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Getting organized isn’t always easy, we know! However, organizing your electrical panel can help save you a lot of time and confusion. You will be able to control any room in your home or company with the flip of a switch! In order to label your electrical panel successfully, you need to know which areas of your home are controlled by which circuit breaker. You never know when you’ll need to shut off your power! Keep reading below for some tips from Smith Electric and Associates to make organizing and labeling your electrical panel safe and simple!

 ●        Make it a team effort! This is a project that is made much simpler when done with a partner. The most effective process to complete this is to have one person flip the switches in each room, while the other individual is at the panel testing it.

●        Purchase blank sticky labels to put on each switch. Doing this is much easier than taping single papers!

●        Turn off every circuit in your household, then turn them on one at a time so you can note which fixture came on. From this, you will label the electrical panel.

●        Some sections of the electrical panel may not be for one breaker. If this is the case, it could be because of improper wiring. If this is the case, you should call Smith Electric and Associates.

●        Washing machines, water heaters, dryers, and ovens typically have more than one breaker due to the high amount of power used to operate them. Don’t be confused if this happens, it is very common!

●        If writing out the labels is too time-consuming, or you simply just don’t feel like it, you can number them. It just depends on what is easiest for you and what you prefer.

 The process of organizing and labeling your electrical panel can be time-consuming and at times, frustrating. However, the end result will be worth it! If you have further questions regarding this process, give Smith Electric and Associates a call today, we will be more than happy to help you!

 Smith Electric & Associates are licensed to operate in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and Georgia and have been proudly serving the Gulf Coast since 1992. Call us for 24-hour emergency service at 251-471-4723! Visit us online at www.SmithElec.com and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter!

No matter how handy you may be, there comes a point in any home, whether it be a remodel or expansion, where you should call in a professional. This is even truer in regard to safety-critical systems, such as the electrical system. You should not gamble with the safety of those who reside in the home, or future renters/owners, so contact Smith Electric and Associates if you experience any of the issues below.

 Damaged Wires

If you can tell the wiring of your home is visibly aged or damaged, it is time for you to call Smith Electric and Associates! We can bring things up to code before it gets worse.

 Buzzing, Sparking, Flickering, or Hot Outlets

If you experience buzzing, sparking, or flickering in your lights, outlets, or wiring, you will need professional help as soon as possible. All of these issues are signs of damage to the electrical system, if this goes unchecked it could cause a fire or electrocute someone. This warning also applies to switch plates that are hot to the touch.

 Burning Smell

If you smell burning plastic following turning on your lights or after you plug something into an outlet, you need to contact Smith Electric immediately. This could be an indicator of highly damaged wires in the wall. If you are able to, turn the power off in the area where the smell is at and monitor for a fire.

 Tripping Circuit Breakers

If your circuit breakers are tripping on and off frequently when you are using lights or other household appliances, this can be a sign that your electrical system isn’t able to handle the demands of modern appliances. When a breaker trips, it is a safety mechanism that occurs to prevent overheating of wires that could lead to a house fire.

 If any of the above is occurring in your home, you are experiencing a safety issue. It is critical to contact a professional inspector to evaluate your home and electrical system. Always put the safety of those who live in the home first, whether it be your family or renters.

 If you are still not sure whether you need an electrician or not, then contact us at Smith Electric & Associates! Smith Electric & Associates is in Mobile, Alabama. We are licensed to operate in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and Georgia and have been proudly serving the Gulf Coast since 1992. Call us for 24-hour emergency service at 251-471-4723! Visit us online at www.SmithElec.com and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter!

A circuit breaker is designed to ‘trip’ under circumstances when it’s overworked. This can be frustrating, and often you aren’t sure exactly what’s causing it. Here are seven reasons your circuit breaker might be tripping:

 1.   Faulty Wiring

It’s highly recommended that an electrician review to see if faulty wiring could be the cause - this can be dangerous, but our team of experts is happy to review for this cause, and the other six listed below.

2.   Overload

Think too many cooks in the kitchen! This occurs when too many hair dryers are running, or cooking at the same time as utilizing a power tool. Make a note of what’s occurring prior to the shortage.

 3.   Old Circuit Breaker

Find out when your circuit breaker was installed and make sure it’s up to standard before diagnosing other issues.

 4.   High Powered Electrical Devices

Too many high powered electrical devices can cause the breaker to trip - temporarily losing power, this requires frequent restarts.

 5.   Short Circuit

This is different than just a breaker tripping - it’s a hot wire touching another hot wire, then a neutral wire - this can be caused by a wiring problem, an appliance or device plugged into an outlet, in the circuit. This can be challenging to diagnose.

 6.    Ground Fault

If a hot wire contacts a metal wall box, or a wood framing member - a ground fault can occur. This is dangerous in areas of high moisture, like your kitchen or bathroom - it’s another form of short-circuiting but specifically including the hot wire and metal contact.

  7.   Blocked Air Filter

If you haven’t changed your AC Unit, or AC Filter in a while - the internal fan and blower have to work much harder to keep your house cool by circulating air. This takes up more energy, which means your circuit breaker has to work harder - this can lead to short circuits.

  Smith Electric is here to help. Call us to schedule an appointment to elevate this nuisance once and for all. Smith Electric & Associates is in Mobile, Alabama. We are licensed to operate in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and Georgia and have been proudly serving the Gulf Coast since 1992. Call us for 24-hour emergency service at 251-471-4723! Visit us online at www.SmithElec.com and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter!

So, you’ve plugged in your MacBook charger and you’re ready to have a productive day of Netflix and coffee. Today turns out to not be that day. Your outlet seems to not be charging your MacBook and you are freaking out because you need to know if Meredith and Derek Shepard end up together or if he ends up with his ex-wife again. Here a few ways to fix this problem in no time.

 Light Switch

We are all guilty of this; it is a common mistake to turn off the light switch that controls the fan and the outlet. This will be a forever issue with modern homes that we all tend to overlook.

 Did the Breaker Trip?

GFCIs are common in rooms where water may come in contact with the outlet. They protect you from being electrocuted if water does near the outlet. These outlets are in kitchens and bathrooms and other areas where water and moisture are common. If the breaker on the GFCI outlet tripped, you will see one of two buttons sticking out. There is a RESET button and a TEST button. The RESET button will be sticking out like a sore thumb, it will be hard to miss. You may need to check the other outlets that have a GFCI as they could be connected.

 Breaker Panel

There are several circuits running throughout your home so it is possible that a circuit has tripped. Go ahead and locate your circuit breaker. It’s usually located in your garage or outside in the backyard. If you see any switch that is in between ON and OFF, switch it to the OFF position and then back to the ON position. If this neat trick worked, then congratulations! You performed a basic task of an electrician.

 These tips should have sufficed in getting that outlet to be working again. If you did not realize that the light switch was off and you are sweating bullets, do not worry- you are not the only one who does this and will not be the last person to do this, either. Also, make sure to hit RESET on any GCFI buttons that are sticking out. This is often overlooked and worries people because most do not know what those two buttons are for. Lastly, if you want to pretend to be a professional check the circuit breaker for a tripped circuit.

Keep us in mind for any electrical problems you cannot resolve yourself. Smith Electric & Associates is located in Mobile, AL. We are licensed to operate in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida and Georgia and have been proudly serving the Gulf Coast since 1992. Call us for 24-hour emergency service at 251-471-4723! Visit us online at www.SmithElec.com and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter!