What Does It Take to Become a Licensed Electrician in Trumbull, CT?

You wouldn’t let someone without any medical knowledge perform surgery on you, or try to let someone who hasn’t been to law school represent you in court. So why would you hire an untrained person to perform electrical work at your house or business? Electrical work can be very dangerous and is best left to certified professionals with years of formal training. At New England Electrical Contracting, Inc., we only hire the best licensed electricians. Here’s everything you need to know about becoming a licensed electrician in Trumbull, CT, as well as a closer look at what we can do for you.

Licensed electrician formal training

Once someone has a high school diploma or equivalency, he has the option enroll in electrical training school, or skip schooling and go directly into an apprenticeship. Training school is optional, but an apprenticeship is required. Most apprenticeships last three to five years. During that time, potential electricians learn the trade in real time. Apprentices learn the technical side of the job (like repairs and installations), as well as the business side of the job (like providing estimates). After the apprenticeship is over, potential electricians must take—and most importantly, pass—several certification exams. With this much training, you can rest assured that a licensed electrician will be able to handle anything that comes his way.

What services do our licensed electricians offer?

We have multiple electricians on staff, and each specializes in a variety of aspects of the electrical business. Here are just a few of the services we offer our clients:

  • Electrical system upgrades: Many of the appliances in our homes have greatly advanced over the past few decades. However, the electrical wiring and components of many older homes across the country haven’t advanced with the appliances. Older wiring and other components like outlets and breakers can be a fire hazard and an electrocution risk. A licensed electrician in Trumbull, CT can walk through your home and let you know if any parts of your electrical system need to be updated in any way.
  • Code violation corrections: It’s bad news if your home or business is inspected and doesn’t pass the electrical code. You could end up paying heavy fines or even have to vacate the building until everything is brought up to code. Fortunately, our electricians can fix that situation for you! We’ll get everything fixed up to ensure it’ll pass electrical inspection next time.
  • Ceiling fan installation and repair: If you don’t want to spend a lot on your air conditioning next summer, ceiling fans are the way to go. They keep rooms cool without using much energy at all. If your fan breaks or you need a new one installed, give us a call!
  • Surveillance camera installation: The most cost-efficient way to keep your home or business secure is by installing surveillance cameras around the property. A licensed electrician in Trumbull, CT is able to install cameras for you to ensure your peace of mind.

Give the friendly team at New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. a call today to learn about all of our services!

Five Places to Consider Surveillance Camera Installation in Trumbull, CT

Business owners need to know what’s going on at their property 24/7. But you can’t always be there, and hiring a security guard service can be expensive. Even if you do have a security guard, and something bad happens at your company, the perpetrator is gone for good if the guard doesn’t catch him quickly.

However, if you have surveillance camera installation in Trumbull, CT at your business, there’s a sliver of hope that you’ll be able to track down the perp. One security camera won’t do the job, though. There are at least five areas on your property that should be monitored 24/7 by surveillance cameras:

  • Parking lots: We live in a world where it’s not all that uncommon for people to be mugged or attacked in parking lots. If someone is mugged in your business’ parking lot, it’s not only bad for the victim; it’s also negative PR for your company. With one or more surveillance cameras installed in your parking lot, you’re more likely to be able to identify anyone who committed a crime outside of your business.
  • Entrances and exits: As a business owner, you probably want to know who’s on your property at all times. If something goes wrong inside your store or office, you need to be able to assess who the possible suspects might be. One of the best ways to do that is with surveillance camera installation in Trumbull, CT at all possible entrances and exits to your building.
  • Areas with money or other valuables: Above all, your business exists to make money. If you store that money in a vault or safe, you run the risk of having it stolen by a criminal. Two things could happen if you have a security camera installed and watching the safe. First, a potential robber may get scared off if he notices the camera, so you’d completely avoid the robbery situation in the first place. Second, if the criminal does happen to rob you, there’s a higher probability of identifying and catching the perp if they’ve been caught on camera.
  • Lobby or check-in area: It’s terrific if you have surveillance cameras pointed at the entries and exits. But after people enter your building you want to be sure they’ve signed in at the front desk and are not doing anything suspicious. Having an unauthorized stranger wandering around your building can be a big problem.
  • Common areas: Trouble can start quickly in crowded common areas like in your office building. Unsavory characters who may have eluded your security guards could target places with heavy foot traffic, like a courtyard or cafeteria, and may try to pickpocket or even attack your employees. If something like that were to happen, wouldn’t you want a security camera installed to identify the perpetrator if he got away?

