SeaTown Electric works mainly in the Seattle area. well versatile Seattle electrical contractors are hard to come by. Seatown Electric's goal is to become you're families go to Seattle electrical contractor. We are standing by to help assist in all of you're home electrical needs, you can visit our website at www.seatownelectric.com or you can simply call (206)-293-0037 for you're free electrical estimate. We specialize in Whole home rewiring, Standby Generators, Fused panel upgrades, Service upgrade, Electric car chargers, Seattle Remodels, Hot tub hook ups, Recessed Lighting and much more. Please visit Our Services Page for more residential electrical contractor work that we preform.
Aluminum Wiring in West Seattle Home
We received a phone call from one of our Angie's List customers, they wanted to first take advantage of our free estimate process and hopefully find a Seattle Electrical contractor to work with to remove all of the aluminum wiring in the home. Seatown Electric provided a comprehensive walk through and a prompt proposal for the work that was needed. Seatown Electric provides a quick 24 hour turn around on all estimates. The estimate came in at an affortable budget for the homeowner. The job consisted of changing out old aluminum wiring with new copper wiring. There was two options that our homeowner was left with. Option one did not end up meeting the overall budget becuase it would require rewiring all of the outlets. However there is a way to reduce the dangers of aluminum wiring by eliminating the connection points (the outlet/switch or light fixture screws) Most home fires due to aluminum wiring happen at the outlet/switch connection point. You can extent, convert or Pigtail the aluminum wire at each device down to copper wire using alumiconn connectors you can click the link for more info on Alumiconn connectors: http://www.kinginnovation.com/category-pages/electrical-landing.php The King innovation connectors are ideal for pigtailing to copper wire. And they are one of the few connectors that are Approved by the Consumer Products Safety Commission The homeowner decided this was the way to go. All and all it took 3 total days to complete. New pigtails where installed and new Tamper Resistant outlets too. Since we had to replace all of the outlets AFCI protection was required to all of the circuits that we tampred with. The project went smooth from start to finish. Another satified Seatown Electric customer, and another Seattle electrical project completed! for more information please visit our website www.seatownelectric.com
Showing posts with label Electrical upgrade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Electrical upgrade. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
AFCI Breakers And GFCI Protection Seattle Washington
What Does an AFCI or Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter do? Arc-Faults are designed to help prevent fires by detecting an unintended electrical arc and disconnecting the power before the arc starts a fire. Unlike GFCI devices that prevent electrical shock, AFCI breakers only detect Arc-Faults. Same goes with a standard breaker, A standard breaker only detects circuit overloads and short circuits. And the AFCI again, only detects Arc-Faults.
Arc-Faults have created a whole new challenge for Electrical Contractors and home owners in Washington State. An example, is a typical circuit extension will now require Arc-Fault protection. If the electrical panel cannot fit the required space of an Arc-Fault protection, the homeowner might be faced with having to get a sub panel, or a full panel change out, just to bring one circuit up to code.
In dwelling units, all 15-20 Amp 120 volt circuits supplying outlets or devices are required in kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas, or any other areas described in article 210.12 (A)(1) through 6. of the NEC code.
A quick rule of thumb for AFCI protection requirements, and GFCI requirements is: if you are adding or altering a circuit in a residential dwelling you are most likely going to have to GFCI protect it: bathrooms, exterior, exposed basements, garage, kitchens, wet bars, and any wet locations. Or AFCI protect it: Kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas. GFCI outlets protect from electrical shock, AFCI breakers protect from Arc-Faults.
For a whole home safety check please visit: SeaTown Electric or call: (206)-293-0037
Arc-Faults have created a whole new challenge for Electrical Contractors and home owners in Washington State. An example, is a typical circuit extension will now require Arc-Fault protection. If the electrical panel cannot fit the required space of an Arc-Fault protection, the homeowner might be faced with having to get a sub panel, or a full panel change out, just to bring one circuit up to code.
In dwelling units, all 15-20 Amp 120 volt circuits supplying outlets or devices are required in kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas, or any other areas described in article 210.12 (A)(1) through 6. of the NEC code.
