• What you’re doing: Your project requires that you use several extension cords to reach the area you’re working on, for an extended period of time. 
• What you need: A temporary service. Your electrician can set up a temporary service dedicated to providing power for your project so you don’t overload the circuits that are already servicing your home or shop.

• What you’re doing: You’ve bought a new expensive appliance such as a flat-screen TV or a new computer, or have just set up a new home theater.
• What you need: Surge suppression. A surge strip won’t be enough to protect your appliances in the event of a lightning storm, and they can get worn down very quickly by small everyday surges. An electrician can install surge protection at all the electrical entrance points to your home that, combined with surge strips, will ensure maximum protection for your investments.

• What you’re doing: Renovating and/or moving into an old home.
•  What you need: There is the distinct possibility that your “new” old home is antique all the way down to the wiring. Many older brands of electrical panel are outdated and extremely dangerous, so your best bet is to have an electrician perform an inspection to tell you whether your panel needs to be changed. While they are at it, they can let you know if your home is up to code with current GFI and smoke/CO detector laws.

Share your $0.02! What projects do you plan on starting this spring around your home? Have you ever had an experience where you needed a certain contractor but didn’t realize it?

More Links You Might Like:

Should You Be Your Own Electrician?

Electrical Grounding

Can You Trust Your Electrician?

But we live in Oregon! Isn’t rain enough to rinse the dirt away? Cars and windows need occasional washing even though they are exposed to the rain, because rain isn’t always crystal clean and often just leaves smears. The same goes for solar panels!

Can’t I do it myself? It’s easy to forget when you’re looking at it, but your solar PV array is still an electrical system with dangerous components which can become damaged if improperly exposed to water and cleaning solutions.

Can’t I just hire a window or gutter cleaner? Well…windows don’t generate electricity. Cleaning solar panels is simple in theory, but in practice they are attached to an energized mechanism and can be very dangerous if approached improperly. 3D Electrical Services has installed over 1 megawatt in solar PV systems in the Portland area, and we have an intimate understanding of each component and know how to handle it safely and carefully.

What does the cleaning process look like? One of our trained technicians will arrive at your home in a 3D vehicle, and will clean your panels with a soft bristle brush and a mild detergent. Our employees are trained in fall protection, so they are more than happy to climb right onto your roof to reach the trouble spots if needed. They will also perform a visual inspection of your PV system and provide you with a written report.

Is this going to cost me an arm and a leg? Absolutely not! We understand that cleaning your solar panels is meant to save you money by restoring them to peak efficiency. Our rates start at just $0.07 per watt, and that includes a visual inspection and full report.

How often do my panels need to be cleaned? Most systems will only need a good cleaning once a year. However, if you live in an area with a high concentration of dust (such as a farm or next to a baseball field), they will probably need a twice-yearly cleaning. The smaller the angle at which your panels are tilted, the more often they will need to be cleaned because dust and debris will collect quickly without ever being rinsed off by the rain. Panels at a greater angle have the advantage of rain runoff, although they will still need an occasional cleaning because even rain leaves streaks and a thin film.

The show runs from February 22 through the 26th, and fills two enormous halls with vendors and contractors of every sort who are ready to help you make the most of your home improvement budget.

And, of course, 3D Electrical Services will be there! Come visit us in booth 430 for a show-exclusive coupon, pick up a (new and improved!) Safety Dog coloring book for your kids, and chat with us about your upcoming projects!

You can visit this link for $2 off the price of admission.

We hope to see you there!

Share your $0.02! Will you be attending the show this year? If you’ve gone in years past, what are some of your favorite memories? Do you have any specific projects planned for this year?

(Have you liked us on Facebook yet?)

Share your $0.02! Have you seen any silly signs like this around town? Share your favorite sayings!

Welcome to 2012! The cookies have been eaten, the gifts have been given, the “more exercise” resolutions have been made (har har). So what’s next? As we turn our eyes hopefully toward a distant spring, many of us begin to think about the state of our homes, perhaps a bit disheveled and neglected after a busy holiday season. Here are a few resolutions you should make this year to make sure that your electrical system is in good condition when you are ready to tackle this year’s home improvement projects!

