Category: Electricians

FIND THE RIGHT LIGHT

There is no “one light fits all” solution when it comes to lighting a house. Each space can evoke a certain mood with its own unique style—and we’re here to help establish what works best in your home.

STYLE

Do you feel most at home with a modern look or do you prefer a rustic farmhouse feel? We have a fixture for every style, even yours

SPACE

Whether you need bright, focused lighting when preparing your favorite dish or a soft glow when lounging on the couch. Discover the lighting that can work in each space of your home.

EFFECT

With the right lighting approach, you can completely change the mood of a room. So, tell us, what mood are you going for?

LED and Recessed Lighting Solutions

you use your lights every day to provide safety, security, and convenience. Upgrading your lights to long-lasting LED bulbs requires an experienced electrician. The same goes for installing recessed LED lights. At Provident Electric, our trusted electrical contractors are proud to serve clients in Maryland. We offer recessed lighting installation, electrical repair, home, and commercial electrical wiring, and more so you can enjoy safe and effective electrical service for your property.

Top Benefits of Converting to LED Lighting

LED lighting technology offers residential and commercial properties many benefits, from improving the look and feel of your space to helping you save money and conserve valuable natural resources.

LED lights are known for their long lifetime. These lights are designed to last for 100,000 hours of use or more, which is 11 years of constant function or 22 years at half capacity. Plus, frequent switching on and off or extreme temperature changes don’t affect the lifetime of these lights.

LED lighting is the most efficient form of lighting. These lights convert approximately 80% to 90% of incoming energy into light, as opposed to incandescent bulbs, which are only 20% efficient.

LED lights emit little to no light in the UV spectrum, making them ideal for all types of lighting purposes, including illuminating products or artwork that may be sensitive to heat and UV light.

With LED, there’s no mercury involved, making them a cleaner alternative to fluorescent and CFL lamps with overall light quality that’s equal or superior to your traditional lighting products. There’s no downside to choosing a safer, more environmentally friendly option!

The Best Places for Converting to​ Recessed Lighting

Recessed lighting provides full lighting coverage with a minimal ceiling footprint, helping to keep a room’s sleek, open look by hiding light fixtures within the ceiling itself. This form of lighting is both popular and versatile.

Recessed lighting is ideal for workspaces, whether you’re looking to install this form of lighting in a kitchen, a home office, or a commercial office or meeting space. Lights can be placed at intervals to provide clear illumination from overhead without the need for visible light fixtures.

You can use a line of recessed lights to highlight accent walls or special features, such as fireplaces, fountains, and artwork. Recessed lights place these features in the spotlight without infringing on the view from any angle.

Hallways are also an ideal location for recessed lighting, which can be spaced to provide consistent illumination for safety and convenience, whether at home or in a commercial workspace.

lighting ideas

Getting your lighting just right can go a long way towards making your house feel like a home. It has a huge impact on the overall look and feel of any given room and is one of the easiest ways that you can set a certain mood so use lights to create an ambience in your home – maybe a comforting, warm glow or a clear and cold white light to work under? From ceiling lights to security lights and everything in-between – plus a wide range of crucial accessories – we have you covered. Perhaps you’re looking for a little inspiration before you decide on how you want to illuminate your home? Take a look at our lighting ideas to get started.

Modern Kitchen Lighting

Creating a liveable, modern-looking home is right at the top of lots of people’s lists when it comes to their interior decor – particularly in rooms such as the kitchen for an uncluttered appearance – and it’s vital that you create a well-lit space where you can enjoy cooking and easily see what you’re doing. Check out our kitchen lighting guide to find plenty of stylish ways to light up your kitchen. You might consider kitchen spotlights with a thoroughly contemporary sleek chrome finish. We have both circular cluster styles and linear options – and because they point in different directions they’re ideal for illuminating multiple worktops. You’ll even find flexible designs too

Lamps

Lamps are the way to go for ambient lighting in your home – and they’re a brilliant way to add an extra layer of interest and character to a room. Be sure to check out our handy guide to choosing a lamp so you can achieve the exact look and feel you want. If you’re after something a little different then be bold and go for an unusual lamp that’ll really make a statement on your living room side tables; think quirky shapes, bright colours and exotic printed shades.

Light Bulbs

There are so many kinds of light bulbs out there, so if you’re not sure which type you need then browse our guide to the different light bulb types. Regardless of their type, all bulbs feature codes which correspond to specific light bulb fittings. Edison screw fittings are one of the most common types for use in the home, but our handy guide will take you through each and every type.

Outdoor Lighting

Getting your lighting right is just as crucial outside your home as it is inside, so browse our full range of outdoor lighting for plenty of options extending from the purely practical to the decorative. It’s important to feel secure in your home, and we have you covered with motion sensing security lights and floodlights that are brilliant a choice when it comes to protecting your property. Why not consider a floodlight and security camera all-in-one system with WiFi capabilities and two way audio? Should motion be detected, you’ll get a notification on your smart device so you can keep tabs on your home wherever you are.

IMPORTANT TIPS FOR PROPERLY LIGHTING YOUR ARTWORK

Properly lighting a work of art can make all the difference in the world when it comes to displaying it. The painting that moved you to the tears in the gallery might not have the same effect if it’s always bathed in shadow or blasted with sunlight

Consider Lighting and Longevity

The main concern in choosing the proper lighting is determining what conditions will best preserve the artwork. Aesthetic preferences should be a secondary consideration

Aggressive lighting choices can often cause heat and light damage, often resulting in permanent color distortion and brittleness. Follow these rules to ensure the longevity of your collection:

Avoid displaying artwork in direct sunlight. Ultraviolet light and infrared radiation can cause fading.