A quick rule of thumb for AFCI protection requirements, and GFCI requirements is: if you are adding or altering a circuit in a residential dwelling you are most likely going to have to GFCI protect it: bathrooms, exterior, exposed basements, garage, kitchens, wet bars, and any wet locations. Or AFCI protect it: Kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas. GFCI outlets protect from electrical shock, AFCI breakers protect from Arc-Faults.
For a whole home safety check please visit: SeaTown Electric or call: (206)-293-0037
Monday, March 16, 2015
Emergeny Electrical Service Redmond Washington
SeaTown Electric received another emergency service call today. It was for a customer who found us through Angie's List . The customer lives in Redmond Washington, and the emergency crew for SeaTown Electric was just wrapping up a Knob and Tube rewire inspection in Seattle Washington. The home owner had a sump pump that had no power to it. The arrival time was within 2 hours from the home owner calling in. Our crew showed up ready to troubleshoot all of their electrical needs. It started by inspecting the outlet that was not working. Usually during electrical troubleshooting we look for space heaters, vacuums, tripped GFCI outlets, or any other "heavy" electrical load that could effect the circuit. After taking out multiple electrical outlets, and inspecting the wiring, everything looked good. The electrical panel was the next step to look over.
At the electrical panel we noticed loose wires on the neutral bar, But the wires did not connect to the circuit that was not working. After opening more outlets in the circuit and tracing more wires, we found a junction box. There was the issue, the wires in the junction box where loose. after a quick tighten, the outlets all worked again. the electrician notified the home owner that Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Basically all King and Snohomish county requires GFCI outlets in exposed basements, and that there sump pump outlet was not GFCI protected.
The home owner decided to GFCI protect the sump pump outlet and everything was brought up to Washington State code and NEC code. The Redmond electrical job was complete. Another Angie's List satisfied customer.
At the electrical panel we noticed loose wires on the neutral bar, But the wires did not connect to the circuit that was not working. After opening more outlets in the circuit and tracing more wires, we found a junction box. There was the issue, the wires in the junction box where loose. after a quick tighten, the outlets all worked again. the electrician notified the home owner that Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Basically all King and Snohomish county requires GFCI outlets in exposed basements, and that there sump pump outlet was not GFCI protected.
The home owner decided to GFCI protect the sump pump outlet and everything was brought up to Washington State code and NEC code. The Redmond electrical job was complete. Another Angie's List satisfied customer.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Safety Hazards With Space Heaters in Seattle Washington
We thought some helpful information would be good on electrical space heaters, And some of the dangers that come with plugging them into lighting circuits. Most homeowners would not think twice to plug there new space heater into any old outlet. Seatown Electric has had countless service calls in the Seattle area over outlets that are burned up or breakers that are tripped due to overloaded circuits.
Most older homes have overloaded circuits just from being wired "to code". Because back when the wiring was done, it was done in an era where only a few appliances were used. With technology changing rapidly, there is defiantly a need for more power.
So how much is a typical 15 amp circuit rated for? Household devices are required to run at 110-125 volts and most are rated at 115 volts so 1725 watts for a 15 amp cord or circuit. It is generally considered to be a good idea to not run at the exact rating of the breaker or fuse using this voltage because the voltage can rise, increasing the amps, Not to mention the fuses or breakers will sometimes fail. 80% is a number commonly suggested, in this case it is easier to just to suggest 1500 watts which is about 13 amps.
So what happens if you plug in a space heater? It depends on the wattage of the heater, you can check this on the manufacture label. Most can be found as a sticker mounted on the side. A typical space heater runs at roughly 1200-1800 watts. What this means is by plugging in the space heater you have come close, if not already maxed out the breakers max load.
In Seattle, Knob and Tube is present in roughly 30% of homes. The wiring method was to support a table lamp in each room and maybe a couple small appliances in the kitchen. Most of these homes have the entire upper floor on one circuit. If you plug a space heater into any Seattle home with knob and tube wiring, You are most likely putting the home into serious risk, Especially if the home has an outdated electrical panel. Then you have no overcurrent protection if you do in fact overload the circuit with a space heater.
