"I was able to schedule an inspection and confirm an appointment within 24 hours which was a lifesaver. I was going to purchase this home but the last thing I wanted to verify was the electrical. I was not able to attend in-person so they walked me through the inspection on the phone after. They found the external wire was not grounded and there were a lot of flags found inside the breaker. Saved me from making a major mistake and I am grateful . The property later received a stop work notice from the county."
"I couldn't have asked for a better experience. They were hired to replace the main electrical panel/breakers at my elderly mother's home. Roni, the electrician, was a wonderful communicator, and was very knowledgeable and thorough in completing the job and in putting her at ease. The price was very reasonable. I will be using Nasr Electric in my own home, as well as recommending them to all my friends and family in the DMV area."
"Chesapeake electrical just finished replacing an outlet on our 32 year old home. They also inspected the whole electrical system and offered options to upgrade our house to current standards. The technician, Brian, was very experienced and fixed our problem right away. Too many Christmas lights, too much recent rain and trying to charge an electric car on a 110 line! They came out the day after we called, the scheduler, Jackie, was very personable and determined to get this ordeal over for us. Our immediate problem was not too complicated but I can see down the road we may need more substantial electric repairs and we will be calling Chesapeake electrical for what we need. I recommend everything about their operation. Last comment and probably the most important comments moment, the cost was very reasonable. For someone who almost never uses an electrician, we are glad we found Chesapeake electrical. John and Jane, Ellicott City"
"I had a fantastic experience working with Ludwing from Vital Electric. He showed up right on time, which I really appreciated. From start to finish, his communication was clear and professional, keeping me informed at every step. I was also impressed by how neat and organized he kept his tools and truck—it’s a small detail that really reflects the pride he takes in his work. What stood out the most was Ludwing’s persistence in troubleshooting a tricky issue. He didn’t give up until everything was working perfectly. The price was very reasonable for the quality of service provided. I’d absolutely recommend Ludwing and Vital Electric to anyone looking for reliable, honest, and skilled electrical work."
"I am very pleased with the work done! I saved $$ by not having to buy another light fixture! The electrician's expertise, efficiency and advice is greatly appreciated! I will definitely reach out again for my next electrical project!"
"I had issues with 2 lights and circuit breaker in my home and JA Electrical were a godsend. I heard back from them within minutes of placing online quotes in my area. I was able to get a tech, Antonio, out to my home the same day. He worked ho*** ** getting my issue resolved and he succeeded. He's very professional, timely, and I would highly recommend him and the company to anyone having issues."
"There was quite a lot of work to be done. They came out they put a new panel in, they run new wires, they sorted out some minor electrics in the attic, they got some connections and so that they system was therefore complete for the contracting firm to come in and do their part. We chose them because we've used them before. We've done some minor electrical work with them when we had first arrived."
"Arrived on time, very professional and completed taking down an old light fixture and hanging a new chandelier within 1 hour 30 mins. Would hire again for electrical work."
"On June 10, I had a company to install security equipment in my home. In doing so, the installer drilled through a wire and I did not have electricity in several outlets due to the damage. Since the company did not have an electrician on staff and was unable to refer me to anyone, I turned to Angie’s List for help in finding someone to correct the problem. I called Hands on Electric on June 11 and spoke to the owner, Kevin Williams. I explained my problem to Mr. Williams and he gave me a window of time in which he would be able to come out. Not only was he able to come out the same day that I called, but Mr. Williams was able to come much earlier than expected. Once he arrived he was able to trouble shoot and diagnose the problem. Mr. Williams was very, very friendly, professional and honest. He was able to answer my husband’s questions and explained what he was doing as he made the repairs. My husband was very happy about that and we were both impressed by the years of experience Mr. Williams had for his age. I have been looking for an electrician for a while now and have decided that I will be using Hands on Electric for all of my future projects. I was very pleased with the work that was done by Mr. Williams and will recommend him to my friends and family when they need of electrical services."
The common, marked as COM or C, is one of the terminals found in your light switch. It houses the live wire that supplies the input voltage. The other terminals, marked as L1 or L2, are the outputs to the light fixtures. Depending on if you have a one-way or two-way switch, you’ll either have just an L1 terminal or both an L1 and L2 terminal.
Aluminum wiring can pose a significant fire risk because it tends to expand, contract, and overheat, leading to failing connections and splices. If your home has aluminum wiring, it doesn't always require a complete replacement, but you must take safety precautions. The first step is to hire a licensed electrician to conduct a thorough inspection. Based on their findings, you have several options:
Full Replacement: The safest but most expensive solution is to replace all aluminum wiring with copper.
Copper Pigtailing: A more budget-friendly option, suitable for certain homes, involves adding a short section of copper wire to the end of each aluminum wire at connection points.
Other Safety Upgrades: Your electrician may also recommend installing aluminum-compatible outlets and applying an anti-oxidant paste to connections to prevent corrosion.
Consulting a professional will help you determine the best course of action to ensure your home's wiring meets current safety standards.
Common warning signs of an overloaded electrical panel or meter box include frequent circuit breaker tripping, flickering or dimming lights, scorch or burn marks, and a burning scent coming from the panel. A circuit breaker trips as a protective measure to prevent overheating and potential fires. If you observe any of these signs, turn off the affected circuit breaker and move some devices to a different circuit. If the problem persists after turning the breaker back on, you should contact a professional electrician to resolve the issue.
Christmas lights typically do not need to be grounded like electrical circuits in your home do. However, it's crucial to use outdoor outlets equipped with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) for added safety. GFCIs can help protect against electrical shocks and are recommended for outdoor electrical connections when using Christmas lights.
When power is restored to your home, the transfer switch will return to utility power after about 10 seconds. Your generator will then run for a few more minutes to cool down before automatically shutting itself off. In most situations, your home will stay powered by the generator for at least five minutes, even after your power comes back on.
The Fort Washington, MD homeowners’ guide to electrical services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Hire a licensed electrical contractor and learn the cost to run electric from the road to your house in Washington, DC, so you can budget for the project.
The cost to install a 240-volt outlet in Washington, DC varies depending on the amperage and the home’s current wiring conditions. Use this guide to budget for your next project.
Upgrading your electrical panel boosts home safety and may increase resale value. Learn about average electrical box replacement costs in Washington, D.C.
Is it time to upgrade your electrical panel? For the sake of safety, find out sooner than later by exploring our top signs that it’s time for an upgrade.
