You put in a call to your coffee maker in the morning and it is up and running, but have you given any thought as to how that works? Or perhaps when you put a light on you are curious about the current making its way to the bulb. How much power is channeled through your walls on any given day?
We at Palomino Valley Electric would argue that having some knowledge of electricity is what allows one to be more discerning and safe in the home. As a licensed and insured electrical company in Reno, we are on hand 24/7 for the needs of your property. Do not hesitate to put in a call to (775)-406-7117.
For all that we rely on it, electricity can be an afterthought until there is trouble. Yet it is quite fascinating. To that end we have compiled five facts we think every homeowner in Reno should be aware of.
1. The Speed of Electricity
Flip a switch and the light is on in an instant. Electrical signals put in by your wiring make for almost no lag time, they go at close to the speed of light. The electrons may be slow but the energy they convey will run the circuit in less than a second. That is also why a fault can arise before you can do anything about it and why safety is of such importance; regular inspections are prudent for this reason.
2. More Power in Your Home Than You Realize
There are dozens of devices being powered in the average household. In a Reno home you have the refrigerator and freezer going non-stop, water heaters for a hot shower, or the TV and computer and whatever is plugged in to charge. Add in the washer and dryer and the heating and cooling systems that have to work hard in our climate, plus microwaves and dishwashers. It is a lot. An electrical panel that is old or has too much on it will have difficulty coping with it all, so from time to time an upgrade is called for as you get more gadgets.
3. Copper Does the Work
Copper is the material of choice for most home wiring because it is durable and economical while being an excellent conductor. It will stand up to decades of service. Some of the older stock here may have aluminum wiring from a bygone era of building. Done right it is perfectly safe, though it warrants a closer eye. A licensed electrician can put your mind at ease as to what you have.
4. Static and Household Current Are of a Kind
The zap from the carpet is static electricity. In a sense it is the same as what is in your outlet, a matter of electric charge in motion. What sets them apart is that you can control the flow of household electricity. Static is an uncontrolled discharge. A case in point of the natural force at work in your home, if nothing else a bit of fun to think about in the dry Reno winter.
5. Safety Is Not What It Used to Be
You will find modern homes are safer in large part due to things like arc fault protection and ground fault circuit interrupters. There are a number of features looking after your family without fanfare:
- GFCI outlets where there is water
- Surge protectors for the electronics
- Circuit breakers to cut off an overload
- Smoke detectors on the system
- Grounded outlets to mitigate shock
Still, a breaker will age and an outlet wear out, so an inspection by a pro is the way to forestall bigger issues.
Let Palomino Valley Electric Handle It
We trust you found these tidbits of interest. Should they give you pause as to the state of your own wiring, we are at your service. We have a 4.8 star rating on Google from over 200 reviews and a 100% satisfaction guarantee to show for it. For a free estimate or to book service, pick up the phone at (775)-406-7117 and let us see to your home.