Overheating Pot Lights – Electrical FAQ
I have six pot lights in my living room in a home which I just purchased. After a few minutes of leaving the pot lights on a couple of them start to turn off for a few minutes and then back on again. Any ideas?
1) There is a thermal sensor inside the pot light that turns the light off should it get too hot. Check to ensure you have the proper rated lamps installed and are not exceeding the power rating of the pot light.
2) It’s possible you have the wrong type of pot light installed. IC pot lights should be installed where ever insulation is used. It may be that you have non-IC pot lights installed blanketed by insulation and the sensor is doing its job and preventing a possible fire by turning the light off, letting the light cool down, and then turning back on.
Still having problems? Feel free to contact us via the web or contact us directly via phone to have this problem resolved.
Aluminum Wiring – Vancouver Electrical FAQ
My home has aluminum wiring in it. I’ve been told by the home inspector it’s a problem. What can I do to fix it?
Aluminum wiring is still used by electricians for larger cables to help keep the cost down when connecting to large power loads and distribution equipment. It is easier to damage and does require more care when terminating. The best thing you can do is bring in an electrician ensure the terminations are safe and corrected where necessary. Generally, they will use short pieces of copper to bridge the aluminum wire to the switches and receptacles. In most cases the adjustment takes about 1 day to complete for a small home or condo.
Whenever aluminum wire is used be sure to use aluminum rated wire nuts and anti-oxidizing compound on all terminations.
Important! Many receptacles and switches are rated for copper only and should not be connected directly to aluminum. Connecting a standard copper only receptacle or switch to aluminum wiring poses a serious fire risk!
3 Phase Service – Vancouver Electrician FAQ
I have a motor rated at 220V single phase I’m using at home in my workshop can I use it in my commercial workshop that has a 120/208V three phase service without damaging the motor?
Yes. 208V is a standard three phase voltage. The 220V rating of the motor allows it to be used in both a 240V single phase system as well as 208V system. You will not have quite as much power as you would when you were using it at home which provided you with a 120V/240V service but will likely not notice the difference. By the way 208V will actually give you a measured voltage probably closer to 210V-215V.
Circuit Breaker That Keep Tripping – FAQ
Why does my Circuit Breaker Keep Tripping?
Chances are if you have a circuit breaker continuously tripping you are exceeding the draw of the breaker. If this is happening in the kitchen you may have receptacles and wiring not configured correctly. You can try to plug into a different receptacle on a different circuit, or use the appliances not at the same time but should have an electrician in to have a look at the problem and make the appropriate corrections.
Armored and Standard Wiring
What is the difference between armored cable and “loomex/romex” wire?
NMD90 Non-Metallic Sheath Wiring: This is the most common wiring seen in homes. It consists of an outer jacket which protects the internal conductors during and after installation. The cable is designed to be installed in wood frame buildings and is predominantly made by Loomex and Romex hence the trade name. The cable carries an FT1 fire rating.
AC90 (Bx) Armoured Cable Wiring: BX is used primarily in commercial buildings. BX provides good mechanical protection and can be run exposed in all dry locations. BX cable is commonly installed within metal stud framed buildings and where ever mechanical protection is required. Aside from NMD90, BX is probably the next most commonly used cable in the electrical industry. AC90 has an FT6 fire rating and is permitted to be installed within spaces being used as a return air plenum.
Under Cabinet Lighting
What kind of under cabinet “task lighting” is available for my kitchen?
One of the best ways to make a kitchen or work area stand out is to install under cabinet lighting. Under cabinet lighting can be easily installed into most kitchens and makes a tremendous difference in complimenting your new counter top or backsplash. Under cabinet lighting is commonly available in: Halogen, Xenon, LED and florescent.
Lighting: Potlights
General Information on recessed luminaries (Pot Lights)
Its best to think of a Pot Light as a (3) piece light fixture consisting of a Housing, a decorative Trim Ring and a lamp or light bulb. Pot lights are available in many different sizes commonly sized between a 3″ to 6″ diameter.
Pot lights can best be separated into 2 different housing configurations:
1) The retrofit Type and,
2) The new construction Type.
The retrofit is the most popular style for renovations because it can be easily installed into drywall with the least amount of drywall repair. New construction pot lights are best suited when constructing new buildings but can be used when the opening they will be installed into can be easily accessed, such as the attic. When installing pot lights into any space that has insulation in it the pot light must be rated for Insulation Contact “IC rated”. Non IC rated pot lights can be installed when no insulation will be making contact with the pot light and the pot light is kept at the recommended distance from the insulation. Many different trim rings are available for pot lights. Whenever a pot light is installed in a shower the proper shower rated trim must be used. When installing a light bulb/lamp into a pot light be sure to not install a lamp which exceeds the recommend rating.
Knob and Tube Wiring
Knob and Tube Wiring in the home
Knob and Tube wiring was the initial way electricity was installed in homes. It consists of porcelain knob and tube insulators supporting wiring running thru out the home to the many electrical outlets and lights. One of the problems with knob and tube wiring is it does not safely allow for 3 prong grounded receptacle outlets. People tampering or connecting to knob and tube creates another safety issue by creating unsafe connections and a potential fire hazard throughout the home. Because of this, some insurance companies may not provide you with insurance unless the wiring is removed. If you have a home that has knob and tube wiring we recommend having the wiring replaced with new modern grounded wiring. Grounded wiring helps minimize the chance of electrocution by incorporating a bonding wire that interconnects all electrical devices together.
Electrical Service Upgrades
Electrical Service Upgrades
The electrical service is where the power enters your home. Power can be supplied to your home either overhead or underground. In most homes, power will first run through the meter and then into the service electrical panel. For home owners looking to upgrade their existing electrical service to a larger 200A service, they can expect to have a new Service Mast, Meter Base and Service Panel installed as part of the new service.
Energy Saving and Power Smart Ideas
Electrical Energy Saving Ideas in the Home
Many Greater Vancouver homeowners are becoming increasingly more environmentally conscious and looking to ways of reducing their power consumption and carbon foot print.
Changing standard incandescent light bulbs to energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps is one way of reducing your energy consumption.
Replacing old inefficient appliances with new energy star appliance models will also help save electricity.
Heat Pumps are becoming very popular and save energy by using only a small amount of electricity re-circulating air.
Condos and homes that use electric baseboard heating can save a lot of money by simply installing new electronic thermostats which are more sensitive to temperature change.
Automatic motion sensitive light switches can be used in areas that are not frequently accessed keeping the lights off when no one is present.
