Carson Panel Upgrade

Important components of your property’s electrical system. Both components work together to provide you with safe and efficient power supply.

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El Segundo Panel Upgrade

Do you know the purpose of home’s electrical panels and electrical service size? Do you know how to figure out whether or not you need El Segundo panel upgrade? In this article, we’ll focus on improving your knowledge about electrical panels and what it is the best time to get an upgrade.

Let’s start by defining both the electrical service size and the electrical service panel – two different and most important components of your property’s electrical system. Both the components work together all the time to provide you with safe and efficient power supply throughout the home.

The size of electrical service is basically the capacity of power that is measured in amps. It determines how many electrical devices can be operated at a time. In simple words, electrical service capacity is determined by measuring the capacity of 3 primary electrical components. These components are:

  • Service entry cable from electrical company supplying electricity to the home.
  • Main service panel
  • Main service disconnect

When the electric system is properly designed, all these three components will be used in identical sizes. However, when we talk about older homes, it should be noted that they have had got the piecemeal upgrades many times, and thus the general case scenario may not be applicable for them. Typically speaking, homes with all the three components will have a electric service size between 100 and 200 amps.

Undoubtedly, the significance of home’s electrical service panel can’t be overlooked. Indeed, it is the most important part of electrical devices in a home, responsible for supplying power from electrical company to home’s power outlets. A properly functioning electrical service panel is very important and thus, it is important to maintain the efficiency by regular El Segundo panel upgrades.

A service panel is also commonly known as “Breaker Box”. This breaker box takes the power supply from electric company and transfers into the main breaker. This is then followed by the individual circuit breakers for distributing power in the home. The individual circuit breakers may be sized between 15-200 amps. Generally, circuits supplying lighting fixtures can be of 15 amps, circuits supplying power to major appliances can be between 30 and 60 amps and circuits supplying power to outlets can be of 20 amps. Apparently, the biggest circuit breakers are rated 60 amps and above.

Now that we’ve already discussed a detailed overview of what electrical service size implies and how electrical service panel is used, let us discuss why you need an El Segundo panel upgrade and/or replacement. To begin with, a person may wish to get an upgrade of his/her electrical service panel or size for any of the following given reasons.

Fuses And Fuse-Panel Replacement 

Homes that were built before 1960 use fuses and the fuse panels, rather than service panels and circuit breakers. These fuses used to distribute power throughout the house. While fuses and the fuse panels are not always dangerous, it can be risky to supply power to the circuit along with a fuse of different size. In past, when fuses used to go bad, homeowners used to simply replace the broken one with a new one. This replacement was often made with high-rated fuses with a view to improve the capability of the fuse to manage load on circuit. Unfortunately, incorrect size of the fuse allows too much current to flow through the wire system designed for lower load. When such things happen, the wire system starts getting hot, leading to overheating and potential fire.

Good news is that with electrical service panels and circuit breakers, the risk of fire was mitigated as the breakers and the circuits are more complex to change. These forces homeowners to hire only experienced and licensed professional to perform the task. Hiring professionals can dramatically reduce the potential risk of the electrical fires and modern circuit breakers come with absolute standard guarantee for any new installations. Since fuses and the fuses panels are considered to be of high risk, they should be replaced. In fact, most insurance companies will deny coverage on home having old fuses and the fuse panels installations

When Electrical Service Panel Can’t Be Repaired 

While El Segundo panels upgrade are very reliable, many people do not give proper attention to this matter. It is worth noting that electrical service panel can certainly become damaged after certain period of time. In fact, the process of water infiltration caused by plumbing leaks is catastrophic for these panels. It can electrical shorts and risk of potential corrosion.

Corrosion is caused due to higher electrical resistance that results in creating overheated areas leading to electrical fires. On the other hand, electrical shorts are themselves significant fire hazards.

Circuit breakers in the electrical panel may also stop functioning properly. This can be due to loss of ability to trip during situations like overload or short. When such things happen, electrical wiring becomes susceptible to fires and hazards. They become hot and may even create electrical fire hazard.