1. Resolve to finally update your circuit breaker labels.
Are the labels for your circuit breakers outdated? An important part of home safety is knowing exactly which breaker you need to switch off in the event of an emergency. How to Label Your Circuit Breakers.

2. Resolve to have GFI outlets installed in your shop/utility room/garage.
You need GFI protection wherever electrical appliances/wiring could come into contact with moisture. This includes bathrooms, shops, sheds, garages, laundry rooms, utility rooms, etc. If your wiring is outdated or you did it yourself and you are missing GFI outlets, don’t wait another minute to have them installed.

3. Resolve to stop using those extension cords in place of permanent wiring.
No matter how heavy-duty they are, extension cords are always for temporary use only. If you have been using an extension cord as permanent wiring for something you frequently use, it may be time to have a new branch circuit installed so you can use those items safely and with ease.

4. Resolve to test all of your smoke/CO detectors.
You should test your smoke and CO detectors several times a year. The ideal smoke detector is hard-wired in with a battery backup to ensure that you are protected even if your batteries die or your power goes out.

5. Resolve to have your old electrical panel replaced.
Here is a list of outdated (unsafe) panel brands. If you are experiencing dimming lights, frequently tripping circuits, or funny noises or smells from your panel, it may be time to have it replaced.

Here’s to a great, safe new year!

Share your $0.02! What are your resolutions this year?

More Links You Might Like:

What To Do If…

How To Label Your Circuit Breakers

Electrical Fires

3D Electrical Services would like to extend a big thank you to Derich and Nora of Hartstyle Media for the wonderful photos! For more holiday cheer, check out our Christmas safety video (also by Hartstyle Media) and other videos on our YouTube channel.

Everyone here at 3D is wishing you the happiest of holidays. We hope you can find the time to sit down for a few minutes with a nice cup o’ Joe (perhaps a gingerbread latte?), crank up the Christmas tunes, and relax.

A few office decorations

Faithful steeds.

Ye Olde Shopp Trucke!

This is my best side.

The 3D Team! Teri, Sharayah, Safety Dog, Brandon, Bill, Gary, Dave, Darren, J, Keith, and Andy!

The video below is from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, demonstrating how quickly a dry tree catches fire. The thing to remember is that a well maintained and safely decorated Christmas tree is not a hazard; even a dry tree itself isn’t going to hurt anything. But when you combine a dry tree with faulty wiring/overloaded outlets/open flame/direct heat, the conditions are much more likely to become dangerous.

 Scary. But if you follow these simple tips, you’ll be saying “What a beautiful tree!” instead of “What’s that burning smell?”

• Do not use electric lights on a metallic tree. If there is a short the tree can become energized and electrocute anyone who touches it. The best solution to this problem is not to get a metallic tree, because they’re kind of silly.

• Avoid running cords under rugs or furniture. They can overheat and malfunction.

• Overloaded electrical outlets and faulty wires are the most common culprits of holiday fires. A good rule of thumb is to connect no more than 3 strands of lights together.

• Keep electric lights well away from the water in the stand. Speaking of water…

• Keep your tree hydrated to prevent it from drying out too quickly. Decorating a dry tree is like putting a pile of seasoned kindling in the middle of your living room and wrapping it in electrical cords.

• Cut an inch or two off the end of the tree trunk before putting it in the stand to expose fresh wood for better water absorption. Here is a cool idea for making that little wooden disc into an ornament!

  

• Make sure your Christmas lights are UL listed for indoor use. Inspect your lights before using them- are they frayed,excessively kinked, cracked, or are there broken bulbs? If yes, don’t use them!

• When you choose your Christmas tree, choose one with fresh needles that “bounce back” when you bend them, rather than snapping off in your fingers.

• Always turn off Christmas tree lights when leaving the house or going to bed.

• Keep your tree away from space heaters, heat vents, and exposed outlets, and make sure it is not blocking an exit.

