When you are using an outlet in your house to run an appliance or other item and it just stops immediately it can be a problem with the circuit. There is a panel on the outside of the house or in the garage that has a metal box that is called the circuit panel. It may be scary to open it and see all those switches but understanding it is a great way to know how to work with it. It you look at it in a simpler way these switches work in the same way that your switch on the wall will turn on a light. A flip of the switch and the light is on while another flip and it is off again. The difference is that you know that the switch is only going to address a particular outlet and nothing more. When it comes to your circuit panel it will be assigned more than a single outlet. Each breaker has a job to do and it is a way to keep your home and appliances safe from a power surge.

Sentry Electric Outline What You Will See When You Open Your Circuit Breaker Panel

Main Breaker: When you open the panel up and look inside you will see a whole bunch of switches that are called breakers. The first breaker that you need to know about is the main breaker. This is the breaker that you want to switch off if you need to stop all the power from going to the entire house. Sometimes in an emergency this is the easiest breaker it find and can be a quick stop if needed. It is often labeled and is at the top of the panel. Often times it carries around 200 amps which is a normal size for a single family home. This is not always the switch you want to flip if you are trying to figure out where a particular problem is.
Double Pole Breaker: When you are looking at the box you will start to notice that some of the switches are doubled up and have two that are usually attached to each other. This is called a double pole breaker and is often the type that is used when it is connected to a larger appliance that is using more amps. It will be marked so you know when it is on or off and should have a label so you know what area of the house it is securing.
Single Pole Breaker: This is the more standard breaker that you will find in the box. The breaker is the most standard one and can be used for lots of electrical outlets in the house. This can be lights, fans and small appliances. They are just a single switch and also has markings on it to let you know if they are on or off.
Open Slots: There are some slots that are in the panel that are empty and do not have any switch at all. That means that they are open and there is no electricity being sent to those areas. The reason they are there is if there are any additions to the home that will require more electrical wiring to be ran to that area.

Electrical Upgrades & Repairs in Greenwich, New Canaan, Darien, Norwalk, Westport, Southbury, Stamford, CT & Fairfield County, Connecticut

Sentry Electric can come to upgrade your circuit breaker box or add to the box when needed. Call us today to meet with one of our expert electricians.

There are some additions that you can make to your home that add some benefits to you and your family. Your house should be a place that you are comfortable and you enjoy being. You can install new lights to the house to brighten up the house. You also can upgrade your appliances to make an impact on your life as well. You can also install new ceiling fans with a light fixture to your home as well. You want to make sure that you have a professional electrician do the installation of your new fans. They can be complicated especially if you do not have an existing fixture in the spot that you want the fan. You can have fans installed in each and every room in the house.

Sentry Electric Outlines Health & Other Benefits of Installing Ceiling Fans & Lights

Best Looking Ceiling Fans with Lights: When you are ready to install new ceiling fans in your home you want to make sure that you look at the one that will fit best in each particular room. The great thing is that the ceiling fans can be purchased in a variety of colors and sizes and shapes. You want to look at the room and what type of fan will fit best in that area. You might want to have a nice white fan installed in a kid’s room and a nice wood fan in the main living room. Be sure that you look at all the options you can.
Reduce Energy Consumption at Home: The other benefit that you can depend on when you get new ceiling fans installed in the house is that your energy bill will decrease. During the warm summer months the fans can be used to circulate the air in each of the room. The air conditioning unit is going to be running in the summer but you can use the fans to help keep the air moving. This will allow the room to stay cooler longer and the AC unit will not have to run as often. You can start to see the savings on your energy bill after the first month.
Increase Brightness with Ceiling Fan Lights: One thing that many homeowners want to add to rooms in the house is to increase the amount of light. If you don’t have a light fixture in a room then you will need to plug in a lamp and place it on a table. The lamp may be a hindrance and the better option is to have a light installed with the ceiling fan. When you have a light with the ceiling fan it will add light to the room and leave the tables open to use for other items.

Electrical Fixture Installation & More in Greenwich, New Canaan, Darien, Norwalk, Westport, Southbury, Stamford, CT & Fairfield County, Connecticut

If you want to have ceiling fans installed in your house you want to make sure that you have a professional do the job. The reason is that there are often times that wires need to be pulled through the walls so that the new fixture can be installed. Sentry Electric can come out to your house and have ceiling fans installed in your house. Call us today.

