Help For Homeowners

HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS

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ELECTRIC COMPANY FOR SMART PEOPLE

ELECTRICAL PANEL IN WRONG PLACE

The electrical panel within your home is the point of connection between your property's power installation and the utility supply. It may have been placed in this particular location by the original homebuilder and is no longer in an ideal place for one reason or another. Is there anything you can do about this, or are you stuck with what you've got?

  • STRATEGIC RELOCATION

    Sometimes, a property will go through a series of individual renovations with the original electrical installation staying in place. Original interior walls may be removed or certain rooms repurposed, and the electrical panel may end up in a less than advantageous location. In short, it may disrupt the aesthetic appeal of your home's interior, and you may want to think about moving it to an area that is more appropriate for utilities.

  • NEW RENOVATION

    You may want to move the electrical panel from its current location if you are thinking about a major renovation anyway. In this case, you may want to renovate the entire wiring installation simultaneously and put the electrical panel in a different location altogether.

  • TIME FOR AN UPGRADE

    If you are experiencing repeated issues with overheating or tripping breakers, it may be time to upgrade your electrical panel. In this case, you can kill two birds with one stone and get an experienced electrician to move the panel to your preferred location. You may need to upgrade your electrical panel from 100 to 200 Amps to support any future expansion.

  • EXPERT ATTENTION TO DETAIL

    Of course, this is not a job for anyone other than a certified electrician with experience in installing or moving switchboards. The technicians at Alberta Electric can certainly help, so get in touch as soon as you can to discuss your plans.

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BURNT WALL PLUGS

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More often than not, the electrical installation in your home will function perfectly well and without any obvious signs of a problem. Yet occasionally, something will go wrong, and you'll be presented with a very clear sign of a major issue. A burnt wall plug is a case in point, and if you come across this issue, you should pay close attention and get in touch with the experts at Alberta Electric. What could be going wrong in this situation?

  • BUILDUP OF HEAT

    When a wall plug burns in this way, it is a sign of excessive heat and an undoubted electrical malfunction. Something is going on behind the wall plate, and in the worst-case scenario, this could lead to an all-out fire.

  • DAMAGED WIRING

    Assuming that the wiring in your home was originally installed correctly, a burnt plug suggests that some of that wiring may now be damaged. This can happen when small rodents (like mice) chew through cables out of sight. Alternatively, if the wiring system is particularly old, it may have started to degrade. Either way, electricity may be arcing from the broken wiring to the nearest conductor. This can generate a great deal of heat and cause the plug to burn or melt.

  • CIRCUIT OVERLOAD

    In a busy home, the circuit in question may be overloaded. If you've plugged too many energy-hungry appliances into one circuit, the wiring may start to heat up excessively. Again, this could cause the plastic around the wall plug to burn.

  • TAKE ACTION

    Of course, you'll want to know what to do next. Turn off the power at the mains switch and then call Alberta Electric at (780) 200 3989 right away. We will ensure that an experienced technician takes a look as soon as possible. If need be, we will replace the wiring in question or advise you what to do if the circuit is overloaded.

ELECTRICAL POWER METERS

WHAT IS AN ELECTRICAL POWER METER?

An electrical power meter measures the current and voltage that passes through electrical wires or devices. It will then use these measurements to calculate and display critical power information. Electrical power meters are vital and are quick, precise, and easy to use.



Utility companies use your power meter readings when determining your monthly energy bill. If you use a mechanical power meter, the utility company will send a service person to your premises to read the meter. On the other hand, digital power meters will transmit power readings to the utility company through radio signals or the internet.

  • MECHANICAL POWER METER

    There are two coils in a mechanical meter. Voltage passes through one coil and current passes through the other coil to create a magnetic field. The created magnetic field turns a disc to display power usage.

  • DIGITAL POWER METER

    AC detectors in digital power meters can determine the amperage and voltage in the electrical wires. The generated signal will be displayed on an electronic screen and transmitted to the utility company's servers. In some instances, the digital power meter can send a radio signal to any nearby service vehicle.

  • BENEFITS OF CHOOSING THE RIGHT POWER METER

    Since power meters have different designs, some power meters may not be ideal for your building. Here are the benefits of choosing the right power meter:

  • LEADS TO EFFICIENT USE OF ELECTRICAL POWER

    Provides timely power information to reduce outages and control electric loads

    Increase meter accuracy and avoid incorrect energy bills


  • HOW WE CAN HELP YOU

    Finding and installing reliable power meters requires the expertise of a professional electric contractor. That precisely is what we do at Alberta Electric. We provide commercial and residential electrical services in Edmonton, Alberta. Contact us to get quick and effective electrical services.

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RENOVATION LIGHTING

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If you have an older home that still has the original lighting setup, you may often wish that you could start from scratch. You might want to highlight certain home design features, cast some light into a dark corner or make everything a lot more practical. So, if you are planning a major overhaul, now is the time to renovate your lighting approach, and it all starts with a plan.

  • DESIGN AND PLACEMENT

    Lighting should never be an afterthought in home design, and with a careful approach, you can dramatically alter the look and feel of every room. If you're working with an interior designer, then you can certainly incorporate new lighting features and achieve your desired look. Remember, you may have to relocate switches and sconces and will probably need to reroute electrical cables behind walls. A wiring plan must be part of your overall project.

