Perhaps in your home you have run into an instance where a light switch didn't work the first time you tried it. Maybe a receptacle didn't work when you plugged something in but worked after you unplugged and then replugged it in. You may have thought to yourself was it a fluke or do I have an electrical issue?

    These issues are typically caused by bad or loose connections in your switch or receptacle. The bad connection can repeatedly arc over time eventually melting the switch or receptacle. If that's not bad enough, an electrical fire can start from the heat produced by the arcing.

    A connection could be bad for a few reasons. The receptacle or switch might be back stabbed instead of being wrapped around the screw. Another instance might be that the screw wasn't tightened down well enough. Over time these connections can become loose due to continuous usage of the device and vibrations such as doors closing.

    If the receptacles and switches are old in your Lexington home this could also be the issue. Over time, like anything else, switches and receptacles go bad. We recommend having a licensed electrician, such as Threewire Electric, come out and take a look at your devices. They will be able to determine if you have a bad connection or a different electrical problem before its too late. If your home has very old receptacles and switches they can provide a free estimate to replace these devices with new ones.

  

You may or may not be aware that the US government began phasing out incandescent light bulbs for general lighting starting in 2012, in favor of more energy-efficient lighting alternatives.  The ban affects standard incandescent bulbs between 40 and 100 watts. 

Now you might be asking yourself what are the alternatives to the incandescent bulb for lighting my home in Lexington?  There are 3 main alternatives, halogens, CFL’s (compact fluorescents) and LED’s (light emitting diodes).  These different bulbs are pictured above in that order with a standard incandescent first. 

Halogen bulbs are typically used in flood or recessed lights; however, they do make them in a standard bulb which looks just like a regular incandescent.  Halogens use less power than incandescent bulbs and last longer, but they are more expensive and burn very hot.  Generally the life of a halogen is about double that of a standard incandescent.

CFL’s use about a quarter the energy of an incandescent bulb and have a life that is about 7 times greater. However, they are more expensive and contain mercury which makes it dangerous if you break a CFL.  They also do not turn on immediately as they have to warm up.

LED’s use the least amount of power and last the longest(between 3-6 times longer than CFL's).  They contain no mercury and remain cool while operating.  The downside to LED’s is the cost.  Although they have come down greatly in price since their release they are still the most expensive option in terms of upfront costs.  On the positive side, over time, LED’s easily pay for themselves versus the cost of the other bulbs due to the small amount of energy they use and how long they last.

So, once your standard incandescent bulb is no longer on the shelf at your local Lexington store you will need to make a decision on which type of bulb to start using.  Threewire Electric recommends swapping out your current incandescent bulbs when they burn out with LED's.  If you're only replacing a couple at a time, the extra upfront costs of the LED's is not that great. 

The picture to the left is what’s known as a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter or GFCI for short.  The purpose of the GFCI is to protect us from severe or lethal electrical shocks by sensing ground faults which are inadvertent electrical paths between a grounded surface and a power source. They can also prevent some electrical fires and can lessen the severity of others by disrupting the flow of electric current. In a home’s wiring system, the GFCI continuously monitors electricity flowing in a circuit to sense any loss of current. If the current flowing through the circuit fluctuates by a slight amount from that returning, the GFCI rapidly turns off the electricity to that particular circuit. The GFCI interrupts electrical flow faster than a blink of an eye to thwart a deadly dose of electricity.

Now you might be asking yourself, well what happens after a GFCI interrupts the electrical flow?  In order to restore power back to the GFCI and each circuit that is connected to it the reset button must be pressed.  Then, if the GFCI determines that there is no longer a hazard energy flow will be back to normal. 

I bet you’re wondering what the purpose is of the other (test) button on the GFCI.  By pressing the test button the GFCI, if working properly, will turn off power to the attached circuits.  So, essentially the test button will “test” to see if you have a properly working GFCI.  If nothing happens when the test button is pressed then it is time to call up Threewire Electric to have them replace the GFCI. 

GFCI outlets are typically installed in kitchens, bathrooms and other areas near water.  As you learned in science class, electricity and water do not mix.  Thus, the responsibility of the GFCI is to keep you safe and prevent serious or lethal electrical shocks by turning off electricity immediately after detecting a disruption of electrical current.

Hopefully the extent of most people’s electrical shock history is sticking their tongue on a 9v battery.  However, those of us working in the electrical industry and those of you brave enough to do your own electrical repairs may have felt an electrical shock or two.  Electrical shock can cause severe injuries and even death.  


With the power of electricity in mind, our judicial system has utilized electricity in a couple of different ways, including the electric chair and tasers.



The electric chair was once the primary way of executing inmates.  However, lethal injection has since taken over as the most commonly used method.  The electric chair was invented in 1888 by Alfred P. Southwick.  The idea came to him after watching a drunken man instantly die after touching a live electrical generator.

The electric chair works by forcing various cycles of alternating current through the body.  Initially it induces unconsciousness and brain death, and then it fatally damages the organs. When a criminal was executed, electrodes would be attached to their spine, leg, and head and a wet sponge would be attached to their head and leg to increase conductivity. An initial 15 or 20 second surge of over 2,000 volts was sent through, followed by lower voltage for over a minute.  While ballyhooed as a humane manner of capital punishment, the electric chair has not always been completely successful.  There are a plethora of stories in regards to criminals who bled, caught fire, or convulsed before finally being pronounced dead.



The taser is an electroshock weapon; the main goal of which is to cause neuromuscular incapacitation, which is to essentially cause temporary paralysis by sending intense signals to the nervous system. The incapacitation from a taser is not based on pain, so it cannot be overcome even by someone with an incredible pain tolerance. The immediate effects of being tased disappear as soon as the pulse ends (although athletic-type muscle damage and confusion can remain).

A taser contains two barbed charge electrodes attached to long conductive wires, which are in turn attached to the gun’s electrical circuit, typically power driven by AA batteries. Pulling the trigger breaks open a compressed gas cartridge, and the pressure shoots the electrodes up to 20 feet.  The damage caused from an electric shock is the result of the amount of current (amperage) being forced through the body (as well as the duration and power source) rather than the voltage. The taser uses about 50,000 volts which guarantees that the pulse will reach the anticipated mark and will temporarily cause a sizeable amount of pain, but with no lasting effects as a taser only generates a few milliamps of current.

If you're a homeowner, it is to be anticipated that at various points you will have to pay some attention to the electrical system in your home.  Circuits trip, wires fray, and overtime your electrical needs may change.  It can be tempting to hop on Google and attempt to do your electrical work yourself to save some money.  But what good are those savings if you make a little mistake and end up hurting yourself?  Below is a table explaning the benefits of call a professional vs. doing it yourself: