Lightning Electric Inc.

Shocking?

Are you getting slight tingles from your sink or plumbing? It is likely that the water ground system is a better ground than the main electric service ground. Not good. Call our Service Department right away and have our electricians check the incoming electric service equipment. The trouble could be from numerous sources, but safety demands the insurance of a good grounding system.

Ground Fault Tripping [GFI’s]?

Ground fault receptacles and special ground fault circuit breakers are designed to protect the individual from even the minutest shock. A sensitive internal mechanism is designed to open the circuit in the event of the slightest imbalance in potential between the neutral conductor and the best, closest ground, such as the bathroom sink!

Common causes of ground fault units tripping are inferior appliances such as hair dryers, electric toothbrushes and nightlights. Outside receptacles can become invaded with insects and their nests, which hold moisture; as well as becoming dampened with rain and sprinkler systems.

As with circuit breakers, GFI units trip as they are designed to do, and are seldom defective. Once the cause of tripping can be determined and isolated, the unit can be reset and power restored.

Critical power supply requirements such as freezers, oxygen generators, etc. should be plugged into standard receptacles, rather than receptacles protected by sensitive GFI units that could shut down the power source.

For further assistance, please call our service department at (561) 965-2323.

Circuit Breaker Tripping?

Circuit breakers “break” the flow of current through the circuit when the amount of amperage flowing through the circuit breaker exceeds the rating of the circuit breaker, generally from an overload or direct short to ground.

It is common to think that because the breaker is tripping that it is defective, but tripping is exactly what they are designed to do.

If a tripping circuit breaker feeds a circuit to a water heater for example, it is very likely that the water heater has a defective heating element, and the normal procedure is to have a plumber repair or replace the unit. Generally appliances have a local disconnect switch or a cord plugged into an adjacent receptacle. To confirm that the trouble is internal, disconnect the power at the switch or plug to isolate the water heater from the circuit, then reset the circuit breaker by turning it all the way to the off position, then fully on again. If the circuit breaker holds then the trouble is in the appliance and the circuit breaker is doing exactly what it is designed to do.

The source of trouble causing a circuit breaker feeding a circuit with numerous lights and receptacles to trip is more difficult to diagnose. The cause of trouble may be caused by a “short” in the circuit, an overload, or a host of other possibilities. Our IBEW trained electricians enjoy challenges such as this and excel in diagnosing tough problems. Call (561) 965-2323 and ask for the Service Department.

Fluorescent lights flickering?

If fluorescent lights begin to flicker, operate dimmer than when they were new or come on slowly, first check the fluorescent lamps. Generally older lamps will become dark at the end and may lose 20% of their brilliance. Replacing the lamps will generally solve the trouble as well as brighten the area. It’s a good idea to change all lamps at once and wipe down the lenses with paper towels and Windex at the same time.

If new lamps don’t cure the problem it is likely that the ballast (internal transformer) is defective and will have to be replaced; or possibly there is a defective socket or internal connection that requires attention. Lightning Electric’s Service Department will provide a licensed electrician upon request. Call (561) 965-2323.

Surge Protection

Every electrical system should have a surge arrestor! Palm Beach County is the “lightning capital” of the world. Nothing can withstand a direct hit by a lightning strike; however most frequent damage occurs due to an adjacent strike, which can cause a power surge on to the electrical system. This surge of power wreaks havoc with today’s sensitive electronic equipment, knocking out computers, telephones, TV’s, stereo equipment, microwaves, and everything electronic.

Surge protectors come in all sizes, capabilities and prices. Call us at (561) 965-2323 for further information and let us recommend a unit to help protect your appliances and equipment.