FAQ

A short circuit (often called a “short”) occurs when the wire carrying the electrical current (referred to as the “hot wire” and usually black in color) has contact with the grounded conductor (the “neutral,” usually white in color) or the equipment ground (the “bare copper,” usually green).

When a short happens, it generates an overabundance of heat. If it’s left unchecked, it can create sparks resulting in an electrical fire. In the event of a short, your electrical panel will cut the power to the circuit.

GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. These outlets look slightly different than other outlets; there are two small buttons (“Test” and “Reset”) on the face where standard outlets have none. You may notice them on/in your home if it was built in 1981 or later, and you will typically find them in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and on the outside of the house – all areas where water may be present.

A GFCI outlet’s purpose is to save you from electrical shock due to moisture. When the circuit trips, the “Reset” button should pop out. If the outlet doesn’t reset after you press the button, there may be an issue, and you should consult a professional

They perform the same function but in different ways. Both fuses and breakers end the flow of electricity to prevent a problem. Circuit breakers can be reset each time you trip them, but fuses must be replaced. For this specific reason, circuit breakers are more often used, but you can still find fuse boxes in many old Cleveland homes.

The third prong on a plug is a grounding prong. Two-prong receptacles do not have the same level of grounding as a three-prong device. The third grounding prong provides additional protection to the electrical system, the item plugged in, and you from electrical shock.

LED lights are more expensive to purchase than incandescent lights, but they’re more efficient (they’ll last 50,000 hours instead of 1,200 hours). They also have a lower annual operating cost, which is great for people trying to “go green.”

Several years ago, the code was updated and it requires us to install arc fault breakers in the house wherever there are new lines being installed except for where GFCI devices are required (kitchens and bathrooms, etc.). This is a major breakthrough in our industry. This is one of the most intelligent breakers. They monitor the current and discriminate between normal and unwanted arcing conditions. Arc fault breakers are primarily designed to protect against electrical fires caused by arcing.

Today’s homes are more advanced and filled with electronics than they have ever been, and we are increasingly dependent on not only the electronics, but the ability to easily charge them. Whole Home Surge Protection provides protection to all the electrical equipment in your home from surges and spikes that can be created outside or even inside your home. It acts just like the high quality power bars we often buy for our entertainment systems or our computer systems, but instead it protects all the devices in your home. This means it protects the electronic components of refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryer dishwashers, coffee makers and anything else that wouldn’t traditionally have protection. We recommend whole home surge protectors be installed in all homes to protect all the electronics.