LB Electric FAQ

There may be a loose connection somewhere on the circuit or the circuit is overloaded.

Sometimes dimmer switches do get warm to the touch. As long as the switch isn’t operating lighting above 300 watts, your situation should be safe. If you smell burning, or the plastic is melting, clearly this situation is not safe and the switch wiring should be replaced.

It all depends on what size load you have added since the service was installed. In Ottawa and surrounding areas, Hydro One and Hydro Ottawa provide a consumption report, which is an overview of your hourly electrical usage. Please click the link on your provider and after you have the spreadsheet, we will be able to look into your current and future allowable usage.

Hydro One

Hydro Ottawa

Yes, any home or business that is prone to power outages should have some kind of backup power source. There are many options of generators, with whole house and half house generator panels as well as a GenerLink™ which is an interconnection device that enables you to connect your portable generator directly to your home’s wiring system.

It is hard to say but in most cases there is a reduction in the electric bill due to the new installation, tighter connections, and balance of power. The amount of savings depends on your monthly electric bill.

As per the OESC a homeowner is able to install lights in their own home if no new wiring is needed. However, if you are installing a new ceiling, make sure the device box is rated to hold the weight of the ceiling fan. The code require ceiling fans to be mounted on special fan-rated boxes, which are made of metal or strong plastic and have deep-threaded holes for the mounting screws. The box must be mounted firmly, either by attaching it directly to a framing member or by using a fan-rated brace. This installation would be best performed by an electrician.

First make sure the switch is in the complete off position until it clicks in place. Now try to reset. If it still will not reset, then there is an issue which needs to be rectified. Consider this your red flag. Either there is a short, or an overload to that circuit.

First, make sure no smoke or fire is in the home, then, try pressing the reset button. If that is unsuccessful, unscrew the detector from the ceiling and replace the battery. If that still doesn’t work, it may be time to call in the electrician as there could be a wiring issue or it’s time to replace your detectors.

Yes, even hard wired smoke detectors should be changed every ten years.

The carbon monoxide detector is a safety device that can alert homeowners of a CO leak and help them escape a potentially life-threatening situation, like carbon monoxide poisoning. The Ontario Building Code requires the installation of carbon monoxide alarms in homes and other residential buildings built after 2001.

Near sleeping areas of suites that contain a fuel burning appliance within the suite. Near sleeping areas of suites that are adjacent to a storage garage and/or service room with a fuel burning appliance.

Change all your bulbs to fluorescent bulbs, change your thermostats to programmed thermostats, and remember to turn off the lights when they’re not in use. Lighting accounts for about 12% of a typical residential utility bill.

Compact fluorescent lights are the most efficient. Soft white and daylight are color shades that fluorescent bulbs emit. Soft white is a gentle shade of light whereas daylight is just what it says, it’s like being outside in the daylight. Light quality from fluorescent is a lower level of light force than incandescent.

No, this is a major hazard and should never be considered.

Yes, they are required in garages, outside, kitchens, bathrooms, pools, hot tubs, and any area subject to electric shock.

A GFCI outlet can replace a 2-prong outlet as long as it is properly marked for no ground.

As long as they aren’t overloaded. A better solution is to install a separate circuit to supply power to all of your equipment which will provide better protection.

No, the lower the wire gauge # the better the cord. For instance a 14-gauge cord can handle a heavier load than a 16-gauge cord.

A fuse and a circuit breaker both perform the same function of disrupting the flow of electricity when a fault is sensed. The only difference is that a fuse will have to be replaced once it has tripped, whereas a circuit breaker won’t need replacement. Due to this, circuit breakers are more common.

A “short” and “short circuit” describe the same problem. When a short circuit occurs, the electrical wire comes into contact with the neutral or grounded conductor wire and excessive heat is generated. If you see sparks in your electrical panel, this may indicate a short circuit.

A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI), or more commonly known as a GFI, outlet is designed to protect you from electrical shock when moisture is present. GFCIs should be installed in wet locations including unfinished basements, garages, and within six feet of any sinks, kitchens, or bathrooms. You can identify a GFCI outlet by the two buttons on the face of the outlet. One button reads “test” and the other reads “reset.” The “test” button will cause the GFCI outlet to trip, or turn off, and the “reset” button will reset, or turn the power back on. If the outlet will not reset when the “reset” button has been pressed, then a problem may exist, and you will need the help of an electrician.

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) receptacles are designed to recognize a dangerous arc in your wiring and immediately break the flow of electricity, thus preventing your electrical system from becoming an ignition source for a fire. They operate the same way as a GFCI device would to reset the trip and test functions.

The GFCI simply makes a continuous comparison of the amount of current flowing through the two circuit conductors, while the AFCI continuously monitors the current waveform in the circuit, looking for unique anomalies that signify an arc fault.