What Are the Differences Between Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master Electricians?

August 15, 2022

While some electrical regulations can vary by state, every state is required to follow the National Electrical Code. This code details the different levels of training and education needed to become a professional electrician. Here are the key differences between an apprentice, journeyman, and master electrician. Apprentice Electrician An apprentice has often just begun electrical training. They may still be enrolled in courses and are working on gaining hands-on electrical experience in the field. Every apprentice electrician works under the direct supervision of a master. This level of electrician may complete small electrical tasks like installing new wiring, performing preventative maintenance, and repairing lights or outlets. Journeyman Electrician A journeyman electrician has already spent several years as an apprentice and passed the journeyman certification. They still work with a master electrician but have the skills and training to complete general repairs and maintenance by themselves. Electricians at this level can do service work and troubleshooting with ease. Master Electrician Becoming a master electrician requires thousands of hours of hands-on experience as well as a master’s certification. Professionals at this level can pull permits and design installation plans. They know how to follow local electrical codes and ensure every building is...

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Electrical Work You Need to Leave to the Professionals

August 2, 2022

Many homeowners want to make electrical repairs and modifications themselves. Maybe they want to save money, or they just like taking care of their own homes. However, electrical work is complex and dangerous. You can get seriously hurt or cost yourself a lot of time and money by approaching electrical work as a DIY project. These are some electrical jobs you should never try to do yourself. Home Wire Replacement Replacing wires in your home isn’t as simple as cutting a wire and putting a new one back in as its replacement. If you want to replace a wall outlet or a light switch, it’s much more complex than you may think. You need to consider your home’s electrical load and other factors. If you hire our electricians, they can spot and correct any wiring errors they come across. Dedicated Circuit Installation Dedicated circuits are used to operate large appliances safely. You need them for large TVs, refrigerators, clothes dryers, and other devices that are high wattage. If installing a dedicated circuit isn’t done correctly, it can result in the appliance blowing out and maybe even a fire. in Gonzales, TX can help you with the installation of dedicated circuits....

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How to Install Solar Panels: A Step-By-Step Guide

July 20, 2022

Solar energy is the fastest-growing renewable energy resource in the world. With the cost of solar panels falling, more and more people are installing them on their homes. If you’re thinking of going solar in South Central Texas, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started. Choose the Right Location You’ll want to pick a spot that gets plenty of sunlight and is free of obstructions like trees or buildings. Your roof is usually the best location, but if it doesn’t get enough sun or it’s too shaded, you may want to consider installing solar panels on a ground-mounted system. Calculate Your Energy Needs The amount of energy you use will determine the size of the solar panel system you’ll need. To calculate your energy needs, look at your past electricity bills and find your average monthly usage. Consider Battery Storage Homes use solar energy as it’s produced. In most cases, this means if more solar energy is being produced than being consumed at any given moment, the excess is sold back to your electricity provider and goes onto the grid—unless you have a battery storage solution. Battery storage allows the excess energy to be stored for use at...

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3 Upgrades to Make Your Electrical System Compatible With Smart Technologies and the Internet

July 10, 2022

If your home was built more than a few years ago, it’s likely that your electrical system is not as compatible with smart technologies and the internet as it could be. While most homes these days are equipped with at least some basic connectivity, outdated wiring and other factors can limit just how connected your home really is. So, what exactly do you need to make your electrical system more compatible with today’s technology? 1. Upgrade Your Wiring While older homes may have been able to accommodate basic electronics, they often lack the capacity to support today’s smart technologies. By upgrading your wiring, you’ll be able to take advantage of features like whole-home automation, which can provide greater convenience and energy efficiency. In addition, newer wiring is more resistant to electrical surges, providing greater protection for your electronics. By hiring a company like to handle your wiring upgrade in South Central Texas, you can be sure that the job will be done safely and correctly. 2. Add Solar Panels and Inverters With solar panels becoming increasingly popular, many homeowners are looking for ways to use renewable energy to power their homes. However, most standard electrical systems are not designed to...

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How to Choose and Use an Outdoor Extension Cord

June 18, 2022

Extension cords are incredibly handy when you need more distance between the device or appliance you’re using and the outlet that’s powering it. Like many homeowners in Gonzales, Texas, there may come a time when you must choose an extension cord for outdoor use. Finding one that’s both designed and rated for the outside environment is essential for ensuring your safety. Check the Extension Cord’s Packaging One of the easiest ways to tell whether an extension cord can be safely used outside is by checking its packaging. Only extension cords that are clearly marked with a “W” are meant for outdoor use. These cords have thicker and more durable insulation than your average indoor extension cord, which makes them virtually impervious to major temperature changes, exposure to modest amounts of moisture and direct sunlight. Your Outdoor Extension Cord Should Have a Plug With Three Prongs Another quick way to determine whether an extension cord is built to weather the elements is by looking for a three-pronged plug. Indoor cords usually have just two prongs. While multi-outlet extension cords, power strips, and surge suppressors for indoor use have three-pronged plugs, all outdoor extension cords have this configuration. The third plug functions...

