As the days get shorter and the air turns colder, there’s no denying that winter is just around the corner. While we prepare our homes for the cozy and festive season, it’s equally essential to ensure our electrical systems are ready to weather the storm. Investing some time and effort into pre-winter electrical maintenance can...Read More
As the back-to-school season kicks into gear, there’s more on your mind than just new notebooks and backpacks. It’s a perfect time to refresh your family’s awareness about electrical safety, especially when students will be spending more time at home studying, using electronics, and tackling projects. In this article, we’ll delve into essential back-to-school electrical...Read More
Electrical safety in the home is a paramount concern for homeowners. Electrical hazards can cause serious injury or even death, and common electrical safety risks include overloaded circuits, improper wiring, and malfunctioning appliances. Statistics Statistics related to electrical safety in the home are alarming. According to the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, electrical fires account for...Read More
In North America, almost every home has an exterior receptacle for electric devices such as lawnmowers, garden tools, chargers, and BBQs. However, due to safety concerns, it is required that these receptacles be protected by a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). This is especially important because outdoor electrical outlets near wet or moist areas can...Read More
When considering a solar panel installation, there are federal and provincial codes and calculations that must be considered. Upgrading an electrical panel to a larger “BUS RATING” is a common thing. The bus rating is the manufacturer’s allowable capacity of the electrical panel. Sometimes, a 100 amp service may require an electrical panel with a 125 amp...Read More
For many decades, it has been widely acknowledged that FPE Stab-Lok® breakers are problematic, despite being CSA (Canadian Safety Standards) approved. These breakers have a tendency to fail to trip when overloaded, presenting a significant safety hazard. On May 9th, 2018, The Washington Post wrote a column about this topic. Federal Pioneer Breakers are Unsafe When...Read More
I guess it has something to do with the way I was brought up, but I cannot stand seeing people ripped off by contractors doing things that are unsafe and may jeopardize the lives of innocent people. Local, provincial, and federal regulations governing electricity installations exist to ensure safety. Recently, I’ve encountered instances of illegally...Read More
It looks like spring may finally be here and with that, we start thinking about doing yard work. Today’s modern lawn and garden tools are powered by either 120 volt or battery power. On the outside of most homes, we normally find a 120-volt plug-in that we use for this purpose. Your biggest concern in...Read More
In the recent 23rd edition of the Canadian Electrical Code book, there have been significant changes that you need to be aware of when dealing with renovation projects. The most significant change is rule 26-724 (f), which states as follows: “Each branch circuit supplying 125V receptacles rated 20A or less shall be protected by a...Read More
Let’s talk about that little round power meter that hangs on the back or side of your house, the one that costs you so much money each month. In recent years, we’ve collaborated closely with Epcor and Fortis to address issues with power meter sockets, the metal boxes accommodating the power meters, which can become...Read More
