Category Archives: Electrical Grounding

Should I Call An Electrician To Wire My Hot Tub?

Electrical Grounding, Electrical Installation, Electrical Maintenance, Electricians

Should I Call An Electrician To Wire My Hot Tub?

Many homeowners choose to take on the wiring themselves. They figure it will save them money and time. But hot tub installation is not really such a simple task, and it can involve all kinds of unforeseen details. In addition, you may even need to upgrade your electrical service to accommodate the increased power load.

Upgrading Your Electrical Service

When you buy a hot tub or install one, it requires a certain amount of power. Depending on how old your home is, it may not have the extra circuit breakers needed to accommodate this increased power load. That is why upgrading your electrical service is so important. This allows your new appliance to use the energy it needs safely and efficiently without tripping your breaker or burning out your appliances. If you are putting a new appliance in that will consume more power than your panel can handle, such as a hot tub or air conditioning, the entire service will need to be upgraded to accommodate this. This is especially true if the house was built more than 10 years ago and doesn’t have the required breaker space to accommodate your newest technology. This will also allow you to lower your insurance premiums and add value to your property.

The Potential Hazards

It’s best to leave the installation of a hot tub to a professional electrician. They are trained and experienced in wiring heavy-duty electronics like spas, and they know what to look for during the installation process to ensure your safety. In addition, they will ensure that your electrical system is in compliance with code requirements. For example, they will install a GFCI outlet to prevent any electrical shorts that could be harmful to anyone using your hot tub. Aside from that, they will also ground your hot tub’s wires to the earth in case of an emergency. If you don’t do this, then you risk the possibility of your hot tub tripping the breaker and causing a fire. Another common mistake is failing to bond the metal parts that carry current together and secure them to the panel. This can lead to electrocution if they’re not properly bonded, especially when touched by someone in the hot tub.

Call In The Professionals

A hot tub is a great way to relax and unwind after a long day. It is also a wonderful addition to your home and can be used year-round. But before you can enjoy the benefits of a hot tub, it must be wired correctly. The wires should run through a conduit, which can be buried under or above ground. And before you start digging, it’s important to call your city building department to learn the appropriate depth and location for your conduit. DIY wiring mistakes in this area can often pose a serious risk, exposing you to shock and electrocution if the improper wiring is not fixed. Therefore, as with any electrical wiring project, you should always hire a licensed electrician to help do it for you. 

How Often Should You Have Your Home Electrical Checked?

Electrical Fire, Electrical Grounding, Electrical Installation, Electrical Maintenance, Electricians, Residential Electrical Problems

How Often Should You Have Your Home Electrical Checked?
A common question for homeowners is “How often should I have my home electrical checked?” The answer depends on a number of factors. The main thing to remember is that a regular inspection is a preventative measure that will keep you safe from electrical hazards.

Older Houses
When you live in an older house, you may find that the electrical systems that were installed are not designed to support all the appliances and electronics that we use in our daily lives. This means that you may experience a short circuit, tripping of the breakers and fuses or overloaded circuits. If you are experiencing these issues, then it is important to have your home electrical checked and fixed as soon as possible by a professional electrician.Older houses typically have older wiring systems that do not have ground wires, which is a safety concern. This kind of wiring can interfere with your ability to get homeowners insurance or a mortgage, and you could risk an electrical fire in the house. Another common problem with older homes is jury-rigged electrical work that was done by previous owners. This is a big reason why many home inspectors recommend having your home inspected by a licensed electrician.

Remodeling/Renovation
If you’re planning on doing a major remodeling or renovation project, it might be a good idea to get your electrician’s opinion on the best ways to approach your power needs in the most efficient way possible. You might also want to take a closer look at your electric meter. While you’re at it, check out your lights, receptacles and appliances to see how much electricity they use. If you’re able to trace each device back to its corresponding circuit, you’ll be able to determine which one is the most efficient.

Severe Weather
Often, the best way to prepare for severe weather is to have your home’s electrical system checked. A professional electrician can help you determine if any electrical components need to be replaced or repaired. For example, if your house’s wiring has been damaged by a power surge, you may need to replace it. The electrician can also help you determine how to safely use appliances and light fixtures that run on electricity without risking injury. And while it’s good to be prepared for severe weather, the most important step you can take is to keep your family safe. When severe weather strikes, you don’t have much time to make important decisions. Taking the necessary steps now to protect you and your family could mean the difference between life and death.

Call In The Professionals
When it comes to your electrical system, the first thing that a professional will be looking for is whether the circuits are adequate for your needs. These circuits are what dispense electricity from your electric provider to individual devices, such as appliances and lighting fixtures. A reputable electrical contractor will be able to check to see if there are proper circuits in your home, as well as ensure that each room has the necessary amounts of general lighting and appliance circuits to meet your electrical demands. A thorough electrical inspection will help ensure that you don’t end up with costly repairs down the road.

Facts About Electrically Grounding Airplanes

Articles, Electrical Grounding

Aircraft are designed to soar thousands of miles above ground. So, how could they possibly be electrically grounded? To understand this concept, we must debunk a couple of myths about airplane electrical grounding in Alexandria, VA.

Myth #1: Grounding must involve the ground

This terminology can be a bit misleading. While the literal ground may be involved in some grounding scenarios, access to the ground is not required for all grounding, including airplane electrical grounding in Alexandria, VA.

The fact is, the term “grounding” refers to a path used to direct potentially dangerous levels of electrical current. It does not refer to the ground itself. The excess current flows through this grounding path rather than a device’s internal circuitry. Here’s an example:

There is an electrical surge near a home (possibly due to a lightning strike or an electrical malfunction), and this sends high volumes of electrical current through the circuitry of the home. This current reaches a light switch, which is rated for far less current than what the surge sends through it. If the device is not grounded, the internal circuits may be fried, and anyone who touches that switch may be shocked or electrocuted. However, if the device is grounded, the excess electricity will flow through an alternate route. This new path offers the path of least resistance, through which the current will naturally travel.

For airplane electrical grounding in Alexandria, VA, the grounding is accomplished through the plane’s exterior body. Made of conductive materials such as aluminum, the body grounds the plane. If excess electricity is produced, the current travels to the exterior body, where it is dissipated safely. Many aircraft also feature static dischargers that release this electricity into the atmosphere.

Myth #2: Lightning strikes are disastrous to airplanes because they aren’t grounded

As we discovered when debunking the first myth, airplanes are grounded, so they can withstand lightning strikes. In fact, pilots report that airplanes are struck by lightning on average once every 3,000 flight hours. These strikes can be detected by the noise and turbulence they may cause, but the body of the plane safely absorbs and dissipates the electricity. Because of this airplane electrical grounding in Alexandria, VA, the plane can typically continue to fly without issue after a lightning strike.

Just the facts

Now that we’ve debunked the common myths about airplane electrical grounding in Alexandria, VA, we can turn to the facts. Here are the basics to remember:

• Airplanes are grounded by their conductive metal exteriors.
• How it works: When airplanes experience excess electricity, the current is absorbed and dissipated by the exterior of the plane.
• Due to airplane electrical grounding in Alexandria, VA, aircraft can withstand lightning strikes and continue to fly safely.

Stay grounded

For more insights about airplane electrical grounding in Alexandria, VA and other electrical issues, contact the experts at Walsh Electric. We have been the area’s go-to electricians since 1985. Offering repairs, upgrades, maintenance and 24-hour emergency service, our certified technicians are ready to assist you. Contact us today at 703-451-6622.