Improperly sized circuit breakers can also create fire issue, causing overheating conditions. For example – higher capacity circuits are installed lower capacity circuit. In such a case, insurance companies will rely on home inspectors to determine the potential risks when insuring and if any of the above mentioned conditions is likely to cause home to fail the inspection.

Last, but not the least. With increased reliance on electricity and power consuming electrical appliances, homeowners often find themselves in a situation when they feel the need to get larger electrical panel to deliver adequate amount of current to additional appliances or devices. Generally, most homes have service size of about 100 amps or less. But with increase in demand, they may require more 200 amps to accommodate daily use items like computer, multiple appliances, spas, pool and other room additions. This is the reason why you might need to hire a professional to get El Segundo panel upgrade.

Now that you are aware of all situations under which you might need a electrical panel upgrade or replacement, you should not waste anymore time and call for professional guidance as soon as possible. If you suspect any kind of overheating, it’s the best hint to call for professional inspection today!

Certified with the department of industrial relations.

El Segundo is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. El Segundo, from Spanish, means The Second in English. Located on the Santa Monica Bay, it was incorporated on January 18, 1917, and is one of the Beach Cities of Los Angeles County and part of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments. The population was 16,654 at the 2010 census, up from 16,033 at the 2000 census.

The El Segundo and Los Angeles coastal area was first settled by the Tongva (or Gabrieleños) and Chumash Native American tribes hundreds of years ago. The area was once a part of Rancho Sausal Redondo (“Round Willow Patch Ranch”). Rancho Sausal Redondo extended from Playa Del Rey in the North to Redondo Beach in the South. Originally a Mexican land grant owned by Antonio Ygnacio Avila, the rancho was later purchased by a Scottish baronet named Sir Robert Burnett. After his return to Scotland, the property was purchased by then current manager of the rancho, Daniel Freeman. Daniel Freeman sold portions of the rancho to multiple owners. George H. Peck (1856–1940) owned the 840 acres (3.4 km2) of land the Chevron Refinery now sits on. Peck also developed land in neighboring El Porto where a street still stands to his name. The city earned its name (“the second” in Spanish) as it was the site of the second Standard Oil refinery on the West Coast (the first was at Richmond in Northern California), when Standard Oil of California purchased the 840 acres (3.4 km2) of farm land in 1911. The company was renamed Chevron in 1984, and the El Segundo refinery will soon enter its second century of operation. The city was incorporated in 1917. The Douglas Aircraft Company plant in El Segundo was one of the major aircraft manufacturing facilities in California during World War II. It was one of the major producers of SBD Dauntless dive bombers, which achieved fame in the Battle of Midway. The facility, now operated by Northrop Grumman, is still an aircraft plant.

South Bay Panel Upgrade

The size of electrical service is basically the capacity of power that is measured in amps. It determines how many electrical devices can be used at a time.

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6 Best Strategic Places For Outlet Installation

wall mounted outlets

June 20, 2019 | Cristina Dinulescu

Wall Mounted Outlets
Wall-mounted TVs are common in many homes today, which means unsightly cords drooping down the wall to the outlet. You can eliminate the need for such cords by installing a wall-mounted outlet that specifically caters to your TV.

Outlets Above Shelves and Tables
Entry outlets placed above shelves or tables make convenient charging points, ensuring you never leave home with an uncharged device.

Install a few extra outlets near the floor and eliminate the need for extension cords. You can even consider installing outlets directly in the floor, to further reduce tripping hazards.

If you walk into the average home, you’ll find outlets scattered around the room near the baseboards. Sure, they get the job done, but outlet installation in this way isn’t very convenient.

Why are outlets installed this way? Well, contractors will install outlets only where they need to in order to pass the safety inspection. Minimizing outlets also helps them save money. Outlets aren’t installed with the homeowner in mind, but you’re the one who’s going to be stuck with those outlets for years!

Having many strategically located outlets is important because it allows you to live life your way. Their placement doesn’t have to mess with the aesthetic beauty of your home either, and can even be considered to fit the many types of outlets installed.

Here are some of the best places to put outlets that will make living your life much more convenient.