  • TASK LIGHTING

    Why not add some task lighting, especially if you use part of a room as an office? Or highlight a nice piece of artwork with rod lights hung from the ceiling so you can turn your display area into a gallery. Remember to choose the right blend of colour to fit in with the rest of the décor.

  • UPLIGHTING

    Uplighting can be placed in strategic corners or above arches or doorframes. These can help to promote architectural details and add extra impact, whether you have a traditional or contemporary approach to design.

  • THE TEAM APPROACH

    There are many different ways to renovate your home with lighting, but make sure that you use a certified and experienced electrician to help with this work. Talk with the team at Alberta Electric, who will be delighted to liaise with your interior designer as well, should you have one. They will discuss your plans carefully and help you to achieve your dream home.

OUTSIDE EQUIPMENT

In Alberta, the winters can be brutal, and most people will spend a lot of these months cooped up indoors. Yet when the snows melt away and the temperature rises, many homeowners want to take full advantage of their outdoor space where possible. This will mean running electricity to some outside equipment for many people, and it's important to ensure that this is done correctly and with safety in mind.

  • OUTDOOR LIGHTING AND OUTLETS

    You may have a garden shed or want to install a gazebo and require power for both lighting and outlets. You'd like to light the area at night and make sure that you have outlets so that you can do some handiwork in the shed or work on your laptop under the gazebo. You may also want power for your lawnmower or other gardening tools.


    This work will require a separate circuit, and the feed must be run carefully using the right type of cable from a junction box. For safety, the cable should be run underground and only installed by a licensed electrician.

  • OUTDOOR SECURITY

    You may want to take advantage of the better weather to get security features installed. For example, you could add security lighting that is activated through a motion sensor or cameras that can detect and record anything strange. All of this equipment must be installed in accordance with building regulations and will typically be run through a separate circuit. Your electrical panel and switchboard may need to be upgraded to cope with this additional feed.

  • TRUSTING THE EXPERTS

    Whatever type of outdoor electrical work you have in mind, trust the experts at Alberta Electric to do everything for you. Don't forget, if you need repairs to any outdoor installation, call us, as our technicians are all certified, experienced and capable. They will help you to plan and install your new equipment so that it's all ready for the new season.

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ARC FAULT PROTECTION

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Electrical faults cause many fires across Alberta, and this is why all homeowners need to have arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) fitted throughout their property. When correctly installed and in good working condition, these interrupters can help to protect your home around the clock.

  • WHAT IS AN ARC FAULT?

    An arc fault occurs when current flows outside of an intended path. The current will arc from one point to another, and as it does so, will create excessive heat. This can easily cause materials in the area to ignite and swiftly lead to an outbreak.

  • WHAT CAN CAUSE ARCING?

    Many different factors can cause arcing. Tiny animals may chew through the wiring insulation out of sight, or a cable could be inadvertently punctured when a screw or a nail is driven into a wall. If there are any loose connections within a particular circuit or outlet, the current can jump from one place to another. Problems may also occur if the installation is old or in generally poor condition.

  • HARD TO PREDICT

    As it can be difficult to predict when any of these faults may occur, it's essential to ensure that you have AFCIs installed at strategic locations. These devices are circuit breakers that will automatically detect a potentially dangerous arc and instantly disconnect the power.

  • ARE YOU UP TO CODE?

    The electrical code in Alberta insists that homes have AFCI protection installed for particular circuits that supply outlets through the house. If you don't have any or are considering a renovation, you should talk with a certified electrician at Alberta Electric to take care of this important work. All of our electricians are certified and have the relevant knowledge, experience and training to get this work done promptly and efficiently.

  • BRING IN THE EXPERTS

    Call Alberta Electric for all of your arc fault protection work.


ELECTRICAL PERMITS

If you need to have electrical work done at home, it must be completed correctly and with safety in mind. You may be surprised to learn that you need an electrical permit for almost all types of work performed in the home, and you must ensure that the regulator recognizes the contractor you use.

  • ALBERTA REGULATIONS

    Under the Alberta Safety Codes Act and Permit Regulations, homeowners will need an electrical permit if they want to install, alter or add to an existing electrical system. As part of this system, a permit and inspection notification has to be filed.


    When you work with a contractor that is licensed in Alberta, the company will be covered by the right amount of liability insurance. Should anything go wrong, you will be able to point to the certificate of inspection that you will receive when the job is done. This document will show that everything was inspected and that you'll be covered by insurance in the event of an incident.


    Your contractor must also hold an Alberta Master Electrician Certificate, have completed the qualified trade application process and hold the relevant business licenses.

  • BE WARY

    Always be careful if a contractor tells you that you do not need a permit for anything other than the simplest electrical work. This is a warning sign that they may not be adequately licensed, and you should ask to see their documentation.

  • WORKING WITH THE BEST

    Of course, when you work with a legitimate contractor like Alberta Electric, you can expect exceptional service and outstanding value at every stage. We specialize in residential electrical work, and our technicians are all experienced, licensed, and capable.


    Call Alberta Electric to talk about electrical permits for your upcoming work. We will make sure that the job is done on time, successfully inspected and certified.

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Book On Site Consultation Service.

Call or send us a message to book a consultation service. We will be showing up on site and we'll give an opinion about your project and provide you with an estimate charge to meet your needs.

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