Many older homes have old wiring systems and obsolete switchboards and fuse boxes. These have very poor functioning and are unable to provide proper supply to the type of devices that are used in the home today. Over the last few decades there has been significant advancement in circuit breaker technology and many people are now proactively getting these old ceramic fuse boxes replaced with current-day circuit breakers.

However, as mentioned earlier, there are some older homes that still have these re-wireable fuses. This is largely because people aren’t aware of the dangers these fuse installations pose. Those who have heard it’s important to upgrade to circuit breakers feel that it’s just something people do because their electrical contractors tell them they should.

The rationalisation they have for it is that when they haven’t faced any issues with it for so many decades, there must be nothing wrong with it. They feel it’s just a way in which electrical companies make some money by telling their clients this and getting them to upgrade to newer systems. They couldn’t be further from the truth. Here is a list of all the dangers associated with re-wireable fuses:

Most people, electricians or otherwise, tend to use regular copper wires to replace the melted fuse wire. They aren’t really aware that a fuse wire is different from a common copper wire and that the latter isn’t designed to take the load of the circuit. In many ways, this inappropriate replacement in itself is a problem. And when the fuse blows again, they simply take another wire and replace the older one.

What they fail to realise is that fuse wires generally have very low melting points. Contrastingly, normal copper wires have a very high melting point. In addition, it’s not possible to standardise the current carrying capacity of these wires as that depends on how they have been positioned inside the base and the fuse carrier.

As you can see, re-wireable fuses are a distinct danger and this is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s best not to wait till a catastrophe occurs. Simply call Allround Electrical for an evaluation of the electrical installations and the old fuse box in your home. We will provide objective advice and a reasonable quote for replacing the re-wireable fuses in your home. The number to call is 1300 169 263. You can also drop us a line via email or use this online contact form.

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Early Christmas morning in Stamford, Connecticut, the fire department rushed to the aid of Madonna Badger’s family as their home was engulfed in flames. The simple act of discarding ashes from the fireplace turned deadly when those ashes were not fully extinguished, sparking the blaze from outside the home. The heartbreaking news that both of Badger’s parents and her three young daughters perished in the fire turned what would normally be a joyous holiday into a time of mourning for friends, family, and community members in Stamford. Our hope, at ElectricMan Inc. is that this sad story will help drive home the message that smoke detectors are the most important safety feature that you can have in your home.

“Stamford’s team of fire investigators have stated that the now-demolished mansion at 2267 Shippan Ave. did not have an operational smoke detector system, and the second floor of the home was lacking building certificates” – SouthburyPatch.com

Madonna Badger’s older home was being renovated at the time of the fire, with scaffoldings still in place throughout the holiday, and authorities speculate that the main reason the family wasn’t able to escape is because their home was not equipped with an operational smoke detector system. A new smoke detector system was probably in the plans for this home renovation, but the work had not been completed yet, leaving the family who was still occupying the home unprotected. Even if you are in the process of a smoke detector replacement project, it is vitally important to ensure that your family is protected throughout the process if you will be living there during the renovation.

Had the home been equipped with a functioning smoke detector system, the family’s chances for survival would have been greatly increased due to the vital moments that an early warning can provide. However, simply having smoke detectors isn’t enough. Annual battery replacement, testing twice a year, and smoke detector replacement every 5-7 years are essential regiments to ensuring your system is consistently functioning as designed. For more guidelines for smoke detector replacement and maintenance, please read our comprehensive smoke detector replacement and maintenance blog.

No matter how new or old your home is, you can never assume your smoke detector system is working correctly. If you have concerns, or your home hasn’t been updated to a modern, interlinked, whole house smoke detector system, now is the time to take action and ensure your family’s safety. Contact ElectricMan Inc. today, by phone at 972-792-7270, or through our website at www.electricmaninc.com, to discuss your options and receive a free quote to bring your home’s smoke detection system up to date. Nothing helps you sleep soundly at night better than the knowledge that your family is safe, and we would like to help you achieve that today.

Find the best in outdoor lighting, as well as fabulous light fixtures for the kitchen and bath.  Visit a Capitol Lighting showroom to view outstanding arrivals to welcome the new season.

From kitchen island light fixtures to mini-chandelier lighting, there is something for everyone with stupendous seasonal savings on Artcraft Lighting…

Enriching the Kitchen with lighted pot racks that are functional, beautifying and surprisingly affordable.  Don’t miss Artcraft’s  “Contessa” collection!

Reach for the Stars and add a little contemporary flair with new collections including Artcraft’s “Eclipse,” “Aquarius,” Aurora,” “Rocket,” and “Shuttle” series.

Enjoy Time-honored Design and traditional elegance with Artcraft’s “Heritage” collection featuring outdoor lighting superbly finished in dark oil rubbed bronze.

Treat Yourself to a Little Romance with the latest mini-chandelier lighting fixtures perfect for powder rooms, bedrooms or small foyer areas.  Especially attractive additions include the “New Castle” collection from Artcraft.

