Electrician in York
Since 1986, Kevin’s Electrical Service, LLC has been an institution in the York area. Our stellar reputation was established almost four decades ago on the basis of excellent craftsmanship, and we attribute our sustained success to the distinctive approach we take to helping our community. Our locally owned and run company is fully bonded, licensed, and insured. We are happy to provide a wide range of electrical services, ranging from small repairs to complex installations. Our devoted clientele has complete faith in our skills and experience, and we consider their ongoing trust to be the highest compliment of all.
We strive to maintain customer satisfaction above all else. Feel free to come to us with any concerns or questions about your electrical system, because we’re here to offer immediate assistance. Our prices can’t be beat, and the electricians on our team are the most experienced, trustworthy, and dependable professionals in town. Whether you need an immediate emergency service or a planned electrical repair, we’re here to lend a hand. Contact Kevin’s Electrical Service today and let us showcase what separates us from every other local electrical company you’ve ever hired.
Insights into Your Home’s Electrical System
Gaining knowledge empowers you, so it’s smart to understand your complex electrical system and all the wires, fixtures, switches, outlets, and various components that each have their own unique purpose. Even with Kevin’s Electrical Service ensuring your system’s efficiency, it’s still beneficial to familiarize yourself with the electrical components in your home. Familiarity with this information can positively impact the safety of your home and enhance your preparedness as a homeowner. We’ve created this helpful guide as a tool for our valued customers. Continue reading to discover the fine details of your household electrical system!
The Importance of Knowing the Limits of Your System
Routine Maintenance & Inspections
To keep your system functioning properly, your go-to residential and commercial electrician recommends routinely scheduled inspections and maintenance. We’ll conduct a meticulous inspection, address any potential problems, carry out essential repairs, and ensure your electrical system remains in excellent condition.
Avoid Circuit Overload
If a circuit becomes overloaded, the circuit breaker will trip to safeguard the system. If this is a recurring problem in your household, have a discussion with your licensed electrician to explore potential system upgrades that can increase the maximum load.
Personal Safety
Kevin’s Electrical Service is your go-to for trustworthy local electricians in York. If you’re dealing with electrical issues, attempting repairs without complete knowledge can be risky. This is especially true if you forget to turn off the circuit at the breaker box or face challenges in navigating your electrical wiring.
Put Quality First
Opting for budget-friendly solutions is reasonable, but the potential long-term hazards and expenses of cheap electrical components are significant. Substandard outlets, surge protectors, switches, and extension cords may lead to various issues, which highlights the importance of selecting high-quality electrical parts.
Improve Your Home’s Self-Sufficiency
Despite the typical dependence on the local power company, you may want to consider developing an emergency plan for unforeseen outages or embracing solar power. Let our York electricians assist you with enhancing your home’s preparedness and reducing its dependence on traditional power.
Solar Energy
The idea of using solar power in your home might be new to you, but it’s gaining popularity for a number of compelling reasons. Your electrical contractor from Kevin’s Electrical Service can enlighten you on what makes solar panels so cost-effective, responsible, and eco-friendly. Embrace solar power to minimize your environmental impact and receive substantial long-term savings on your energy expenses. Your residential electrician is ready to assist you in utilizing solar energy to boost your self-reliance through a customized system.
Generators
Generators are powered by natural gas or propane, and they serve as an efficient and reliable backup during times of crisis. Your budget and needs will be thoroughly taken into account as we guide you through choosing the perfect generator. We’ll also be sure to answer all your questions every step of the way.
Electric Meter and System Connection
Power for the majority of American households is supplied through main lines owned by the local power company. These mains, whether positioned above or below ground, connect to the electric meter – a piece of equipment also possessed by your electricity provider. Electric meters play the role of tracking your power usage, and it’s your utility company’s duty to install and keep these meters in working order. For any concerns regarding your meter or if questions arise, reaching out to your utility company is the recommended course of action.
There are three primary types of electrical meters:
Bi-Directional
The presence of solar panels on your home makes a bidirectional meter a useful addition. Bidirectional meters gauge both the power you receive and the surplus energy you feed back to the utility company, unlike traditional meters designed solely for power consumption measurement. For those who generate their own power, this meter type is a necessity.
Smart
Offering digital readouts, smart meters simplify remote reading for precise monitoring of your residential power consumption. They establish a direct communication link with your utility provider.
Electromechanical
Featuring a glass cover and a spinning disc alongside a set of dials, electromechanical meters require a physical visit from an employee of your electric company for reading. They then provide data on your household energy use. Surprisingly, despite their reliance on outdated technology, approximately 75% of U.S. homes still have this type of meter.
Devices & Circuits
Your home is full of electrical devices that rely on electrical power. Your home’s wiring is governed by two distinct circuit types.
Multiple Device Circuits
A multiple device circuit might ring a bell if you’ve needed to reset a circuit breaker due to a sudden loss of outlet power or lights in a room. These outlets serve as hubs for various fixtures, outlets, and switches.
Dedicated Circuits
If you wish to add a water heater, heater, furnace, or dryer to your home without impacting the overall power distribution, the solution involves dedicated circuits for each individual appliance.
Switches
The types of switches installed in your home, which send power to ceiling fans, devices, lighting, and outlets, are determined by the specific electrical circuit they’re connected to. Get to know the numerous switches that control the many parts of your commercial or residential electrical system.