Don’t allow light to directly face artwork. This will protect your artwork against heat damage.

Avoid fluorescent lighting. It emits a high level of ultraviolet energy, which accelerates color fading and distorts the color of the artwork

Pay Attention to Different Types of Lighting

In general, lighting for artwork should be three times brighter than the rest of the room’s lighting. This can be achieved by using the appropriate intensity or ambiance.

To ensure the artwork’s colors are portrayed accurately, seek out high CRI (Color Rendering Index) percentages in your lights. The closer they are to 100 percent, the more vibrant the colors will appear. Consider the following options when lighting artwork.

LED: LEDs boast a long lifespan and give off little ultraviolet radiation and heat. They are a good option if there is little space available between the art and the light source. They are available in warm and cool color temperatures.

Halogen: Halogen lights cast a cooler tone but generate higher levels of heat. Keep them at a safe distance from the artwork and consider UV filters.

Incandescent: Incandescent lights cast a comforting warm glow. That being said, traditional incandescent lighting should be avoided since it displays too much warm light. They are also comparatively inefficient when compared to LEDs

LIGHTING TIPS FROM PROS

The most aesthetically pleasing and effective way to light a room is to have three layers: overall, task and accent.

Overall lighting is the main illumination in a room. This will be the light above the main work or living space. The overall light could be from a chandelier, multiple pendants, recessed lights, a ceiling fan with a light, or some other main light source.

Task lighting is the light needed for specific tasks such as cooking, reading, applying make-up, etc. Examples of task lighting could be portable lamps, sconces next to a dressing area, and recessed lights or pendants directly over a work area.

Accent lighting could be toe-kick or in-cabinet lights, cove lighting, or small portable lamps

Depending on where and how some fixtures are used, they could be any type of lighting. For example, pendants might be considered overall lighting or task lighting, even accent if small and in a corner. The important thing is to layer the lighting so that appropriate illumination can be achieved for the activity taking place.

In most applications where pendants are placed above islands, it is more common to place the pendants in a symmetrical configuration centered directly on both the long and short sides. However, this is ultimately a personal decision that is dependent on your priorities and on the visual relationship of the pendants to the space.

If the island is going to be used for reading or working, then placing the pendants closer to the bar stools will be useful. However, if persons seated at the island will be there mostly for eating and conversation, it will be less important to move the pendants closer to the seating.

Professional Local Installers for all your needs

Serving Your Needs With Pride

We’re dedicated to giving our clients the A-grade electrical services they deserve. You have peace of mind knowing that your electrical work is taken care of by trusted professionals. Our aim is to ensure that we provide the best professional electrical services that exceed your expectations. No job is too big or too small for. Whether you run a commercial business or you simply want work done on your residential property, we’re the trusted local electrical contractors you can rely on to get the job done efficiently.

Professional Local Electrical Installers For All Your Needs

Our team of electrical experts have vast years of experience with installing and working with both residential and commercial electrical and solar applications. We’ve worked in the commercial, industrial and solar sector throughout. Our background and familiarity with Townsville is a testimony of our capabilities to provide local residents with quality services and as locals, we know first hand what your needs are

What We Do Best

As licensed electricians, our ethics are the backbone of our business. When you hire us, you will never have to worry about unaffordable and un-ethical, high-cost services, or the use of mediocre equipment. We pride ourselves in the accreditations and memberships we hold. With, our affordable prices – you don’t have to break the bank to get great service. – Our use of only trusted and respected industry brands is what sets us apart from the competition, while at the same time providing quality customer service and support from a team of qualified electricians.

commercial electrical services include:

New electrical installations

Switchboard installations and upgrades

Appliance testing and tagging

Safety switch installations and servicing

BMS interrogation and fault finding

Large scale chiller installations

Commercial property maintenance

The importance of Electrical Maintenance in Commercial Buildings

Electrical maintenance can often be viewed as an annoyance and an unnecessary expense for commercial and industrial properties. However, skipping this important step or aiming only for the bare minimum is penny-wise, pound-foolish. What are the risks of poor or insufficient electrical maintenance in commercial buildings?

Commercial and industrial electrical installations are naturally complex – and the more complex a system, the more likely any one component can be a cause of failure. One small failure can have a ripple effect on the rest of your system, causing damage to many further components.

Equipment breakdown, power surges and power failures all require expensive repair and replacement parts – but that’s not the only cost to your business. Lost productivity is a killer and costs for a single stopped production line mount up by the minute. Planned electrical maintenance catches small problems before they become apparent, safeguarding your business against future problems.

Legal risks: Compliance with local regulations

Electrical standards regarding how often equipment and buildings need to be checked vary depending on the risk – for example, office circuits need far less maintenance than welding equipment. Professionals will be able to advise you on the best electrical maintenance schedule that provides the most economical way to meet all r​egulatory standards.​

Health and safety risk: Your staff and customers

Electrical hazards are one of the highest causes of fire in the developed world – fires which have the potential to cause terrible damage to your stock, plant, buildings and most importantly, your personnel and customers. Staff working with electrical equipment are also at risk from poor maintenance practices

What Is A Commercial Electrical System?

