There are times when a home wiring systems becomes outdated or no longer efficient for your power needs. Most commonly, in homes 40 years older or more, rewiring or updating your home’s electrical system becomes rather essential. For those who think their home is fine and doesn’t need any updating, Sentry Electric will share some signs that you may want to consider rewiring your home.

Old House Electrical Wiring

One of the main concerns of old wiring is safety. Most electrical related house fires are higher in older homes. The same wiring methods were used from the 20th century up to homes that were built 35 to 40 years ago. Electrical wiring codes and methods have improved greatly over the years and many old homes do not have these more modern wiring systems. Some other concerns when it comes to older homes is the deterioration of insulation and other materials which increase the risks of electrical fires. If you live in an older home and you’re not sure if the wiring system needs to be upgraded, here are some signs to watch for.
• Frequent breaker trips or fuse blow outs.
• Flickering or dimming lights when on.
• Odd tingling sensations when touching appliances.
• Regular burning smells when appliances or electrical devices are on.
• Outlets will be discolored, worn, or sparks are frequently seen.
• Two prong outlets are found in the home instead of the three prong outlets.
• No GFCI in kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms.

Aluminum Wiring in Old Homes

Another sign that your home may have older wiring or poor, cheap wiring is aluminum wiring. Modern or standard wiring uses copper. Many homes built in the 60s or 70s were installed with aluminum wiring. At the time they posed no issues. However, over time aluminum wiring has proven to be hazardous. Aluminum wiring is prone to overheating which eventually leads to fires. Copper wiring is much more stable which is why it is used for electrical wiring today.

Updating Electrical Panel & Wiring for Increased Electrical Demand & Repairing Damage

Both old and modern homes may not have enough amps for your electrical needs. Most homes EW wired with 200 amps which meet standard electrical needs. However as technology evolves and grows, more devices are brought into our homes which require more power. At a certain point the standard 200 amps worth of power doesn’t meet the household’s needs. Frequent power or breaker trips or shortages are a sign that you don’t have enough amps. Another problem even modern homes can be a victim of is pests. Rodents often chew through home wiring systems and leave the inner wires exposed which can lead to fire hazards. If your home has had a recent rodent, squirrel, or other invasive wildlife problem where your home’s electrical system could have become compromised, it would be wise to have the home wiring inspected.

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

Before you jump into a major rewiring project you can have your home’s electrical system inspected first. This way you can properly determine your home electrical needs. If you plan on doing an upgrade to your home electrical system, consider the future and make sure you will have enough power for future needs. If you need your home’s electrical systems upgraded, contact Sentry Electric we can help repair, inspect, and replace your home wiring systems.

Most people have a plethora of electronic equipment around the home. The living area where the entertainment center is located, for example, often houses a number of devices from TV, cable or satellite dish network, sound system, gaming network, blue ray or DVD player and other such devices is just one area. Another example is the work area, consisting of the desktop computer, laptop, printers and other such accessories. Charging stations for phones, tablets and other gadgets is also common. No matter the electronic stations you have around your home, the cords accumulating can be quite the eyesore and the tangled mess can be a nuisance to sift through when you need to replace or remove the cord in question. Instead of dealing with the chaos, organize the mess with the provided tips and suggestions we at Sentry Electric have provided below.