Dimmer
Dimmer switches create a warm ambiance in your space and allow you to easily change the brightness of your overhead lighting.
Single-Pole
Nearly every room in every home features this type of switch because they are a time-tested, efficient option for controlling outlets and devices.
Smart
Easily manage the lighting in all areas of your home through dedicated apps and smart switches that easily connect right to your Wi-Fi network.
Motion-Sensor
Enhance safety in poorly-lit places like stairways, driveways, and home entrance using these switches, which activate lights upon detecting movement. They also offer the added bonus of energy savings.
Three-Way
Located strategically at the upper and lower ends of staircases or at either end of a hallway, three-way switches facilitate the control of a single fixture or light from two different spots.
Disconnect Switches
Disconnect switches, if present, are usually positioned in close proximity to the electric meter. They give your reliable electrician the ability to interrupt power when needed for substantial repairs or in emergency situations, offering added convenience. However, there’s no need for alarm if your dwelling doesn’t come equipped with this feature. If we find an absence of a disconnect switch, we’ll simply turn off the power at your main panel.
Outlets
You’d be hard-pressed to find a room that doesn’t feature at least one electrical outlet. For a deeper understanding of your electrical system, continue reading about the many different types of electrical outlets and how to tell them apart.
15-Amp, 125-Volt
This is the most common type of outlet found in homes and many business types. The two types of 15-amp, 125-volt outlets are grounded and ungrounded. A grounded outlet is distinguished by the presence of an opening for the ground pin below the vertical slots. Though suitable for general use, these outlets may lack the safety features needed for use in bathrooms or kitchens. If you come across this outlet type in these rooms, it’s advisable to discuss an upgrade with your York electricians for enhanced functionality and safety.
20-Amp, 125-Volt
Characterized by a small, horizontal slot next to a vertical slot, 20-amp, 125-volt outlets are designed to handle significant power loads. They are the optimal choice for powering major appliances or power tools.
250-Volt
This specialized outlet is designed for high-voltage appliances, making it the perfect fit for devices like clothing dryers or electric ranges.
Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI)
AFCI outlets work to prevent arcing – a circumstance caused by defective wiring or overheating that causes sparks to jump between wires. In this way, AFCI outlets foster a safer environment in your home.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)
In spaces prone to water exposure, the installation of outlets with an automatic shut-off plays a critical role in avoiding damage resulting from unexpected power surges. Deciding on this specific outlet type is not just a practical choice for spaces like bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor areas, but it’s also mandated in building codes for those areas. Acknowledging the possibility of water contact in garages and other similar locations, these outlets are a crucial safety measure to incorporate into those rooms.
Smart
Improve your everyday life with the installation of smart outlets by our electricians near you. These outlets feature connectivity to remote controls or apps, which enable you to effortlessly control lighting, garage door openers, fans, and a multitude of other devices.
USB
Enhance the convenience of your home with USB outlets, which are designed for charging devices like phones and electronic gadgets without a charging block.
Switched
Simplify your life with switched outlets, which allow you to remotely power devices, manage on/off cycles effortlessly (when plugged in), and eliminate the need for physical switching. These outlets are specifically linked to designated outlets in the home.
Breaker Panels
Breaker panels are tasked with distributing power to all the outlets, lights, devices, appliances, and switches in your home. Recognized by various names, such as service panels, breaker boxes, or distribution panels, they are the contemporary alternative to the still-useful fuse box.
Sub-Panels
Some households incorporate sub-panels, notable for their smaller dimensions and reduced breaker quantity. Operating as supplementary service panels linked to the primary panel, they are frequently utilized to bring power to a recent addition, backup generator, or outbuilding.
Branch Circuit Breakers
Your residence features a complex network of branch circuit breakers, each responsible for overseeing power distribution to particular regions of the property. In the event that they encounter excessive current, these breakers will trip and proactively cut off power for safety reasons. Double-pole breakers take on the role of controlling 250-volt current flow, powering appliances such as clothing dryers, electric ranges, electric vehicle chargers, and other high-voltage devices. In contrast, single-pole breakers regulate the flow of 125-volt current to supply energy for wall outlets and lighting. A prevalent characteristic of 125-volt household circuits is their amperage rating, often hovering around 30 amps. This rating directly correlates with the circuit’s capacity to manage electrical loads, with higher numbers indicating heightened capability.
Main Circuit Breaker
Your home’s electrical system is steered by the main circuit breaker, which is in charge of delivering power and regulating the flow of electricity to individual branch circuit breakers within your breaker box. Turning this switch off results in a complete power outage for your entire house.
Wiring
In the framework of businesses and homes, non-metallic or wiring secretly winds through conduits made of either metal or plastic. Operating beyond view, this wiring quietly ensures the smooth transmission of power throughout the building. Adhering to strict industry standards and building codes, electrical companies prioritize the installation of wiring and carefully choose cables that cater to your specific needs.
Residences built from 1956 to 1972 may have aluminum wiring, which is now regarded as a significant fire hazard and is no longer the best choice. Choosing copper wiring over this outdated alternative significantly enhances safety. If you reach out to us for York electrical services and we detect outdated wiring in your residence or business, a safety-focused replacement will be recommended.
Learn more helpful information about your electrical system, seek professional advice, schedule maintenance or a repair, or reach out to Kevin’s Electrical Services for emergency services by calling (717) 243-7904.
