Blog Posts

Infrared electrical inspections should be part of any electrical preventative maintenance program. In fact, they are required by all commercial insurance policies to ensure that the building is safe and up to the current code. Let’s take a closer look at what these inspections are and the importance of them.

What is an infrared inspection?

Infrared inspections use thermal sensitive cameras, also called infrared thermography, to find hot spots in your equipment and electrical system. This type of technology makes it possible for a larger area to be inspected in a much shorter period of time. During the inspection, the tech can view the images of the areas that may need further review.

Saves Money

Not only is an infrared electrical inspection necessary, but it can also save you lots of money in the long run. An inspection of this kind verifies that all equipment is operating at its peak efficiency, saving you from unexpected breakdowns and repairs. Not to mention the hugely reduced risk of electrical fires, which can be both physically and financially devastating. Infrared electrical inspections also ensure that your equipment is using the least amount of energy necessary to work properly. This will help to lower your energy bill every month.

What Equipment Can be Tested

The type and scope of your commercial infrared inspection should be discussed with a licensed, electrical contractor since each one will vary depending on your specific setting. Typical inspections include electrical distribution equipment, main switchgear equipment, motor control centers, transformers, electrical motors, high-value electronics, circuit breakers, fuses and other electrical equipment.

More Frequent Inspections May be Needed

The frequency of commercial infrared inspections depends on the specific use of equipment, the type of operations you run and environmental factors. Although they’re usually conducted once a year, a licensed electrical contractor will be able to tell you if you need them more frequently.

Commercial infrared inspections are necessary to ensure your business, including its electrical system and equipment, are safe and running efficiently.

Are you tired of making trips to your electrical panel because your outlets are being over-worked? Getting frustrated because your morning routine or dinner prep keeps getting interrupted by power outages? The culprit is usually due to an issue with your electrical panel. In many cases, your electrical panel may be older and not able to handle the electrical demand that today’s average lifestyle requires. While most people think that the issue is very complicated and may be an expensive fix, it’s usually not the case. Continue reading to find out what can be done to prevent circuits from tripping.

Add Circuits to Accommodate Your Home’s Electrical Needs:

Each breaker you can see in your electrical panel is considered a “circuit”. These circuits can only handle so much electricity at any given time. If you’re electrical usage is more than what the circuit can handle, then it will “trip” automatically. You’ll probably notice that there are some slots that don’t have a breaker in it. A professional electrician can add another “circuit” to help the area of your home handle the amount of electricity you will need.

Upgrade Your Electrical Panel to Accommodate More Circuits:

In the unlikely scenario that your electrical panel no longer has any slots available to add more circuits, then it will need to be upgraded. This process would involve adding more slots to accommodate all of the circuits you will need. This will fix your current issue while also making it easier to resolve any issues down the road.

If you have any questions regarding the circuits tripping in your home or any other electrical questions, then give Power Up Electric a call. They can answer your questions and schedule an estimate to diagnose your issue. Call them today and stop being left in the dark!

Generators can be a lifesaver during a bad storm or a power outage. They keep your home running smoothly so you don’t have to panic during an already stressful time. Let’s take a closer look at how generators work and how they can help when you need them most.

How a Generator Works

A generator works by converting mechanical energy from an external source into electricity. It doesn’t actually create electrical power; instead, it forces electrical charges in its wires to move through its electrical circuit. The flow of charges causes the output of electricity, powering everything in your home that runs on electricity.

Keeps Your Home Running During a Power Outage

You may think that generators are only necessary during storm seasons, but that isn’t true. Power outages can happen at any time for a variety of reasons, and it’s important to be prepared. During a power outage, all of your major appliances will stop working, unless you have a generator to keep them going. This means, food going bad in your refrigerator, no lighting, and a useless sump pump during a bad rainstorm. A generator keeps everything going, as usual, cutting down on a lengthy list of issues that a loss of power could have caused.

Keeps Lifesaving Equipment Working

If you or anyone in your household relies on medical equipment that requires electricity, a power outage can be terrifying. A generator is essential if you have any sort of electric equipment like breathing machines, monitors, or pumps. The initial cost of a generator may seem daunting, but the peace of mind it will give you is priceless.

