Beginner’s Guide To The Electrical System In A North American Home

The electrical devices in your home are supposed to add convenience and comfort to your life. However, they often need regular maintenance and can malfunction in response to power surges and voltage fluctuations. Whenever you see issues with your devices or encounter a disturbance in your power supply, take a few things into consideration. This is because the electrical codes and standards in North America change regularly, and any modification to the electrical system requires the expertise of a professional.

If you are a new homeowner, you might feel overwhelmed with your electrical problems. But, you need not stress as long as you have the right electrical contractor on hand to sort everything out.

To help you deal with your home’s electrical system and to ensure you at least understand the basics, Quick Way Electrical (1999) Ltd. has put together a guide to help you navigate electrical systems found in your average American home.

Getting Started

Locate your home’s electrical panel: Your home’s electrical panel can be any size and configuration. It might be mounted on the outside of the house, either separate from or combined with the electric meter, or on an inside wall. An electrical panel is a metal box with a door, usually built into a wall in an out-of-the-way corner of your home. Inside, you’ll find all your home’s breaker switches, which can toggle on and off.

Next Steps

Trace the device or the malfunctioning outlet: If you find a device is not working in your home, this could be due to a malfunction at the power outlet. You can use a circuit breaker finder device to locate the problem outlet. A circuit breaker finder sends a signal through the wire to the breaker box and uses the frequency to locate the correct breaker for the outlet, switch, or receptacle.

Test devices to ensure the problem is solved permanently: After you have located and solved the problem before you call it a day, it is wise to test your devices to ensure the fix has worked and there will be no problems in the near future. Remember, a fix in time saves lives and protects your property and electrical equipment from fire and damage.

Advice from the pros

The devices we use in our lives change as technology develops, and this guide may not cover all devices’ exact operations and functions forever. However, there are certain things that you should follow nonetheless. For example, following the advice on your equipment that says do not open and staying away from any exposed wiring is best. If you have issues understanding the circuitry, don’t hesitate to ask for professional help.

At Quick Way Electrical (1999) Ltd., our goal is to exceed your expectations. As the go-to experts in Medicine Hat, Alberta, for all your electrical contracting needs, you can feel confident your home is in great hands. We have served southern Alberta and Saskatchewan for thirty years, providing our expertise and reliability in all types of electrical services. We have extensive experience in all categories of electrical construction, from Commercial to Residential and Industrial markets. We charge approximately $80 to $100 per hour and ensure we work with high standards of competency, integrity, and client satisfaction. We offer electrical maintenance and security services to residential and commercial clients across Medicine Hat, Dunmore, Irvine, Redcliff, Bow Island, Lethbridge, Brooks, Kindersley, Maple Creek, and throughout Southern Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Visit our website to learn more or contact Quick Way Electrical (1999) Ltd. today.