7 Most Common Electrical Wiring Mistakes

There’s nothing like the comfort of relaxing in your own home after a long., hard day at work. But what if dangerous, undetected wiring mistakes are hidden in the home you love? Unless your home is newly constructed by professional builders, it’s possible that amateur electrical work, including one or more of these common home wiring mistakes, could be hidden inside the walls without you even knowing it. Occasionally, even professional builders miss things. To prevent dangerous house fires, it’s important to always use a trusted, professional electrician, like Karen Proctor Electric. Here is a helpful list we put together for you of the 7 most common home wiring mistakes for you to look out for:

1. Wires run too near stud faces
• Wires must be run at least 1 ¼ inch from stud faces so drywall screws and nails cannot reach them
• Nail plates on stud faces protect wiring
• Cable stackers route wire bundles away from the drywall
2. Running line voltage (electricity) and low-voltage (phone and modem) wires together
• This causes interference in electronics and telecommunications equipment
• Instead, the two types of wires must be run parallel, six inches apart, using separate junction boxes for the outlets
3. Too many wires forced through the stud holes
• A not uncommon attempt to avoid drilling more holes to accommodate all wires.  Drilling paddle-bit or auger holes in studs is time-consuming and hard work.
• Take the time to drill a series of parallel holes.
4. Sagging, exposed wires
• Dress all wiring up against joists using wiring staples.
• Run wiring perpendicular to joists using a running board, or use raceways.
• This prevents family members from hanging clothes and decorations from exposed wires!
5. Electrical boxes buried behind drywall
• Locate junction boxes and splice boxes atop cabinets or in the back of cabinets with a blank faceplate over them
6. New fixtures (new work) mixed haphazardly with old (old work)
• When mixing new fixtures with old (pre-1987) wiring, use a splice box and at least three feet of new wire from the fixture to the box. All post-1987 electrical wiring has a date printed on the insulation.
7. Undersized boxes
• If several wires are coming into a box, consider using a larger outlet box and get a “plaster ring” or “mud ring” over-sized faceplate.

Again, using an experienced, licensed professional electrician like Karen Proctor Electric is always the best way to protect your family and your investment. Our knowledgeable, experienced electricians bring you the highest quality service in the Middle Tennessee area, including Nashville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Ashland, Dickson, and Springfield. Karen Proctor Electric also offers free estimates, and competitive rates. For more guidance on avoiding common home wiring mistakes or to have one of our qualified electricians service your home, please contact Karen Proctor Electric at  (615) 261-8098.

For info on special offers, click here: http://www.karenproctorelectric.co

Top 5 Electrical System Fixes for Older Homes

Did you know that most circuit breakers only have about a 40-yr life? Circuit breakers are the safety nets of an older home’s electrical system. Many older homes still rely on the original electric panel and circuit breakers installed at the build of the home. If the circuit breaker has unknowingly ceased to function, it could spell serious trouble - trouble that is seldom discovered at a home inspection prior to purchase. There are many other culprits that often go unnoticed when inspecting an older home. Badly-done homeowner electrical repairs tend to top the list, and are not only expensive to correct, but often dangerous.

There are a number of things you can do to make the electrical system of your older house safer if you’re not quite ready to make the leap to complete replacement.

Top 5 Electrical System Fixes for Older Homes:

1. DITCH THE EXTENSION CORDS Extension cords are meant for temporary use only. Ditch them anywhere they are permanently installed, and have a licensed electrician run wiring to additional new receptacles.
2. REPLACE ALL DAMAGED SWITCHES AND RECEPTACLES  Also, change out any receptacles that can no longer securely grab the prongs of an appliance cord. This is most likely to occur at  locations where cords are repeatedly plugged in and out, like at the kitchen counter. A loose connection between receptacle and cord can cause arcing. Any receptacle where an electric cord can be pulled out with no resistance should be replaced.
3. REPLACE THE 100 AMP PANEL WITH A 200 AMP PANEL The change-out will require an electrician to run new service wires to the home. Because new panels are required to have special AFCI breakers for most circuits, you gain an added level of protection for the aging wires still in the wall. Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter breakers sense when any wiring in the circuits they protect is frayed or otherwise damaged  and arcing/sparking is occurring between two disconnected pieces of the same wire or two adjacent wires in a cable—and they cut off the power to the circuit.
4. or REPLACE THE BREAKERS IN THE PANEL If replacing the electric panel is more than you can afford, think about having an electrician replace the breakers in the panel. The panel box typically has a longer life than breakers anyway, and you will get AFCI-breaker protection for the 120-volt general purpose circuits. The only problem with this strategy is that it’s hard to find replacement breakers for some old panels.
5. LOOK FOR EVIDENCE OF BAD DIY REPAIRS  and have a professional electrician fix them.