There is a couple steps you can take to prevent electrical fires, or burned outlets from space heaters. The first step is map out the homes electrical system. Seatown Electric in Seattle Washington is one of many Seattle Electrical Contractors to choose from when hiring to resolve electrical issues. Going through the house and get a detailed label and map of what each circuit is doing helps to determine how the original wiring was done. Step two, Is to have a look at the electrical fuse panel or breaker box. If it has been updated within the last 20 years then AFCI Breakers would be recommended to help catch any faults in the circuits or appliances that are plugged in. If the panel box is older than 20 years it is recommended that it be upgraded. If Knob and Tube is present, an estimate to get it removed would be recommended.
By this time you should have a pretty good idea of how the electrical is wired, your Electrical Contractor most likely can come up with recommendations on the next steps to accommodate your space heaters. They will include fixes such as, dedicated circuits, splitting up existing overloaded circuits, installing AFCI or GFCI beakers, New panel box, and Rewiring old Knob and Tube.
Above is an image of an outlet found by Seatown Electric on a service call in Seattle Washington, The homeowner had smelled burning in there newborns nursery. There was an 1800 watt heater plugged in, the entire floor including the kitchen was on one circuit. There was no breakers in the home, just old screw in fuses. The home had no ground, No smoke detectors with Knob and Tube wiring, and was asking for a fire. Luckily the homeowner called when they did, because as you can see this outlet was about to create a fire with no warning.
To sum up this post, think twice before plugging in one or multiple space heaters. If you are not sure of the condition of your homes electrical you owe it to yourself and your family to have an Electrical Contractor look it over. And please, bare minimum get interconnected smoke detectors installed to at least warn your family of a potential fire.
For scheduling a free estimate in the Seattle area please visit www.seatownelectric.com
Most older homes have overloaded circuits just from being wired "to code". Because back when the wiring was done, it was done in an era where only a few appliances were used. With technology changing rapidly, there is defiantly a need for more power.
So how much is a typical 15 amp circuit rated for? Household devices are required to run at 110-125 volts and most are rated at 115 volts so 1725 watts for a 15 amp cord or circuit. It is generally considered to be a good idea to not run at the exact rating of the breaker or fuse using this voltage because the voltage can rise, increasing the amps, Not to mention the fuses or breakers will sometimes fail. 80% is a number commonly suggested, in this case it is easier to just to suggest 1500 watts which is about 13 amps.
So what happens if you plug in a space heater? It depends on the wattage of the heater, you can check this on the manufacture label. Most can be found as a sticker mounted on the side. A typical space heater runs at roughly 1200-1800 watts. What this means is by plugging in the space heater you have come close, if not already maxed out the breakers max load.
In Seattle, Knob and Tube is present in roughly 30% of homes. The wiring method was to support a table lamp in each room and maybe a couple small appliances in the kitchen. Most of these homes have the entire upper floor on one circuit. If you plug a space heater into any Seattle home with knob and tube wiring, You are most likely putting the home into serious risk, Especially if the home has an outdated electrical panel. Then you have no overcurrent protection if you do in fact overload the circuit with a space heater.
There is a couple steps you can take to prevent electrical fires, or burned outlets from space heaters. The first step is map out the homes electrical system. Seatown Electric in Seattle Washington is one of many Seattle Electrical Contractors to choose from when hiring to resolve electrical issues. Going through the house and get a detailed label and map of what each circuit is doing helps to determine how the original wiring was done. Step two, Is to have a look at the electrical fuse panel or breaker box. If it has been updated within the last 20 years then AFCI Breakers would be recommended to help catch any faults in the circuits or appliances that are plugged in. If the panel box is older than 20 years it is recommended that it be upgraded. If Knob and Tube is present, an estimate to get it removed would be recommended.
By this time you should have a pretty good idea of how the electrical is wired, your Electrical Contractor most likely can come up with recommendations on the next steps to accommodate your space heaters. They will include fixes such as, dedicated circuits, splitting up existing overloaded circuits, installing AFCI or GFCI beakers, New panel box, and Rewiring old Knob and Tube.
To sum up this post, think twice before plugging in one or multiple space heaters. If you are not sure of the condition of your homes electrical you owe it to yourself and your family to have an Electrical Contractor look it over. And please, bare minimum get interconnected smoke detectors installed to at least warn your family of a potential fire.
For scheduling a free estimate in the Seattle area please visit www.seatownelectric.com
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