Your home’s circuit breaker is among its most important electrical safety features. This essential electrical system is designed to prevent excessive voltage from flowing into your electrical panel. Without a working circuit breaker, your electrical system could be at risk of becoming overloaded and causing serious damage to your house. In the event that you suspect issues with your circuit breaker or fuse box, you should be sure to contact an electrician serving San Jose. Here is a look at some of the warning signs that your electrician may be looking out for when checking for a bad connection in your electrical circuit.

Visible Signs of Damage

When your electrician is checking your circuit box for signs of a bad connection, he may be looking for visible signs of damage to the system. For example, some of the common signs of a bad connection include wire nuts that are charred or melted. Other visible signs include discoloration on the face of the circuit, as well as any symptoms of melting or bubbling.

Excessive Heat

Excessive heat can also be a sign of a poor connection in an electrical circuit. When a circuit box feels hot to the touch, this could indicate that its wiring is loose or otherwise damaged. Since a hot circuit box could lead to significant damage to your electrical system, it is important to schedule electrical services at the first sign of this issue. Your electrician will be able to mend the loose connection and ensure that your circuit box is safe for use.

Rust and Corrosion

The wiring that connects a circuit box to an electrical system contains coated metal that should be highly resistant to rust, corrosion, and other types of damage. When a connection becomes loose, however, these metal components could start to corrode. In the event that you notice rust or corrosion near your circuit breaker, do not hesitate to call your electrician. A qualified electrician will be able to solve your loose connection and restore the safety of your electrical wiring.

If you’re like most people, your electrician doesn’t come to mind when you think about strategies to increase the value of your home. However, with a few simple improvements, an electrician can add significant value to your property for much less than other home renovation projects. For instance, consider swapping out some of your light fixtures for ceiling fan and lighting combos. Not only do fans look great, but they can also help reduce your energy costs. Changing out an outdated electrical panel or adding dimmer light switches can also help. Find out more ways your electrician can add value to your home in this infographic from Delta Electric . Contact us when you’re looking for a certified electrician near San Jose, whether you need a small repair or major renovation. Please consider sharing these tips for increasing home values with your friends and neighbors so they can also tap into these benefits.

Your kitchen is the heart and soul of your home. Whether you are constructing a brand new kitchen, or renovating your existing space, it is important to include lighting in your new kitchen design . A residential electrician in San Jose will be able to provide you with all of the services you need to get the most out of your kitchen lighting installation. From hanging lights to recessed lights and more, you will be able to create a custom lighting concept with the help of your electrician. Read on for some top tips to keep in mind during your lighting installation.

Mix Lighting Types

As you are planning a kitchen lighting installation , you may want to consider mixing different types of lighting styles. For example, task lighting will provide you with plenty of illumination when you prepare meals. Other lighting styles that can be incorporated with your task lighting include ambient lighting, accent lighting, and decorative lighting. By blending different lighting styles, you can get the most use out of your kitchen lights.

Create Focal Areas

Your kitchen lighting design can be used to accentuate different architectural features or spaces throughout your kitchen. For example, if you have a central kitchen island, you can draw attention to this feature using pedant lighting or a chandelier. Other focal areas can be created by placing recessed lighting in exposed shelves or under cabinetry. With help from your electrician, you will be able to determine the correct placement for lights around your kitchen space.

Consider Decorative Additions

While lighting is a functional part of every kitchen, your kitchen lighting can also be used to provide a decorative accent to your room design. If you are planning a kitchen with a classic and elegant style, you can add decorative whimsy to your space with a fun chandelier installation. Modern kitchens can also benefit from decorative elements, such as hanging lamps and track lighting.

When your home is in need of electrical services, it is important to take your time to find a qualified residential electrician near you. For example, you should check to make sure that your electricians are qualified with an established professional body. With proper certification, you can rest assured that your certified electrician has the training and experience needed to work on your home in a safe and efficient manner. You may also want to look at the website of your electrician serving San Jose . On the website, you can read reviews and learn more about certification. For more helpful tips to keep in mind when you are hiring an electrician, be sure to check out this video from Rated People.

Your home’s electrical panel provides power to all of your outlets, appliances, and lighting. In the event that your electrical system experiences a maintenance issue, your electrician may need to access your electrical panel to perform repairs. By switching off your home’s power at the electrical panel, your electrician serving San Jose can ensure that your electrical outlets and wiring are safe to repair. When your electrical panel is switched off, all of the power will be disconnected to your home. To highlight the importance of providing safe access to your electrical panels, here is a look at some fast facts about these units.

Fact: Improper Electrical Panel Installation Can Pose a Safety Threat

Whether you are building a new home, or are planning to upgrade your existing electrical system, it is highly important to make sure that your electrical panel is properly installed. An improperly installed electrical panel can cause fire, injury, and property damage. With proper electrical panel installation, you can prevent a dangerous situation in your home.