1. Outlet Installation Above Shelves and Tables

Outlet Installation Above Shelves

Many people put their phones, laptops, and tablets on a shelf or table when they are at home. Why not charge those devices while they’re sitting there? Entry outlets placed above shelves or tables make convenient charging points, ensuring you never leave home with an uncharged device.

It also makes the entire process more convenient. You don’t need extra long charging cables that need to reach a distant outlet, you don’t have the tripping hazard anymore, and you also don’t need to bend over to reach the receptacle, or reach behind or under furniture.

2. Floor Outlets

floor outlet

Ever walk into a room and see wires crisscrossing the floor? These wires destroy the aesthetic appeal of the room, in addition to posing a tripping hazard. Floor outlets can solve this problem. Install a few extra outlets near the floor and eliminate the need for extension cords. You can even consider installing outlets directly in the floor, to further reduce tripping hazards.

The National Electrical Code has certain requirements when it comes to floor outlets. They need to be installed as part of an assembly, with a metal box, gasket seal, and special receptacle. They should also have a strong cover plate with a moisture-proof cover. It is not allowed to install a regular wall outlet in the floor, mainly because if you stepped on it, it would break.

3. Wall Mounted Outlets

wall-mounted outlets

Wall-mounted TVs are common in many homes today, which means unsightly cords drooping down the wall to the outlet. You can eliminate the need for such cords by installing a wall-mounted outlet that specifically caters to your TV. Your TV area will remain clean and uncluttered.

You can also use the conduit hidden in the wall to connect your TV to other electronic devices, like DVD players and gaming systems. Not only that, but smart TVs today are power-hungry devices, so having an outlet that caters to them specifically makes good sense. You would especially not want to use an extension cord with your very expensive TV.

4. Bathroom Outlet Installation

bathroom

From electric razors to hair dryers and straighteners, you can find a lot of electronics in the bathroom. The trouble is, the bathroom can be humid and wet, so paying special attention to bathroom outlets is important.

It is not only convenient, but also safer to have specific outlets dedicated to each item. For example, you can have outlets installed on either side of your sink. This way, two people can safely use electric devices at the same time, as there will be no need for an extension cord.

5. Kitchen Outlet Installation

outlets installed on a kitchen island

Homebuilders will always have outlets ready for large kitchen appliances, but sometimes smaller appliances are forgotten. Depending on what your kitchen layout is, you might want to consider installing outlets for small appliances on the kitchen counter. If you have a kitchen island that you regularly use for cooking, then you should consider installing outlets on the island as well. 

You can have countertop outlets powering toasters, teapots, and blenders. You can also dedicate other strategically placed outlets to power laptops, phones, and TVs. Outlets can be installed on walls, under kitchen cabinets, and directly on the counter, depending on the placement that works best for you.

6. Outlets for Your Home Office

Computers and tablets and printers, oh my! Home offices sure do have a significant number of electronics! Add to that the fact that you might need to charge your phone or phones while working, and it becomes clear how much a home office depends on outlets.

These devices run simultaneously, which means extension cords and power strips are common. Not only are these cords inconvenient – they make an office look messy – but they can also be dangerous. Firstly, extension cords are a tripping hazard, and secondly they can damage your devices if they’re overloaded.

Instead, place outlets above the desk in your office to eliminate the mess of cords on the floor. Install as many outlets as you need to make sure that every electronic device in your office has its own dedicated outlet and you can avoid the power strips and extension cords altogether.

5 Ways to Lower Your Power Bill While Cooling Your Home This Summer

Power Bill

June 18, 2019 | Cristina Dinulescu

As the temperatures hit the roof this summer, the power bill seems to do the same. If you’re wondering how to lower an electric bill, there are certain things you can do. While Energy Star, a branch of the US Department of Energy, states that 29% of the energy bill in a regular household goes on heating, cooling a home follows suit with 13%. 

Fortunately, cutting electric bills does not necessarily mean buying expensive gadgets and spending lots of money on star rated energy systems. With just a few simple tricks and minor adjustments on how you operate certain appliances in your home, you can significantly reduce the power bills. Here are 5 simple tips on how to lower your electric bill while still keeping your house cool this summer.

