If you need someone to help you with wiring, installing a light fixture, or updating your fuse box or electrical panel, you know that you need an electrician. Such jobs require special training and skill and are generally too dangerous to be done as DIY projects. However, you probably don’t know what type of electrician you need or even that there are different types of electricians out there with different levels of qualifications.

Licensed electricians fall into two main categories—journeymen electricians and master electricians. A journeyman electrician has:

This training qualifies him or her to work alone on most electrical installations and repairs and on both homes and businesses.

A master electrician has built upon his or her knowledge as a journeyman electrician to reach the most prestigious level of the electrical profession. In order to become a master electrician, a person must first become a journeyman electrician and work in that capacity for a number of years (the time varies by state). After that time, an electrician can become a master electrician by taking additional training and passing a master electrician licensing exam. To keep this designation, a master electrician is required to complete a set number of hours of continuing education courses each year on topics such as new code requirements, products, and procedures.

In addition to the work of a journeyman electrician, a master electrician can supervise a crew of journeymen and work as a building inspector. As a DC-area homeowner, you’d want to hire a master electrician if you were having your entire house rewired or undergoing another extensive project. If your job requires more than one electrician to complete the project, you will likely be set up with a master electrician along with journeymen electricians.

At Kolb Electric, we employ both journeymen and master electricians, with only the top skills and credentials. We understand that you probably aren’t familiar with the different types of electricians, so we’re careful to send out only the best person for your particular job.

To learn more about our team of electricians and their qualifications, call us at 877 287-1179 or contact us online to schedule your appointment. We’ve been helping Mid-Atlantic homeowners with their electrical needs since 1925 and have both journeymen electricians and master electricians on staff to provide you with the best technical expertise for your project at the best cost.

When you hear something a lot, you tend to brush it off. Warnings about changing the batteries in your smoke detector are heard so often, it is easy to push the advice to the bottom of your to do list. When the smoke detector beeps incessantly, it is easier to pull the battery out with the idea you will put a new one in tomorrow. All of these seemingly innocent plans can actually be extremely dangerous. You never know when a fire will break out in your home and often times, it happens when the batteries are out of the smoke detectors. A good option for every home is to have hard-wired smoke detectors installed by a Los Angeles electrician like those at The Electric Connection.

Hard-wired smoke detectors remove the risk of a fire going undetected by a smoke detector without batteries. The smoke detectors are wired directly into the home’s main power by an electrician. Los Angeles homeowners will take comfort in knowing that as long as the power is on, the smoke detectors are functioning. There is a place to batteries in the detectors to act as a backup system should there be a power outage. This ensures the home is always protected, even if somebody borrowed the battery out of the smoke alarm.

You should invest in at least one hard-wired smoke detector on each floor and in the garage of your home. Another benefit to having these devices installed by a Los Angeles electrician is the fact they are all interconnected. When one alarm is sounded, all of the detectors will go off. This means if there is smoke detected in the garage, you will know about it if you are upstairs in your room. These tools can save lives. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your smoke detector installation.

Understanding common household light bulb shapes, sizes, and styles is important whether you’re converting outdated incandescent fixtures into energy-efficient ones or using LED bulbs for new-construction applications. Every light bulb has identifying characteristics that are represented by a letter or series of letters and a number; these are known as light bulb codes. The letter or letters in a bulb code indicate either shape or special features such as reflector type. Numbers in a bulb code indicate size in millimeters or eighths of an inch. These codes will tell you if a bulb will fit in your fixture and if it’s the right shape.

For every light fixture or application, there’s going to be a specific bulb or light bulb shape that will fit best and provide the right type of light. If you understand bulb codes, it’s easy to look at a light fixture and know right away what kind of bulb you’ll need.

Let’s talk about light bulb groups, their bulb codes, and what applications those bulbs are typically used for.

Standard/arbitrary (A) bulbs are the most widely used and thought of when it comes to household lighting. These bulbs work well for a variety of applications, such as ceiling lights, lamps, vanity lights, kitchen lights, closet lights, porch light fixtures, and so many more.

Numbers in each code refer to the bulb’s diameter in one-eighths of an inch.

A15 bulb: 15/8 = 1-7/8″ diameter

A19 bulb: 19/8 = 2-3/8″ diameter

A21 bulb: 21/8 = 2-5/8″ diameter

A25 bulb: 25/8 = 3-1/8″ diameter

Most common base types:

Globe (G) bulbs have a full, round shape and are available in various sizes. They can be used for many applications throughout the home, such as foyer lights, kitchen lights, chandeliers, and ornamental fixtures. The most common type is the large G30 bulb, which is used in bathroom and makeup vanities.

