HomeResidential Service Electrical Repairs

About Electric Wiring and Repair
Of all the repairs that you may do around your home or business, the most potentially devastating mistakes are in faulty electrical wiring!

Countless fires are caused by poor wiring techniques, substandard materials, faulty extension cords, or defective electrical appliances. The trouble and the trap lies in the apparent simplicity of electrical work. Small mistakes can cause quick and severe consequences. Poor wiring techniques can cause shock hazards that may not be evident until an accident happens.

How do I choose the correct building wiring and switches?
Building Wiring and Switches come in a variety of types and sizes. The importance of choosing the appropriate wiring or device cannot be overstated. Wiring that is not sized appropriately can be detrimental to the appliance it operates.

How do I protect my home from over current?
In today’s highly technological environments, undersized wiring can lead to intolerable voltage fluctuations that can harm or impede the equipment or its application. Similarly, safety switches may operate motors, equipment, computers, lighting, processes, and a multitude of other applications. When a light switch is not installed in the exact appropriate manner for its design, electrical codes, and the installation application, the switch itself can affect the life of the equipment attached and even create a hazard. Whether your connection needs are simple or complex, OT Electric will find the best solution to provide a value-added installation for your needs.

About Switch / Outlet Repair and Installation
Outlets and switches are critical interfaces you rely on to access and control your electricity everyday. Many homeowners don’t realize exactly how powerful or potentially hazardous they are. Indeed, the power that we tap into to light, heat, power appliances, and keep our homes safe can be dangerous, when it isn’t properly maintained.

How can I ensure my switches and outlets are not a safety hazards?
With time and use, these connections can become loose, creating potential hazards. Here are a few tips concerning the potential hazards associated with your switches and outlets.

• Check to make sure outlets and switch plates are not unusually hot to the touch. If they are, immediately unplug cords from these outlets and do not use the switches.
• Have a qualified electrician check the wiring as soon as possible. An inspection by a certified electrician can help you determine the extent of the issues or dangers facing your home. Our technicians can help you navigate through the options to update your wiring and reduce the danger of electrical fire.
• Look for discoloration as another indication of potentially dangerous heat buildup at these connectors.
• Check that all outlet and switch cover plates are in good condition so that no wiring is exposed. Replace any missing, cracked or broken cover plates.
• Be sure to use safety caps with unused outlets.
• If you live in a home built before 1980, you should get an inspection to determine the safety of your system. Older homes used substandard wiring technology that presents higher fire dangers. Such systems should be updated as soon as possible.

In any event, OT Electric has you covered. Our experienced technicians are ready to inspect your wiring, outlets, and switches and swiftly provide solutions and comprehensive work plans. The danger of poorly maintained or corroded switches and outlets can’t be put off, so let us help make your home safer than ever with modern, secure wiring.

Where should a GFCI be installed?
GFCI outlets should be placed in areas that are near water that require energy.

I can’t reset my GFCI. Is it a bad GFCI or is there a ground-fault?
When there is a difference in input and output current there could be a leakage somewhere. If this is detected, the GFCI outlet cuts the power. This is done so the user does not get shocked.

What does a ground fault mean?
When a “hot” wire touches the ground wire, a ground fault results. This causes the circuit breaker to blow or trip.

What is a 220 Volt Outlet?
In residential homes around the US, a 220 outlet is the most powerful outlet you can find. Meant for powering ovens and dryers, these plugs are meant for supplying electricity to your more demanding appliances. 220-volt plugs have three or four prongs. The fourth prong is used as a ground while the three-prong outlet uses a metal harness or strap for grounding.

What is an AC Outlet?
An AC outlet is an outlet that allows a device to be connected to the alternative current, or AC, power supply. The plugs that connect to an AC outlet have at least two prongs, one hot and one cold. Sometimes these plugs have a third prong that is grounded. These are the most common outlets found in homes.

Always Hire a Professional Electrical Repair Technician

No matter how urgent any electrical repairs seem, it’s never okay to attempt to handle them on your own. Trying to take care of electrical problems without professional training is extremely dangerous. If you or someone else isn’t hurt during your attempt, there’s still a chance that you’ve left something undone that poses a huge risk to you, your home, or your family. In fact, faulty electrical wiring is the number one cause of house fires in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Agency. So in order to make sure that your home is safe, always rely on a professional for any electrical services.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Circuit breakers that keep tripping, a flickering light on the back porch, or an exhaust fan that just won’t work properly—all of these are common problems homeowners face that have something to do with their electrical systems. But figuring out where the problem is stemming from can take a lot of work. Our OT Electric technicians will find out exactly what’s causing the problem, and what other problem may be happening—or beginning to happen—for the same reasons. Then we’ll nip them in the bud.