Electrical Panel Humming Noise

Have you been hearing a humming noise originating from your property’s electrical panel? If so, you’re right to be worried. Your home’s electrical system is designed to operate quietly so you can receive electricity without a hassle or disturbance. The electrical panel controls the power being sent to your home while protecting you from potential hazards.

So, any unusual sounds will give you concern. This could be a sign that you’re dealing with a serious problem and you’ll want to remedy that issue as soon as possible. What could the noise be? You’ll find out below.

Subtle Buzzing

Do you hear a subtle buzzing sound? Is it faint and tough to hear until you get closer to the panel? The buzzing noise may not be noticeable at all times. And, it likely won’t keep you awake at night. The currents flow through the breakers like water in a stream. So, you’re likely going to hear a faint buzzing sound when getting close to your electrical panel. This may be normal and it might not be anything to worry about. If the noise gets loud, you may have something to worry about. Don’t wait to call an electrician.

Moderate Humming Noises

Is the noise a bit louder? Does it sound like a moderate hum? You may also hear a sparkling or clicking noise. These sizzling sounds could be a sign that something is wrong with the circuit breaker. The problem could be a handful of things. For instance, you might have a problem with loose or frayed wires. This is very dangerous and could lead to a fatal injury. With this in mind, you cannot risk it. You need to call a professional electrician so they can handle the problem.

Loud, Repetitive Buzzing

In some cases, the noise will be so loud that it’ll keep you up at night. A repetitive buzzing sound will be disturbing and it’ll prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep. What causes this to happen? Ultimately, it could be a number of problems. However, the most common issue is that the breaker should be tripping but it isn’t. This tells you that the breaker is bad. Your breaker should trip and shut down the power supply to your home when there is a power surge. This protects your home and prevents additional problems.

If the breaker isn’t working, the current will continue flowing to the wires in your home. This will cause heat accumulation and a scarily loud buzzing sound. This is a sign that you’re dealing with a serious problem. It is a problem that you cannot afford to ignore.

Is The Buzzing Sound Normal?

Electrical panels tend to make buzzing sounds. Sometimes, this will be normal. You may hear a buzz when your AC turns on. It should stop a short time later. However, you should be worried if the humming sound is repetitive and unusually loud.

You need to fix the problem rapidly but you cannot fix it alone. Working on such projects can be dangerous so it is best to hire a professional.

this post first appeared on H&A Long Island Electrician at https://toplongislandelectrician.com/long-island-electrician/electrical-panel-humming-noise/

Hanging A Chandelier

this post first appeared on H&A Long Island Electrician at https://toplongislandelectrician.com/long-island-electrician/hanging-a-chandelier/

Federal Pacific Electric Panel – Cost To Replace

In the process of updating your residential electrical system? If so, an important component you will soon encounter is the Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Panel. This component plays a major role in keeping a home safe when utilizing electricity. When the FPE panel reaches 20 years old, it is time to start contemplating an update. Fortunately, these components are not very complex or expensive. But, they must be replaced by a licensed electrician. How much does an FPE panel replacement cost? Find the answer to this question and more in the article below.

When Is The Right Time To Replace FPE Panel?

No homeowner wants to make unnecessary updates to their properties. Fortunately, it is easy to avoid these updates, especially when it involves electricity. Since the FPE panel plays a significant role in delivering electricity in a building safely, it must be replaced accordingly.

Most certified electricians agree that 20 years of service life is significant for the FPE panel. This is the ideal time to start planning the update. This will give you ample time to purchase the FPE panel, electrical breakers, and electrical wiring.

Somewhere in the 20^th century, electricians began to believe older versions of the FPE panel no longer provided enough safety for homes and businesses. At this time, electricians all across the country began to prepare for future updates.

The main purpose of an FPE panel is to deliver electricity into a building safety. An FPE panel distributes electricity generated by solar panels, fossil fuels, other sources across various circuits. It also plays a role in tripping circuit breakers related to power surges and circuit overloads.

