Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the popular questions we get from our residential clients throughout Connecticut. If you have a question, ask us! We’re happy to share our knowledge.
Call us with your question! We’re ready for anything.
What is Surge Protection?
Surge protection is equipment that helps protect your electronic equipment from power surges before they damage the electronics in your home. These spikes are typically seen when lightning hits a power line or when an alternating current connects to phone and data lines, putting extra strain on your electrical wiring. Surge protectors can prevent crippling damage to your electronic equipment connected to a power source.
What is GFI?
GFI stands for ground fault interrupter. This is an outlet placed in areas of your home that may potentially contact water or other sources of moisture. These outlets are typically found in kitchens, bathrooms, and unfinished basements.
Is 100 Amps Enough for a House?
It used to be. Most homeowners want at least 200 Amps. The average kitchen alone draws more power than most houses when they were built.
Why Does a Breaker Trip?
A circuit breaker’s job is to protect the wiring in a circuit. A standard breaker will trip for two main reasons. The first is an overloaded circuit. This means that more power is going through the circuit than what the wires can safely handle. For instance, when two hair dryers are running on the same circuit, the wires in the wall are being overloaded and the circuit breaker will trip and cut off power. The other type of trip is a dead short, which means that the live wire is touching the ground or neutral creating a dangerous situation. This might happen in an old lamp from a garage sale that needs to be rewired. The way to know between the two types of trips is that an overload takes a few minutes to trip, which the dead short is usually instant.