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The National Electrical Code (NEC) serves as the guide for electrical design, wiring, installation and equipment for a residential electrician in Trumbull, CT and the rest of the country. Electric work by design is not an easy job, and there are often a few common codes that are broken when homeowners take on DIY electrical repair projects.

Always provide easy access to control panel

Anything can happen with your electricity at any time, which means that your control panel or breaker box needs to be unobstructed at all times. With control panels that are located in the basement, it is very easy to begin to use the area around it as storage, and over time a lot of things will get piled up in front of the panel area, blocking access. Whether you need to reset a circuit or a professional is in your home doing electrical repair, you will eventually need access to this area. Because of this, the NEC has specified that there needs to be a space surrounding your panel that is at least 30” wide, 3’ deep and 6’ 8” high.

Make sure the demands and wiring match

It is also a necessity for you to have enough outlet receptacles in your home. The amount of technology and electronic devices that we have at our disposal now is far more than what was used at the turn of the century, when many of the homes we live in today were built. Making sure that you have enough outlets to handle the energy demands for your home is needed to prevent dangerous overloading of circuits that could start a fire. Similarly, using wiring for lighting that has a higher rating than what your home has the capabilities for can cause your system to run hot, posing a dangerous fire risk. Making sure your home can handle all of your electricity needs will also reduce the need to rely on extension cords, making your home much safer overall for everyone.

Use correct covers on outdoor outlets

Electrical outlets that are outside have guidelines for safety, too, and it is especially important to adhere to them, as electricity that is outside is exposed to a different set of conditions. Since outside outlets will constantly be exposed to wet conditions, it is imperative to have an in-use cover, commonly referred to as a bubble cover, that allows you to fully cover the outlet when a cord is plugged in. This ensures that cords that are plugged in for extended periods of time, such as those that power Christmas lights or all-day landscaping projects, will always be protected and won’t be exposed to water, mitigating the risks that come along with wet weather and electricity.

To make sure that all of your electrical repairs are in compliance with all of the NEC guidelines, consult with a residential electrician in Trumbull, CT. The electricians at New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. are both skilled and knowledgeable, and have experience with these common issues and much more. Give us a call for all of your residential and commercial electrical needs today.

Finding affordable ways to add appeal and value to your home can sometimes be difficult, but residential landscape lighting in Trumbull, CT offers a simple way to make your home shine. Here are some of the lighting trends that have been popular with homeowners recently that you could consider to give your property just the look you want:

• LED lighting: With many people attempting to lead greener lifestyles, the LED light bulb has become very popular. With this growing popularity, LED lighting has been seeing more and more use in residential landscape lighting, and this trend will likely keep growing as the efficiency of LED bulbs continues to improve. Not only does the reduced energy usage of LED bulbs help you to do your part in creating a better environment, but you will also be able to save yourself a lot of money in the process. In fact, LED lighting is so efficient that you can get up to 100,000 hours out of just one bulb—a lifecycle that outlasts other lighting options by a mile. With each bulb lasting longer you will be able to purchase fewer each year, and you will ultimately be getting more bang for your buck over the lifetime of your landscape lighting.
• Moonlight lighting: Moonlight lighting is a trend that has also been gaining steam in recent years due to the classic, natural look that it can give your landscaping. To achieve this look, down lights are installed high in the air, either in your landscaped trees or on nearby structures. When the light projects down on to your landscaping, you will have soft ambient look that mimics the light of a full moon. If you do decide to install the lights in your trees, a shadowed effect will be created as the light filters through the branches, making the appearance of the lighting look even more natural. And even though moonlight lighting will create a soft glow in your yard, the light will still shine brightly, which can serve as an additional form of security for your property.
• Higher end fixtures with visibility: Another trend that is being used to create landscaping that has a luxurious feel is the display of fancier, more intricate statement lighting in prominent areas that are used to entertain, such as patios or front and back porch and deck areas. Featuring these types of key pieces is a great way to showcase the specific areas of your yard in the way you truly want, while keeping the whole project to an affordable cost.

If you want to achieve any of these looks in your yard or are interested in learning about other designs and trends in residential landscape lighting in Trumbull, CT, contact the team at New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. We have been transforming homes and landscaping features for over 10 years now, so you can be sure that we will be able to help you accomplish the look you are searching for. Give us a call today to schedule a consultation!

If you have a pool on your property, you know how much of an investment everything from the installation to the routine upkeep each year can be. If you are looking for ways to get more out of your pool so that you can maximize your investment, adding a heater and installing marine wiring in Trumbull, CT might be the answer. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider the addition of a heater for your pool.

Get more out of your investment

Since a pool is such a large investment, it is only natural that you would want to be able to get as much use out of it each year as possible, which is exactly what the addition of a pool heater will allow you to do. Being able to stay in the pool longer equals lengthened play days and summer pool parties that can be extended well into the night for extra fun. On a larger scale, you will be able to enjoy your pool well into the fall when the temperatures start to drop, and depending on how mild the fall and winter seasons are in any given year, you might be able to get almost a full year of use out of your pool.

Spend more time with your family

In addition to improving your return on your investment, adding to your swim season also creates more opportunities to spend quality time with your family in a fun-filled environment. Very young children and the elderly typically need warmer water because they get chilled faster than most, so adding a pool heater means that spending time in the pool will be an activity that the whole family will be able to join in on. Everyone leads different lives that may separate them during busy days, so having the option of swimming in the pool with your family in the evenings when everyone is together again ensures that you will still have the opportunity to spend time together that everyone can enjoy.

Health benefits

A swimming pool is one of the best environments to get in a good workout, as all activities result in low impact on your bones and joints. If the water is too cold, though, it can cause chilling, which could actually end up doing you more harm than good. To combat this, a pool heater can be used to not only help you get the most out of your workouts, but to also help relax your muscles after an intense workout so that you can leave the pool feeling good both mentally and physically.

If these benefits sound like something that you and your family would enjoy, then a pool heater is definitely for you. For installation, you will need the best marine wiring in Trumbull, CT, which is why you should call the experts at New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. We are committed to making sure that your heater takes your pool to the next level so that it is everything your family needs and more. Give us a call so we can get started on your installation right away!