box. The meter is fed through the weather head.

The meter always lives with electrical energy. If the meter turns off it most likely is the result of an electrician manually doing so or a malfunction. If the meter is malfunctioning you should contact your utility service company as soon as possible. Please, do NOT attempt to tinker with the meter. It could be dangerous.

The Electrical Meter

The electric meter is an attachment to the service entrance pipe. You should be able to find this meter on the side of your home. It is sometimes attached to the power pole, owned by your utility company. The electric meter may be underneath the ground or overhead. The meter is simply a measuring device. It monitors the amount of electricity consumed over time. This allows your utility company to keep track of how much power you’ve used.

The electric meter has become more advanced. Older models have dials, while newer ones can operate digitally. If you have an old or outdated meter, it may be in your best interest to replace it with a newer and more advanced model. If you live in the Conway, SC, area, contact Mister Sparky of Myrtle Beach to help you get your home electrical systems up to date.

The Weatherproof Disconnect

The weatherproof connect is an important safety feature of our electrical system. The company usually has a weatherproof disconnect switch connected after the meter. If your utility company does not you need to hire an electrician to install one for you as soon as possible.

The weatherproof disconnect is a safety switch located right outside your home, usually near the meter. It allows you to switch off the power feed to your home without having to get to your electrical panel. This is an important safety measure to have. It acts as an extra precaution.

Weatherproof disconnect switches are especially helpful in the case of a house fire. This switch allows the fire department to turn the power off in a home from the outside. The firefighters can then safely hose down a house without fear of electrocution.

Electrical Panel

The electrical panel is one of the most important electrical appliances you can have in a household. The electrical panel is also sometimes referred to as the fuse box, the breaker box, and or the service panel. The electrical panel can usually be found in the basement near the device line. The purpose of this appliance is to distribute power throughout the home. The breakers in the box are designed to trip if the circuit is handling more panels then it was designed for.

When to Call an Electrician

Circuits Constantly Tripping

If your circuit breakers are constantly tripping, you have both a god and a bad problem on your hands. Your circuit breaker is meant to trip when the voltage surging through the feed is too great for your circuit. If your circuit breaks, that means it’s doing what it was designed to do. Unfortunately, a circuit that is always tripping may indicate a real problem with your electrical system.

Your circuit breakers could be breaking for a variety of reasons. A short circuit is one of them. A short circuit occurs when there is an active or hot, electrical wire and neutral wire touching. This causes a large amount of voltage to flow through the circuit. This can be a dangerous problem. Short circuits constantly cause breakers to trip and fuses to blow. Short circuits can also lead to sparks, smokes, and loud popping sounds. If you notice any of those issues, contact an emergency electrician immediately. No matter the reason for a repeatedly tripped breaker you should have a professional engineer determine the cause and repair of this malfunction.

Your Electrical System Is Over 2 Decades Old

If your electrical systems are 20 years or older it may be time for an update. Twenty years is a lot of time for advancements in more eco-friendly, and energy-efficient electrical advancements. Your old electrical system may be consuming more energy than is needed. Updating your electrical system can help you live a safer and more financially free life. If you live in or around the area, you should contact Mister Sparky of Myrtle Beach to have a professional electrician update your electrical systems for more comfort and peace of mind.