When it comes to commercial and residential electrical systems, they couldn’t be more different. From the set up to the way each system runs, they require a certain level of expertise and care to run effectively.

For example, commercial electrical systems are complex when it comes to the components needed to power a commercial building. This means they require more attention and regular maintenance that untrained personnel cannot handle.

Because these are complex systems they require a highly trained professional electrician that can conduct these tasks safely and correctly.

So What Do You Need To Know About Commercial Electrical Systems?

Depending on the size of the commercial property, the building’s electrical system makes use of a larger electrical capacity to function. Which means that having a proper installation is essential to keeping it stable.

To power a commercial building, an organized electrical system is required. This establishes that the electricity is running smoothly through the entire complex. It also ensures that the building is free of electrical hazards and does not compromise anyone’s safety.

Commercial Electrical Services for Commercial Buildings

When it comes to hiring a company to help with commercial electrical services, you want the best company for the job. With so many companies, how do you decide who to hire? We’re here to help with a checklist of what to look out for when hiring a commercial electrical company.

What are Commercial Electrical Services?

Commercial electrical services refer to any installations or upgrades in a commercial area such as office building, apartment complex, school, or hospital that involve electricity. This includes the installation of safety and security systems (such as cameras and security codes for your protection), lighting (like motion, exterior, energy-saving and parking), miscellaneous (intercoms, fire alarms and smoke detectors), rewiring, and other electrical upgrades

Why is it Better to Choose One Company?

A full-service company can offer a consistent service for all your commercial electrical needs. It’s better to hire one company that can do everything rather than hiring several do to the work. If you can get all the services done by one company, it can save you time and money. By using a full-service company, you are able to build up trust and communication with the electrician(s).

What’s The Best Way To Choose A Company For Commercial Electrical Services?

A quick Internet search can provide results on local companies in your area. It is important to remember that law requires all electrical companies or electricians to have a valid license. Pay attention to the reviews of the company and speak to fellow business owners – recommendations from people you trust can help with narrowing down your list.

Once you’ve drawn up your shortlist, it’s time to schedule meetings with the companies. Coming with a clear outline of what you need done can help to make the process easier. The company can determine if they are capable of providing what you want within the constraints of your time frame and estimated budget.

COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS READY TO SUPPORT YOUR BUSINESS

Selecting the right electrician for your business is an important step in ensuring you are fully compliant with all of the regulation associated with electrical works.

keeping up to date with all the laws around health and safety in a commercial environment. This means that when you hire us, you are also hiring our extensive knowledge.

FIRE ALARM AND BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEMS

Fire, smoke, security…we cover it all. We install, maintain and repair alarm systems to protect your business and validate your insurance

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CONDITION REPORT (EICR)

Don’t let your business premises fall behind. Our electrical installation condition reports are carried out periodically in accordance with regulatory recommendations. This report involves sending one of our highly professional commercial electricians to inspect and test the electrical installations in your offices, warehouses or any other business building.

APPLIANCE INSTALLATIONS

Need cooker points, electrical showers or any other electrical appliances installed at your business? We can manage these projects for you and arrange a schedule of maintenance too.

What Is an Electrical Home Inspection?

An electrical home inspection provides a thorough examination of your entire electrical system, ensuring all electrical wires, systems, and components (such as appliances) meet legal safety standards. The National Electrical Code (NEC) is the code that all electricians operate under when examining your home, and defines the parameters for minimum standards across the United States. Upon completion of your electrical home inspection, a Mr. Electric® inspector will provide a detailed, prioritized checklist including areas in need of immediate attention, recommendations for improvements, and potential upgrade possibilities.

When Do You Need an Electrical Safety Inspection?

There are specific times when homeowners should schedule an electrical home safety inspection. The Electrical Safety Foundation recommends that homeowners make an appointment for an electrical home inspection at these times:

• When purchasing a home
• When a home is 40 years or older
• When adding an appliance
• When a home has had a major renovation

AMPACITY – the LIMITING FACTOR – Summary

What is the limiting factor that determines the actual electrical service ampacity at a building?

Remember you’re looking for the limiting factor in determining ampacity. Finding the electrical component in this list which has the smallest capacity means that you have found the “weak link in the chain” of components bringing electrical service to the building.

Particularly when inspecting older properties, where there is the chance that someone has upgraded some but not all of the components in this list, there may be an inconsistency such as the installation of a larger electrical panel without upgrading the main disconnect.

1. Electrical service entry cable or “SEC” size and amperage rating (we do not generally consider the overhead or service lateral wiring)
2. Electric meter (questionable but may assist, especially if the item’s generation, age, and obsolescence can be determined)
3. Electric meter base (questionable but may assist, especially if the item’s generation, age, and obsolescence can be determined)
4. Main electrical power switch fuse/circuit breaker ampacity
5. Electrical panel rated ampacity (and bus design may support only 120V)

Electrical Inspection Checklist

Before finalizing a home purchase, it is common to have a standard home inspection to check for structural problems and electrical, plumbing and mechanical defects. What you may not realize is that the standard inspection addresses surface issues.

A more in-depth inspection by an electrician can uncover electrical problems overlooked in the standard inspection and expose defects that could lead to a house fire.

