Frequent Spring Service Calls
Customers Most Common Seasonal Service Calls: Spring
As we’ve mentioned before, each season brings with it different electrical concerns. Our customers experience different kinds of problems throughout the years, but in the spring we usually deal with a specific variety of ‘common’ seasonal issues.
GFCIs, or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters and AFCIs, Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters
It seems like regardless of the season, our protective outlets (such as GFCIs and AFCIs) can be some of the most difficult to understand, troubleshoot, and locate! If you lose power to a specific wall or region of your home, such as bathrooms, garage, or outdoor outlets, then consider these helpful articles on troubleshooting both your AFCIs and GFCIs:
Swartz Electric – Troubleshooting GFCIs
Swartz Electric – Troubleshooting AFCIs
Family Handyman – Troubleshooting Dead Outlets
The Circuit Detective – Can’t Reset a GFCI Outlet
Outdoor Electrical Service and Lighting
Another big thing in Spring? Outdoor electrical service – whether it be a brand new installation for an outdoor kitchen, or something as small as repairing an outdoor outlet – Spring is the time when we get calls from customers who are stepping out. Going out and about the yard, driveway, or deck might remind you – not only do you need more light, more outlets, or more outbuildings (like a shed, barn, or workshop) – but you need more power!
Learn to embrace the great outdoors – even if doing so means running exterior waterproof lighting, speakers, and electricity for a range top, oven, ceiling fan, and countertop outlets for blenders – because we all need a margarita!
However in all seriousness – outdoor power use is necessary and a big safety concern due to things like water exposure, power tools of all kinds, and the presence of pets and children. This can seem daunting – but remember that a licensed, insured electrician can help you bring power to anywhere outside in a safe and code-compliant manner. This is especially important since outdoor outlets should be GFCI protected, and different regions of the country has specific expectations about the depth of buried power cables.
If you have questions or concerns about power in your backyard or to your landscape lighting, then please consider the following:
First Energy – Outdoor Electrical Safety
EC Mag – Inside Tips for Outdoor Electrical Safety
She Knows – Tips for Outdoor Electrical Safety
NFPA – Outdoor Electrical Safety
https://blog.allstate.com/backyard-electrical-safety-tips/
And, as always, call before you dig! Anytime you are planning to unearth even parts of your yard then it is imperative you reach out to the local utility locators by dialing 811 from either your cell phone or a land line.
Swartz Electric – Your Colorado Springs Electrician performs electrical work throughout Colorado Springs, Monument, Black Forest, Fountain, Falcon, Woodland Park, and everywhere in between. We are the electricians in Colorado Springs to solve your electrical problems and meet your electrical requirements.
Call, e-mail, visit our website, or stop by our office today, and allow Swartz Electric to serve YOU.
This is an original article written by Mai Bjorklund for Swartz Electric. This article may not be copied whole or in part without the express permission of Swartz Electric, LLC.
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