How To Avoid a Bad Electrical Contractor
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Guidelines for Hiring the Right Electrical Contractor – When hiring an electrician to install electrical wiring the contractor should be licensed and the work should be done with a permit and inspected. When this process is followed you will eliminate 99% of any possible problem. |
Simple Steps to Avoid Hiring The Wrong Electrician
Electrical Wiring: I have a question about electrical wiring for a commercial building.
- We recently were replacing old drop down shoreline for our ambulances that come out of the wall.
- In doing so we noticed that the metal boxes that fed these shorelines was overstuffed with wires.
- This prompted us to do a little inspecting and we found a wiring spaghetti in our attic space.
- The goal was to separate all the shorelines on to individual circuits, mainly due to the fact, they were tripping the breakers with all three of our ambulances on one circuit.
- In the process of tracing and mapping out all the circuits in the panel box we made an alarming (to us) discovery.
- One single 100 amp double pole circuit is being used to power three ambulance shorelines, most of the fluorescent lighting, the heater, the garage motors (three), 3/4 the receptacles in the garage (about 9), the hallway from the garage to the main building, six receptacles in our TV room in the main building, and finally 4 receptacles in an adjacent room.
- Is this at all legal to do, especially with most of the circuits 14/2 and some 12/2. In our opinion, I think we got taken by this electrical contractor we hired.
- This is the same contractor that placed our generator. They said they had to wire it that way due to the generator.
- We just want to make sure we don’t burn the place down.
This electrical question came from: Christopher, a Handyman from Frostburg, Maryland.
See more about Home Wiring for Maryland
Additional Comments: Very good site.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your Electrical Wiring question Christopher.
Guidelines for Hiring the Right Electrical Contractor
- Christopher, after performing electrical work in a hospital facility for over nine years I will say that all the electrical installations must be provided by licensed contractors under a permit and inspected. When this process is followed you will eliminate 99% of any possible problem.
Here are the Main Problems with Electrical Projects such as this:
- Unqualified individuals are hired.
- A permit is not obtained.
- The work is not inspected.
- The worker is paid without knowing if the work has been done correctly and according to code.
Here is a link to a great guide to consider when your looking for an electrician to do work for you:
10 Tips to Make Sure Your Electrical Contractor Measures Up
The Following will assist you with your electrical question:
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Home Electric Generators
- This series covers a wide variety of topics all about home generators including sizing, selecting, connecting and safely operating this all important addition to your home.
- Generator Section
- The Importance of a Generator Transfer Switch
- Generator Articles
- Generator Questions and Answers
- Electrical Wire for the Home
- Basic House Wiring Circuits
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House Wiring Circuits and Circuit Breakers
- This article looks at common 120 volt and 240 volt house wiring circuits and the circuit breakers that are installed identifying the types and amperage sizes used in most homes.
Electrical Circuit Wiring
This article looks at common 120 volt and 240 volt house wiring circuits and the circuit breakers that are installed identifying the types and amperage sizes used in most homes.
Electrical Panel Circuit Listing
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Electric Circuit Listing
- The size of the home electrical service panel is designed by calculating the square footage of the home and factoring in the code requirements for the electrical circuits that are required.
- Electrical Circuit Breakers
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Home Electrical Circuit Breakers
- A guide to home electrical circuit breakers and how they work to protect your electrical wiring. When properly installed, your home electrical wiring is protected by a circuit protection device.
- Guide to Home Electrical Wire
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Electrical Wire for the Home
- Complete listing of electrical wire types and parts used for home projects with electrical code information serves as selection guidelines.
- Home Electrical Junction Boxes
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Electrical Junction Boxes for Home Wiring
- Understanding electrical junction boxes and what they are used for. Home electrical wiring is the process of installing electrical wire to a location that will serve electrical devices or an appliance. One very important component is the box where the wire will be installed. The type and size of the home wiring electrical boxes will depend upon the circuit size, application and its location.
Electrical Contractor Directory
Locate an electrical contractor near you.
You identified your project to be about Circuit Wiring,
so you might find this information useful:
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Electrical Circuit Wiring
- This article looks at common 120 volt and 240 volt house wiring circuits and the circuit breakers that are installed identifying the types and amperage sizes used in most homes.
The following may also be helpful for you:
Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
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Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.
The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!The Non-Contact Electrical TesterThis is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!The Plug-In Outlet TesterThis is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring. It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.
Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!The Wire Stripper and Wire CutterMy absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires. This handy tool has multiple uses: The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation. The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.. The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use. |
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I love the web site and my comment would be that I would love to have the question and
answers in hard copy book format so I could be studying them and learning from them when away from the computer. Have you ever considered publishing a book of Q/A’s ?
I would buy one and I’m sure many others would also. As an electrician I try to answer the questions before going to the answer section. I test myself using your website even if I’m not looking for a specific answer to a question.
Thanks for such a great website,
Jerry
Hi Jerry and Thanks for your kind remarks.
Yes, I have considered making several publications and I will definitely take your request into consideration. If you have any special topic requests then please let me know.
I’m glad the website is helpful for you, I still have much more content and several photos to add as time allows.
Visit often and please tell others about the website as well.
Dave