There are many electrical projects that are simple enough that a reasonably competent DIY enthusiast may choose not to call a contractor. With electricity, though, there are limits where even skilled people should contact a pro. Let's take a look at four situations where folks should consider getting in touch with electrical contractors.
Lack of Experience
Few tasks require as much knowledge and confidence as working with electrical systems. Even if you're dealing with something that has a fairly simple diagram, such as a ceiling fan, it's not worth the risk if you're in any way uncomfortable shutting off power to a room and working with the wires. If the job doesn't seem simple to you, then there's nothing wrong with having an electrical contractor come in.
Proximity to the Main Power Lines
As a rule of thumb, the closer you get to the point in a building where the outside electrical lines come, the more likely it is to be illegal to do unlicensed work there. For example, you're fine popping in a few new breakers in an electrical box, but once you get to the other side of the box, that's not work you should touch. Not only are there legal risks if you short out power to your entire neighborhood, but there is a legitimate risk of being electrocuted. Leave it to the pros, even if you're extremely skilled in doing DIY electrical work.
Jobs That Require Calculations and Design
Figuring out what a stable design for an electrical system will be can be a tricky task. For example, suppose you want to set up on-the-grid power alongside a battery backup system that's supplied by a solar panel array. Wiring this configuration up means making sure you won't be overloading your system, as hitting the battery too hard can create an explosion risk. Similarly, you'll want the three different modes of operation to switch seamlessly, ensuring you'll have power at all times.
Conditioning Power
Some kinds of electronic devices can be very sensitive to fluctuations in power, particularly voltage. Similar problems can arise from the use of some backup power solutions, too. The common solution to this is to install a conditioning system, a setup that stabilizes the voltage to a level the electronics can tolerate. An electrical contractor can help you diagnose potential problems, decide whether conditioning is the answer and determine where the best spot is to install a conditioner.
If you find yourself in any of the above situations, contact an electrical contractor, such as those at http://www.dunedinelectric.com.
Does anyone really hold more power than an electrician? They bring power to your home, make sure it travels to the right appliances, and also make sure it does not harm you in the process. Their jobs are more intricate than most homeowners understand. Every day, they put themselves at risk of shock, but they know just what precautions to take to stay safe.
If you are a homeowner, at some point or another, you are going to have to hire an electrician. We created this website to give you a little more insight into their job, the projects they can handle, and what it's like to hire them.