Most of us will suffer some electrical problems from time to time. As current passes through wire there is a tendency for the conductors to contract, very noticeable in aluminum wiring. This movement over time may loosen connections but most problems are mechanical. Dimmer Switches, switches, outlets, over loaded circuits and recessed lights are on top of the list for DIY intervention.

Electrical Power Distribution System

Overloaded outlets or circuits can be addressed through load distribution. Spreading out the draw lowers the load and will usually take care of the problem. Dimmer switches are a problem if they are cheaply made using subpar craftsmanship or shoddy materials. Change them out for a more solid component when addressing the problem. Frequently blown bulbs are usually the result of using a high wattage bulb not matched to the socket. LED’s reduce the power draw but can be brighter without overload concerns. Recessed lights flickering on and off, indicates the heat protection circuitry is trying to compensate for the wrong bulb. Check the bulb specs and buy a bulb for recessed fixtures.

Turn Off Circuit at Breaker When Doing Electrical Work

Never tackle an electrical problem without turning off and taping the breaker for the circuit you’re working on. A little tape indicates to others not to reset the breaker. Check the outlet by using a “non-contact pen-style electric tester” this will ensure you turned off the right breaker and ensures a dead circuit. When undoing wires recap them with the wire nuts until you’re done. Moisture and electrical power don’t mix and are not a positive factor for your well-being.

When is a Licensed Electrician Required?

Dimming and flickering lights indicating a loose connection demands the expertise of an electrician for fast detection of the problem and resolution. Frequent tripping of the breakers indicates either a short or bad breaker. Shorts are fire hazards and need to be addressed sooner rather than later. ASAP! (As Soon As Possible).
Buzzing, burnt or loose outlets. Plugging and unplugging are a mechanical process. Mechanical processes cause wear and tear. Plugs loosen, an appliance short can case burning of the outlet, needing replacement. Outdated two prong low load wiring may cause significant problem and should only be tackled by a pro. If your living in that dream antique house it may have knob and tube wiring, or unsafely installed aluminum wiring are very dangerous. Building codes evolve over time and are based on experience and some are bad. Outdated wiring was installed before wiring codes became the standard or when codes where not as inclusive as they are now. Modern appliances and electronics have upped the required power availability substantially in the last 40 years, older home wiring just may not be up to the demand. Back in the day a 60-amp service was sufficient, no longer. 200-400 amps is becoming the standard. Anytime your dealing with water and electrical power in the same environment it is best to turn it over to the pro.

Lighting Consultations, Fixture Installations & More in Greenwich, New Canaan, Darien, Norwalk, Westport, Southbury, Stamford, CT & Fairfield County, Connecticut

A home built before public gas showed up will be an all-electric home and will have high circuit demands especially for major appliances like water heater, stoves and ovens, clothes dryers and air conditioning. It is always best to be safe than sorry, if in doubt call a professional. Sentry Electric can handle all your electrical needs.

Sometimes a home could use some upgrades or adjustments to make it more suited to your tastes or the latest trends. A rather intricate and dynamic role is the lighting. The dull, simple light fixture can make it difficult to see recipes, prepare meals, create delicious pastries, or even see the people gathered around the table. Getting some additional lights or adding features can be very beneficial with the varying options that are available to enhance your kitchen’s functionality and ambience. Being that kitchens that are the heart of the home where many families spend the majority of their time together, a well lit area is optimal to cook, chat, eat, work on projects, and so on. With that in mind, we at Sentry Electric would like to take the opportunity to discuss some of the options you have to better illuminate your kitchen.