Outdated FPE Breaker Risks

Like outdated FPE panels, worn-out FPE breakers pose risks for the home’s occupants. Over the past decades, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has collected data that shows FPE breakers failing to trip during power surges, short-circuiting, and circuit overloads. The reports revealed a high number of malfunctions with FPE breakers.

The problem has been linked to a lock-up that occurs during the overload and power surge. A lock-up is described as a one-time tripping breaker. Electrical breakers are supposed to offer endless tripping capability. Unfortunately, FPE breakers have failed in this regard in the past.

Evidence collected from various studies linked FPE breaker tripping failures to more than 2,800 residential and commercial electrical fires.

Due to manufacturing defects caused by “cheap materials”, FPE breakers have failed to trip when they were supposed to.

Other issues liked to FPE breaker malfunctions include:

• Overcrowding of electrical wiring
• Arcing near or at the bus
• Malfunction in both On and Off positions
• Unexpected tripping when the front cover of the panel is lifted up or detached
• Loose connections between breaker and bus bar

Certified electricians and inspectors in the industry are recommending FPE panel and breaker updates in older buildings and homes 20 years and older.

How To Identify A FPE Panel?

FPE panels are extremely easy to identify. Regardless of your electrical experience level, you should be able to determine if your electrical panel manufacturer is Federal Pacific. FPE panels are no longer available because the Westinghouse Electric Corporation bought the company out years ago.

The easiest and quickest way to find this information is to closely example your electrical panel. FPE should be located on one of the interior or exterior panels. The company was notorious for putting its logo on the outside of the front panel.

You may also find the word “Stab-Lok” on one of the panels as well.

How Much To Replace FPE Panel?

An FPE replacement will cost anywhere between $1500 and $2000, depending on the size of your home and other factors. Requesting a free quote from a licensed electrician is the only way to get an actual price.

this post first appeared on H&A Long Island Electrician at https://toplongislandelectrician.com/long-island-electrician/federal-pacific-electric-panel-cost-to-replace/

Comparing The Tesla Wall Connector Gen 2 And Gen 3

Just several months ago in January, Tesla unveiled its 3rd generation wall connector. People that were already utilizing the 2nd generation are likely somewhat familiar with these products and everything that they have to offer the modern homeowner. In fact, if you are currently utilizing a 2nd generation wall connector, you might find yourself wondering why people are making the costly upgrade to the 3rd generation. Don’t they pretty much do the same thing? Isn’t this just a beefed-up model on the previous generation? Well, let’s take a look.

Know What’s Different

There is no denying that there are some major differences between the 2nd and 3rd generation wall connectors. However, it will be knowing these changes and determining whether or not if you can benefit from them that will help you determine if the upgrade is worth the extra splurge. In order to do just this, you’ll need to know and understand the differences between the two devices.

Appearance

You’d be surprised at how different these two devices look. Most manufacturers usually keep similar appearances when upgrading devices like this, but it looks like Tesla took an entirely different approach. The Gen 3 EV has a fresh new look with a glass front and a beautiful pristine white background. The brand name is still splayed across the front of the product in noticeable font and color. Another major difference is the color pattern. The 2nd generation comes available in plastic silver or black while the 3rd Gen is glass and white.

The Power

While color and appearance is just a formality, it is the power that users need to be more concerned with. That being said, most people are shocked to learn that the 2nd Gen actually offers more power, delivering a potential of 80 amps to your electrical car. The Gen 3 is, unfortunately, limited to only 48 amps. However, it should be noted that there are currently no electrical car designs available that are capable of operating at over 48 amps. In addition to this, the lower the amps, the less heat production, which means the 3rd Gen device will operate cooler while saving itself on wear and tear as well as heat exposure. This is why most electricians today will tell you that the 2nd Gen had overheating problems. In fact, this is probably the very reason that Tesla introduced the 3rd Gen on the market.

Cable Length

Not only does the 2nd Gen offer more power, but it offers more freedom, with 24 feet of cable. However, don’t just throw the 3rd Gen out the window just yet because it still offers 18 feet of electrical cord freedom, which might not be enough for some situations.

