ac units

With the summer heat ac can run almost all the time.If you are getting power surges or the lights are dimming ,it could be one of two things.Your service for your house is to small(this happens in older homes)or you have to many things on one breaker.If you have window units it is best to put theme on there own breaker.Two units on one circuit can tripp a 110 20amp breaker.Keep your ac clean a dirty ac pulls more amps and will have more condesation.Thank you for looking at my blog and give us a call if you need an estimate or a service call.

Austin Car Show 2012

I went to the car show in Austin last week and thought i would post it on my blog.If you have an electrical question or need an estimate give me a call 361 433-6039.thanks for looking at my blog and check past post for helpful electrical tips.

G.F.I.

To day i would like to talk a little about gfi's (ground fault interupters).They are used in restrooms as well as outside.If you ever have outside plugs or restroom plugs that are not working ,you may go around and check to see that all of your gfi s are set.You can do this just by pushing the button in the middle.If you are replacing a gfi make sure that your line side is to the bottom screws the top side is for your load.Thank you for looking at my blog.Please check my past post for other helpful tips

trailer house hook up

I get a lot of calls to hook up trailer houses.So today i am going to tell you how to do it.First off i would not hook up smaller than a 200 anp service for a large trailer house.If you are putting in the pole it needs to 3 feet in the ground and your service needs to be 12 feet high so at least a 20 foot pole.The pole should be treated so that it will last in the weather. I am not going to go into a materal list because if you are do it yourselfer you already know what you need.When you mount your metercan put it a no more than 6 foot high and add you panel underneath.Drive your ground rod down inthe earth so that just 4 to 6 inches is above the ground .Make sure that your ground wire hits the meter can before it is hooked to the panel.your nuetral and your grounds need to be bonded,so do not remove your bonding bar.I hope this gives you an idea how to do it,if you have any questions or would like for us to install one for you,give us a call 361 433-6039.Thanks for looking at my blog and check past post for helpful tips on wiring.

Our Store

The Gaudalupe
I would like to invite you to take a look at our store,i have added new items.I am still only taking paypal but i have purchased an ssi certificate and may be taking credit cards in the future.A purchase with patpal is always a safe one.Here is a link Our Store .

Here is todays tip ,if you have ever purchased a new dryer or stove and had the wrong plug in on the wall?Here is the solution ,just buy a new cord for your appliance to match your wall outlet.These can be purchased at lowes or home depot.Thanks fo looking at my blog and check older post for helpful tips.Please give me a call if you would like an estimate or just some advice.

Summer is here

For those of us who have lived in south Texas all our lives we know almost every year it is going to be hot.We might get a warm winter but i cant remember a cool summer.Living close to the Guadalupe river and the ocean only adds to the problem with the humidity.I know you hear this every year but it is worth repeating, drink lots of water and take several breakes.A heat stroke is somthing that can be prevented by knowing the warning signs and what to watch out for .So take care and have a happy and safe summer.The tomatoes where grown by my dad and the picture was taken by me.If you have an electrical question give me a call or post it on my blog and i will try and help you out.

Ceiling Fans

i get several calls about how much it is to install a ceiling fan.The price is 79.00 per fan.This is a flat fee.You can go to our site and buy a fan from us and the price for install is 69.00 and we can bring it out to your house and install it. I am setting up the web site to take credit cards but if you got pay pal you can use that now.I should have credit card set up next by next Monday the 4th.I also hope to have some new products avaliable.Take look at my new page (cool web sites)on my web site.I have included sites that i think are worth looking at.Thanks for lookink at my blog and remember to look at some of my old post for some helpful info.As always if you have any questions give me a call at 361 433-6039.(john)

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Now that it is getting warm we will be turning on our ac units.If you have small 110v window units it would be good idea to put them on there own cicuit,the reason for this is that one window unit can draw between 10 and 15 amps.If you have annthing else plugged into that circuit it could tripp the breaker.Some people think you should just add a bigger breaker,but this is a bad idea becuse the wire is rated to the breaker size,Go over and there is a greater chnce of fire.The solution to the problem is putting each ac on its own circuit.If you have a 220 unit it is more than likely on its own circuit.If you are getting a slow tripp on a 220 it could be a weak breaker.It is best to let an ac tech or electrician look at it to determine your problem.THanks for looking at my blog and if you have any questions ,give me a call john 361 433-6039.Check out our web site www.serviceelectric.us for great deals on fans and lighting.

Hot Tubs

Now that it is starting to get warm some of us may be buying a new hot tub.They are great for relaxing with friends and family .I would like to go over a few safety tips before you jump in .First make sure you hire a qualified electrician to hook up your tub.A hot tub needs to be on a gfi breaker it is most often a 50 amp breker.GFI stands for ground fault interupt if there is a short where water is involed it should trip.All exposed wires should be in conduit .I recommend running the wires in pvc scheudle 80 and flex pvc.I try to hide the conduit under the slap so it does not become a tripping hazard.So remember to call your electrician before you set your pool,this will help him with his installation.Look for a good pool installation to run between 500 and 800 dollars depending on the size of the pool and where it is located.Have a great and safe day and remember if you have any questions give me a call John 361 433-6039.Thanks,Please look at my past post for other helpful tips.