Here are some areas you should have inspected by a licensed electrician before purchasing a new home:

Electric meter

The electrician should check the electric meter for defects such as insecure installation, broken meter seals and rust at the bottom of the box that could indicate the presence of water. Sometimes water can follow the service entrance cable from the meter box to the main panel.

Electrical wires

Outside wires should be inspected for fraying or other damage. An electrician will also look for unprotected wires anywhere inside the home, especially in attics, basements and crawl spaces. Wires resting on heat ducts or pipes present an unsafe situation and will be reported.

Circuit breaker

The electrical panel houses circuit breakers, which are designed to prevent electrical current from exceeding safe levels. An electrician will check for insufficient clearance, improperly sized circuit breakers, oxidation or corrosion, aluminum branch wiring, overheated components and the presence of moisture. Inspecting these panels can be dangerous, and you should never remove an electrical panel yourself.

GCFI outlets

GFCI outlets should be placed in basements, garages, kitchens and bathrooms. These outlets contain small circuit breakers that shut off when overloaded or if there is a short circuit. An electrician can ensure these outlets are correctly wired and test other outlets in the home for looseness or reversed polarity.

Electrical outlets

An electrician will test all wall switches for reversed polarity and ungrounded circuits, looking out for discolored, loose or damaged switch plates and unsafe wiring.

You should consider joining the electrician during the inspection because it will provide a great opportunity to gain valuable knowledge about your home’s electrical system, and you will be able to verify every item on the list has been inspected.

5 Year Fixed Wire Testing

Most standard workplace environments need an Electrical Installation Condition Report to be produced at least every 5 years. However, there should be regular routine inspections conducted at least annually.

Typical workplaces which require 5 Yearly Fixed Wire Testing include:

• Commercial spaces such as offices and retail outlets
• Hotels and restaurants (excluding spa hotels)
• Schools, colleges and universities
• Laboratories
• Community centres, churches and public houses
• Care homes and hospitals (excluding medical locations)
• Halls of residence, houses of multiple occupancy

How you can help the during a home inspection

Bring any and all red flags about your real estate property to your inspector before he begins, so he’ll keep a sharp lookout for possible problems. If the seller has disclosed damage, give your inspector a heads-up about that, too.

Another smart move is to accompany the home inspector during his rounds. It’s in your best interest to understand this new home, its systems and potential problems. For instance, an inspector can introduce you to electrical panels, air-conditioning and ventilation switches, and shut-off water valves in the plumbing (which the seller may not know how to operate or forget to show you). If the inspector spots a problem, he can show you exactly how a system is malfunctioning, what it means, and maybe a way to fix it. And this info will serve you well not only before you buy, but afterward as well.

Outdoor Lighting Buying Guide

Add beauty and security with outdoor lighting. Our guide helps you understand outdoor lighting fixture types and functions so you can choose the best and safest accent lighting, post lighting and deck lighting for your home.

What Is Outdoor Lighting?

Outdoor lighting includes a variety of light fixtures that address and improve exterior home security and safety. Additionally, these outdoor lighting fixtures highlight landscaping and architecture at night and come in a variety of styles and finishes

Power and Performance

With options ranging from hardwire flood lights to plug-in dusk-to-dawn lights to even solar motion lights, you can find the perfect outdoor flood lights for your landscape and the exterior of your home.

Solar-powered outdoor lighting draws the energy it needs to make the lights operate from sunlight. Though this option can cost more for the initial purchase and setup, you can ultimately save on your energy bill. Be sure to install the solar panels in areas that receive sufficient sunlight, and avoid dark and shadowy areas of your home.

Security and Flood Lights

Security and flood lights are broad-beamed, high-intensity lights designed to flood large areas with light. As a result, these fixtures are often used as a preventive measure to reduce criminal activity and increase feelings of safety, especially when equipped with a motion sensor that causes the light to illuminate when movement is perceived

DIY Outdoor Lighting Tips for Beginners

No Electrical Experience Necessary

Since most outdoor lighting is low voltage, it’s safe and easy enough for any DIYer to install. In fact, the only special tool you’ll need is a wire stripper. Find out what’s trending in outdoor lighting before embarking on your project.

Install Underground Wiring After Planting

To prevent accidental cutting of wiring for ground-level fixtures, install wiring after your landscape has been planted. That way you won’t accidentally chop through it with a shovel. Also, don’t install wiring in digging areas like garden beds, and be sure to bury low-voltage wire at least 6 in. below the surface.

How It All Fits Together

A low-voltage system has three parts:

The transformer plugs into a nearby GFCI-protected outlet and reduces 120-volt current to 12 volts.

The low-voltage cable carries current between the transformer and the light fixtures.

The light fixtures get connected to the cable with wire connectors made specifically for outdoor use.

Keep Your Fixtures; Upgrade Your Bulbs

For decades, halogen lights reigned supreme in low-voltage outdoor lighting systems, but LEDs have all but replaced them because they cost less to operate and last much longer. But you don’t have to tear out all your old halogen fixtures to enjoy the benefits of LEDs—retrofit bulbs are available. Just be sure to replace each halogen bulb with equivalent wattage and the same base type. Expect to pay about four times more for an LED bulb, but they use less energy and you’ll get up to 20 years of life from one compared with only two or three years from a halogen

Don’t Overlap Pools of Light

The purpose of most deck lighting is ambience, and professional outdoor lighting designers say it’s best not to create overlapping ‘pools’ of light on decks and patios. So avoid mounting fixtures too close together. For decks, choose fixtures that cast a 4- to 5-ft. pool of light. Keep them 30 in. up off the deck’s floor and space them up to 10 ft. apart. Overlapping lights on deck stairs and walkways can be a good thing, however, by providing enough light to help people avoid tripping. You might want to consider one of these cheap landscaping ideas to really make your yard pop

The Best Ways to Light the Backyard

Darkness needn’t put a damper on backyard activities like swimming and barbecuing. By installing backyard lighting, you can keep the party going long after dusk, boost outdoor ambiance, and protect your property from unseen threats.