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How to Reset a Tripped Breaker

June 5, 2022

Anyone who has an electrical breaker panel of some sort has probably encountered the issue of a tripped breaker. It doesn’t matter where your breaker panel is located. What’s important is that you learn how to reset a tripped breaker safely. Turn Off All Devices on the Circuit All devices on a circuit should be turned off. Make sure there is no power going to your device. Check that any digital clock radios, televisions, and other appliances are turned off. Find Electric Service Panel Find the electric service panel or breaker box which is commonly located in garages, utility rooms, hallways or utility closets. It’s important to know where yours is located. Open the panel door. Locate Tripped Breaker When a breaker is functioning properly, it should be in the “on” position. When a breaker has tripped, it will usually appear to be in the “neutral” or center position, between “on” and “off.” You might also know which breaker has tripped by knowing where the power is off in your home and matching it if your electrical panel is properly labeled. Turn the Circuit Breaker Switch to the Off Position, Then On Position You will need to reset a tripped...

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Should I Use a Three-Prong Adapter or Upgrade My Outlet?

May 19, 2022

In many older homes, it’s not uncommon to come across two-slot outlets. These outlets can make it impossible to run many modern-day appliances that require three prongs. As a homeowner, you have two options. These are to utilize an adapter or upgrade your outlet to a three-prong outlet. Understanding Safe Amp Draw One of your biggest concerns should be understanding the amount of amperage that a potential device may pull from your outlet. Many older homes have a 100-amp circuit. These are typically too small to handle the amperage draws that are necessary to run today’s bigger appliances like refrigerators, dryers, and electric stoves. Before you utilize an adapter to plug in an appliance, you should go check the circuit to see how many amps it has. Most modern appliances will need a 20-amp circuit to be run safely. If you use an adapter and do not have enough amperage on the circuit to power what you plug into it, it can lead to overheating and a fire hazard in your home. You can identify the amount of amperage a specific circuit has by looking at the number present on the circuit breaker or by calling a professional electrician to...

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Three Reasons Why USB Outlets Are Better Alternatives to Standard Models

May 12, 2022

Universal Serial Bus (USB) outlets are the ultimate alternative to standard wall sockets. USB wall outlets have built-in UBS ports where you can plug in manufacturer-approved cables and cords to charge your devices fast. But are USB wall outlets a good investment? Let’s find out below. Declutter Your Outlet Space Standard wall outlets support multiple adapters and give you the flexibility of charging several devices at once. However, plugging in multiple adapters to the wall outlet adds bulkiness, making the outlet space look cluttered. With USB outlets, you can connect one or two USB cords and cables to charge your gadgets. Installing USB wall outlets is a practical way to declutter and organize your outlet space. Fast and Efficent Charging Smart USB wall outlets blend advanced technology to charge devices faster and safely. Computer and adapter ports have a limited power output of 0.5A. Such low power output makes these electronics take longer to charge your devices. As for USB wall outlets, they have power outputs of up to 0.9A. The high power outputs guarantee fast and efficient charging. Most USB wall outlets have a charging speed almost twice that of power adapters. Usb Outlest Are Versatile The versatile nature...

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How Floodwater Can Damage Your Home’s Electrical System

April 20, 2022

Floodwater usually contains impurities and charged ions such as sodium, calcium, and magnesium. These ions can conduct electricity. You should keep all your electrical system components and appliances away from water. However, some of these components may come into contact with water when your home gets flooded. Below are more details on how floodwater can damage these components. Floodwater Can Corrode Your Electrical System Floodwater may contain sewage, harsh chemicals, and debris. These things can corrode your electrical system components, reducing their reliability. For instance, they may reduce the integrity of rubber and plastic protective components of this system. When these components get destroyed, your circuits will not perform well. Moisture from the water may also damage your circuit breakers. Floodwater Can Make Your Electrical System Dangerous and Unstable When your electrical system’s wires come into contact with floodwater, the current flowing through them may be affected. That can make the wires unstable and dangerous. A fire may also start as a result of this. To ensure that the wires holding such charges do not pose a danger to you, stay away from wires and electrical items that have been submerged in floodwater. You should also have them replaced. can...

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Why Upgrading an Old Electrical Fuse Panel Is a Must

April 10, 2022

These days, people have more electrical devices in their homes than ever before. If you look around your home, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to spot an array of things plugged into your outlets. The trouble is that many homes — particularly older ones — weren’t designed to accommodate the power demands of the 21st century. If you want to change that, replacing your home’s electrical fuse panel may be the place to start. Here’s why. You Can Accommodate Higher Amperage If your home has an old fuse panel, there’s a good chance that it only handles a limited amount of electrical service, and that will restrict the number of electrical devices and appliances you can use at once. This is why 200-amp service is now the norm in new residences. To upgrade your home’s electrical service to meet your expanding power needs, you may need to replace your fuse panel with a more modern circuit breaker panel. Getting Insurance May be Easier If you’re looking for an insurance carrier to issue you a homeowner’s insurance policy, you may encounter another reason to upgrade your fuse panel. Some insurers won’t insure homes with fuse panels, or they might...

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