Fact: Federal Code Regulates Electrical Panel Installation

To protect the safety and well-being of every occupant of a building, Federal code dictates the proper installation and orientation of all electrical panels. When an electrical panel is installed, it must have a minimum of three feet of clearance. This clearance space provides an electrician with plenty of room to switch off the panel and perform electrical repairs. By following Federal code, your electrical panel will offer proper safety to your family members and electrical workers, alike.

Fact: Electrical Panels Should Be Easily Accessible

While electrical panels are typically installed in out of the way locations, it is of the utmost importance to make sure that your electrical panel can be quickly and easily accessed. If your electrical panel is blocked by shelving, furniture, or other items, it may be too difficult for your electrician to perform emergency repairs. By avoiding a blockage in front of your panel, you can ensure that your electrical services go smoothly.

Thoughtful interior lighting can do a lot for the atmosphere and mood in your home. The right combination of down lighting, ambient lighting, spot lighting, and task lighting can create a beautiful, multi-dimensional look in your home. To learn more about these and other types of lighting, as well as how to incorporate them into your home’s lighting design, watch this short video.

Changing a lightbulb is nothing like installing new lighting fixtures, which is why homeowners are highly encouraged to trust all lighting installations with a certified residential electrician in their area. San Jose electricians can also assist with the design of your lighting system to achieve optimal functionality, safety, and aesthetics.

Safety is a top priority when it comes to working with electricity, which is one of the many reasons why it’s crucial that you leave all electrical repairs and installations to a certified electrician in San Jose . Not only will an electrician know how to safely work with electricity, but he will also know how to leave your electrical system in the safest possible shape. Case in point: Grounding. Electricity follows the path of least resistance, and without proper grounding that path could be you or someone you love. Here are some important things to know about electrical grounding and electrical safety in general.

How Grounding Works

Although most electrical systems have fuses or circuit breakers to prevent deadly fault currents or short circuits, people can still be fatally shocked by a current well below the point at which a fuse will blow or a circuit breaker will switch. Grounding provides an electrical current or system with a conductor that is less resistant than humans, which means the electricity will always flow through the grounding wire. Most electrical cable contains a bare wire, which carries the grounded connection to an outlet or appliance.

How to Determine if Electricity is Grounded

Although you should not attempt any electrical repairs or installations on your own, it’s still important that you know how to tell if your home’s electrical system is grounded. Generally, three-pronged outlets are a good indication that your home is properly grounded. However, the only way to know for sure is to have a qualified electrician check out your electrical system.

Danger of Ungrounded Electrical Currents

Ungrounded electrical systems can pose a serious safety hazard, especially in older homes that may have damaged or worn out electrical wiring. In addition to the risk of shock and electrocution resulting from touching an ungrounded electrical receptacle, entire appliances or devices can become charged with electricity if plugged into an ungrounded outlet, which greatly increases the risk of electrocution.

Commercial remodeling is an extremely important undertaking, as even the smallest problem or delay can have costly repercussions. Fortunately, the certified electricians at Delta Electric have decades of commercial remodeling experience to ensure that your project goes smoothly. Delta Electric has provided commercial remodeling services in San Jose since 1982, and their up front and reasonable pricing can help streamline the entire process.

Delta Electric provides free estimates and will meet with you to discuss your commercial remodel in detail so every aspect is accounted for. When you work with dedicated commercial remodeling technicians and certified electricians at Delta Electric, you can count on prompt and efficient service. And while Delta Electric completes every job in a timely manner, there is absolutely no reduction in the level of quality. That’s one of the many reasons why Delta Electric has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

How old is your home? This is important information, especially considering that the age of your home is most likely the same age as the electrical wiring inside the walls. Out-of-date electrical wiring can cause all sorts of issues, especially when trying to power today’s every-growing collection of electricity-hungry appliances and electronics. The good news is that a certified residential electrician in San Jose can fix all of your home’s wiring issues and make sure they never happen again. Here’s a look at some of the most common wiring issues you may experience, and how your electrician can help.

Ungrounded Receptacles

An ungrounded electrical system is incredibly dangerous. Although ungrounded receptacles are not an electrical code violation, they are dangerous enough to warrant a call to the electrician. How do you know if you have ungrounded receptacles? It’s easy, just look for two-pronged outlets around your home. Not only are ungrounded receptacles dangerous for humans, but they can also damage your expensive appliances and electronics.

No GFCIs

Speaking of outlets, another common wiring issue is a lack of ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in wet areas, such as the bathroom and kitchen. GFCIs shut down electrical circuits in four milliseconds to prevent fatal shocks. Electrical codes require GFCIs within four feet of any sink and on all garage, basement, and outdoor outlets. If your home lacks GFCIs in these required areas, contact a residential electrician in San Jose.

Aluminum Wiring

This type of wiring was very common in the 1960s and 70s as a cheap substitute for copper. Unfortunately, aluminum wiring is very dangerous. Aluminum corrodes when in contact with copper, and the loosened connections can lead to arcing and fires. Converting or retrofitting aluminum wiring can be hard (and dangerous) to do yourself, so it’s best to hire a certified electrician if you believe your home uses aluminum wiring.