The three main types of backyard illumination are safety lighting to deter prowlers and improve navigation, landscape lighting to accentuate garden features, and accent lighting to put the focus on the hardscape. Ultimately, you’d want all three types in your backyard to achieve different lighting levels for different needs—and within each of these categories, there’s a variety of lighting choices. So let us shine a light on the best backyard illumination options, so you’ll know what to put in your outdoor space

Security Lighting

Security lighting, generally the brightest backyard lighting, is safety lighting to illuminate large areas and scare off would-be burglars or destructive animals. Powered by standard, 120-Volt current, this lighting is installed high spots such as the eaves or above a garage to cast wide beams of light down onto main walkways or the backyard fence entrance.

Security Lights

blends in with your home’s trim when positioned on the eaves or the underside of a covered patio. But you’ll know that this wired light is there when you approach: Its three optical LED lights produce a powerful 2400 lumens to light up your landscape as bright as day for up to 100 feet for as long as you choose. And, when placed at the corner of the eaves, the rotating optics on the Revolve can be adjusted to light up two sides of the house.

Path Lighting

Path lighting is soft to moderately bright safety and landscape lighting designed to help you navigate walkways while attractively highlighting them. Install it on the ground along both sides of main walkways from the back door to your fence door, along stepping stones from the main walkway to a backyard feature like a fountain, and/or around flower beds to emphasize their contours.

String Lighting

String lighting is soft, low-voltage accent lighting used to evoke a warm, intimate ambiance that’s especially desirable for entertaining. Hang string lights wherever the activity is—be it on the eaves of the home to brighten an outdoor kitchen or from the posts of an outdoor pavilion or gazebo to illuminate patio furniture.

Tips for Safe Outdoor Lighting

Most of us have some lighting outside our home that belongs to us, and that we control. Porch lights or security lights, for example. A lot of people also like to add outdoor lighting as part of decorating for the holidays — some at Halloween and even more at Christmas.

We all like to be safe too, and to keep our house, our family, our pets, and our guests safe too — even if they’re only staying long enough to pick up some candy or sing a carol. That means that we want the lights, power cords, controls and everything else associated with our outdoor lighting to be done with safety in mind.

Install Outdoor-Rated Fixtures

If you’re installing a lighting fixture outdoors, it must be designed and built to be there. For two quick examples, a light that’s under your porch roof and never gets wet needs to be rated for damp locations, or say “outdoor” on it, because it will still get damp, cold and hot, and it needs to be able to take that.

Use Outdoor-Rated Light Bulbs

In an exposed fixture such as an outdoor flood light, most of us think of this. But it’ll pay you in terms of the life of the bulb and the ease of replacing it to do the same with your porch light. If you’re having trouble finding a standard bulb that’s rated for outdoor use, check the fine print on some appliance bulbs. If it can survive in a freezer or an oven, it can probably survive outdoors

Don’t Overlamp a Fixture

Most fixtures, indoor or outdoor, will have a sticker or label that says “Maximum Wattage: 60W”, or 75W or 100W. Whatever it says, respect that. It’s there to keep you from putting in a light bulb that will overheat the wiring in the fixture, which will damage the insulation on the wires. What matters most is the actual wattage of the bulb — not the “incandescent equivalent.” If you’re putting a CFL bulb in a fixture with a 60W rating, for example, you can use one that draws any amount of power up to 60W (which would put out more light than a 200W incandescent bulb)

Outdoor Lighting Guide: Rating, Sizing, Placement, Finish & Style

Outdoor lighting is growing in popularity as an addition to many homes as it not only increases the curb appeal, but helps with security and ensuring the safety of guests. From the gorgeous outdoor pendant that greets you at the front door, to the modern post lighting that guides your way through the back yard, outdoor lighting can help enhance all exterior areas around your home

While of course there is no law which says you must hang and mount your outdoor lighting fixtures according to our specifications, we have provided a guide of the best practices for sizing and placing various types of outdoor lighting. These practices have been developed not only for aesthetic appeal, but for safety as well. You will find that many frequently asked questions regarding the sizing or placement of particular lighting types will be addressed within the text, tables, and infographics throughout our outdoor lighting guide.

HOW TO CHOOSE BETWEEN A WET OR DAMP RATED LIGHT FIXTURE

When it comes to choosing the perfect fixture for your outdoor area, one of the most important factors is the UL (Underwriters Laboratories) rating that the fixture carries. UL wet and UL damp ratings are both indicators that your fixture can be installed outdoors. However, these different ratings indicate which outdoor areas are suitable for your fixture. While wet-rated lighting fixtures can stand up to the elements, some damp rated fixtures may only hold up to a certain level of moisture and indirect weathering.

