When planning the layout for a basement development in your home, numerous considerations must be taken into account. It’s crucial to be mindful of the limitations and restrictions outlined by the Canadian Electrical Code. One specific concern is the placement of the electrical breaker panel. During the construction of the house, the original electrical contractor...Read More

Electrical parts, like everything else, can wear out over time. I received a call from a lady with a 1972 house who reported a fire in her kitchen counter plug. This raised concerns for me, considering the potential dangers associated with overheated aluminum wiring. Upon arriving at her home, she directed me to the kitchen,...Read More

Recently, I’ve been receiving numerous phone calls from homeowners undergoing renovations and encountering electrical issues. As a Master Electrician with extensive experience, I can guide them on how to safely address their problems. Kitchen Counter Receptacles One common issue is when people replace kitchen counter receptacles wired through a method called “split duplex.” This involves...Read More

Last week, a lady called me excited about her decision to renovate the kitchen with her husband. They believed it wouldn’t be too challenging after reading about it online and asked for a budget estimate. I explained that I needed more details before providing a cost estimate, starting with an overview of today’s electrical codes....Read More

Until the mid-1960s, residential electrical wiring did not include a ground wire as part of the set of conductors for new construction. Even though this system was CSA-approved at the time, it was deemed a safety concern for the residents of the home. How it works: Imagine you have an ungrounded plug-in in your bathroom,...Read More

I recently had the opportunity to interview an employee from a competitor’s electrical company who was applying for a position with our company. During our conversation, he shared that employees at his current company are not paid hourly wages or salary; instead, they work on commission. He explained that his daily goal is to boost...Read More

We all know that aluminum wiring in homes can lead to fires. Allow me to share a recent experience: I got a call from a Realtor who said her buyers were excited about this 1973 home, but the home inspector discovered aluminum wiring in the electrical box. The homeowner reassured them, saying, “It’s okay, Uncle...Read More

Home renovation season is upon us, and with the arrival of fall, thoughts turn to the impending cold weather and the projects ahead. Among the significant undertakings is often a basement development project. I’ve emphasized the importance of permits before, particularly Development permits, Building permits, and Electrical permits. To reiterate, in the province of Alberta,...Read More

Smoke alarms fall under the jurisdiction of the Alberta Building Code, playing a crucial role in our homes. When purchasing a home, you’ll likely encounter one of three types of smoke detectors. The first type, commonly found at big-box stores and lumber yards, is battery-powered and mounted on the ceiling. The second type is wired...Read More

Ungrounded circuits were prevalent until approximately 1964 when NMD-style wiring was introduced, featuring the addition of a 3rd bare ground conductor. Prior to this, all electrical circuits in residential homes were ungrounded. Initially, 2-prong receptacles were employed because the 3rd opening in the receptacle was unnecessary. Individuals with older homes (pre-1964) sometimes opt to replace...Read More