How to Keep Electrical Wires, Cords & Cables Organized

1) Foam Pipe. Conceal the unsightly mess of cords with foam pipe insulation or the noodle for the pool. To help secure and conceal loose cords simply cut the appropriate size slice and slide the cords inside.
2) Paper Binder Clips. Another ideal way to keep cords from slipping into the abyss is paper binder clips. You can easily locate and plug in your devices without fishing for the correct cord by labeling them and clipping them out of the way.
3) Extra Cord Storage. You can never have too many extra cords according to the variety of uses. The drawer can quickly become the source that gets avoided at all costs when it comes to storing them. Fold up the cords and secure them in the tubes of upcycle toilet paper or paper towel cardboard rolls.
4) Peg Boards. To organize the electrical cords and manage the additional related paraphernalia, invest in peg boards. They are simple to use and see when you need something.
5) Label Plugs at the Outlet Center. You can write what each plug is for on small sticker labels, or bread tabs in order to make it easier to retrieve the correct cord when the need for unplugging something arises. ID Pilot Identification Labels are pictured with a device and are the perfect size that sticks to the plug for your convenience if you want a little more organization.
6) DIY Wraps. The excess cord can be cumbersome to deal with when it comes to lengthy headphone sets. A solder wick spool, for example can help manage the extra length on cords with a creative and convenient upcycled spool to wrap your cords can be handy.
7) Fasten Cords Together. To eliminate tangling and better concealment the cords that drape down together can be tied and secured together. Available at most office supply stores are the Velcro ties for convenience. Zip ties and bread ties work well too.
8) DIY Charging Stations. Create a separate recharging station for handheld devices. Select a durable box to house your devices; show boxes, plastic storing boxes, or wooden boxes if you are handy. Simply cut quarter size holes out the bottom and plug them into a power wand so you can kill the power at a flip of a switch to avoid using unnecessary power.

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

A professional can help you organize as well as audit the power supply coming into your electrical devices. Call the experts of Sentry Electric for assistance!

There are many ways to improve your home’s security; deadbolts, locks, alarm systems, protective dogs, and so on. But you can equally improve the security with the right lighting. There are a lot more options than making sure the front light’s porch is on, and with the holiday traveling and peak home burglaries in full swing, you will want all the protection you can get. With that in mind, we at Sentry Electric would like to share home lighting security options you can apply to your Connecticut home.

Options for Outdoor Security Lights

Smart Timers: When everyone is away, giving the illusion the home is occupied is one of the primary purposes of your security lighting. With the smart timers, you create the effect. Set all of your security lighting timers so that it turns on and off at specified and different times. This approach is effective for both interior both exterior lighting.
Professional Installation: The quality is a considerable difference between professional installation and the DIY kits that are available. The DIY kits are of low-grade quality where professionals utilize industry Grade A quality equipment and efficiently install them according to achieve optimal use. In addition to superior equipment and installation, trade electricians ensure that the lighting system is connected to a reliable power source.
Motion Sensor Lighting: The motion sensors are able to detect motion with the use of passive infrared technology. Prowlers may be taken back the sudden lights and leave the area and you can have the warning when the lights suddenly switches on gives you the heads up someone is in the vicinity.
Improved Surveillance Cameras: The surveillance cameras will significantly be impacted by the increased outdoor lighting system and the dark areas where potential lurkers can be, offering you and neighbors more visibility. Many otherwise perfect videos have been rendered useless because of poor lighting. To improve the quality of footage if your security system is equipped with surveillance systems, make certain that the areas that are being monitored are well lit, especially at night.
Home Security Lighting: Not only will the increased lighting improve the security, but the areas that are generally dark otherwise such as the garage, the sides of the home and other such places are better illuminated for your own safety as well. You are more likely to deter anyone who considers breaking into your home with the simple additional security lighting. With the path lightened for yourself and visitors, finding your way in the dark can help avoid any tripping and falling, allows for more ease operating the locks as well as enhance the architectural design of your home and even landscaping with proper placement.
Lighting Placement: When it comes to lighting placement, many homeowners are at a loss. Illuminate all dark, shadowed areas around your home, including the nooks and crannies when considering the placement for your lighting. Below you will find several places that are ideal for security lighting to offer a few examples.
– Porches and doorways: The double lighting increase around the front and back door porches and doors.
– Sides of the home: Frequently dividing homes is a convenient brick wall, which is always poorly lit, offering lurkers an opportunity. Improving the lighting around this area will only lessen cover for people who are looking for places to hide.
– Garages: Install motion-sensor activated security lights above the garage door, a fairly common place, to allow the lights will turn on whenever a vehicle or person enters your driveway and to illuminate your path.

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If you are looking for professional assistance to get your security lighting enhanced, call in the expert electricians of Sentry Electric and let our specialists will get started.