Cable Size

Given that the 2nd Gen offers more power it probably doesn’t come as a surprise to learn that the wire is also thicker, The 3rd Gen offers a sleeker, thinner, more convenient wire size design that’ll make life all-around much easier. Easier to handle and manage!

Wi-Fi Features

If you are a tech-savvy individual, you’ll be more than excited to learn that the 3rd Gen now offers Wi-Fi connectivity. Users can connect their power cable to their smartphones via Wi-Fi. That being said, there have been some known reported problems with the app. Some users say they are having problems connecting or staying connected while others are using the device flawlessly. This could have something to do with the local Internet providers, but this is yet to be determined. Regardless, Wi-Fi connectivity means that you’ll be able to update the device in the future.

Sharing The Load

The former 2nd Gen unit, while much more powerful, only offers a maximum of 4 connections. This certainly isn’t the case with the 3rd Gen. This bad boy offers up to a total of 16 connections. And, they are wireless, which only makes things all that more convenient.

The Cost

Given the comparison of the features and power, you’d think that the 2nd Gen would come with a higher price tag. This is not the case at all. They both value at right around $500. It is safe to assume that the power limitation of the 3rd Gen is what contributed most to this lower price. Not only this, but the shorter and thinner electrical cable are likely other factors that played a role. In fact, the only area where the 3rd excels and the 2nd fails is in connections and heat production. The 3rd gen offers a total of 16 connections at once and operates at a much cooler temp, which can contribute to a longer lifespan.

this post first appeared on H&A Long Island Electrician at https://toplongislandelectrician.com/long-island-electrician/comparing-the-tesla-wall-connector-gen-2-and-gen-3/

Cure That Buzzing Electrical Panel

Are you worried about that buzzing electrical panel? Sounds unnatural right? Well, you are right to be worried. When it comes to anything electrical in your home, you can never be too careful. In fact, most home fires are electrically related. This is scary when you think about it. A home fire could potentially destroy everything that you’ve worked for. This is why you always need to be aware of anything out of the ordinary. And, the buzzing is just that, out of the ordinary. That being said, buzzing could indicate several different problems with your electrical system. Want to know what those problems are?

A Light Buzzing

Determining the type of issue you are dealing with will depend on the type of buzzing you’re experiencing. Specific buzzing noises could mean specific things. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that it is somewhat normal for electrical panels to might slight buzzing noises. Think of it as water flowing through a pipe. So, if you are hearing a light buzzing noise coming from the electrical panel, it could just be electricity flowing through the wires and breakers, like water going through a pipe. If you start to hear clicking and ticking like a horror movie, this is when you’ll want to pick up the phone and call a professional.

Medium Buzzing Noises

Light buzzing noises are not the only common noises that homeowners will experience with electricity. It is possible that they might also hear what could be classified as medium buzzing noises. The noises are obvious louder than the light noises and could indicate several different things. If you hear a medium buzzing accompanied with sizzling, sparking, clicking, or humming, it could mean that you are hearing sparks. You likely don’t need a professional to tell you that if you are hearing sparking in your panel, it could indicate major complications. You might be dealing with a shorted or frayed wire, which is extremely dangerous. You’ll want to get a pro on the phone immediately to replace the wire.

Loud And Constant Buzzing

Loud and constant buzzing noises are going to indicate major problems. These are the noises that keep most homeowners up during the wee hours of the night. And they should because they indicate major problems. Major problems that could be potentially dangerous. Extremely dangerous! This could mean that your breaker is malfunctioning and not kicking off as it should. Breakers are designed to kill electricity when there is something faulty going on. These devices are safety devices and designed to eliminate risks. If your breakers aren’t kicking as they should, you could virtually be sitting on a ticking time bomb. This means it’s time to pick up the phone and call a pro.