Remember to keep your electrical system up to date so you’re always ready for the unexpected. Call Power Up Electric for all your home electrical needs.

Generators can be the difference between inconvenience and disaster during a power outage. A generator will keep everything in your house running as usual while you’re waiting for the power to be restored. However, without one, you could be looking at costly repairs and challenges. Here’s why generators are a great investment.

No Wasted and Spoiled Food During a Power Outage

We take our refrigerators for granted. We use them to store hundreds of dollars worth of food for our families and don’t really appreciate their value until they stop working. Without a generator, a power outage could potentially wipe out the contents of every refrigerator or freezer in your home. Not only will you have to pay to replace your provisions, but you’ll have to spend time throwing everything out and sanitizing the shelving. A generator would keep your refrigerator and freezer running as usual, so no spoiled food or panic about rushing to the store to re-stock.

A Functioning Sump Pump

Power outages most commonly happen during storms. The sump pump in your home protects against flooding during storms, but it runs on electricity. Without a generator, your sump pump is useless, leaving your home vulnerable to dangerous flooding. Spending a few hundred dollars on a generator can save you thousands in flood cleanup and repairs.

Peace of Mind

If anyone in your household relies on medical equipment to keep them healthy or needs electronics for their livelihood, a power outage can be panic-inducing. Having a generator sitting unused in your basement may seem pointless now, but the peace of mind it gives you knowing you’ll be prepared in an emergency is priceless.

To make sure your home is prepared for an emergency, or for any of your electrical needs, call Power Up Electric today.

Your electrical system keeps your home running smoothly. But problems or broken components could be dangerous and costly to repair, especially if you don’t know anything is wrong. Not only is it essential to have electrical work done by a professional electrician, but it is also important to hire one that uses infrared technology. Why? Let’s take a look.

What Is Infrared Technology?

Infrared technology is a way to see heat sources on a screen.  The images allow you to see heat by using color patterns, so not only can you locate the heat’s source, but you can also see how it’s distributed.

How is Infrared Technology Used in Electrical Work?

Electricians use infrared technology to find hot spots in your walls caused by defects in electrical connections or components. It can be used to find areas of excess heat so that problems can be repaired before potentially dangerous accidents happen, or components stop working altogether. Not only can infrared technology help find broken components in your electrical system, but it can also help increase the productivity of your system, saving you time and money in the long run.

What Makes an Electrician Using Infrared Technology Different?

An electrician with access to infrared technology will be able to find issues with your electrical systems that others may miss. When it comes to electricity, you do not want to take chances. The only way to have a comprehensive electrical system inspection is with the use of infrared technology. In fact, most insurance companies will specifically request that you hire an electrician with infrared technology when filing claims related to electrical problems.

Ready to hire an electrician that uses infrared technology? Power Up Electric has got you covered. Our expert electricians are trained to use infrared technology in every inspection. Call for an appointment today.

When you own your own home, taking on projects yourself just comes naturally. This works fine for installing new shelving or painting the walls, but some projects should be left to the professionals. Installing electrical devices on your own can be potentially dangerous, and compromising your safety is not worth saving a little bit of money. Here’s a closer look at the dangers of installing electrical devices on your own.

Electrical Shock

Electric shock is the leading cause of job site injuries and death among construction workers, and they are trained professionals with proper equipment. When a homeowner attempts to do electrical work on their own, the risk of electrical shock goes up exponentially. Unless you’re trained in electrical work, it’s easy to unknowingly touch or work on live wires or components that have the potential to shock. It’s not worth risking your life.

Accidental Fires

Not only are you risking your life when doing electrical work on your own, but you could be potentially risking your entire home. Electrical wires that are not connected properly could spark, setting off a potentially devastating fire in your home. The majority of house fires are caused by malfunctioning electronics, so attempting to repair or install new electronics without experience increases the risk of fire.

Voiding Your Insurance Policy

Not only could doing electrical work on your own be dangerous, but it could also be extremely expensive if problems occur. Most home insurance companies will not cover damage caused by home electrical repairs or installation. Only work done by trained professionals is covered, which could leave you with a large repair bill in the event of a fire sparked by DIY electrical work.

It’s not worth the risk! If you need anything electrical installed or repaired in your home, leave it to the professionals. Call Power Up Electric for all your home electrical needs.