DETERMINING THE SIZE & PLACEMENT OF YOUR LIGHTING FIXTURE

The main goal when determining the size and placement of your outdoor lighting fixtures is to enhance the curb appeal of your home. While it’s certainly fun to get creative with lighting placement around the home, there are safe and effective ways to measure and place your lighting fixtures in various outdoor locations.

GARAGE DOOR LIGHTING

Outdoor garage lighting is not only an attractive addition for the exterior of your home, but it is also a functional fixture to consider. Not only can you install wall mount fixtures on the sides of the garage door but you can also install lighting above the garage door to help light the surrounding driveway and areas. Below, you can see the best practice for installing garage lighting above the garage door. To see how to place lighting on the sides of the garage door, please refer to the outdoor wall lighting instructions.

IMPORTANT ELECTRICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR A HOME RENOVATION PROJECT

You may be planning to add a room to your house. It may be a home office or an outdoor kitchen. These can be big renovations and you have to be careful with the planning, ensuring that the electrical factors are also taken into account. You should work with a licensed electrician who has experience with a project like yours. Proper planning can save you money and ensure that the project runs seamlessly.

Electrical Capacity

When renovating your home, it is important to determine the current electrical capacity of the building. Many old homes do not have the wiring to handle the latest appliances and technologies. You should get the help of an electrician to calculate the existing capacity. They can help in

All home renovations are going to involve some kind of additions or changes to the wiring. The different wiring concerns are as follows:

Wiring Size: If the wiring size doesn’t match the new electrical requirements in the building, it increases the risk of fires. An increase in the number of outlets for a circuit can mean excess current for the circuit. If adding more amps, it is important that you install new circuits into the panel.

Securing Wiring: Make sure that the wiring is properly secured. If the staples are not properly attached, the wires can get damaged. It is recommended to run the wiring through cable trays.

Improper Wire Connections & Lengths: The length of wiring that can be stripped is regulated by electrical codes. The wires shouldn’t be stripped too much or too short. It can increase the risk of fires or voltage drops.

Unprotected Wires: It is recommended to have a safety inspection to ensure that there is no unprotected wiring. All electrical wires should be covered to prevent exposure to the elements, humans or pets.

Electrical Power Upgrade

When you add more space to your home, this means the power demand will increase. The existing panel may not be able to handle the increased power demand due to more appliances and circuits. It may require an electric service upgrade.

GFCIs

It is also recommended to install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs). These devices will make your home a safer place. They instantly cut off power if a plugged-in appliance comes in contact with moisture. It is recommended to add these units to kitchens, bathrooms, or any other areas where there is a risk of water contact.

Things to Know About Electrics When Building a New Home

Building a new home can be incredibly exciting. But many people find that they get so consumed by the design and project management aspects of their new home that crucial elements, such as its electrical requirements, can be overlooked. If you get these wrong, the consequences facing your home can range from mere inconvenience, right through to major health and safety risks.

PLAN THE LOCATION OF OUTLETS

While you may be thinking of how rooms will be coordinated and where features will be situated, it’s necessary to first determine the position of electrical outlets and wiring for your communication devices. This is so you can then place electrical equipment in the appropriate places with connection to electricity. Consultation with a qualified and experienced master electrician can help you to achieve this end.

UNDERSTAND THE WIRING SYSTEM YOU’LL NEED

In making decisions about the electrics you’ll need in your new home, it’s important to realise that your total electrical system is comprised of the electrical service, as well as lighting outlets and a range of appliances that are hardwired. It’s worthwhile noting that your electrical service needs to be of a sufficient size to match the needs of the people living in your house. Typically, one hundred to two hundred amps are adequate for a standard-sized house and household.

KNOW IF YOU NEED EXTRA POWER

In this day and age, where technology is incredibly advanced, a number of people choose to have large systems for audio, visual, and entertainment purposes, as well as home-based offices. If you’re such a person, it’s wise to find out more about the options available for your home’s electrical system. It may be necessary for you to have an advanced wiring system in your home.

CONSIDER ENERGY EFFICIENCY

When it comes to electricity, many of us are concerned about the rising costs and negative environmental effects. Many people building new homes therefore appreciate knowing that a control system can be used to moderate the costs of energy. Such systems can be remotely controlled from your home, and while this capability may seem futuristic, they can ultimately save you money and ensure that your home is safe when you’re not there

electrical and lighting things to consider when building

I can safely say that every day of this home build journey I am learning something new. From small things like discovering new products (who knew door handles could be so exciting?!) to the bigger picture of understanding the building process

The decisions we make now will have an impact on how we live in and enjoy our home so I’m taking them pretty seriously… That’s why it took three hours of careful deliberation before finalising our electrical and lighting plan! Thankfully our electrician and lighting expert were incredibly patient and helpful!

Do not over-light your interiors

The other week we published ‘How to design a lighting plan for your home‘ and in that post, lighting expert James talks about understanding the function of each room before deciding how much and what type of light to fill it with. As we went room by room through our house, James would constantly ask me ‘What will you do in this room?’ and ‘How will you configure your furniture?’ before suggesting any lighting options. Start with function and adapt your lighting depending on the needs in the space to avoid over lighting your home — and put a dimmer on every interior light!

