Double tapped breakers are a common circuit breaker defect—but they are also one of the easiest electrical problems to correct. 

A double tapped breaker occurs when two conductors are found connected under one circuit breaker lug or when two conductors are connected at the neutral bar under one screw. The problem with a double tapped breaker is that circuit breakers aren’t designed to hold these two conductors together. While they might feel secure and seem to be working fine, these conductors could loosen up leading to arcing, overheating, and safety hazards, including fire.

A double tapped breaker can also occur if your electrical work has been done by someone without correct electrical experience. This can be bad news for your home’s safety and for future building permits!

Sometimes a circuit breaker can be designed for two conductors. In this case, there will usually be a label saying so. However, a double tapped breaker can also be a defect if the breaker isn’t designed to hold two conductors. If there is no label but there are two conductors, there may be an issue with the electrical connection requiring a repair by an experienced electrician.

There are a few ways that double tapped breakers can be corrected; these include the following:

If you have no experience working on an electrical panel, it is a good idea to have a licensed electrical contractor complete the work for you. Playing with electricity without proper experience could be dangerous to yourself and your home!

Kolb Electric has a team of certified electricians who offer a full range of electrical services to home and building owners in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC. We have been working in the DMV area for over 90 years and provide our customers with affordable, quality electrical repairs, whether they have a double tapped breaker in need of correction or any other electrical issue.

Contact us today for a free estimate on your home or office’s electrical work. We offer same day service, 7 days a week!

As a rule, the bottom of any hanging light should be at least 6’8″ off the ground – unless it’s over a table or island. When you have an 8′ ceiling, this doesn’t give you a whole lot of room to play. If you long for the grand impact of a decorative

A room with a single light fixture is depressing. Kick the shadows by adding multiple light sources. A few stylish flush-mount ceiling lights. Some table lamps. An accent light here or there. When you have multiple lights shining in different directions, the space will feel lighter and more open. Make sure to place ceiling lights at least 3′ from the wall, any closer and harsh shadows will make your ceiling seem lower. 

When the doors to your home stick, they could be trying to tell you that your home’s  foundation is shifting. If your HVAC system makes funny sounds, it’s begging to be serviced. But what about your electrical system? Outside of an electrical house fire, how does your house try to tell you that it’s in need of some tender love and care by a certified electrician? If you answer yes to any of the following questions, your house is trying to tell you to call an electrician today.

One sign that you should immediately call an electrician is if your circuit breakers are tripping on a regular basis or if you reset the breaker and it re-trips. This is a sign of a bigger electrical system problem that will need the expertise of a certified electrician to diagnosis and remedy.

If your lights flicker often, then there may be a bigger electrical problem with your home. Yes, it is possible that the power grid is being temperamental but it’s far more likely to be something with the wiring in the home. Perhaps even a pesky rodent chewing on wires in the wall leaving you open to a fire hazard.

Much like when you burn food in the oven, a burning smell is definitely a problem. If you cannot pin-point the burning smell to a ruined dinner or lit candle, then you might want to consider contacting an electrician because it could be your outlets or wiring system.

Call us today if you suspect that your home is making a plea for electrical help.

Today, appliance timers are useful to turn on and off many items automatically around the home today. The timers control lights, coffee pots, sprinklers systems, and other small appliances. This can save on power costs, electricity, and water. The timers also make life more convenient for you. Let’s look at the various types of timers you can buy today to provide you with Energy Savings.

Savings

You can well imagine the savings in power, water or money you can have using these timers. Of course, the savings will vary from person to person depending on the habits practiced prior to using the timers.

Cost of Timers

The Appliance Timers range from just under $10 to over $100 depending on their functions. You buy the timer that best suits the job you need it for to get the right Energy Savings, do not buy a wall-mounted timer if you want to control your sprinklers for example. Do your research for the type of timer you need and then make your purchase accordingly.