Understanding The Noises

It is completely natural for the electrical system to make buzzing noises. As was mentioned above, this is similar to that of water flowing through a pipe, creating friction and noise. This is why it is pertinent to learn to differentiate between these noises. An electrical system might sound normal under the following conditions:

• If the buzzing starts right when the AC comes on, but stops when the appliance kicks offering
• Is low and constant
• When you turn on a light or other small appliance

Trying to determine the cause of your buzzing is not only difficult, but it can be extremely dangerous. This is why it is best to just avoid the situation entirely. And, the very best way to do that is by turning to the pros. Make sure your electrical system is well maintained over the years and in good working condition. There might also come a time when you need to upgrade the system, which is something you’ll always want to keep in the back of your mind. Whatever the situation, a good electrician can let you know what needs to be done.

this post first appeared on H&A Long Island Electrician at https://toplongislandelectrician.com/long-island-electrician/cure-that-buzzing-electrical-panel/

Why You Should Hire An Electrician To Wire Your Home

Many people are under the impression that they can update the electrical system in their home without assistance. It is crucial to note that running electrical wires throughout your home and installing a new electric box and new outlets cannot be compared to other home projects. In fact, electricity is extremely dangerous, especially if it is installed improperly. This is why you should skip the DIY option and hire an electrician in Long Island. H&A Long Island Electrician.

Electric Shock

Whether you are installing a new breaker or fuse in the existing electrical box, it can be extremely dangerous. While you may think that you know how to approach the task appropriately, there are many things to consider, before the task can even be started. The main breaker feeding electricity into your home must be switched off, but the electrical box will still have 120volts and 240volts of power running from the nearby transformer and into the box. This will put anyone that works inside the electrical box at risk of electric shock. However, an electrician will be able to cut the power off coming into the box, so they will not have to worry about this danger.

Lack Proper Equipment

Whenever you work on electrical boxes or any device that connects directly to an electrical wire, you will need the proper safety equipment. Insulating gloves, sleeves, voltage meter and insulated tools will be required to work on or nearby an electric source. Without this safety equipment you will be at risk of electric shock, burns, neurological effects and ventricular fibrillation. Just the slightest contact with a live electric wire can be fatal.

Electricity at any voltage can be extremely dangerous, which is why it should be approached with caution. If you are unfamiliar with the proper techniques and methods utilized to install even a receptacle, you should contact a licensed electrician.

this post first appeared on H&A Long Island Electrician at https://toplongislandelectrician.com/long-island-electrician/why-you-should-hire-an-electrician-to-wire-your-home/

Tips For Finding The Most Reliable Electrician In Your Area

Have you discovered a terrible electrical problem in your home? This is something can be incredibly difficult to rectify on your own. It takes skill, practice, and patience to fix electrical problems, since the risks are enormous. This is why it is generally a good idea to hire a professional. Nevertheless, you need to realize that not all electrician in Long Island are equal. Below, you will learn how to choose a good electrical contractor. H&A Long Island Electrician.

Ensure Licensing

First and foremost, it is pertinent to make sure that the electrician holds a valid license. Those that do not tend to be very risky. Working with an unlicensed firm will put yourself in harm’s way and it could result in major repercussions. For your own safety and peace of mind, it is best to never work with a firm that does not hold a license in their respective state.

Sufficient Insurance

Licensing is important, but insurance is even more so. If the electrician damages your home, you will not want to be held responsible for the costs. You should also not be responsible for paying the service provider’s medical bills in the event of an injury. With this in mind, you need to go above and beyond to ensure that the electrician has a sufficient amount of insurance. Since the risks are enormous, you should not work with a firm that isn’t insured.

Background Research

Before making a final decision, you will need to make sure that you perform a reasonable amount of background research for the companies on your list. It is absolutely essential to remember that history repeats itself. A company with underwhelming performances in the past will likely continue to be underwhelming in the near future. Perform a good amount of research and ensure the company you choose has impressed consistently over the years. This will increase the likelihood that you’ll be happy with the service provided.

this post first appeared on H&A Long Island Electrician at https://toplongislandelectrician.com/long-island-electrician/tips-for-finding-the-most-reliable-electrician-in-your-area/