Flipping a switch and having the light come on, plugging in the coffee maker in the morning, and turning on your TV–all of these require electricity. Your home’s electrical wiring works to bring you the power you need as you go about your day. Many people don’t give this hardworking system any thought–until something goes wrong.

Problems in your home’s electrical wiring can cause you to lose power–but they can also cause serious injuries and start fires. It’s crucial to maintain your electrical wiring to keep you and your family safe–and to keep the lights on.

So, how can you tell that your electrical wiring needs to be replaced? Most homes have older electrical wiring systems, often original to when the house was built. There are some clear signs that it’s time to replace your old electrical wiring, which we’ll explore in this article. For more information, find a Denver electric company you can trust by calling Sparks Electric today.

5 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Electrical Wiring

Problems with your electrical wiring can mean major–sometimes dangerous–issues down the road. Don’t wait for a big problem to occur. Watch for these signs that it’s time to replace your electrical wiring.

1. You notice frayed wires

Damage to the electrical wiring in your home can cause the system to be inefficient and dangerous. Wires can sustain damage from nails and screws or become cracked and frayed because of heat, age, and corrosion. Call a trusted, professional electrician to replace damaged wires and prevent damage to your electrical system and home.

2. Heat and scorch marks

Take time to touch each of your home’s outlets and switches. They should feel cool with no temperature variations or hot spots. If you notice places on the switches or outlets that feel warm–or you notice visible scorch marks–you need to call a professional electrician immediately. Warm spots and scorching are signs of hazardous wiring conditions.

3. Circuit breakers frequently tripping

Do you have to take frequent trips to the circuit breaker box to reset the breakers? This could be a sign that your home’s circuits are overloaded. This is not only annoying–it can also indicate more significant problems with your home’s electrical wiring system that require improvement. A professional electrician will evaluate your circuits and correct any issues they find.

4. Smoke

Seeing smoke is always a sign of a problem, which is certainly true if your electrical wiring produces smoke. If you see smoke coming from an appliance, outlet, or from along your baseboards, turn off your main circuit breaker and call an electrician immediately. They will identify the source of the smoke and correct any issues with your electrical wiring, including replacing frayed or damaged wires.

5. Dimming lights

Have you ever noticed that the lights in one part of your home become dimmer when you turn on another appliance? This indicates that your circuits are overloaded or your electrical wiring needs to be updated. Call an electrician to assess your circuits and replace any wiring that may be faulty or unsafe.

These and other signs of outdated electrical wiring can occur in homes of any age. If you haven’t given your electrical wiring much thought or attention, or you’re noticing changes in your electrical system, call a professional electrician to ensure your system is safe and up-to-date.

Find a Denver Electric Company

Don’t put up with problems or ignore issues with your electrical system. Connect with a Denver electric company that will solve your issues and keep your family safe. Reach out to the friendly professionals at Sparks Electric today.

There are four different types of electricians: industrial, specialty, commercial, and residential. Electricians play a vital role in our society by keeping our homes and businesses running efficiently.

Who are Electricians?

Electricians are trained specialists who maintain, install, and repair electrical systems. A huge variety of tasks fall under this category, including:

• Installing wiring for industrial machinery or residential light fixtures
• Installing sprinklers
• Maintaining the electrical grid that delivers electricity to a city or state

The Four Types of Electricians

Journeyman Electrician

A journeyman electrician is the most common electrician. They are extremely skilled and qualified to work on all sorts of electrical projects. To become a journeyman, an electrician must possess at least two years of training and experience in the field and pass an exam by their state’s licensing board. Property owners may contact a journeyman electrician for several different projects, such as repairing broken wiring and installing new light fixtures in their home or office building.

Residential Specialist

The residential electrician is responsible for maintaining and installing electrical systems in residences. This may include little projects, like updating a circuit breaker panel or installing light fixtures. They also work on bigger projects such as electrical remodeling.

Residential electricians usually work right with homeowners and could be hired to do maintenance work like installing new outlets or repairing existing wiring.

To be a residential electrician, you’ll need at least two years of fieldwork before taking the National Exam for Journeyman Lineman. You will also have to pass this test before you can get your license from the state board where you reside.

Commercial Specialist

Commercial property owners typically employ commercial electricians. They’re responsible for maintaining the electrical systems in commercial buildings. Several states require that a commercial electrician obtains a commercial electrician’s license before working on big projects such as warehouses, hospitals, and office buildings.

Besides a journeyman’s license, a commercial electrician could need additional specialized training because of the demands of these sorts of projects. These job types frequently entail complex wiring configurations or power requirements that don’t occur in standard residential applications.

Master Electrician

You can hire a master electrician to work on new remodeling projects, construction projects, or routine repairs and maintenance. A master electrician has the highest level of experience and skills available. They are certified and licensed to work in all phases of electrical work.