1. Replace Air Filters Regularly

replace air filters to lower electric bill

One of the quickest ways to reduce power bills is to regularly clean or replace the air filters. Air filters not only keep the air clean but they also protect the air conditioner from getting damaged. If the air filter gets clogged, the system will have to work harder to do its job and in turn consume more energy than it should.

Depending on your system, the filters can either be reusable or one-time use types of filters. If they are one-time use, you should inspect them monthly and have them changed at least once every three months. However, if you have pets, you should replace them more often since pets shed fur that easily clogs the filter. Also, if you hear a whistle sound coming from the filter before the three months, consider changing them even if there are no pets around.

2. Adjust the Thermostat When You’re Not Home

adjust thermostat to lower electric bill

A thermostat helps to keep the temperatures in your home constant. When the house is too cold, it switches on heating to warm the home, and when the temperatures reach the set level, it automatically switches the heating off. 

Lowering the thermostat by 2 degrees can help save about 5 percent on your power bills. In fact, according to the Department of Energy, “you can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting”. Not only will you save money on your bill, but it’s also an eco-friendly habit.

This can be a good time to think about smart thermostats as well, as you’ll have the convenience to schedule temperatures and hours as to suit your lifestyle. This way, you don’t have to worry about forgetting to turn the thermostat on or off, lower it and so on. 

You could also leverage the outdoor temperature at your advantage. In the evening, when it starts to cool down you should open the widows and allow the cool breeze to flow through the house. If you leave them open throughout the entire night, make sure to close them when it starts to get hot. 

3. Close Shades, Blinds, or Curtains During the Day

close shades to lower electric bill

While you may want to open the blinds to allow bright light in the house, you could be unconsciously heating your home in the process. Keeping the blinds closed completely will help reduce heat inside the house by approximately 45 percent.

Another thing you could do is use light colored treatments for the windows. The lighter the shade, the more they will deflect the scorching rays of the sun. Also, hang the blinds close to the window panes so that they can block the outdoor heat from radiating inside.

4. Seal Air Leaks

Air leaks can waste a lot of money in terms of energy loss, and the quickest energy saving task you can do is seal, caulk and weather strip all the cracks, seals and openings to the outside. Depending on where the leak is located, there’s different levels of opportunity in lowering your electric bill.

To test your home for air tightness, hold a lit incense stick on a windy day next to the doors, windows, plumbing fixtures, electrical boxes, attic hatches, ceiling fixtures and other places where there may be an air leak. If the smoke travels horizontally, the area will need sealing, caulking or weather-stripping.

5. Use Fans to Cool Your Rooms

ceiling fan cooling a room

Air conditioning systems use about 50 times more energy than fans which is why it is advisable to choose a fan over an air conditioner if you are looking to cool a room and save money at the same time. 

It’s important to note that a fan works differently than an AC though. A fan creates a breeze around you and makes it feel cooler, but it does not in fact affect the temperature in the room. To lower your electric bill even more, make sure you turn it off when you leave the room.

Another option is attic fans that cool your attic. They can cool it down anywhere between 7 to 10 degrees. You can find through the roof exhaust fans that are controlled by a thermostat, usually set at 90 degrees.

The Bottom Line

Any of the five tips above should help you be comfortable and stay cool during the summer without ramping up your electric bill. In fact, the same principle applies to saving on power bills during the winter as well, when you need to keep the house warm. Paying attention to the thermostat, the flow of air and your habits, can really help save money. If you feel you are in need of electrical repairs that will also help reduce your power bill, call Penna Electric. Our knowledgeable, experienced staff will get your repairs right the first time, every time.

The right electrical upgrade can dramatically improve the value and appearance of any home or business. You’ll be amazed at what a difference the right electrical upgrade can make for your home or business. Make sure that when you select an electrical company to do the enhancement of your home and you have decided to take your enhancement to the level where you require an electrical upgrade that the technician at the company has a good working knowledge and the experience to properly guide you in this area.

When you decide to upgrade, our well-trained and certified electricians have all the experience and training needed to complete your electrical panel upgrade project from start to finish, with a minimum of fuss or disturbance. Please contact us right away at 310-800-2401