Don’t shell out thousands of dollars to a hire security company. Call New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. today to find out how surveillance camera installation in Trumbull, CT can help keep your business as safe as possible.

The Dangers of DIY Electrical Work in Trumbull, CT

As a homeowner, completing common home improvement and maintenance projects on your own is often a great way to get the job done quickly, while also saving some money. However, while this is great for replacing an air conditioner filter or a leaky sink, the same standard doesn’t apply to completing electrical work in Trumbull, CT. Attempting these projects on your own has the potential to be incredibly dangerous, as they require both special training and knowledge. One small mistake could be deadly for an inexperienced homeowner. Not only can a DIY electrical job be dangerous, but it may also leave you with thousands of dollars’ worth of repair costs.

Read on to discover six reasons why electrical work is one home improvement project that should be left to the professionals:

  • Fire: An overloaded circuit could lead to a major home disaster if it were to overheat and cause any sparks behind the walls. The sparks would then quickly ignite the beams, dry wall and any insulation, which could result in a major house fire. A professional electrical will know the signs to watch out for to avoid this problem.
  • Code violations: Do you know you need to follow certain codes when you attempt any major electrical work? A professional will! Avoid paying steep fines and repair costs for any violations by hiring a professional to do the work correctly the first time.
  • Electrocution: Saving a few dollars is never worth risking your life. Electrocuting yourself while attempting a repair could easily be fatal. Don’t let a stupid mistake, such as forgetting to check that the current is off or touching the wrong wire, end your life or leave you with serious injuries.
  • Building permits: Nearly every city requires that a permit be obtained for certain types of electrical work to ensure that it is completed correctly. Whatever amount of money you saved by doing the work yourself won’t be worth it when you’re faced with steep fines for failing to obtain a permit.
  • Expensive repairs: A major mistake can quickly lead to a costly repair. Accidentally installing even one wire incorrectly will leave you with no choice but to hire a professional to repair the problem. This will likely end up being significantly more expensive than the initial costs ever would have been. Save yourself both the time and money by hiring a professional from the start.
  • No insurance coverage: One of the best parts of having a certified and licensed electrician perform any electrical work is the guarantee that their insurance policy will cover any unexpected damage costs. You don’t have that same luxury when you attempt to do it yourself. Most insurance companies won’t cover any damages resulting from a fire caused by work completed by an unlicensed electrician.

When it comes to electrical work, it’s always better to hire a professional electrician from New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. to avoid any mistakes that could be both expensive and dangerous. We’re available 24 hours a day so you’ll never be forced to attempt a dangerous DIY repair job. If you need to have electrical work in Trumbull, CT completed this winter, we hope you’ll give us a call!

The Importance of Licensing When Hiring an Electrician in Trumbull, CT

When it comes to hiring someone to complete a service, you likely understand the importance of making sure that individual or company has the proper qualifications and experience. After all, you wouldn’t let just anyone work on your car for you, or trust your pet’s care to someone who’s only qualified to work on people.

You already understand that having the proper experience and licensing plays an important part when hiring a professional to perform a task. Unfortunately, many people seem to forget this when it comes to hiring an electrician in Trumbull, CT. Oftentimes, they may opt for a less qualified professional to save on costs. But this is one area where cutting corners just isn’t worth it. One seemingly small mistake could be deadly when it comes to the electrical system at your home or business. While you may have saved money initially, a minor error could end up costing you thousands of dollars in repairs.

Not convinced? Here are four reasons why you should always hire a licensed electrician.

