Assurance Electrical Services: Tips on safe use of extension cords at your Prescott home

The easiest solution to the problem of not having an outlet nearby is an extension cord. But even when you choose the proper cord, it is always just a temporary solution. Extension cords used over long periods of time are susceptible to damage and deterioration that can lead to electrocution or fire. Assurance Electrical Services has some advice about using extension cords to help ensure electrical safety in your Prescott home.

• Always use the appropriate cord. Look for indoor/outdoor use as well as the wattage rating to make sure you don’t overload it.
• Do not run cords through snow, water or through walls or conduit.
• Do not chain cords together; plug each one into an outlet.
• Do not attach more than one appliance to an extension cord.
• Never use a cord that has visible damage or that feels hot to the touch.
• Never alter a cord or bypass the security measures. Do not cut off the ground prong to make it fit or force a polarized plug into a non-polarized outlet. (Polarized plugs have one prong that is bigger than the other).
• Only use cords approved by Underwriters Laboratories. These are independent testing laboratories than ensure the product is safe for use.

If you have a lot of extension cords in your home or business, it’s an indicator that you have too few outlets to address your needs. Choose the safest option and call Assurance Electrical Services. We can install outlets wherever you need them and help you power everything you need in your Prescott home in a safe way. Call to schedule an appointment at 928-713-2177. Learn more at http://www.myprescottelectrician.com.

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Prescott Commercial & Industrial Electrical
Electrical Services in Prescott
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Assurance Electrical Services talks about light switches for your Prescott home

Is it time to change out your light switches? Possibly the most ubiquitous electrical device in homes today is the wall switch. We use them to control the flow of electricity to other devices throughout the house; this includes turning on lights, fans, outlets, garbage disposals, etc. Switches play a vital role in keeping a home functional, but very few homeowners know that not all switches are created equal. Assurance Electrical Services wants to make sure that Prescott homeowners are educated before changing their light switches.

Single-Pole
The single-pole switch controls lights and other devices from a single location. Its simple design is useful for a majority of situations. The single-pole has screw-terminals. One connector is used for the incoming power, and the other connector is used for outgoing power.

Double-Pole
The double-pole is typically used for commercial applications. This switch has four “hot” connectors for power and one neutral connector. The double-pole can handle significantly higher voltages and amperage, and it usually controls a 240-volt circuit.

Three-Way
If you have two switches in your home that control the same light, this is typically accomplished with the help of a three-way switch. These switches have three screw-terminals.

Four-Way
Four-way switches are probably the least common. They are used to connect three-way switches when you need to control the lights from more than two locations. Like the double-pole switches, they have four connectors plus a ground.

Depending on how your home is wired, changing light switches can be simple. However, working with your home’s electrical system is very dangerous, so proper safety precautions must be taken before beginning a project. It is highly recommended that you hire a licensed and trained professional for any electrical work for your Prescott home. If you are looking for a professional electrician that will get your light switches changed quickly and properly, contact Assurance Electrical Services at 928-713-2177 or visit http://www.myprescottelectrician.com.

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Electrical Services in Prescott
Prescott Commercial Electrician
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Assurance Electrical Services discusses the pros and cons of LED lighting for your Prescott home

In recent times there has been a big emphasis placed on the environment, so it follows that homeowners are turning to the “greenest” products they can find. LED lighting, with its energy efficiency and environmental friendliness, are making it the lighting of choice. Assurance Electrical Services shares the pros and cons of LED lighting for your Prescott home.

When it comes to any product, there are both pros and cons. LED is no exception.

Here are some of the advantages to using LED lighting:

Energy efficiency. An LED lamp offers between 80-90% energy efficiency in contrast to a traditional incandescent light bulb. In other words, when the LED lamp is turned on, about 80% of the energy used to illuminate actually goes into creating the light, while the other 20% is given off as heat. This results in a lot of savings, both in terms of the energy used and money being spent on electricity. As a bonus, the LED lamp emits much less heat making it a safer bulb as it's cool to the touch.

Less electricity to start up. A standard 60-watt incandescent light bulb will use about 525 kWh of electricity per year. However, a comparable LED lamp will only need to use about 65 kWh of electricity.

Long lifespan. A standard incandescent light bulb will last anywhere from 750 to 2,000 hours. A fluorescent lamp will provide about 20,000 hours of light. However, some LED lamps can last for as long as 100,000 hours!

Here are some of the disadvantages to using LED lighting:

Price. Even though over recent years the price point for LED lamps has continued to drop, it is still a bit pricier than incandescent and fluorescent lighting. This factor could potentially make the installation of LED lighting more costly than the budgets some people can bear.

Temperature. LED lighting has also been found to be sensitive in terms of temperature. How well an LED functions can be directly related to the temperature in which it is located. If an LED lamp is used in a warm environment, it may cause the lamp to overdrive and fail. Because of this, LEDs generally require a heat sink to help keep them cool and operating properly.

Color limitations. LED lamps generally create white light using diodes of different colors that when all are illuminated together makes white light. In the past, this has sometimes led to the color emitted by an LED lamp to be a bit too blueish or cool. Modern technology has corrected a lot of this. But sometimes the LEDs themselves can begin to diminish in terms of the color quality of the light produced.

Is LED lighting best for you? Weigh the pros against the cons and decide. Assurance Electrical Services hopes this discussion of LED lighting for your Prescott home is helpful to you. If you need any kind of electrical work or consultation, call Assurance Electrical Services at 928-713-2177 or visit us online at http://www.myprescottelectrician.com.

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Residential Electrical in Prescott
Prescott Commercial Electrician
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