What’s the difference between commercial electrical services and residential services? A lot. Our team of electricians here at Premium Electric is highly experienced in working on both residential and commercial projects. However, there are huge differences when it comes to the electrical needs of industrial and commercial properties. Commercial and industrial projects require a significant…
There are several different circuit breaker panel sizes in use in Canada. The size of the breaker panel determines the amount of electrical current that it can safely distribute to the circuits in a building. Historically, the two most common circuit breaker panel sizes in Canada have been 100 amps and 200 amps but you’ll…
Light bulbs burn out for a variety of reasons, but the most common cause of a burnt out light bulb is simply the passage of time. All light bulbs have a rated lifespan, which is the amount of time they are expected to last under normal operating conditions. Once a light bulb reaches its rated…
Why Electrical Grounding Is Important Not all electrical connections have a ground wire. In this article, our electricians at Premium Electric will discuss what an electrical ground wire does, what it means to be grounded and why proper grounding is required. We promise to keep it simple and not get too technical.
Like most homeowners, you probably know where the circuit breaker panel in your home is. You know what the circuit breaker box looks like. You know the circuit breaker box is the first port of call when something electrical in your home trips. And you know how to check the circuit panel and flip the…
Contrary to popular belief, there are many different types of extension cords. Different applications may require different amperages so it’s good to have a basic understanding of how electrical cords differ and how they should be used.
Canada wiring colours, as regulated by the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC), are quite similar to the National Electrical Code (NEC) in the United States. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist – or an electrician – to know and understand, that the specific colouring of the electrical wires in your home means something. In…
Types of Electrical Outlets In the Home The average North American home has over 75 electrical outlets and various types of outlets in use. A myriad of different types of electrical outlets are available, including 2-prong, 3-prong, GFCI, USB, AFCI, FBI, and CIA. (Okay, okay. We definitely made those last two up. Big Brother is…
Do you hear an intermittent low-grade humming or electrical buzzing sound in your house? Are your electrical appliances emitting strange noises? Do your walls seem to be buzzing at you? No, you’re not going mad and most likely you don’t have hornets setting up home in your walls/sockets/ceiling fan. You could most likely have an electrical…
GFCI outlets help make the home a lot safer but when a GFCI outlet won’t reset, what can you do? We use electrical outlets every day but when they don’t work it can be really inconvenient. When older outlets stop working, it could be a sign of potential danger, possibly even a fire hazard. Always…
Do you know how to put out an electrical fire? Are you unsure what, exactly, constitutes an electrical fire? The answers to both these questions are crucial to the safety of your home and family. Fortunately, we have those answers for you below, as well as how to prevent electrical fires altogether. Knowing if the…
Most likely, many of us are thinking about a window AC unit as we inch towards summer and remember 2021’s heat dome. Window air conditioners have since gained in popularity – they are a quicker, easier, and more affordable fix to sweaty summer nights than installing central air conditioning. The question remains, however, are window…
BC Hydro used to have live “meter readers,” employees who visited more than 1.9 million customers to take an electric meter reading. Now that BC Hydro has fully transitioned all customers over to “Smart Meters,” in-person electric meter readings are no longer necessary. However, do you know how to read an electric meter? In this…
Almost everyone at some point in their lives will wonder, “Why do lights flicker?” Do you have flickering lights in your house? Perhaps it started with just one light flickering slightly, randomly, and was hardly noticed. But you may find more and more lights flickering in your house as time goes by.
One of the most common frustrations homeowners face is when the circuit breaker keeps tripping. Sometimes it can be really tough to find the source of the problem. If you are struggling with this dilemma, check out this guide to learn more about what causes a tripped breaker and how to remedy the situation.