By goldeneagleelect@gmail.com Do It Yourself • 0 Comments

7 Tips for Outdoor Extension Cord Safety

extrension_cordEvery year, hundreds of avoidable accidents are caused by old or improperly used extension cords. Before you gear up for all those projects, review our tips!

Stay out of the water

– Never run an extension cord through water or snow

– Be especially careful if using them near water sources, like pools, sprinklers, hot tubs, ponds, or streams

– If you are using multiple extension cords, wrap the connection tightly with electrical tape – this helps prevent moisture from leaking in and keeps them from pulling apart

Stay out of the way

– Make sure cords are not in the way of foot traffic

– Do not let the extension cords dangle off furniture or anywhere they can snag someone’s foot

Keep ‘em cool

The passage of electricity generates heat, and that heat needs to escape. Therefore:

– Keep extension cords uncovered when in use

– Never run them through walls, ceilings, or floors

– Unplug the cord immediately if it feels hot to the touch

They are not permanent

– Extension cords are for temporary uses, like powering lights for an event or running a tool

– They should never be used as a substitute for permanent wiring

– If you need a permanent power supply, install mounted outlets instead

Do not over-extend them

– A single extension cord should not be used to power more than one appliance

– Plug extension cords directly into a three-prong mounted outlet

– Multi-outlet extension cords should be used on their own; not plugged into another extension cord

Not all extension cords are the same

– Check whether your cords are rated for indoor or outdoor use

– Make sure the wattage allotment matches the tool you are using

– Use extension cords with three-prong grounded plugs

– Never remove a ground pin (the third prong) from an extension cord or appliance and force them to fit into a two-prong outlet

Store them properly

– When you are done using your extension cords, be sure to unplug them, coil them up and hang them properly indoors

– Before each use, inspect your extension cords closely for exposed wires and cracks in the insulation – if you see those, it’s time for a new one

Extension cord safety is easy to implement but also easy to ignore. By following these simple guidelines, you can keep yourself safe while completing all of your projects.

By goldeneagleelect@gmail.com General Information 0 Comments

How Many Circuits Do You Need When Remodeling Your Kitchen?

transitional-lighting-kitchenYour kitchen is a busy room. And not just for foot traffic. It’s the workhorse of your house. You heat, you cool, you clean, you store, you prepare, you dispose – you do a lot in your kitchen!

Many homeowners choose to remodel their kitchens for the increased value to their homes, but also for the added ease of life. If you’re remodeling a kitchen, one priority will be installation of proper lighting and appliances. One of the things that you should be considering is how to rewire your kitchen, be sure to include these eight electrical circuits:

Lighting circuit

First off, you need the appropriate circuit to control lighting. One 15-amp circuit can handle all the hard-wired lighting for your kitchen. This includes recessed can lighting, hanging fixtures, or under-cabinet lights. These small appliances draw so little power, especially given today’s lighting technology – that you can install multiple lights on the single circuit.

Small appliance circuits

Kitchens are synonymous with small appliances. Coffee makers, toasters, grinders, blenders, food processors, counter-top grills, you name it. These appliances don’t draw much power individually, and rarely would you have them all plugged and running at once. To accommodate these kitchen necessities, you’ll need two 20-amp branch circuits – allowing each circuit to handle multiple outlets. Remember to install the outlets evenly and in easy-to-reach areas, so there’s no hassle plugging in appliances while you cook.

Large appliance circuits

The next five circuits are dedicated to one piece of equipment each. The general rule of thumb is that if the appliance has a motor, it deserves its own circuit. These are for larger appliances that require higher voltages, and typically include:

  • The electric oven requires a 50-amp, 250-volt circuit
  • The dishwasher requires a 15-amp, 125-volt circuit
  • The refrigerator requires a dedicated 20-amp, 125-volt circuit
  • The microwave requires a 20-amp, 125-volt circuit
  • The garbage disposal requires a 15-amp, 20-volt circuit

Your exact number of dedicated circuits will vary. If you have a gas range, of course, you don’t need an electrical circuit. Or if you’re installing multiple ovens, you’ll need one for each of them. You’ll want to consult one of our electricians to determine exactly what circuits are needed for your large appliances.

