Tap And Sons Electric

What Happens During a Power Surge?

With regular maintenance, the electrical system in your Phoenix-area home should perform safely and properly. However, certain electrical conditions may cause your electrical system to fail, putting your appliances, home, and overall safety at risk. Power surges are one example of an electrical problem you should be aware of. Let’s take a closer look at what power surges are, how they affect your electrical system, and what you can do to protect yourself.

A power surge is a rapid increase in the supply of electricity within your electrical system to beyond its normal capacity. Many different events can trigger a power surge in your home. People widely associate power surges with their homes being struck by lightning, but more common causes include the operation of high-power appliances, faulty wiring, problems with your local utility company, and downed power lines.

Power surges are problematic because the electrical equipment and wiring in your home is only designed to handle so much energy. When too many appliances in your home are drawing electricity, your electrical system can become overloaded, resulting in a power surge. This boost in energy in your electrical system can “fry” lower-energy appliances by sending too much energy into their circuits. Damage can range from a temporarily malfunctioning appliance to an electrical fire.

Protecting yourself from power surges requires a multi-tiered approach. First, make sure that your home’s electrical system is managed by a high quality circuit breaker. Your local Phoenix-area electrician should inspect your circuit breaker regularly to make sure it’s working properly. Second, use surge protectors to ensure that consumer electronics such as TVs, sound systems, and computers, are protected in the event of a surge. Finally, be mindful of using too many high-energy appliances at once. Your electrician can give you more information about what appliance combinations to avoid.

For expert electrical services in Phoenix and the surrounding areas, contact TAP and Sons Electric at (602) 904-7952. We’ve served Valley-area homes, businesses, and industrial facilities with high quality electrical service, inspections, and lighting work for nearly half a century!

What is Whole-House Surge Protection?

Surge protection is an essential feature of any home or business, not just for the sake of convenience, but also for the sake of protecting your home. There are many different ways you can protect your home, appliances, and electronics from power surges.

This video from Angie’s List discusses some of the different surge protection methods you can employ throughout the home. You’ll also learn about professionally installed whole-home surge protection systems, and how the cost of professional surge protection is determined.

TAP and Sons Electric provides high quality whole-house surge protection services that can help to safeguard your electronics, computers, appliances, and home. Give us a call at (602) 904-7952 for electrical service in Phoenix for your home, business, or industrial facility.

Fluorescent and LED Lighting: What Are They and How Can They Save You Money?

Commonly seen in many commercial buildings and institutions, florescent lighting is quickly replacing the incandescent bulb as a choice lighting source. LED lighting is another forerunner in the energy revolution. These types of lighting can help homeowners, cities, and institutions save money by using less energy. Incandescent bulbs use a lot of energy. For example, a 60 watt bulb uses approximately 60 watts to operate, while the equivalent compact fluorescent bulb offers the same amount of light and only uses 13 watts.

Fluorescent Lighting

One of the reasons fluorescent lighting is more energy efficient than incandescent lighting lies in its very nature. Incandescent lighting relies on atoms excited by heat to produce light. In contrast, the atoms in a fluorescent light are excited by a chemical reaction and give off light as a result. This allows the fluorescent light to use less energy than its incandescent counterpart, as less heat is needed to produce the reaction that creates light.

LED Lighting

LED lights use very little energy to operate and have an incredibly long life. LEDs last longer than fluorescent lights and use even less energy, representing the next phase in the evolution of interior lighting. LEDs are also available in thousands of colors. For home lighting purposes, they offer bright and clean light that is excellent for task lighting and general lighting.

Both fluorescent and LED lighting offer your business or home money- and energy-saving options. To learn more about retrofitting the lighting in your home or business, contact Tap and Sons Electric at (602) 904-7952, or head to our website to schedule a consultation with one of our electricians in the Phoenix area today.

4 Reasons Why You May Need to Rewire Your Home

At some point in time, your house may need to be rewired, especially if it's an older home with original electrical work. Homeowners who are going to begin a major renovation may also want to take the opportunity to upgrade and improve their home's existing wiring. Here are some of the reasons that you should have your house rewired by a professional electrician:

1. Fuses Blow Regularly

As frustrating as it can be, fuses that need to be constantly replaced aren't necessarily a sign of a faulty fuse. In fact, if your fuses are constantly blowing, it's a sign that there's a problem in your wiring that is causing too much power to flow to your circuits.

2. Circuit Breakers Constantly Trip

If your circuit breakers are tripping, they are likely reacting to power surges. While you may expect surges, trips, and power outages during the monsoon season, this should not occur on a regular basis. If you lose power or trip the circuit breaker often, your home likely needs the attention of electrician and might need to be rewired.

3. Wiring Has Deteriorated

Old wiring is a safety hazard and can be a cause of an electrical fire. If your wiring has deteriorated, contact your local electrician right away for an inspection.

4. House Lacks Electrical Grounding

A home that is not properly grounded also presents a risk to its occupants. If you suspect that your house isn’t properly grounded, contact your local electrician to see if the problem can be rectified or if your home needs to be re-wired entirely.

If you would like to learn more about house rewiring or to schedule an inspection for your home, contact Tap and Sons Electric at (602) 904-7952. You can also visit us online to learn more about our electrical services.

Different Types of House Wiring

Your home uses several different types of wiring that all come together at your main panel or fuse box. Circuit breakers are rated for the amperage of your various wiring, including large appliances.

This video explains how circuit breakers and different types of wiring provide power, cable, internet, and phone service. Low-voltage wiring, which is around 12 volts, is used for smaller fixtures or alarm systems, while standard home electrical wires that are around 110 volts are used for larger appliances.

To learn more about the various types of wiring in your house, contact Tap and Sons Electric at (602) 904-7952. Our Phoenix-area technicians can help you with any electrical issue you have, so head to our website to make an appointment today!