At the first sign of trouble, such as lights that blink, appliances that work intermittently, breakers that keep tripping, or the acrid, burning smell of a short circuit, always shut off the circuit at the panel and seek the assistance of an experienced, licensed professional electrician, like Karen Proctor Electric. We specialize in electrical repairs of all types.  

Our knowledgeable, experienced electricians bring you the highest quality service in the Middle Tennessee area, including Nashville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Ashland, Dickson, and Springfield. Karen Proctor Electric also offers free estimates, and competitive rates. Could your home's electrical system benefit from the attention of a licensed electrician? Call Karen Proctor Electric today. Our phone number is 615-642-1792.

Do you know the 5 signs that you should call a licensed electrician?

Most people know to call an electrician when an electrical outlet doesn't work, you want to wire new outlets, you need help troubleshooting home wiring problems or you need major electrical repairs. But most homeowners aren't aware that there are five common symptoms of bigger electrical problems that require the services of a licensed electrician.

1. If you touch a light switch or other electrical system surface and it's warm to the touch, or if a light switch or outlet gives off a small electric shock, call an electrician. It could be a sign that there is too much demand on the circuit, or worse.

2. If your lights flicker or dim without warning, especially when appliances are in use,
this is another time you should call an electrician. This is often caused by appliances that are drawing too much electricity, and need to have their own dedicated circuits.

3. If you are running electrical cords under rugs and along your floor boards, a risk of electrical shock exists and you need to call an electrician and have them install additional outlets.  This will improve the appearance of your house and increase the safety.

4. If your circuit breakers are regularly tripping, or your fuses blow out often, this is another time to call an electrician. Both of these situations are often a sign that there is a bigger and more dangerous problem with one or more circuits.

5. If you have an older home and your power outlets don't accomodate three-pronged plugs, call an electrician. This is a sign that your electrical system is not adequately grounded and could mean your home is not safe.

This is by no means a complete list of reasons to call an electrician. If you have any doubts, call Karen Proctor Electrical Services. Our staff does all of the home electrical repairs you would expect professional electricians to do.  We also specialize in electrical house wiring, electrical outlet wiring, as well as simpler fixes such as light outlet installation and light outlet repair, light switch repair and light switch replacements.  If you’re looking to find an electrician in or around Nashville, contact us today!

Karen Proctor Electric is located at 1015 Dozier Boat Dock Rd. in Charlotte, TN.  We service Nashville, Franklin,Murfeesboro, Ashland, Dickson, and Springfield with electrical repairs of all types.  Our quality electricians offer competitive quotesand great electrician help with wiring, electrical outlet replacement and outlet installation, faulty outlets, light switch installation and light switch replacement, as well as any other in-home electrician services.

Could your home's electrical system benefit from the attention of a licensed electrician? CallKaren Proctor Electric today. Our phone number is 615-642-1792.

Finding the Right Electrician from Karen Proctor Electric

Finding a great electrician can be stressful.  Like car repairs, or any other type of specialists, you’re entrusting your electrician to correctly identify the problem in your home, and fix it, all while incurring minimal costs to you, the customer.  Karen Proctor Electric of Charlotte, TN prides itself on great customer service, servicing Nashville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Ashland City, Dickson, and Springfield.  But for our friends around the country, we thought we’d compile this list of how to find the right electrician in your area:

1.     Ask your friends.  Asking friends and neighbors insures firsthand experience with an electrician.  Also, doing a good job isn’t usually a one-time instance.

2.     Use the Internet.  There are plenty of sites online to find reviews of electricians, plumbers, carpenters, etc.  And while sometimes the reviews can get skewed with one person who had a bad experience, it’s not usually too difficult to discern if the person writing the review just wanted to complain, or whether the grievance they had is a through line in all customer reviews.