Meet the Latest Technological Turn Ons with Artcraft’s LED “Radiance” collection of Energy Smart bath vanity lights. Also brilliant are Energy Star ceiling fixtures in Artcraft’s “San Diego” collection and Energy Smart chandeliers and island light fixtures featured in the “Berkeley” collection.

Artcraft has set the standard for quality lighting featuring hand applied finishes and distinguished glassware for nearly fifty years. The chandeliers are breathtaking and styles are available in a range of sizes, including mini-chandeliers and pendant lamps, to accommodate home decorating schemes from cozy corners to master bedroom suites.

Whether you need to update the light fixtures in your kitchen with new island light fixtures or brighten a gloomy nook with mini-chandeliers, you will always find a complete selection of home lighting and accessories at Capitol Lighting.

Revere the Dark Sky and Welcome the Fall Season with Wisdom and Light

Fun Fact: Certain municipalities throughout the United States have passed laws and ordinances requiring outdoor lighting fixtures on newly constructed homes be “Dark Sky” compliant. These ordinances are intended to protect our view of the nighttime sky from being obscured by “light pollution” inherent in poor artificial lighting design.

Light emitted from Dark Sky compliant fixtures is shielded to purposely focus illumination in a downward direction over designated areas where it is needed. Dark Sky compliant lighting also leads to energy savings. Whereas an outdoor sconce with openings on the top and the bottom may call for a 100-watt bulb, you may switch to a 40-watt bulb in a Dark Sky fixture that emits light only from the bottom for similar lighting effects.

Visit a Capitol Lighting showroom for more information on the latest outdoor lighting applications.  Enjoy promotional discounts on innovative designs from Artcraft Lighting.

Not to be missed-Artcraft’s stately outdoor post lamps in the “Aspen,” ”Denver,” and “Seattle” collections.  Your home will stand out with class and style, while respectfully illuminating your environment for safety and security.

For great value and top quality designs in outdoor lighting, you can count on Artcraft. Capitol Lighting is proud to showcase outstanding new designs from Artcraft Lighting.

It seems like everything you buy today requires an electrical outlet. If you find yourself living in an older home or one with out-dated wiring, you could also end up at a loss for power. With electrical outlets spread sparsely around your home, it can be difficult to find enough outlets to plug in a lamp at the location you want or plug in all your electronics in the same spot. Fortunately, you do have some options for expanding your electrical accessibility and capacity.

The most common fix for this problem is to use extension cords. Extension cords can go extend as far as 150 feet, but are not always an ideal permanent solution. If you were running a significant amount of power through a long running extension cord on a regular basis, it would be a better idea to install an outlet at that location. With a heavy loaded extension cord you run a greater risk of fires and overloading the circuit. Undersized extension cords can overheat and cause a fire. If you will be running several electronics of the same outlet (television, computer, entertainment system) you should invest in a power bar with a surge protector. A power bar will be able to handle the larger electrical load and protect your valuable electronics from surges.

Another option would be to use an adapter to split two standard electrical sockets into four. This can be helpful when you need to plug in an additional lamp or phone charger in your room. If you find that you are tripping your breaker when you are plugging in more devices or appliances onto an adapter, power bar, or extension cord, you are probably overloading your circuit. The best course of action would be to have an electrician install a new outlet on a separate circuit.

While having new outlets installed by a professional electrician is the safest idea, it is not always possible in every situation. If you are a renter you may not be able to or want to upgrade the current electrical system. Or it is possible that your current breaker or electrical panel may not be able to handle additional electrical outlets. If that is the case, have a licenced electrician inspect your home electrical system to ensure that you are able to safely add on additional outlets. While planning for new outlets, identify areas that would be optimal for having power and covering the room appropriately. This way you can avoid problems down the road and installing an excessive amount of outlets in one room.

It is important to use undamaged extension cords and not run one extension cord off of another. For the best peace of mind, have one of our electricians install an additional circuit and outlets in your home. This will keep your home up to code and reduce the risk of fires significantly.

Even if you like shopping around and looking for the best deals, it’s always preferable to have all electrical services for your home or building handled by one company. It makes your life much easier. You wouldn’t need to worry about tracking down different providers every time a new issue comes up with your electrical system. However, this convenience comes along with even more importance placed on the company you choose. If your electrical company isn’t reliable, you could be in for a world of headaches with them attempting to handle all your needs.

A powerful advantage of getting your electrical services from one company is the ability to save time. If an electrician is called out to check your outlets one day, he might inspect your electrical panel and the other components of your system as well. If another issue arises, this time something related to the panel, he would already be familiar with your system upon his arrival. Instead of needing to figure out the various aspects of your electrical setup, he could get right to work.

Not all electrical companies are created equal, and some might be a better fit for you than others. When you’re unsure about the reliability of a provider, you might be reluctant to put too much faith in them. On the other hand, the right company can take all the stress out of maintaining and fixing your electrical system, regardless of what might be wrong.