Electrical Code Inspection Wiring and Devices, Show Me How V

Adding a circuit

Today i would like to explain how to add a circuit in an existing wall.Wether you have brought a circuit in from the panel or have scabbed off an existing circuit.It is best to add your wires down a inside wall so that you can have enough room to drill your hole through the header.You want to drill your hole so that it is between the studs.When you are ready to cut your box in ,hold it a the point where you want it and mark around the box with a pencile .Use your sheetrock knife to cut out your hole.Becareful to not cut out to much you want the boxto fit snugly.If you are using a romex cut in box they will have two wings which hold the box in place against the sheetrock.Before you mount your box drop your wires down from the attic(it is best to have two people for this job).Once you grab your wires through the hole,slide them through your box and mount your box.Tighten your screws so that the box is tight aginst the wall.As always if you have any questions give me call 361 433-6039

exhaust fans

Today i want to explain how to install a combination exhaust heat light fan in the restroom.First check the attic to see if you have enough room to install the fan.I try to mount the fan next to stud so that i can screw it to it.Once you have measured and decided where you are going to mount it hold the fan to the ceiling and trace around the fan to mark your hole.Then with a sheetrock knife follow your template as you cut your hole.Once your hole is cut you should be able to grab you wires down from the attic and hook them to your fan.You will have three switchlegs light,heat,fan(if you have not ran your wires dont worry i explain that i my next post).Set your fan to your hole to make sure you do not have to do any more trimming.If it fits ,slide your wires into the opening on the top of the fan.The turn the fan over and hook up your wires then plug them in to the correct outlets.After this is done install the feet that came with the fan then you are ready to position it through the hole.When you have it where you want it zap a couple of screws into the side of it to secure it in place.The last step is going into the attic to zap screw the feet down.I hope this helps you out and as always if you have any questions give me a call 361 433-6039.

Breakers

Today i would like to talk about replacing a breaker.If you do have a bad breaker(one that wont reset or is not getting voltage).First turn off your main breaker .Then turn off the breaker you want to replace.Remove your wire then put pressure on the breker to the off position .If it is in tight you may have to tap the breaker on the hande with a screw driver.Once you have the old breaker out then the new breaker should just push in.

(CAUTION)

Do not put in a bigger breaker than is aleady there.I hope this helps you out,and as always giveme a call if you have any questions John (361 433-6039)

How To Maintain a Hot Tub : Basic Hot Tub Wiring

A good video but has a commercial.Call me with any questions john 361 433-6039

Resessed lighting

Resessed lighting is popular and easy to put in.The first thing you want to do is check your attic space to see if you have enough room to install them.You will need 8" to 12"(check your can").The light comes with a cut out so that when you make your hole you have a guide.When you have your hole cut connect your wires to your light the fit your light through your hole.There are clips on the side of the can they need to be pushd up to lock them in place.To put on your trim hook the two springs to the inside of the can.Thanks for looking at my blog and if you have any questions give me a call 361 433-6039.

London Fireworks 2012 in full HD - New Year Live - BBC One

This does not have anything to do with electrical but i thought it was a good fireworks show.I hope everyone has a good New Year .If you have an electrical question you would like answered, give me a call and i will do my best to help you out.Thanks for looking at my blog(361)433-6039 John

Our Store

L have opened a store on the internet where i will be selling fans and lighting .If you buy a fan or light from us we will install it for $75.00 and the next items will be 55.00 there after.I will link it to my web site,but the address is www.serviceelectric.us.Now for the electrical tip,every now and againa bulb will break off in the socket.The easiest way to remove it is first turn off the electricity,thene insert pair of needle nose into the socket and hold theme open against the sides.Turn the needlenose pliers while holding the sides of the socket.This usally does the trick.Thank you for looking at my blog and give me call if you hve any questions.361 4336039

lighting

i hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday.We will be closed the friday before christmas and the monday after.Now for the electrical tip ,When hanging a pendent fixture that is one with a chain holding it.The important thing to look for is that when you finish the chain is holding the fixture and not the cord.Here is what i do i first measure the how much chain i will need.I do this by deciding how low i want the fixture to hang from the floor.Measure your chain and your fixture for total.Then cut your chain and your cord.Leve a little extra on your cord.Thene what i do is put eveything together on the ground.My last step is screwing the metal bracket to the box.
I hope this helps you out and as always if you have any questions give me a call at 361 433-6039

breakers

I have recieved a few calls asking what it is we do.So i would like to list a few of the services we provide;electrical trouble shooting,light install,new plugs,electrical services(meter can and panels),220 plugs and ceiling fan install.Now that i got that out of the way here is an electrical tip,if you have a tripped breaker turn the breaker handle all the way off and then click it to the on position.If it is tripping every time and will not reset it needs to be trouble shot by an electrician.Thank you for looking at my blog and give me a call 361 433-6039 if you have any questions.

cuero

i will be working in cuero mon and tue the 5th and 6th.Cell service is spoty and if i do not answer your call please ,leave me a message and i will get back with you as soon as i can.Now for an electrical tip.If you have a house and discover that a few of the plugs are not working,first check breaker ,if still not working figure out which of the plugs is working.Then go to your panel box and turn off the electricity .Once you have done that go back to the plug that was working and take it out and check for loose wires,8 times out of 10 there is your problem.I hope this helps you out and as always thanks for looking at my blog and give me call if you have any questions 361 433-6039.