When you head home after a long day there are some aspects of home life that we expect to work. One of the main things are the lights! We want to be able to come home and flip a switch and the house be lit up so that we can function. That is why when you start to have problems with the lights it can be annoying. If you are starting to have any trouble with the lights you want to take it very seriously. That is because they are a part of a large system called your electrical system. The electrical system is what gives you the power that is needed to operate anything that plugs in or uses the internal wires of the home. That is just about anything that you use. Your appliances, lamps, laptop and more. The lights are a part of the home that are prewired so all you have to do is have a fixture installed and use a bulb.

Sentry Electric Explains Why Lights Are Flickering & Dimming

Why is My Light Bulb Flickering?: If you go to turn on a specific fixture and you notice that one of the bulbs in that fixture has a flicker to it you can check a pretty common occurrence. The most obvious and common issue is that the bulb has become loose and is not in contact anymore. The bulb needs to have a tight fit so that the connection is made fully. The other problem can be that the bulb is not the right size or it is crooked in the socket. If this occurs it can cause the light to flicker. You want to turn the light fixture off so that you can handle the bulb. Make sure that it has time to cool off then remove the bulb. You want to insert the bulb and make sure that it is straight and in tight. If this does not repair the problem you may need to have the fixture looked at by a professional electrician.
Light Flickers when Turned On: If you have lights that when you turn them on they will flicker then fully turn on then you are likely dealing with normal behavior. If you have lights that are fluorescent bulbs then that is their normal course of action. They will have some flickering at the start of the lighting process then smooth out to a full light. If the lights don’t stop after a few minutes then you could have a problem with the fixture of the electrical current that is feeding into the light.
Lights Flickering In Whole House: If you are noticing that the lights all through the house are flickering at any given time you could have a big problem. The lights that are flickering should be getting enough voltage to light them without having any flickering. You may need to have your entire panel looked at and tested to make sure that the voltage and the energy is being distributed evenly through the house.

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The economy has recovered considerably in recent years, but there are still quite a few citizens that have to live paycheck by paycheck, and unexpected problems often leave inexperienced people completing DIY projects to cut expenses. Where there are several examples as to watching a tutorial online or reading about the task can get the job done sufficiently enough, there are some industries better left to the professionals and among them is electrical work. Electricity is delicate in nature. If it is misused it cause costly damage, inflict severe injuries, or even cause fatalities. There are common problems people make while doing DIY electrical and we at Sentry Electric would like to share some of the common mistakes made during electrical DIY projects.

DIY Electrical Wiring Mistakes

1) Overload in outlets. Though it is not an especially common issue, it is worth pointing out because it is easily done and that is overloading an outlet or powerboard. Dependent on the number of amps a circuit is designed to manage, the powerboards cannot handle appliances being plugged in to all outlets available. The circuits will also often overload when t comes to the bigger appliances especially, like refrigerators, dishwashers and air conditioners.
2) Incorrect fitted outlets and switches. Presenting a major hazard are outlets and switches that are loosely installed, particularly when an appliance is plugged into one. Arcing and overheating are generally produced when wires are loose in their terminals.
3) Utilizing wires and cables of the incorrect size. Referenced as gauges, electric wires and cables are available in sizes. The gauge of the wire determines how and where it should be used. At the time of installation, an incorrect gauged wire for the specific electric current will result in overheating or a shorting of the fuse or circuit breaker.
4) The electrical box has faulty connections. The main purpose of the electrical box is to house many of the fundamental components as it provides protection from external elements. Filling these electrical boxes beyond their capacity will result in overheating or short-circuiting which leads to costly damages. Just as it is especially a detriment to the electrical system, attempting to make electrical connections outside of the electrical box is extremely dangerous.
5) Unsecure fuse. It is essential that all connections should be tight and correctly placed whenever fuses are replaced. Mildly speaking, appliances and lights may flicker or short out if the connections are too loose but it could be as severe as causing the circuits to overheat. The circuit breaker needs to be shut off before any other contact is made; this step many people forget, resulting in an alarming safety risk.
6) For specific fixture, using the wrong wattage of light bulbs. If a light bulb has a greater wattage than what is intended for the socket, the bulb is highly likely to overheat. If the overheating reaches extreme conditions, the bulb could break or even ignite, resulting in property damage as well as cause harm.

