"Michael is very intelligent and good at helping you get a better understanding of your home's electricity. Him and his father are in the ball and good workers for the price. Would recommend! We'll be using them for all of our electric needs in the future!"
"Jake performed various electrical projects in my house. He was prompt, efficient and knowledgeable. I would recommend Jake to anyone looking for help with anything electrical!!"
"I was pleased with the installation of the lightning rods--communication was great and the work was done quickly. What I wasn't happy with is he quoted me a price that was less then my actual bill was BUT the price was still less then two other contractors bids."
"The install was scheduled and completed quickly. The lightning rods and cable look neat and tidy along the roof. Mr. Hamilton was friendly and efficient."
"Pro showed up on time to replace some 2 prong outlets to 3 prong outlets and completed the Job in a efficient and timely manor, I am planning on hiring them to install some ceiling fans and to add some outlets outside. I was very pleased withe work done."
"WB Lightning is focused on customer service. The company provided good communication and responded very quickly to my inquiry for a quote. WB Lightning is a respected company, I had another electrical service provider tell me I made a good choice when I hired WB Lightning Rods."
"Great product vs. cost ratio. Electrical inspector who checked their work, as required, after installation remarked that 'this company always does good work.' Completed the work in less than a day with little intrusion into my at home activities. One thing I would add is I wish they had spent a little more time explaining the controls and operation. I still don't know what the one circuit breaker on the outside does or if/when it would be used."
"It went great, this is a unique service, for DIY-ers. My electric dryer wouldn’t heat, so I went on line and diagnosed the problem and ordered the parts. I also watched several how to videos, but none of them matched my dryer. Finally went on Angie’s list and it matched me up with Tin Lizzee which is a chat service to help you through your repair. The technician I talked with was polite, professional, and knowledgeable. I did get stuck during the repair and they called me on my cell and talked me through what I needed to do. I know I saved a lot of money by not having an appliance repair person come to my house with the mark up on parts and labor rates per hour I believe I saved at least half of the cost, if not more from ordering on line and chatting and talking to the Tin Lizzee technician, it was $30 well spent."
The Occupational Safety and Home Administration (OSHA) requires an electrical panel to have a minimum of three feet (36 inches) of room from the front of the panel to the closest obstacle. In this case, the word obstacle refers to nearly everything, including walls, machines, and other fixed objects. Additionally, panels require at least 6½ feet of headroom in the area directly in front of the fixture. These requirements help ensure safe use of the panel and allow electricians plenty of room to work.
Amps describe the amount of energy that can flow through a circuit breaker. Every electrical device that’s attached to the breaker requires about 1.5 amps. While that equates to roughly 13 receptacles per 20 amps, using slightly fewer ensures that your circuit will always have enough energy for sudden power surges instead of tripping when one occurs. In general, 10 to 12 receptacles is recommended for a 20 amp circuit.
A full home inspection can cost nearly $350 on average, but inspecting the breaker box specifically is likely to be lower, between $100 and $200. Don’t confuse this service with a basic breaker trip check, which doesn’t take long and is usually billed at $40 to $50 per hour.
If the electrician discovers a serious problem and needs to replace a breaker, it can cost between $100 and $200 in additional expenses. Although rare, replacing the electrical panel typically costs between $500 and $2,000.
Aluminum wiring can pose a fire risk as it can overheat, expand, and contract, leading to failing splices and loose connections. If your home has aluminum wiring, it requires careful maintenance and potential safety upgrades. The first step is to hire a licensed electrician to conduct a thorough inspection.
A complete replacement with copper wire is the safest option but can be very expensive and is not always necessary. Other safety measures and upgrades include:
Copper Pigtailing: A more budget-friendly option where a short section of copper wire is added to each end of the aluminum wire. This is only appropriate for certain homes.
Aluminum-Compatible Outlets: Installing outlets specifically designed for use with aluminum wiring.
Anti-Oxidant Paste: Applying this paste to connections to prevent oxidation.
Consulting with a qualified electrician is essential to assess the condition of your wiring and determine the most appropriate updates to meet current safety standards.
They can vary—a lot. For example, while the EU continues to move toward broader standardization, many different types of outlets still exist from country to country. Some local standards cared about polarization, and some didn’t. It’s similar to other countries around the world.
Generally, you’re less likely to find polarized outlets outside North America. However, alternative plugs and outlets often incorporate precautions so that accidentally touching live prongs on a plug is hard or impossible. You may also find interesting regulations overseas that limit the use of outlets in bathrooms or near sinks to decrease the chance of shock.
The Gibsonburg, OH homeowners’ guide to electrical services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Before you hire a licensed electrical contractor, you should learn the cost to run electric from the road to your house so you can budget for the project.
Whether you’re shopping for a new home or simply doing a safety check on your current place, learn what factors influence an electrical inspection cost.
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.