Consider mixing lighting solutions

James is a big believer in using as little ceiling light as possible so he suggested all sorts of other lighting solutions — wall washes, low hallway wall lights, floor lamps, pendants, step lights — and when we did talk about ceiling lights he suggested some new products, like ‘extrusion’ lighting which is a more sleek and commercial looking product. If you won’t have an expert to help you plan your lighting, I suggest taking the time to research all the lighting options out there before meeting with your electrician so you can develop a plan that works and will add interest to your home.

Be careful not to date your house with lighting that’s so 2015!

As you all know, I’m a massive Block fan. So when I asked whether or not strip lighting along the kick of the kitchen was a good idea, or if we should put some under the island bench and I got a strained look from James… it was pretty clear the answer was no, he he. He said we could do whatever we wanted — it’s our house after all — but that he wouldn’t recommend putting lighting in these places where it serves no real purpose as he thinks this lighting trend will date quickly. In a few years time you don’t want people to say ‘That’s so 2015!’.

Things for Your Electrical and Lighting Plan

After giving a general overview last week of what’s needed for the specifications for the plumbing, mechanical and electrical subs, I thought it would be helpful to go into more detail about the lighting and electrical plan that you will have to give to the electrician.  There is so much to consider.  I’ll give you a list of suggestions that you can use as a checklist to help you develop a pretty complete electrical and lighting plan before you even meet your builder or electrician for the lighting walkthrough.

The lighting walkthrough typically happens in the rough-in stage, after framing is complete and before the drywall goes up.  Usually the homeowner will walk through the framed house with the electrician and/or builder and discuss where fixtures, outlets and light switches will go.

But thinking through the electrical and lighting plan well before you do the electrical walkthrough will allow you more time to consider exactly what features and outlets we want, and where. This decreases the chances of you forgetting an outlet or light switch somewhere.  It will also give you an opportunity to develop more detailed specifications so you can get more accurate electrical bids before construction even begins.    You may want to do a walkthrough by yourself a time or two when developing your lighting plan, just so you can get your thoughts together and not feel rushed when you do the official walk through with the electrician and/or builder.

It’s probably best to make a written, room by room list of fixtures and features plus mark your house plan where the electrical fixtures, outlets and light switches will go.  You can use different colored dots or symbols for light switches, outlets, recessed can lights, under cabinet lighting, and lighting fixtures, such as wall scones, table lamps, floor lamps and chandeliers.  For example, you might symbolize all recessed can lights with black dots and light switches with red dots. Outlets could be blue and lighting fixtures could be green.  If you really want to be helpful (and a little Type A), after you figure out what exact lighting fixtures you want to go in each room, you paste a photo of the fixture to a paper copy of your house plan.  Paste each lighting fixture photo on the diagram of the room where it will go. That will serve as a master guide for your electrician when he installs your fixtures toward the end of the build

Now about these electrical and lighting plan suggestions… most likely, not all of the suggestions will work for your family, house and lifestyle.  Use what works for you and leave the rest.  And keep in mind, these tips should go to into your preliminary lighting/electrical plan. You’ll want to go over the preliminary electrical plan and marked up house plan with your electrician and/or builder to see if they have any additional suggestions that would make your lighting plan more functional or more economical. 

Lighting and Electrical Considerations for Vancouver Home Renovation

There are many things to learn whenever you renovate your house. Our decisions are incredibly crucial to making sure we can enjoy living in our homes. Electricity is an essential element in everyone’s home these days. Making bad electrical choices is something one cannot afford.

Having an experienced electrician by your side when planning for your home renovation would be a great idea for saving time and money. You will easily be able to avoid future regrets by making these important changes.

ever Over light

Overlighting the interiors is one of the most commonly made mistakes you will find in most home renovations.

Mix it Up

Using conventional lighting options and techniques time after time is one of the biggest reasons why most people are never satisfied with their lighting. This reason is why we suggest you mix it up and give your house a new look simply by changing the way you light it

Do Not Use Outdated Lighting

Using outdated lighting inside your residence is a surefire way to make it look bad. Although illumination is a primary purpose of every light, there is much more to it than that.

Choosing the Right Electrical Wire

We’ve all done it. Walk into a building supply store and head for the electrical department to buy some electrical wire for a project that we have at home. In most cases, we have no idea what one type of wire is from the other. Even more, we couldn’t tell the difference from 100-amp wiring and 200-amp wire, let alone the difference between 20-amp and 30-amp wiring. This simple set of facts is enough to make my hair stand up on the back of my neck, fearing the dangers of having an electrical fire at some point.

Maybe it’s just to extend a circuit for an additional outlet or two, or maybe it’s an underground feed to a swimming pool you just added? In any case, the point is that now you’re at the store looking at the wire, which one is the right wire for you? What size wire do I need? Is color important?

Not only are there different types of wiring, both indoor and outdoor wiring, but also underground wiring and specific types, like heat resistant and corrosion-proof wiring. If that isn’t enough to distinguish the differences, there is also copper and aluminum wiring. Each has its own unique wire sizes and ampacity-carrying capabilities.

Although aluminum wiring was used in the past, today’s homes use copper wiring. Aluminum wiring often heated up under load, causing it to become loose in the connections and sometimes caused electrical fires. Those connections already in homes may work forever untouched and not overloaded, but I would advise an electrical upgrade by replacing the wiring to copper.

Wire coloring makes the wires look pretty, right? Well maybe, but the real reason for wire colors is to identify them for their intended uses. The green wire is used for grounding, always! In the past, and I’ve personally seen this while working on an old school project. The “hot” wires, feeding branch circuits, were actually green in color. I was taken aback! Everything I had been taught about wire colors was now a red flag, and caution was the word working on the circuitry.