State certification

A professional electrician is required to receive certification from the state in order to obtain a license. This means that they have trained for a specific number of hours, on top of having an in-depth knowledge of any state codes and regulations and having a thorough understanding of important safety measures to keep in mind when performing any electrical work. This rigorous process ensures that the electrician meets the criteria of the state. Never hesitate to verify a certification number with local authorities before hiring an electrician.

Higher quality of work standards

When you hire an unlicensed electrician, there’s no guarantee that they’ll strive to maintain a certain work standard. Oftentimes, these individuals aren’t focused on meeting any standards at all, as they don’t have to worry about having their licensed revoked by the state! Licensing ensures that the work will be done by a professional with the proper training, which means that it will meet a high standard of quality.

Properly trained

There’s no way to know how much experience an electrician has if they aren’t licensed. By choosing a licensed contractor, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that the job is being done by a professional who has received extensive training in the field. They will have the on-the-job experience, knowledge and resources to handle any situation that may arise. Plus, they’ll be able to use their professional expertise to easily get to the root of the problem the first time, so you’ll be able to save time and money in getting it fixed.

Work is always guaranteed

It doesn’t matter how great of deal you’re getting if it doesn’t actually fix the problem. A licensed electrician, like New England Electrical Contracting, Inc., offers a guarantee on all of their work. With this guarantee, you’ll always know that our licensed electricians will quickly resolve any problems that may arise.

Thankfully, when you call us, you won’t have to stress about the quality of work when hiring an electrician in Trumbull, CT, because the professionals at New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. are always on hand to provide you reliable electrical work at a competitive price. Call us today to learn more about our licensed and insured electrical contractors!

Ask Your Residential Electrician in Trumbull, CT to Help You Go Green with LEDs

The environment is an important topic in today’s world. We are all trying to do our part to be more efficient with our resources, including reusing, recycling and reducing our carbon footprint as much as possible. From turning off the water while brushing our teeth to starting a compost pile for our food scraps, each of us has a different way of helping out. One great way to be greener in your home is to switch out your regular bulbs for LEDs. A qualified residential electrician in Trumbull, CT can help you find the right bulbs and even install them for you, so don’t hesitate to ask for assistance. Here are a few facts about LED bulbs that you should know.

LEDs are economical

If you have incandescent bulbs, as so many of us do, you’re probably accustomed to changing out your bulbs pretty frequently—often annually or even more often, depending on how much use the light gets. With LED bulbs, you may be able to get 20 or more years of use out of a single bulb—a pretty impressive upgrade! They cost a little extra up front, but it’s a small investment for many years of use.

LEDs are cutting edge

LED bulbs have been around for some time now, and they continue to evolve and become better every year. There are now many varieties to choose from, and you can find LEDs that have the warm light of the incandescent bulbs to which you might be accustomed.

LEDs have a different rating system

When you shop for incandescent bulbs, you check wattage to find out how bright the bulb will be; it’s standard procedure. So, it’s important to note that LED bulbs use a different measure. Wattage actually tells us how much energy the incandescent bulb draws when in use, and because there is a close correlation between brightness and wattage, this measurement works for buyers. However, LEDs draw less energy, which means that wattage is less accurate. For example, you might pick up an incandescent bulb that shows 60W, and then a comparable LED bulb, and see it has perhaps eight to 12 watts. That’s a huge and pretty confusing difference!

Instead of trying to make a conversion in your head, check for lumens, the standard LED unit. Lumens will tell you how bright your LED is, and the units can range from low numbers such as 450 to as high as 2600.

Some parts of your home won’t be right for LED bulbs

LED bulbs are a great and green investment, but unfortunately they may not be the right choice for certain areas of your home. While it’s true that LED bulbs tend to run much cooler than incandescent bulbs, they do still produce heat. The beauty of the LED is that this heat is drawn out of the bulb and dissipated, which increases its longevity. If the bulb doesn’t have a way to get rid of this heat—for example, if you place it in an enclosed housing—it will not serve its purpose.

Ask your experienced electrician in Trumbull, CT at New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. to help you determine where LEDs will go in your home, and what type to purchase.