When you walk in your house you expect to flip a switch and the lights come on. You open the fridge to perfectly chilled food and beverages. You run your appliances and charge your phone with no concern. When it comes to electricity we are so used to everything just working the way we expect. You want to be sure that when you do have a problem with your electrical system you have it looked at and repaired by a professional electrician. The electrical system in your house is something that should be left to a professional due to the risk of heat, shock and fire that does exist. There are some aspects of electrical needs that are common and that people ask on a regular basis.

Sentry Electric Lists Signs of Home Electrical Problems

Lights Flickering & Dimming in House: There are times when you notice that the lights in your home will flicker. This can be from two main reasons and each of them require the help of an electrician. First you need to know how to recognize if it is all the lights in the entire house or if it is just a single area. If you notice a single bulb is the one that is flickering it can be due to the actual bulb. Check the bulb to see it if is screwed in all the way. The two situations that require help from an electrician is if it is in one area and happens when you turn on the microwave or the doorbell rings. The other problem occurs when all the lights flicker. This can be a problem with the transformer and it may need to be repaired or replaced.
Circuit Breaker Tripped & Won’t Reset: When you are working in the kitchen and all of a sudden the circuit trips, everything comes to a standstill. Everyone knows that you need to walk out of the house and check the breaker box. When you go out you can usually see which breaker has tripped. A quick flip and the power is back on. The problem is that sometimes it doesn’t work and sometimes it won’t stick. This usually can be repaired by ensuring that the switch is all the way off before you turn it back on. Switch it back on and then the power should come on. If it does not then you need to have the breaker replaced all together.
Electrical Outlet Stopped Working: The outlets are set up strategically so that you can spread out the usage. When one of the outlets don’t work it can be a problem. If you think that an outlet is not working use a lamp or other item and check them individually. If one is not working it is important to look for a switch that might be attached to it. If it is still not working you need to have it looked at by a professional and repairs made.

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Sentry Electric offers expert electrical wiring and lighting services. Contact us to schedule an appointment today!

When you think about it, electricity is a real benefit in our lives. It is used in homes, businesses, schools and hospitals across the world. The invention of electricity has been such a wonder but it also is something that we take for granted. If you look around your house right now you probably have a television running, your laptop charging and the lamp on to name a few. If you took count of all the ways that electricity is used in your home it would be a long list. The problem is that now we have become greedy about how much we want to use and how often. This is what leads to people overloading an outlet or circuit. This is a danger to you and your family. Electricity creates heat and that is why the cords and wires that you use are all covered with insulation. This prevents the wires from becoming hot and causing damage. The heated or exposed wires can shock you or even cause a fire. That is why it is important to be careful when you are using electricity in your home.

Sentry Electric Lists Tips to Not Overload the Electrical Outlets & Circuits in Your Home

Check The Wattage Of Your Lightbulbs: Have you ever gone down the aisle of lightbulbs and noticed the options that are available? The lights you can choose from are quite a few and one thing they all have in common is they state the watts that are used. This number is not a number to be ignored but looked and used to determine which one is right for you. Before you leave the house to get replacement bulbs you need to look at the socket that the light is in. Inside or next to the socket you will find information about the watts that are recommended for that particular socket. You want to stay in the wattage that the fixture can handle so that you do not overload the circuit or blow out the fixture itself.
Be Cautious About What You Plug Into an Outlet: In your home on just about every single wall you will notice that there is an outlet. The outlet is there with often two plugs that can be used. That outlet and some of the other outlets in that room are tied together in one circuit. They are laid out specifically with how much that circuit can handle if you were to use each of the outlets along the path. The problem is that we start to become greedy and use extension cords to give us more options and areas to plug in. If you get too carried away and you are overloading an outlet it can cause the outlet to blow out of the circuit to short. This is a potential fire risk so be sure that you are careful about what you plug in. Reduce what is used in a particular room and pick what is most important or call an electrician to safely rewire your home.

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

Sentry Electric offers professional electrical wiring and lighting services for your home or business. Contact us today!