Our Blog: The Current

It’s been said that Paris is always a good idea, and we can’t disagree. If you’re going abroad, there are some things you need to pack to make your electronics work – and keep working. Here’s what you need to know, whether you’re going to Paris or Timbuktu. Don’t Leave Home Without These. 1. Adapters. Outlets in other countries are often shaped very differently from those in the United States. Whether it’s the enormous three pronged British plug the compact European model, or something entirely different, you’re going to need an adapter to make your plug fit. But even if… Read More

It’s spring. After the long winter, the sun is shining, flowers are blooming, and animals are bearing young. And that includes rodents. In their search for the perfect spot to build their nest, sometimes mice or squirrels find a nice spot in your home – like your attic or crawlspace. Never Stop Growing. You may not know this, but rodents have teeth that never stop growing. In order to keep their teeth sharp and at a manageable length, they chew on things that are harder than their teeth. If they’re in your home, they may discover your electrical wires are… Read More

Electricity in your home is supposed to go on a circuit from the wires to the electrical device on a hot wire, where it powers the device. The electrons then go back to the ground on a neutral wire. The majority of the time, this happens perfectly, but when electricity goes where it’s not supposed to, you have what is known as a short circuit. Which Fault Is It? There are a couple of kinds of short circuits. The first one is a ground fault, in which the current in the hot wire makes accidental contact with the ground. The… Read More

When you plug in a hair dryer, electricity moves in a circuit. It first flows on a ‘hot’ wire from the source to the appliance, where electrons turn the motor that makes the hot air blow. The electricity then flows back on the ‘neutral’ wire to the nearest ground, which is the third prong on your outlet. It’s like water powering a water wheel. Water flows from the source to the wheel, turns the wheel, then falls back down to the stream. Shocking Interruption. Suppose, however, that you stick your hand in water while the hair dryer is off. When… Read More

Electricity is a powerful beast. Controlled, it makes our lives easier. But every once in a while, your home or office will experience an electrical surge – a greater than normal rush of power. The surge can heat up wires so much that anything connected to them is damaged or destroyed. Everybody Has a Spike! Electrical surges happen more often than you would think. Causes includes: •When power is restored after an outage •Lighting strikes •Powering on or off of appliances like air conditioners or even hair dryers •Surges from large manufacturing facilities near your home •Animals causing transformer to… Read More

When choosing a new light source, there are a lot of factors to consider. Which one is the brightest? Which is the cheapest? How often do they have to be replaced? Unless you happen to be an electrician, weighing the pros and cons of all your lighting options can be a daunting task. Not to worry—we’re here to shed some light on the differences and help determine the right light for you. Incandescent: The Original Bright Idea. The iconic incandescent bulb symbolizes bright ideas. In 1879, Thomas Edison discovered he could direct electrical current through a filament to produce light…. Read More