Dangerous Electrical Signs

If you can read the word, "Zinsco" (sometimes labeled GTE-Sylvania or Sylvania) anywhere on your electrical panel, either on a sticker, or imprinted onto the panel itself, you are at risk! These potentially faulty panels have been taken off the market, but they were widely installed up to the 1970's. If your home has one of these panels, you should have it replaced by a certified professional.  

These panels can be extremely dangerous, and have led to numerous house fires all over the country. The root cause is that the circuit breakers fail to trip when they should. This can lead to overheating in the panel. It can also lead to electrocution risk when working on a circuit that is believed to be turned off, but still has power flowing through it. To tell if you have a FPE panel, look for the name on the panel door, or cover. The name "Stab-Loc" may also be on the circuit breakers. 

A split-bus panel has two sets of breakers, with a separate main to control power to each. Modern electrical code does not allow for multiple disconnects. If your home is more than 40 years old, there is a good chance that you have a split-bus panel. We can install a new, modern electrical panel, that meets current electrical code requirements.

Unlike a circuit breaker, fuses cannot be reset once they are blown. Instead, the fuse must be replaced. With today's modern appliances and electrical demand, fuses easily become overloaded. Some homeowners, in attempt to keep the fuse from blowing, will replace a smaller fuse with a larger one. Even worse, some will remove the fuse altogether, and insert a metal object. This bypasses the overload protection creating a major fire hazard! Fuse boxes should be replaced, to keep your home safe.

Outdated wiring is often a serious safety concern. If your home has cloth covered, aluminum, or knob and tube wiring, your risk of a fire is greatly increased! This outdated wiring is also a major concern for your insurance company. Many insurance carriers may increase your premiums, or cancel your policy, should they become aware of these types of wiring in your home. If you suspect that you may have outdated wiring, schedule a Safety Evaluation with us today. We can offer affordable Solutions.

Old light fixtures are inefficient and unattractive. Most of them use standard bulbs, which aren't very bright, and can potentially present a hazard. In an attempt to make them brighter, many homeowners choose bulbs that have a higher wattage than the fixture is rated for. This creates the potential for overheating, which can lead to a fire. We can install new LED light fixtures which are safer, brighter, and  lower your energy bill.

A broken outlet can be very dangerous. When the outlet, or its cover are broken, there is not only potential for a fire, but also for electrocution. Visible wires, burn marks, or black spots are all signs of serious problems in your electrical system. If your home has any two-pronged outlets, or outlets in the kitchen, bathrooms, and garage which are not GFCI protected, these should be replaced immediately. Allow us to provide low cost options for the safety of your home and family.