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In the electrical industry, many professionals or even the department and home improvement stores use terms and phrases that unless you have some sort of training or exposure to the electrical field, it sounds like a foreign language. In an effort to help the layman understand some of the common vocabulary words frequently heard, we at Sentry Electric have listed them today for your convenience.

Common Electrical Wiring Terms & Definitions

Adapter: Allowing for different devices to connect. The adapter is a cord or block style device with different ends.
Alternating Current (AC): Electric current in which the flow of electric charge periodically reverses direction.
Amperage (Amps): A measurement of the electricity’s flow rate.
American Wire Gauge (AWG): Non-ferrous conductors, such as non-iron and non-steal, standardized measuring gauge; the lower the gauge the larger the conductor size.
Cable: A set of wires, generally encased in protective outer jacket.
Conductor: Frequently made from copper, the conductor is internal material of a cord that conducts electricity. Silver is the optimal material but can be expensive as it does not corrode and gold can also be used as high-quality surface-to-surface contacts.
Connector: The conducting elements recessed behind the mating surface of the female end of the cord mounted wiring device.
Current: Flow electrical energy through the conductor wire.
Direct Current (DC): A single direction of steady flowing electrical currents.
Fuse: A strip of wire that melts and breaks an electric circuit if the current exceeds a safe level, which is a safety device.
Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI): In the event that the electric current is not balanced between the energized conductor and the return neutral conductor, the GFCI, an electrical wiring safety device, will disconnects a circuit.
Ground: An electrical device and the Earth or at the voltage connection.
Hertz: Frequency measurement of equaling one cycle per second.
International Color Code (ICC): Wire jackets standard colors; Ground=Green/Yellow, Hot=Brown, Neutral=Blue.
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC): An international organization that determines the standards for electrical products.
Inlet: The conducting pins protruding and exposed from a male flange mounted wiring device.
Insulation: To prevent leakage of current from a conductor, insulation is the material that encases a conductor.
Ingress Protection Rating (IP Rating): A 2 digit code, sometimes with an optional letter, specifying the degree of protection against foreign object; 1st digit references the protection from solids and the 2nd number is from liquids. The optional letter references hazardous parts.
Jacket: The material of the cord’s exterior.
North American Color Code (NACC): Ground=Green, Hot=Black, Neutral=White.
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA): A U.S. based organization that sets the standards of electrical products.
Outer Diameter (OD): the cord’s exterior diameter.
OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer.
Plug: The conducting pins protruding and exposed from the male cord mounted wiring device.
Polarized: To allow proper connection, it is a plug and connector formed accordingly. Receptacle: Also known as an outlet; a receptacle is the conducting elements recessed behind the mating surface of a female flange mounted wiring device.
Slitting: Separating insulated parallel wires.
Stripping: The insulation or jacket removal from a conductor/wire.
Temperature Rating: The maximum temperature that the insulation will maintain its integrity.
Terminal: Providing a point of connection to external circuits, a terminal is the point at which a conductor from an electrical component, device or network comes to an end.
Underwriters Laboratories (UL): An independent non-profit organization that certifies product safety.
Voltage: The force driving electrical energy through a conductor or wire.
Watt: A unit of power, defined as one joule per second.

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Lighting is a huge part of your home in terms of the overall ambiance and practicality. Not only do the light bulbs bring light to a room but they are responsible for some of the energy usage. More and more people are concerned about waste and energy use and want to do their part to make good choices. They also want to get the amount of light they expect as well as have a good long lasting light bulb. Light bulbs are not treated equally and there are many bulbs to choose from that they each have their own pros and cons.

Sentry Electric Lists Different Light Bulbs & What Kind Might Be Best to Use in Your Home

