As we've discussed before on this blog, spring brings with it a few weeks of abnormally wet weather here in the Mid-Atlantic, which is evidenced by the current storms that are barreling down on the region. Basements throughout Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. are regularly flooded as a result, potentially costing homeowners thousands of dollars in damage if they didn't prepare accordingly.

While most residents know the importance of having a sump pump to keep the water out, there are other precautions that residents need to take to avoid catastrophe when their basements begin flooding.

Many older homes often feature electrical systems that are outdated and not up to current safety codes. One particularly sensitive kind of wiring is the "knob and tube" design, which leaves a complete grid of crisscrossing wires exposed along the ceiling of the basement. Its been decades since this kind of layout was considered acceptable in residential structures, and homes that have them are more than likely dealing with wires that have seen much better days.

During extreme weather conditions, any number of events could result in a deficiency in the system that may either spark a fire or down a wire in homes that feature knob and tube layouts. If the wires in the basement either fall or are damaged in the event of a flood, they have the potential to expose electrical currents to a growing pool of water. This is an extremely dangerous and potentially fatal safety hazard for homeowners to contend with.

Many homeowners don’t know when the time is right for home generator repair in Mount Vernon, and will simply allow their generator to go to waste. That’s unfortunate, because a generator can come in handy during a particularly rough storm in terms of supplying power to any of your home’s appliances. You’ll able to tackle some work-related tasks on your computer, binge watch your favorite television show, and store leftovers from last night’s dinner all while a storm blows over. However, you may have to get used to living by candlelight if you don’t seek generator repair soon enough!

Think you need generator repair? Call Beacon for assistance when you notice these 4 signs:

Electricity may either be connected by 230 or 240 volts (these are called single phase circuits that are installed in most residential applications), or 400 & 415 Volts (3-phase). The latter are typically best-suited to provide power to heavy-duty appliances and equipment and in industrial settings as well as larger commercial applications.

Some people have electric kilns installed in their homes or garages because they indulge in making pottery or ceramics products. Certain homes have very elaborate and large, ducted air-conditioning systems. In all these situations, a 3-phase circuit would be required to support this heavy power usage.

The type of circuit used is dependent in the equipment or appliances installed on your property. It is important that you check the power & voltage requirements of the installations properly, before deciding what type of circuits you need. In most instances, even massive ovens and high energy-consuming heaters are typically singe-phase.

This current in amps has to be multiplied by the voltage to give you the power in watts. If a 3-phase supply is available, the total voltage of 24,000 watts will be divided by 3; this means 8000 watts will be used in each phase. This means the current in each phase is lower than 1/3rd of what it generally is in a single phase power supply (about 30 amps in each phase instead of 100).

The aspect to keep in view here is that if you have a 3-phase electrical connection, you will end up paying higher connection fees for it. In addition, you would have to pay fixed annual charges for 3-phase as well, so you shouldn’t be considering it for your new home unless it’s really needed.

Depending on the locality you live in, your property may also be connected to a SWER electrical line and many country areas have them. The SWER (single wire, earth return) delivers single-phase power. It is a very economical way of power distribution since it requires only a single transmission or active line. The earth is used as the return conductor and there is no neutral line.

In case you need to use any 3-phase motors in these settings, you would have to get a single-phase to 3-phase converter installed. Choosing the right phase is crucial to the optimal working of your equipment and for the safety of your property as well.

The kitchen can be an accident-prone area. It can be the busy hub of the house, hosting multiple people and activities at a time. With a variety of large and small electrical appliances being used close to water, there are many potential hazards. Use these safety electrical tips to stay safe in the kitchen and avoid accidents.

Depending on how large or small your kitchen is, counter space can quickly disappear. While cooking a meal you can find yourself using multiple appliances including the stove. If you are not careful a cord from a blender can soon come in contact with a hot stove surface or a toaster oven. If it is left unattended the protective layer on the outside of the electrical wire will begin to heat up and melt. This damage will expose the inner wires and an electrical fire can start. When setting up an appliance on your counter, tuck the cable into a safe spot and keep track of the hot surfaces to avoid.

When baking or washing dishes water can make its way into just about any area. This can cause electrical shock and damage to appliances. Be extra cautions when using liquids around electrical cables and keep spills away from the outlet. To take it a step further you can use outlet covers on unused outlets to avoid liquids splashing into the sockets.

Fridges, freezers, ovens, and microwaves require a high amount of power. Their electrical demand can put a lot of stress on circuits in the home. By putting too many appliances on the same socket and circuit it will cause the breaker to trip. While this may seam like a temporary inconvenience, it is an indication of a larger problem. If this is an on going theme in your kitchen, it may be time to reorganize the arrangement of cables or upgrade your electrical circuits. The damage to appliances will cost a lot more in the long run.

When looking down the sides of your cabinets and counters you can find a lot of crumbs and dirt that you never noticed. Over the years this type of debris can collect behind appliances you never check. If this food is too close to an electrical outlet it could heat up and potential cause a fire. Make an appointment to check around all the outlets of your kitchen and clear out the dust, dirt, and food. While your guests may not be looking in these areas, this maintenance can avoid potential costly fires.

We know that when you are in the kitchen you are likely working overtime. But it is important to take some time to review your family’s safety in the kitchen. If you have questions about your kitchen’s electrical setup or potential issues you have noticed, contact Expert Electric at 604-681-8338.