Advances in technology have made LED lighting one of greenest sources of light available. They have become more and more popular over incandescent and CFL lights. But what exactly are LED lights? An LED lamp or LED light bulb is an electric light that is used in light fixtures the produces light using light-emitting diodes.

Benefits of LED Lighting

There are lots of good things about LED lights. Other than the fact they use 75% less energy than traditional ones, they last 25 times longer. What’s making them even more popular is the lower prices that we are seeing. They are just about the same price as traditional incandescent and CFLs. They are actually the outcome of a 100 year old scientific oddity that turned into a multi million dollar product. Originally, they were only able to emit a single color or frequency of light, but newer advancements have made them available in an array of hues.

Energy Efficient LED Light Bulbs

LED bulbs are more efficient. An LED bulb compared with a 60-watt incandescent can produce the same amount of light using just 10 watts, with less heat production. They last a lot longer, but not forever. Because there is no heated filament of unusual gases, the bulbs will last more than three years if left on 24/7. That’s pretty impressive! They are also easy to use in many applications and environments, making them a great option for homeowners and businesses alike.

Future of LED Lighting Technology

By the year 2030, LED lighting is projected to compromise 75% of lighting sales. Over the next couple of decades, they will contribute to 10% of the cost in an average energy bill. LEDs are also expected to reduce energy consumption by 50%, which translates to a whopping $250-billion in energy savings. LEDs are also projected to reduce carbon emissions by 1,800 tons, but these numbers will only happen if Americans make the switch to LEDs.

LED Color Temperature

Kelvin temperature will determine the lighting hue you will get with LEDs.
• Under 2,000K. This is a good option for ambient illumination. They provide a dim glow that resembles candlelight.
• 2,000- 3,000K. A soft white, slightly yellow-hued glow is provided with this temperature and is ideal for living, dining, bedrooms and outdoor living areas.
• 3,100- 4,500K. Provides bright white light that is perfect for kitchens, vanities and in offices and workspaces.
• 4,600- 6,500K. This will provide bright blue-white light that mimics daylight and works well for display areas and workspaces that need bright illumination.
• 6,500K+. This illumination is commonly seen in commercial environments as it produces a bright blue hue.
• Variable. Users can use dimmable, color-changing smart bulb options to easily tailor their lighting needs with their mobile device of other smart devices.

Electrical & Lighting Services in Greenwich, New Canaan, Darien, Norwalk, Westport, Southbury, Stamford, CT & Fairfield County, Connecticut

We all want to save money. An easy way to do it is to switch to LED lighting. Not only do LED lights use less electricity, they are also cooler than incandescent light, which means you’re less likely to get a burnt finger or combustion. They are also sturdier because they are made with epoxy lenses, not glass, making them less likely to break. For more information on LED lighting, contact Sentry Electric.

It is safe to say that people rely heavily on the electrical system to work in their home. Where we can get back for short intervals, we need the power to ensure the refrigerator/freezer is preserving food or possible medicines, the heat for the dead of winter in Connecticut, or even important medical equipment that can mean the difference between life or death. Should the power go out, it can be a challenge to determine how long to expect it will last; 10 minutes or 10 hours, it can be hard to say. Additionally, loss of power in conjunction with a burning smell or a smoking outlet are indications there is a hazardous electrical fire. In some situations, it can be difficult for homeowners or even business owners to decide whether their needs require the assistance of emergency electrical services. Today, we at Sentry Electric would like to share why your Stamford & Fairfield County home or business might need emergency services.

Emergency Electrical Procedure & Response Plan

For the issues previously mentioned, you will want emergency electrical services. Take these steps first before you call for an emergency electrician:
1) Check the neighborhood, especially the next-door neighbors to see if they have power loss as well or if it is just your home. The utility provider is likely experiencing difficulties if the neighbors and/or neighborhood has a power outage. Call city utility company to find out the details.
2) Should the power outage only be affecting your house, go to your main breaker and reset it. If the power is not restored, call an emergency electrician.