Kitchen Lighting Ideas

1) Lighting centerpiece. Go for the prominently eye catching ceiling fixture on the ceiling. Leave the efforts to sufficiently camouflaged fixtures strategically placed under the cabinets when it comes to giving your kitchen the functional and adequate lighting. Consider the centerpiece of the kitchen to be a
vintage or antique fixtures on the ceiling.
2) Illuminate dark corners. Brighten those dark corners that make it difficult to see when you spend a lot of time cooking, baking, or even crafting in the kitchen and need the better lighting for the for counter space. To give off the light you need and to not get stuck in dark corners, install subtle lights under cabinets, over walk ways, stove tops, sinks and prepping areas.
3) Functional lighting for lifestyle. Keeping your sense of style is just as important, as we mentioned the heart of the home is the kitchen and having adequate lighting is important for completing tasks in the kitchen. While still having additional lights serving your needs, you can incorporate lighting fixtures that fit your home and your lifestyle. You can have the gratification of seeing the little things you love as busy yourself in the kitchen.
4) Emphasize and compliment aesthetics. To dramatically improve the feel and dynamics of your kitchen, simply replace light fixtures to correspond the overall design style of your home. Use contemporary custom light fixtures to compliment clean cut architectural lines on furniture and strikingly bold art for example.
5) Get creative. It’s okay to break away from tradition. Breaking out from traditional pendants, lighting above a kitchen island is not only beneficial, but it can add the right touch of dazzle. Get the lighting above your island to help brighten up your kitchen if it is not already installed. Choose a light fixture liken unto a skylight for a clean and uninterrupted appearance.
6) Layered lighting. Put lights on multiple levels for those that love you lighting options. Insist all lights are featured with dimmers along with multiple levels. For example, a few floor lights around an island, with functional lights under the cabinets, and the elegant ceiling lighting can give the room versatility in creating subtle ambience, or well lit working space all at the same time.

Lighting Consultations, Fixture Installations & More in Greenwich, New Canaan, Darien, Norwalk, Westport, Southbury, Stamford, CT & Fairfield County, Connecticut

No matter what you have in mind, we at Sentry Electric can help you get your wiring set and the fixtures installed to get the lighting you want in your kitchen quickly, efficiently, and most importantly, safely! Contact us to schedule a lighting consultation today!

There are quite a few electrical services at your disposal. With the potential issues that vary from home to home the electrical rewiring can cover a long range of needs. A problem that happens in homes concerning the electrical wiring occurring in homes entails repairs, replacement, or even relocation in some cases to rectify the wiring conflicts. Because rewiring services covers a wide spectrum, we know people have their questions and we at Sentry Electric would like to take an opportunity to answer a handful of the most common frequently asked questions regarding electrical rewiring services.

Need to Update Electrical Wiring

Older homes, typically, are most likely to have rewiring concerns. Developers, homeowners, and contractors understand that newer homes need room for expansion and upgrades down the line and will frequently equip homes to handle the electrical needs of more. But since the older homes are not capable keeping up with the electrical homes, rewiring, expanding, and remodeling are often performed.

Electrical Wiring FAQ

Q: What should I know about electrical rewiring services?
A: Depending on how big the home is and what is all involved in the work, the electrical rewiring for a basic home can take a minimum of 10 days including the preparatory work and cleanup. Most electrician’s attempts to minimize the intrusion to the best of their abilities, but you have to keep in mind the work is a bit disruptive. Always feel welcome to ask your questions about the details of their work, but to expedite their process, try not to constantly disrupt their work.
Q: Should I invest in electrical rewiring services in the event my home sustained water damage or was flooded.
A: Electrical rewiring is needed in most of these situations. An inspection should be done following the water damage/flooding incident to see the extension of the damage.
Q: How do I know if my house needs to be rewired?
A: Even if your home is old, there is no solid guideline to what makes your home require an electrical rewire. You may want to consider a professional electrical rewire in the event you can relate to one or multiple of the following:
– Having an electrical inspection on a new home proves necessary to invest in rewiring services.
– Lights are flickering or not working at all.
– If deterioration of the rubber casing to your electrical wiring that was installed since the 1960s is showing.
– A recent flood/ water damage/ smoke damage inflicted your home.
Q: Is there anything I should do before my rewiring services.
A: Before your consultation, decide if you want any light fixtures changed or moved. Ask about costs and recommendations to how you need your electrical needs met. Before the service, note that there will be some construction dust-like particles when performing rewiring services. Cover up or remove sensitive electronic equipment and/or treasures from the rooms that are being rewired to keep them safe from the particles.

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

When your home needs to be rewired to accommodate the electrical output your home demands, call in the experts of Sentry Electric and let our specialists get your home rewired safely and efficiently.

We rely on electricity every day. It is an essential part of our lives. However, it is also very dangerous, especially for children. As children grow they become more curious and until they learn the dangers of electricity, it is important to protect your children. Sentry Electric would like to share some basic practices for child safety, some of which you may have all ready considered and some you may not have. Following are some of the basics of electrical safety.