How to Choose the right electrical wire?

Whenever you shop for electrical wire, you will see that there are numbers of types and sizes from which you have to choose from. So different types of wire are made for different uses, but with any of these wire types knowing the right wire sizes or gauge, is key to making the right choices. Wire gauge refers to the physical size of the wire, rated with numerical designation that runs opposite to the diameter of the conductors . In other words, the smaller the wire gauge number, the larger the wire diameter.

Stranded vs. Solid Wire

One more thing to keep in mind is to select the style of wire that best fits your needs. Some wire is stranded, while other wire consists of a solid copper conductor. In installations using metal conduit, the solid wire doesn’t always pull as easily if the conduit has a large number of bends. But solid wire is usually easier to secure under screw terminals, such as those found on standard switches and receptacles.

Why wire gauge is important?

Incase of overloading wire and overheating them, circuit breakers or fuses gives good protection but they are not much reliable and not  a foolproof protection. Both circuit breakers and fuse are designed to sense current loads to “trip” or “blow” before the wires can overheat up to the danger point.

There is the potential for danger anytime a device or appliance tries to draw more power on a circuit than the wire gauge is rated for. For example, plugging a heater rated for 22 amps into a 16-amp circuit wired with 1.50 sq. mm wire poses a distinct danger.

QUICK TIPS FOR SELECTING THE RIGHT ELECTRICAL WIRE & CABLE | TPC

Can you think of at least one area where you’re replacing electrical wires and cables often? What happens when this cable fails? Unplanned downtime? You’re too busy for that

Why is it failing? Is there a lot of flexing or tension on this particular wire? Is the area known to occasional, or frequent impact? Does your cable come into contact with chemicals or exposure to extreme temperatures?

When choosing the right cable for your problem area, you must first ask yourself why the cable is failing and how often it disrupts production? If your answer is often, it’s time to look for a longer-lasting product. As experts in the industry, we can help you find the right solution for your failing cable.

Here are four tips to consider when choosing the right electrical wires and cables with the most life and reliability for your needs:

If the area you have in mind is experiencing frequent flexing or tension, you’ll want a cable that is finely stranded and has a high durometer like our Trex-Onics C-Flex product.

If you’re looking for a cable that might need to be protected from impact, like getting hit or run over, you’ll want to consider a cable with a thick, reinforced jacket. Our Super-Trex portable cord is lined with 100% fabric serve. Don’t like yellow? They come in black, too.

Do you have harsh chemicals in your plant? You’ll likely want to explore our Chem-Gard 200 TC Rated cable, solution with a specially compounded fluoropolymer jacket and conductor insulation.

If you have extreme temperatures — hot or cold, you’ll want to visit our Thermo-Trex 850, a high-temperature electrical wire for your environment.

Electrical Wire and Cable Buying Guide

First, understand the difference between wire and cable:

A wire is one conductor that carries an electrical current through a circuit.

A cable is a collection of wires sheathed together.

The majority of conductors are copper, which is corrosion resistant and works as a better conductor than aluminum. Aluminum serves as a less expensive and lightweight alternative.

The American Wire Gauge (AWG) system provides the sizing of wires. The higher the number of the gauge, the smaller the size of the wires. The National Electrical Code (NEC) mandates the regulations for wires and cables that can be used for electrical applications.

How to Identify Wires and Cables

Each jacket will have information printed on it to help you choose the correct product for your job. A letter code provides the attributes of the wire, along with material, gauge and voltage rating.

Naming and Taxonomy

The NEC provides a system with letters to quickly identify what a wire’s capabilities are. Some common lettering for wire includes THHN, XHHW, THW, etc.

Skilled Electrician And Electrical Services

Whether you are planning to install a new wiring system in your property or replace the existing one, it’s vital you approach an experienced electrician. They are well aware of the fact that electricity is one of the delicate issues homeowners have to deal with on a daily basis and so they need to install high-quality wiring systems. The wires should be grouped and arranged in such a way which helps in proper distribution of electricity.

With numerous experienced electricians scattered all over Reigate, choosing the best among them is indeed a daunting task. The best you can do if to meet them in person and ask what all they consider before choosing the ideal wiring system for your property. It is vital for the wiring system to be clear as a faulty arrangement can lead to disaster.

Safety

The wires should be specially designed with a focus on protecting the people living on the property where it is being installed. This is because everyone’s safety is the most vital factor to consider. Unless the wires are designed and installed by an experienced electrician, the electrical equipment connected with the wire might also get destroyed. Unless conduit wiring is installed, the risk of causing physical damage to your property through fire hazards and electrocution remains.

Load

The load a wire can carry is generally dependent on its design and specifications. A skilled electrician will make sure that the certain level of voltage load the wiring can handle is not exceeded. The load a wiring can carry is directly related to the diameter of the wire. In other words, the wider the diameter of the wire, the more load it can carry

Durability

Since overheating will not only destroy the wiring but also lead to hazardous accidents, it is a must that you prevent the issue. Even when electric currents are made to pass through the wiring at maximum level, it should not overheat. Electricians enhance the durability of the product by choosing the right cable material, sheathing, and wire material. It should not also be exposed to chemicals, moisture, harsh weather or fumes for a longer period of time.