Vancouver Electrician - Blog Page for Superior West Electric
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.