Incandescent Light Bulbs: When you go to the store and look for a bulb you will be assaulted by the options. When you look at the pricing you are going to see a wide range as well. The bulbs that cost less are often the incandescent bulbs. They are a good option if you want to have a nice light that is easy on the eyes. They are also the most common light bulbs sold but are not the best for energy efficiency. They tend to last about 700 hours and can be used in any standard light.
Halogen Light Bulbs: Do you have those recessed can lights that are set back in the ceiling? These are the types of lights that tend to be filled with a halogen bulb. The halogen bulb gives off light that is most like the natural light outside. They offer a more direct light and can also be used under cabinets. One thing about a halogen light is that they heat up more than an incandescent light but will last a bit longer. The bulb will cost a bit more but it is a great choice when going for a bit more efficiency.
Fluorescent Light Bulbs: These are the bulbs that are often used in an office setting. They can also be found in areas that you want to light a large space such as well as utility areas like garages, laundry rooms and closets. They tend to give off a very bright and harsh light but there are some variations in colors. The most common type of fluorescent bulb is the long tubes that you see in commercial buildings. Although the light they give off can be a bit bright and harsh they are a great option for businesses and even for dark rooms like basements. The offer the most light for a bulb.
CFL Light Bulbs: Have you noticed the bulbs that look like a skinny fluorescent bulb has been twirled up? These are what is called a CFL bulb. These bulbs are a wonderful option and many people are switching to them for many reasons. One is that they use way less energy and they last nearly 10 times longer than a standard bulb. You don’t have to switch them out as often and you can even see a decrease on your energy bill. You need to be prepared to spend more money to replace your bulbs because they cost more.
LED Light Bulbs: LED light bulbs can save you money! They are roughly 80% more energy efficient than other light bulbs and they also produce far less heat than many types including CFLs and incandescent light bulbs. Upgrading to LED lighting means you won’t have to cool down rooms in summer that your light bulbs are heating up. LED replacement bulbs are durable and environmentally friendly. LED bulbs outlast the competition lasting for up to 11 years. And when they do finally stop working, you can recycle them.

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

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Does your home suffer from frequent tripped circuits? Or perhaps your lights will dim for no apparent reason. These are signs that you may want to add dedicated circuits to your home in order to accommodate your current electrical needs. Certain electronic features by code require dedicated circuits. However, as we bring more devices and modern electronics into our home, we may find the need for more dedicated circuits. Sentry Electric will share what devices need dedicated circuits, and what you may want to consider adding if you have these electronic features in your home.

Purpose of Dedicated Circuits

The individual circuits or wires are designed to only handle a certain amount of electrical draw. When more energy is required from various appliances or other electrical equipment, the devices can cause overload. When overloads occur, it trips the breaker which needs to be reset. Not every major appliance or electrical device requires their own dedicated circuit. However, National Electrical Code does require a dedicated circuit for the following:
• Air Conditioning, Heating and Ventilation Equipment
• Refrigerator and Freezer Combinations or Singles
• Ovens, Stove or Cook Tops
• Dishwashers, Laundry Washing and Drying Machines
Consideration for Add-On Dedicated Circuits

What Other Appliances Can Benefit from a Dedicated Circuit

The above electrical equipment by code requires its own dedicated circuit. For those who know their home meets these requirements, yet it still suffers from frequent overloads, there are some other items in your home you may want to consider adding a dedicated circuit for. Below are some items or equipment you may want to assign an individual circuit.
• Toasters or Microwaves
• Hair Dryers
• Garbage Disposals
• Window Air Conditioners or Space Heaters
• Vacuums or other high powder Cleaning Equipment
• Water Heaters, Wells or Water Pumps, or Sump Pumps
• Garage Door Openers or Power Tools
• Pools, Hot Tubs, or Saunas
• Home Office Equipment
• High Power Appliances
This is a basic list of items that you can install a dedicated circuit for. However, don’t feel limited. An entertainment center can also benefit from a dedicated circuit, along with other high powered item and electronics.

How to Fix an Overloaded Circuit

If you have installed dedicated circuits for most all of your home electrical needs and you still are getting overloads, then check the electrical panel. If you’ve done upgrades to your home electrical system, make sure you upgraded your electrical panel as well. Most electricians will advise you if you electrical panel is adequate enough for the new circuits or if you need to upgrade the panel. However, in case the panel was overlooked, ask an electrician to inspect your panel and see if it meets the new power requirements.

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

If your home suffers from frequent overloads, do an inventory of all your electronic devices and determine if your home will benefit from adding dedicated circuits in your home. Adding circuits requires an electrician to follow all proper codes and that the proper wiring is used for the new power needs. Additionally, an electrician can help determine which electronics would benefit most from a dedicated circuit and where. If you need additional circuits installed in your home, contact Sentry Electric.