They are expert electricians. They have passed the licensing exam and completed their training. Property owners can hire a master electrician for all sorts of electrical projects.

A master electrician must endure long years of training, gaining lots of experience. They must know everything about the other three types of electrician jobs too.

Affordable and Fast Electrical Service

If you need a Denver electrician, call Sparks Electric LLC. We are the most affordable and dependable electricians in Denver. Our excellent customer service ensures your electrical work will be done right the first time.

Having an electric car is great for your wallet and the environment, but how do you charge them?

Electric vehicles are one of the most popular topics in the car world right now. Already, countless major car brands have rolled out their own electric cars to reach the growing market of those who want an electric future. When you drive on the road, there are plenty of electric and hybrid vehicles, but with all of the Tesla charging stations popping up, you might be wondering how charging an electric car actually works. Do you have to go somewhere, or can you do it at home? Let’s find out.

Fueling Your Electric Vehicle at Home

Electric cars do not need gas to run, but they do need electricity. Although charges may be few and far between depending on what you drive and how you do it, there is a good chance you would still like to have this convenience at home. Let’s explore charging your electric car.

Can You Charge an Electric Car at Home?

It is completely understandable why people think you have to go somewhere else to charge your car, but most people don’t need to. Electric cars can be charged at home as long as you have the right setup for them. Most people can and do charge their vehicles at home. Every vehicle is different and will have its own charging needs, but you should be able to charge your car right at home.

Options for Houses

Homes can have standalone chargers that can fit next to the home or even in the garage, depending on your house and vehicle type. With your own charging station, you can easily plug your car in to charge it as soon as you get home. It really is that simple with a charging station.

Options for Apartments

More apartment complexes are catching onto the electric vehicle craze, which is why so many of them are now starting to offer their own charging stations too. An apartment can install different charging station types, so you can charge your car in a special spot or parking garage space.

Work with Installation Experts

Before you can gain the benefits of your very own charging station at home, you need to have one installed. Partnering with experts can simplify the process, allowing you to feel confident in the fact that your charge is set up correctly and fully operational.

The Takeaway

The experts in EV charger installation Denver offers can help you to bring easy at-home charging into your life. This means you can skip the local station and just plug your car in when you get back from work or your next round of errands. To learn more about at-home charging solutions, contact our expert installation team today. We bring power sources right into your home!

Based on the state, homeowners are allowed to complete electrical tasks. However, there are risks involved if the work isn’t done correctly.

In many places, homeowners can perform their own electrical repairs and installations. This saves money and time from having to wait on an electrician to show up at your door. Though, you will need a permit. Your district needs to know what you are doing, and your permit informs them of your electrical project. Some areas even make you take an electrical exam.

DIY Electrical Work: Is it Legal?

Whether you can do electrical work in your home depends on what type of work you plan to do, as well as your county and city’s laws. This information helps you decide whether you should continue with your DIY electrical project or hire a professional.

A situation that plays out in many areas is that a homeowner can legally perform their own electrical work if they prove to be the owner or occupant of the home. You also must prove that the work is being done for your benefit, not commercially.

Electrical Permits for Homeowners

You can find the process for obtaining an electrical permit on the county or city’s government website under the licenses and permits section. Typically, to get an electrical permit, you must prove a few things including:

• You are the homeowner.
• You’ve lived in the house for a specific amount of time.
• The home is your primary place of residence.

Usually, installing electrical systems or work done to electrical panels is not permitted by homeowners.

Electrical Work Done Without a Permit

If the local authorities catch you doing electrical work without a permit, you could end up paying fines due to code violations. Also, without the right skills and knowledge of a certified electrician, you could interrupt your electrical service or cause a fire due to bad wiring. If you aren’t comfortable or nervous about any DIY electrical work, it’s best to call a professional electrician.

Another major issue is not meeting the code. You could install wire, and it won’t align with your local code. It may not seem important right now. However, if you ever resell your home, you will have problems after getting the house inspected. These problems could have you paying more in fines than if you just went ahead and hired an electrician in the first place.

Tips for Doing Your Own Electrical Work Safely

If you decide to DIY, consider these safety tips before starting any home electrical job:

• Be sure to cut off the power to any circuit you will be working on by turning off the circuit breaker
• Cut off and unplug any appliances you plan on repairing
• Be sure you are using the right gauge of wire for the Amperage rating
• Remove your watch, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces (anything metal)
• Use a non-contact Voltage Tester to make sure all your electricity is off
• Leave the gas pipes and plumbing alone

Take some time to learn about your home’s electrical system beforehand. But if the work gets to be too much, it’s time to call a Denver electric company and hire a professional. What job requires you to study for a long time is second nature to an electrician.