3.     Get multiple quotes.  Asking for the full cost of the job and getting it in writing (or E-mail) before the job begins allows you to pick a price that works for you, and insures you won’t be upsold after the work is done.

4.     Local or National.  Find out if the electrician you’re hiring for a job is an independent, local contractor, or if they work for a larger, national corporation.

5.     Check for papers.  Valid electricians carry licenses.  If the electrician you hired for a job doesn’t have a license, don’t hire them.

6.     Check for insurance.  While all electricians must not have insurance, making sure the electrician working on your home has public liability insurance is a must, in case they have an accident while working on your property.

7.     References.  If you feel there isn’t enough information online and you decide to go with an electrician who did not come at the recommendation of a friend, ask the electrician themselves to provide their own references.

Karen Proctor Electrical Services does homeelectrical repairs.  We specialize in electrical house wiring, electrical outlet wiring, as well as simpler fixes such as light outlet installation and light outlet repair, light switch repair and light switch replacements.  If you’re looking to find an electrician in or around Nashville, contact us today!

Finding the right electrician from Karen Proctor Electric

Finding a good electrician is like finding a good mechanic, lawyer, or romantic partner:  once you’re with them, you’re with them for life.  So why get saddled with a half-rate electrician who charges two times the price for repairs you don’t even need?

At Karen Proctor Electric of Charlotte,TN we’ve built our business on honest customer service and repeat customers.  Performing the necessary repairs time and again has built one thing in our clients, loyalty.  But finding a good electrician isn't always easy, so we thought we’d give you a list of what to look out for in an electrical contractor. 

First things first, make sure your electrician carries a valid contractor’s license.  Licensed electricians are certified by the state and have received training and experience in a number of jobs.

Second, look at the specific electrical service a particular electrician offers.  For example, an electrician who specializes in small repairs may not be qualified to contract your new home.  Along with the services offered, look at an electrician’s experience and ask for specific references.  If they can’t point to a handful of other clients who they’ve performed the same services for, you may want to take your business to a more experienced electrician.

Finally, we recommend asking what type of equipment they’ll be using.  Electrical repair equipment is always changing.  Making sure your electrician has the proper tools to complete the job protects you and your home.

All told, one thing’s for certain: if you’re looking for a quality electrician in middle Tennessee, Karen Proctor is the place for you.

Karen Proctor Electric is located at 1015 Dozier Boat Dock Rd. in Charlotte, TN.  We service Nashville, Franklin,Murfeesboro, Ashland, Dickson, and Springfield with electrical repairs of all types.  Our quality electricians offer competitive quotes and greatelectrician help with wiring, electrical outlet replacement and outlet installation, faulty outlets, light switch installation and light switch replacement, as well as any other in-home electrician services.

In addition to home electrical repairs, KarenProctor also has extensive experience in residential electrical contracting, commercial electrical contracting, and corporate electrical contracting.

Gimmie the Power Back!

You get home from work and immediately turn on the T.V.  Your favorite show is on at 8pm and you can’t miss it.  You’re also hungry.  You turn on your electric stove to heat up some broccoli florets and throw some left-over chicken you made from the night before into the microwave while you hop in the shower.  When you hop out, you turn on your computer to check your E-mail while you blow dry your hair. You plug your electric razor in for that extra clean shave when zap.  Power’s out.

Karen Proctor Electric services Nashville, Franklin, Murfeesboro, Ashland, Dickson, and Springfield with electrical repairs of all types.  Our quality electricians offer competitive quotes and great electrician help with wiring, electrical outlet replacement and installation, faulty outlets, light switch installation and light switch replacement, as well as any other in-home electrician services.

Replacing an outlet can be dangerous, and while we at Karen Proctor would always recommend hiring a professional to do the job, we know some people like to try and do it themselves first.  If you’re one of the adventurous few up to the challenge, here are some shortcuts to keeping yourself safe when an outlet goes kaput.

1.)  Turn off all electricity

2.)  Remove the Outlet Switch Cover Plate

3.)  Label the wires

4.)  Make sure to mark the wire box

5.)  For ground fault circuit interrupter’s make sure the necessary devices are connected.

If you’re not so adventurous or you just need an electrician to fix your home’s electrical problems fast, contact Karen Proctor electric today by visiting our website at http://www.karenproctorelectric.com or by calling us at 615-642-1792.