FAQ's
Are there different types of recessed lights?
Does my whole house need to be rewired if I have Aluminum Wiring?
Is aluminum wiring dangerous?
What are some of the signs of an electrical problem that could cause a fire?
What is a Service Upgrade?
What is knob and tube wiring?
Are there different types of recessed lights?
Yes. At POPS ELECTRIC, we only install airtight recessed cans so that you do not loose any heat or air condtioning or get drafts through the fixture. We also only install insulated contact fixtures so that when they are installed in ares where there is existing insulation, we can insulate right up to and over the fixture. Our trims are also airtight to add an extra level of protection. We use Philips Halogena bulbs for whiter, brighter light, added efficiency, and the ability to dim.
Does my whole house need to be rewired if I have Aluminum Wiring?
No. A Licensed Electrician can fix all the connections where aluminum wiring connects to receptacles, switches, light fixtures, etc. and this will prevent any problems.
Is aluminum wiring dangerous?
Yes. Aluminum wire expands and contracts. This expanding and contracting creates loose connections which, in turn, can cause a fire. Also, Aluminum oxidizes, which means it gets a film on it that compromises the connection and can also cause a fire. If you have aluminum wiring and/or experience any of the problems listed above, contact us immediately!
What are some of the signs of an electrical problem that could cause a fire?
- Warm-to-the-touch face plates on receptacles, switches, dimmers, or fan controls.
- Flickering lights
- Circuits that stop working
- Smell of burning wire or plastic
- Burn marks or hot spots at receptacles, switches, dimmers, etc.
- Lights that get brighter or dimmer when something else if turned on
- Lights that seem to burn out too often
- Fans or appliances that do not seem to work correctly all the time
- Smoke, flames, or sparks
If you notice any of these conditions, contact us immediately!
What is a Service Upgrade?
An Electrical Service is the main power cable and panel coming into your home or office. A Service Upgrade is when you replace and/or upgrade your Service which includes: main electrical cable on exterior, meter socket (the electric company owns the meter which unplugs from the meter socket), main cable entering the house, breaker panel, all new breakers, mark circuit locations, water pipe ground (#6 or #4 copper wire from panel to water meter), 2- 8' ground rods with #6 copper wire back to panel, bond hot and cold water pipes at water heater, all new straps, connectors, etc.Typical sizes for residential are 100, 150 and 200 Amps.
What is knob and tube wiring?
Knob and tube wiring is a type of wiring used between the 1880's and the 1930's. The words "knob" and "tube" actually refer to the ceramic insulators that support the wires. The round knobs were used for wires running with the joists and the tubes were hollow for the wires to pass through the joists.
Historically, wiring installation standards were less stringent in the age of knob-and-tube wiring than today. Compared to modern electrical wiring standards, the main shortcomings of knob-and-tube wiring are: knob-and-tube wiring never included a safety ground wire; did not confine switching to the hot conductor; and it permitted the use of in-line splices in walls without a junction box (and thus exposing a potential fire hazard of an uncontained spark caused by arcing following mechanical failure of the splice). It is for these reasons that it is recommended that all knob and tube wiring be removed from homes and rewired with new wiring.