• Take care with glass ornaments- nothing looks as delicious to a toddler or a pet as nice shiny pieces of broken ornament! There are a lot of shatter-proof options available now that are just as beautiful as the pretty kind that shatter if you look at them wrong.

Share your $0.02! Have you ever experienced a fire due to faulty Christmas decorations? Does your family get a live tree every year? What is your favorite kind of Christmas tree?

More Links You Might Like:

What To Do If…

Electrical Fires

Merry Christmas!

Share your $0.02! Did you attend the 2011 Home Improvement show? What were your favorite booths?

We often don’t think about our electrical bill until it shows up and our jaws drop at the price (especially as we enter the colder months). And of course we all want to help the environment, but a lot of “green” energy saving products out there don’t exactly live up to the hype. Read on for a few simple habits you can develop around the house to save money on your electrical bill every month in a way that truly does add up.

1. Turn it off & Unplug it!
This one seems so simple that it couldn’t possibly work, but it’s true: unplugging your appliances when they’re not in use can have a significant effect on your energy usage. Many appliances and electronics (DVD players, blenders, computers) suck something called a phantom load when they are not in use. Even if they are turned off, a small amount of energy is being used as long as they are plugged in. It is a very small amount, but it adds up when you have a lot of electronics plugged in all day every day. Fortunately, the solution is ridiculously simple: just unplug it! An added benefit is a prolonged life for your electronics, which saves you even more money over time.

2. Wash your Clothes in Cold Water
They don’t mind the cold bath, and you don’t use any energy for heating water. If you are concerned about stains not coming out, pre-treat stained clothing before washing. Not only will you save a significant amount of energy by not using the water heater for your clothes, but clothes come out looking a lot nicer when they have been washed in cold water. Hot water tends to wrinkle, shrink, and fade clothing much quicker. Another thing to remember- only run your washing machine (and this goes for your dishwasher too) when it is full. The “small” load setting will use less water, but it’s still using energy to run. You might as well use that energy to wash a larger amount of clothing when you can help it.

3. Invest in Blackout Curtains
You can find blackout curtains for as a little as $20 online, and they are an excellent choice for your bedroom and living room. They are made of thick material that blocks both light and heat from entering and escaping. Hang blackout curtains in your windows and during the winter, light and heat will not escape as easily. In the summer, the curtains will block the light and heat from the outside, keeping the room cool. You get the added bonus of better sleep, too!

Share your $0.02! Have you taken any energy-saving measures around your home? What have you found works best?

More Links You Might Like:

Energy Saving Tips

Energy Saving Tips: Part II

“Energy Saving”: More Than Just Buzz?

What to Do If… An Electrical Fire Breaks Out

Electrical fires are special; contrary to everything we learned in school about fire, you can’t fight an electrical fire with water. Water + electricity = more danger. If you accidentally get wet near volatile electrical wiring or equipment, or even touch anything wet near the electrical source you are putting yourself in serious danger.

If a fire breaks out and you know that it has an electrical source (such as at an outlet, at your electrical panel, or an appliance that is plugged in), use a chemical fire extinguisher to put out the flame. Baking soda is also a good choice, if you can get to it safely and quickly. NEVER TRY TO PUT IT OUT WITH WATER. If you don’t have access to a chemical extinguisher, unplug the equipment if it is safe to do so, turn off the power at the electrical panel if you can, and exit the area.

Call 911 and tell them it is an electrical fire so they can combat it properly and safely.

What to Do If…You Discover Damaged Wires/Wiring

Say you’re doing a little TLC around the house, maybe working on a honey-do list, and you discover some wires that are cracked, frayed, or otherwise damaged. Regardless of whether they are still functioning, it is important to immediately call a licensed electrician to have them inspect it and replace the wiring if necessary.

If you are concerned that the wiring may cause an immediate hazard (the outlet/switch/area is hot to the touch, buzzing, or emitting smoke or sparks), turn off the power at the circuit breaker. Do not use electricity in that area until the problem has been resolved.

Share your $0.02! Have you ever experienced an electrical emergency, been shocked, or known someone who was shocked? What was your experience like?