Electrical Safety for Kids; Tips & Rules to Follow

1. Never overuse a single outlet or extension cords. Not only can it harm children but also is one of the common causes of electrical fires.
2. All electrical cords from all the devices in the home should be properly secured in place and away from little hands. Additionally, it helps prevent pets from chewing on the cord. This could expose the wires within which, again, is hazardous.
3. Make sure kids can’t climb fences that are near electrical substations. Make sure to keep kids away from fences and most especially metal fencing. Kids should also not play around electrical wiring systems, including flying kites outside or sticking toys inside outlets and electrical devices.
4. Make sure little ones can’t pull on cords. In so doing they can eventually strip the protective cover away from the cord and expose the wires which can cause harm and fires.
5. Don’t let children plug electrical devices into outlets. Same for charging electrical devices, often kids can put adapters in the wrong place and get electrocuted.
6. Teach your children it is dangerous to climb trees that are near or make contact with electrical lines.
7. Make sure to also teach your children how dangerous it is to mix electrical devices with water. For example hair dryers, electrical devices, and toys is not always a good idea.

Home Child Proofing Checklist & Why it is Important

When you have children under the age of five years old, it is dangerous to not properly secure your home and child proof your electrical features in your residence. Start by using outlet covers to prevent children from sticking objects into them. There are external covers that can completely lock kids out, which some say is better than just the plug-in outlet covers. Others would recommend hiding outlets with furniture as well. Extension cords or other electrical cords should be secured to the corners of the wall. There are many ways you can wrap and secure all of the cords to prevent kids from grabbing or tripping over them. It is also a good idea to seal the electronics. Keep them enclosed in entertainment centers or up high where little kids can’t grab them.

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

Teaching a child about the dangers of electricity is just as important as protecting your children from the electricity and the electrical features found all over your home. For more advice on protecting your children from electricity, or if you need help inspecting or repairing your home’s electrical features, contact Sentry Electric. We are dedicated to keeping your home and your family safe. For all of your electrical commercial and residential needs, contact Sentry Electric today.

When buying a new home, you have a plethora of concerns in regards to the efficiency and overall condition of your home. Investing in professional inspections can help you in your final decisions to purchase the home if it is worth the cost. Inspections can assist you in avoiding inheriting a home’s costly repairs as well as potential hazardous consequences. Though home inspections are useful, they only cover the basics. The electrical system of a home you are interested in should have a comprehensive inspection to ensure the performance. In the event any issues are found, the electrician can include estimates on repairs and upgrades, allowing you to have all the facts when reaching a final decision. Electrical inspections are not only ideal for buying a new home, but they are pertinent if you already own your home or even have an inheritance property. However, at this time we at Sentry Electric would like to list a few examples of the benefits of investing in a home electrical inspection, particularly when buying or selling a home.

Benefits & What to Expect from a Home Electrical Inspection

1) Documentation for Buying and Selling. A professional electrical inspection looks for performance and adequate electrical wiring within the structure, whether you want to buy or sell a home. Showing proof of additional expenses that are needed to bring the electrical system up to code can give the buyer leverage over sellers as well as avoid costly repairs that are simply not in the budget.
Not only beneficial to buyers, but as the seller, having the formal documentation accounting that the electrical system is up to par can secure your asking price if all is well or give you the opportunity to make the upgrades or repairs yourself.
2) Early Detection of Future Problems. Early detection can be of use in the event there are problems developing in the beginning stages that can be easily repaired, allowing you to avoid major problems, or even hazardous catastrophes. With regular use nearly anything can deteriorate and with the passage of time decay, and the electrical system to any structure is not immune to the wear and tear. A professional electrical inspection includes a variety of diagnostic testing, visual inspection, and other techniques to ensure the natural deterioration hasn’t dramatically taken a toll on the wiring network. Keep in mind that over time outlets loosen, wires fray, and the performance drops. A licensed electrician can help you avoid hazardous results and costly repairs with a simple inspection.
3) Make Required Upgrades without Surprises. Older homes especially are often found equipped with outdated products and codes, making them vulnerable to hazards, high energy costs, and electrical deficiencies. A fuse box, typically installed in older homes, is the hub for all the wiring coursing through the house and the fuse box will be inspected for proper capabilities and recommendations that might include bringing the electrical elements up to code, minimize power consumption, enhance system efficiency, and eliminate safety hazards.

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

Whether you are interested in buying a new home or trying to sell your own, or simply want to get the wiring up to code, call in the expert electricians of Sentry Electric for a residential home electrical inspection.