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Electrician properly grounding light switches

Do Light Switches Need to Be Grounded?

The short answer to this question is yes. The longer answer is that grounding is required for new light switches and recommended for older light switches. If you live in an old house, some or all of your light switches may not be grounded. You don’t have to upgrade them, but you and your home will be safer if you do. Quick Takeaways Grounding safely directs electrical currents into the earth The NEC requires grounding

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Knob and tube wiring in older Daytona home

Diagnosing Wiring Problems in Older Daytona Homes

There are many older homes throughout Daytona that have outdated wiring. Certain materials, like aluminum and cloth insulation, significantly increase the risk of overheating, short circuits, and electrical fires. When something goes wrong, it’s imperative to have a skilled electrician handle the repair. You don’t want to risk shocking yourself or damaging the electrical system by trying to fix the faulty wiring yourself. Quick Takeaways Outdated wiring is common throughout Daytona, and it poses several

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two electricians installing dedicated circuit for ev charger

Do EV Chargers Need a Dedicated Circuit?

Are you among the millions of Americans who’ve turned away from the pumps and embraced electric vehicles (EVs)? If so, installing an at-home EV charger could make your life a lot easier. It’s safe, convenient and cost-effective — with one potential catch. It takes lots of power to charge a vehicle, and your existing electrical system may not be up to the task. You’ll likely need a 240-volt dedicated circuit to do the job properly,

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electrician performing ev charger installation for Daytona, FL home

What To Expect During Home EV Charger Installation

If you have an electric vehicle, an at-home charging station is a great way to make sure you’re always ready to go. If you’re thinking about getting an at-home EV charger, here are a few key considerations. Quick Takeaways A level 2 charger is often the best choice for most homes. A dedicated circuit is required, and you may also need panel or electrical upgrades. Hiring a professional electrician can ensure your safety and compliance.

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electrician fixing outlet with open ground

What Does “Open Ground” Mean? and How Do You Fix It?

An open ground means a three-prong outlet isn’t properly connected to a ground wire. This creates a shock and fire hazard because fault current has no safe path to the earth. The safest fixes are running a new ground wire, installing a GFCI with proper labeling, or replacing the outlet. Here is a look at what an open ground is, why grounding matters, and some of the dangers. Let’s also explore some of the common

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fire caused by hot outlets

Why Is My Electrical Outlet Hot to the Touch?

A hot outlet usually means circuit overload, loose wiring or a failing outlet. While a slight warmth can be normal with some devices, a hot outlet is dangerous and should be inspected by a licensed  electrician immediately. In this article, we’ll examine why your electrical outlet gets hot, along with what you should do about it. Is It Normal for an Outlet to Feel Warm? Electrical resistance creates a tiny amount of heat generation. Therefore,

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electrical fire problem caused by outdated outlets

7 Emergency Electrical Problems You Should Never Ignore

An emergency situation can happen with your home’s electrical system at any moment, and you shouldn’t hesitate to call a professional electrician if you notice any problems that need urgent attention. Mister Sparky can send a qualified electrician to your location to resolve your issue quickly. What Is an Electrical Emergency? Some electrical problems are minor and can be resolved at a convenient time, but an electrical emergency requires fast action. These emergencies often put

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flickering light bulb with dark background

9 Common Reasons Your Lights Are Flickering

Lights flicker for several reasons, including outdated wiring, loose bulbs and issues with your utility service. While some causes are an easy fix, others are dangerous and require repair by a professional electrician. Here are nine reasons your lights may be flickering and what to do about them. 9 Reasons Your Lights Are Flickering 1. Loose Bulb or Socket If there is sporadic flickering in one fixture, check to see if your bulb (or socket)

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Which Appliances Need a Dedicated Circuit Installed?

Which Appliances Need a Dedicated Circuit Installed? A lot of the appliances in your home, like coffee makers and toasters, can share electricity with others, but not all of them. Some major appliances need their own circuit path to the electric panel. With proper wiring and breaker sizing, the isolated circuits prevent larger appliances from tripping breakers and overheating wires. In some cases, circuit breaker replacement may be necessary to meet the power demands of

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Can You Replace a 15 Amp Breaker with a 20 Amp Breaker?

Can You Replace a 15 Amp Breaker with a 20 Amp Breaker? The purpose of a circuit breaker is to shut off the flow of electricity when there’s more of it flowing than the wiring has the capacity to handle. This helps to prevent electrical fires. When you have a 15 amp breaker, it will shut down when more than 15 amps of electricity flows through it. If you need to be able to use

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