McCurdy Electric
FAQ
Residential, Commercial and Industrial Electrical Services since 1988
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a permit needed for my electrical work, and why is a final inspection necessary?
I think most people have a misconception of what an inspector is. Yet, The permit and inspection process is a very positive matter. I know that the permit price seems like just another added expense, but what a permit and proper inspection does is totally for your benefit as the homeowner.
First of all, the inspector works for you. He’s on your side. He is there to protect you against fraudulent work being done on and in your home. He’s checking up to make sure that everything that you paid to have done by a professional was in fact done properly and to code. Believe me, this is a very beneficial thing.
Secondly, the permit documents that the work you had done was in fact done properly as marked by the inspector. Think of it like this, if you were buying a new home, wouldn’t you have peace of mind knowing that the previous homeowners pulled all the proper permits and had all the work done properly and inspected? Trust me, it may cost some extra money, but the benefits more than pay for themselves in the end.
Why is my clothes dryer no longer producing heat?
This is usually caused by a defective 240-volt circuit breaker. Probably, one side of the breaker has gone bad. Replacing the breaker will fix this problem, provided that no damage has occurred on the breaker panel contact, due to a loose connection on the circuit breaker.
What is the difference between a regular breaker and an Arc Fault breaker?
All breakers are designed to prevent the wire in your home or business from becoming overloaded. All breakers are designed to automatically turn off if the circuit is carrying too much load or if there is a short circuit present. Arc Fault breakers have the additional ability to sense arcing in a circuit. Arcing is the sparking you might see between 2 damaged conductors, and is a fire hazard as this arcing is extremely hot.
A regular breaker may not sense this because it does not always create the load needed to trip the breaker, but an Arc Fault breaker will sense it and shut the circuit down before it can cause a fire.
I read that some insurance companies will not insure knob & tube is this true?
Nearly all insurance companies refuse to insure knob and tube wiring. In our experience, insurers require a home to be free of knob and tube wiring before a sale or very soon afterwards. They ask about knob and tube wiring in the application form. Insurers may see knob and tube wiring during a claim inspection and ask about it, and they can ask at yearly policy renewal time. Knowing the issues can prevent a big surprise.
What is the difference between a regular breaker and an Arc Fault breaker?
All breakers are designed to prevent the wire in your home or business from becoming overloaded. All breakers are designed to automatically turn off if the circuit is carrying too much load or if there is a short circuit present. Arc Fault breakers have the additional ability to sense arcing in a circuit. Arcing is the sparking you might see between 2 damaged conductors, and is a fire hazard as this arcing is extremely hot.
A regular breaker may not sense this because it does not always create the load needed to trip the breaker, but an Arc Fault breaker will sense it and shut the circuit down before it can cause a fire.
How can I tell if my outlet is not safe?
There are 4 indicators of an unsafe outlet.
1. If an outlet can no longer hold a plug snugly
2. If parts of the outlet are broken
3. If the outlet feels hot to the touch
4. If the outlet is discolored.
Why does it take so much time to snake cables into walls?
Electricians want to limit the number and size of holes in the walls of your house. Though, some holes are typically unavoidable, but getting wire from one hole to another requires wiggling a spring steel snake into the wall and aiming for the next hole. Sometimes, all to seldom, it flies right in and pops out the next hole. Generally, it’s more skill than estimating, putting one snake in and then working to catch it with another snake at the next hole.
To make matters more complicated, electricians discover wood supports hidden inside the walls when snaking. Hidden wood means more holes in the walls and more drilling to allow the wire through. At the same time, it is important to keep the holes small and easily patch-able.
The best way to speed-up the snaking process is to do the electrical work before the painters come. This way there can be more, and larger holes made with less care, and more speed. When the painting contractor prepares the walls for painting, they can patch the holes swiftly and more economically.
Can I use extension cords outside for my pool, hot tub, or sauna?
You should never use an indoor-rated extension cord outdoors. There are extension cords rated for outdoor use that have a particular type of covering to help protect the wires from the elements. However, even outdoor-rated cords are not designed to be exposed to water, snow, or extremely cold weather. Therefore, if you are regularly using extension cords to bring power to the same areas, you should look into a more permanent solution.
What are the benefits of a re-wire?
Peace of mind: Knowing that you have a safe, functional electrical system gives you peace of mind when considering your family’s safety.
Convenience: Your new layout of receptacles will reduce the effort of finding places to plug in appliances and devices. The new lighting accentuates the house in a way that your family and guests will appreciate. The delivery of electricity throughout the house includes even loads, which results in no tripping breakers, or dimming lights when an appliance turns on.
Resale value: This new addition will bring up the resale value of your home.
Here at J.P. McCurdy Electrical Services, Inc. we get a lot of questions about electricity, and we’re more than happy to answer. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, feel free to send your question using the button below. We’re always happy to help!