Depending on the bulb, numbers in each code can refer to the bulb’s diameter in one-eighths of an inch or in millimeters.

G11 bulb: 11/8 = 1-3/8″ diameter

G14 bulb: 14/8 = 1-3/4″ diameter

G16/G50: 16/8 = 2″ diameter

G60: 60 millimeters = 2-3/8″ diameter

G25/G80: 80 millimeters = 3-9/64″ diameter

G30: 30/8 = 3-3/4″ diameter

Most common base types:

All of the bulbs in these groups resemble the shape of a candle flame and are often referred to as candle bulbs. Conical (C) bulbs are shaped like a cone. Conical angular (CA) bulbs are shaped like a cone but have a bent tip. Blunt-tip (B) bulbs are very similar to C-type bulbs but have more of a torpedo or bullet shape. These bulbs can be used in chandeliers, wall sconces, pendant lights, night lights, decorative light strands, holiday light strands, and other decorative home lighting applications.

Numbers in each code refer to the bulb’s diameter in one-eighths of an inch.

B10 bulb: 10/8 = 1-1/4″ diameter

CA10 bulb: 10/8 = 1-1/4″ diameter

C7 bulb: 7/8 = 7/8″ diameter

C9 bulb: 9/8 = 1-1/8″ diameter

C15 bulb: 15/8 = 1-7/8″ diameter

Most common base types:

BR stands for bulged reflector. Traditionally, the inside surface of an incandescent BR bulb is covered in reflector material that is used to gather and cast a wide beam of light away from the bulb. LED BR bulbs don’t require the reflector material. These bulbs can have a frosted, clear, or patterned dome-shaped lens that diffuses light and provides a gradual fade into nonilluminated areas. BR bulbs also produce less shadows when compared to PAR bulbs. They’re a bit longer than PAR bulbs and tend to protrude from light housings but are used in similar applications, such as track lights, recessed lights, display lights, or can lights.

BR20 bulbs are often referred to as R20 but have the same characteristics of other BR bulb types. The R stands for reflector.

Numbers in each code refer to the bulb’s diameter in one-eighths of an inch.

BR20/R20 bulb: 20/8 = 2-1/2″ diameter

BR30 bulb: 30/8 = 3-3/4″ diameter

BR40 bulb: 40/8 = 5″ diameter

Most common base type:

Multifaceted reflector (MR) bulbs are small in size with a reflective, faceted interior. The facets create a concentrated beam of light that can be displayed in a narrow spot or wide flood beam pattern. Because of the directional light they provide, MR LED bulbs don’t require the facets but often still have them. These bulbs are available in a variety of colors and can be used for many applications, including track lighting, recessed lighting, desk lights, and display case lighting. Many MR bulbs operate on low-voltage wiring systems, which makes them great for outdoor and landscape applications such as driveway lights, path lights, gazebo lights, paver lights, and malibu lights that have weatherproof housings.

Numbers in each code refer to the bulb’s diameter in one-eighths of an inch.

MR11 bulb: 11/8 = 1-3/8″ diameter

MR16 bulb: 16/8 = 2″ diameter

Most common base types:

Tubular (T) bulbs come in a variety of lengths and widths. Depending on their size, these bulbs can be used in applications ranging from chandeliers, wall sconces, and pendant lights to basement and garage troffer light fixtures.

Numbers in each code refer to the bulb’s diameter in one-eighths of an inch.

T7 bulb: 7/8 = 7/8″ diameter

T8 bulb: 8/8 = 1″ diameter

T10 bulb: 10/8 = 1-1/4″ diameter

T14 bulb: 14/8 = 1-3/4″ diameter

Most common base types:

In today’s day and age, we rely on electronics for everything. Do you have a plan to deal with the fallout if the grid goes down due to accidents, weather, or other occurrences? A backup generator can help get you through these difficult times, keeping water flowing and well pumps running, powering sump pumps to protect your property from flooding, keeping food in refrigerators safe, providing fans, air conditioning or heating for protection from weather, and more.

Installing a backup generator can help you safely and effectively deal with the following situations:

Do you know how to safely install and operate your backup generator? Contact Mr. Electric® today. Our professional technicians have the knowledge and skills to get your generator – and you - prepared for all life has to throw you way.