When to Call an Emergency Electrician

Do not hesitate to call for emergency electrical services for any of the following:
Smoking Outlets– Smoking power outlets are potentially seriously dangerous. This is typically the beginning of home electrical fires. If you notice a smoking or burning power outlet apply the following steps:
– Never touch the smoking outlet. It is likely to have resistive electricity surging through it that will electrocute to anyone that makes contact with it in addition to it being very hot.
– Immediately check the main breaker and if there’s no smoke or damage present, flip it off. If there is smoke coming from the breaker, don’t touch it and evacuate the home.
– Prioritize calling the fire department 1st and wait for them to take care of the problem.
– After the fire department has concluded their duties, call for an emergency electrical service.
Heater Stops Working – Connecticut winters can be brutal. If you lose power to your home alone and we are in weather that requires the heater/furnace for survival, call emergency services to see what can be done to restore the power. Homes that house children or the elderly are vulnerable to freezing conditions.
After Hours Electrical Emergency – Electrical problems do not always occur during business hours. If your electrical needs are crucial and cannot wait until normal business hours, most electricians have an emergency line for customers to get assistance.

Electrical Inspections, Repairs & More in Greenwich, New Canaan, Darien, Norwalk, Westport, Southbury, Stamford, CT & Fairfield County, Connecticut

Electrical outages can equally during a warm sunny day with no warning and are not exclusive to bad storms. We at Sentry Electric understand the need for emergency services and will help you in the event you need an emergency electrician.

When it comes to many modern living demands, especially electrical needs, many of the older houses, condos, apartments, and so on, were not intuitive enough to ensure it could accommodate. With the multiple appliances lining homes, electrical devices that bring conveniences and entertainments, and other electrical systems that are frequently common in day-to-day living, there are plenty of gadgets that require a power source. The issue is these older homes, no matter what type, lack outlets. Trying to figure out a solution for the shortage of outlets can sometimes prove to be a challenge, especially if you are in a rental and the owner or property managers will not let you do any kind of permanent upgrades. Today, we at Sentry Electric would like to offer some ideas on what you can do when there are not enough outlets where you live.

How to Fix the Problem of Not Enough Electrical Outlets

1) Reduce the need for outlets or rotate. Some of the below solutions may not be an option or suitable to your preferences. You can always reduce your electrical needs and cut back on devices that are plugged in indefinitely. Additionally, not only will you free up outlets as you need them, but you can decrease your energy bill by simply not leaving unnecessary devises plugged in various areas of your home.
2) Multiply the plug in space. You can multiply one outlet by plugging in an outlet adaptor. For example, one paired out let can be transformed into 2 paired outlets with the plug-in adapter to multiply the outlets throughout your homes. Not only can you increase your outlets, but the bulky devices with transformers will be easier to plug in without blocking other outlets.
3) Let some of the tech offer support and pull double duty. Whether you are a serious gamer, or have a home office, your computer area along with your entertainment center is likely to be overwhelmed with power cords. Desktops, laptops, multiple monitors, printers, WIFI, and so on, all need their home plug-in for quick and convenient use. Let some of these devices pull double duty and support other power supply needs by taking advantage of a brick-attached device known as an AC Adapter Tap. Plugging in between your power cord and your AC Adapter brick, this gadget will give you 2 extra plugs.
4) Utilize extensions for your reach. Older homes have poor outlet placement and are often located in bizarre places. As a result, the outlet is readily available for use, but the reach isn’t. Use extension cords and you can avoid looking like a construction zone with the orange industrial cords by using the multi-lines, that come in more pleasing colors. If the plug in is more permanent, you can also use paintable concealers to cover the extension cords, keep people from tripping and avoid the eyesore of cords strung everywhere.
5) Install more electrical outlets. Install more outlets; if it is your own home, just get it done, if it is a rental, make sure you have permission from the landlord or property manager. Ensure you invest in an experienced electrician to do the work for you and consider having them install a couple more in common areas than what you currently need to accommodate potential electrical growth.

Electrical Inspections, Repairs & More in Greenwich, New Canaan, Darien, Norwalk, Westport, Southbury, Stamford, CT & Fairfield County, Connecticut

Not only are these older ill-prepared to handle your outlets, but the circuit breaker is likely outdated and need an upgrade. To install new outlets and upgrade your circuit breaker, call the experts of Sentry Electric to get your home current with the electrical needs of modern living.