As you renovate your kitchen, make sure you’ve wired it sufficiently to provide for all of your needs. The last thing you want to is complete your kitchen and find you’re not able to use all of your equipment. These eight circuits, for lighting, small appliances, and bigger pieces, will keep your kitchen operating according to code. For questions about kitchen wiring, feel free to contact us today!

By goldeneagleelect@gmail.com Tips and Tricks • • • 0 Comments

3 Reasons Why You Should Use a Surge Protector

surge-protector-bg-heroIt’s easy to take surge protectors for granted. We tend to look at them as extra outlets for plugging in phone chargers, lamps, and alarm clocks. But they serve a very real and very needed purpose: protecting your home electronics from surges of electricity beyond the standard 120 volts. If you’re at the store picking up surge protectors, don’t think of them just as outlets. Keep these three things in mind when choosing one for your home:

Protection

Surge protectors do indeed provide protection. They are designed to divert or prevent surges of electricity from damaging circuit boards that require regulated voltage levels. They often have internal breakers that will flip or absorb the charge (and the damage from it) in place of your appliances. In addition to saving electronics from damage, the surge protector prevents them from being overloaded and possibly starting a fire. This counts for all electronics: computers (as well as monitors), external hard drives, and chargers. Larger appliances like your television, refrigerator, washer, dryer, and dishwasher will also be protected. Not to mention smaller electronics like microwaves, fans, lighting, and toasters.

Savings

Surge protectors also provide one convenient switch for powering down a large group of electronics all at once. Many appliances draw power if they’re plugged in, whether they’re turned on or not. By turning off the surge protector, you can halt the flow. This is convenient for shutting them off overnight, while you are at work during the day, and especially when you’re away on vacation.

Convenience

It’s awfully handy reducing six switches into one, but surge protectors provide extra convenience through additional outlets and cord length. One outlet multiplies into six or more with just a single surge protector. This is very helpful in an office or in a den where you might have a large number of devices grouped together. Just be sure you don’t overload the surge protector itself: group smaller and lower-voltage appliances together, and spread out larger pieces like fridges and televisions.

Make sure you are covered 

It’s hard to live without surge protectors today, with all of our electronic needs. Most of us purchase them simply for the convenience, and while they provide that, they serve a much more important need of protecting and extending the life of your valuable electronics. If you have any more questions about surge protectors feel free to contact Golden Eagle Electric for answers!

By goldeneagleelect@gmail.com Tips and Tricks • • • • • • 0 Comments

3 Reasons to Invest in an Attic Fan

In the race to keep your house cool during the summer, you have an expected ally: the attic fan. Most homes rely on the natural airflow through soffit and gable vents on the home, and while these do provide some cooling effects, an attic fan actively pulls warm air from the top of your house and draws cooler air from outside through the vents.

Attic fans are generally easy to install and maintain. They come in different sizes, and they can be installed on the roof itself or in the walls. Many are also adjustable and programmable.

Still on the fence? Here are three reasons you should invest in one:

 

1. Attic fans makes living areas more comfortable

First and foremost, an attic fan reduces the overall temperature of your house. It pulls warmer air up through your home and pushes it out the top floor. This keeps the temperature lower in the living areas, and reduces the time (and therefore the cost) you need to run your air conditioning. There are even solar powered attic fans that do not affect your energy costs.

2. Attic fans extends the life your roof

An attic fan also saves your roof from unnecessary wear and tear. During the heat of summer, hot air builds in the top of your home, sometimes 30-50 degrees warmer than ambient temperature. Your roof shingles heat up as well, and over time, they can become more brittle and susceptible to cracking. When an attic fan draws the heat from your home, it cools the shingles off, thus extending the life of your roof.

3. Attic fans helps during winter, too

Attic fans are not just for the summer! During the winter, warm, moist air builds in your home – from running showers, cooking, or doing laundry – and then that warm air rises to the top floor. When it meets cold air in your attic, it collects and condenses. This can lead to rotting woodwork, wet and moldy insulation, and ice build up that expands and contracts, potentially cracking the soffit or roofing.

An attic fan can benefit your home year-round, saving you in energy costs and making your home more comfortable. They are best installed by professionals, especially when placing one on the roof itself. A professional can evaluate the best positioning, connect it to electricity, and ensure a proper seal is created.

Convinced an attic fan is right for you? Contact Golden Eagle Electric today!