 Electrical Services Offered
Small Jobs Electric is ready to assist you with any electrical problems you may encounter. Our expert electrician team has a combined total experience of more than 90 years. We offer a wide variety of services covering all of your residential electrical needs.
Troubleshooting & Repair
We have experienced every type of electrical problem imaginable. Even a minor problem could develop into a major problem if not taken care of. If you are having a problem, call Small Jobs Electric today at 813-968-5856.
New Installations
Our electricians are trained to handle all of your installation needs, whether that requires a ceiling fan to be installed or help with lighting placement. Our lighting experts install chandeliers from big to small and they specialize in snaking wires into walls where other, inexperienced companies say it is impossible.
Hot Tubs
Having a spa is like having a year round vacation in your own back yard. It is a place to escape the cares of the day and spend some quiet time alone or with family and friends. With family and friends using your spa, you want to be sure that it is installed correctly, especially the electrical wiring. By hiring a qualified Electrical Contractor that is licensed, bond and insured, you are assured that it meets current electrical safety standards. You can enjoy your hot tub with the knowledge and peace of mind that you and your loved ones are safe from electrical hazards.
Electrical Panel Upgrades
Does your home still have an old style fuse panel? Are circuits overloaded? Has your insurance company refused to renew your home insurance policy? Your home may be in need of a service panel upgrade. Modern circuit breaker panels are more convenient, and are built to far higher safety standards than outdated fuse panels.
Extra protection is incorporated into the latest equipment in the form of circuit breakers. These circuit breakers protect every device in the house with sensitive circuitry that responds quickly if there is a fault. There is also excellent protection available in the form of Ground Fault circuit breakers and Arc Fault circuit breakers.
Older equipment and wiring systems did not have to support the modern appliances of today. Overloading and doubling up circuits is commonly seen in older outdated panels, however, this can cause fires. Upgrading the source of power distribution to your home by installing a new panel can eliminate this potentially dangerous situation.
Security Lighting
Installing security lighting in your home can help to reduce the risk of break in. It can be a good deterrent to prowlers, who operate under the shield of darkness.
Motion sensor lights are sensitive devices that detect motion and automatically flood the area with light. Digital timer switches offer control of both interior and exterior lighting. Programmable for multiple on/off cycles each day, they provide you with the ability to set up your lights for automatic control and provide a lived in look, even while you are away.
Home Rewiring
What is it?
Knob and tube wiring is the original wiring method used from the late 1800s until approximately 1945. It is a system that involved stringing individual conductor insulated wire across porcelain insulators called "knobs," and through other porcelain insulators called "tubes."
Is Knob and Tube wiring safe?
This is an often asked question. There are a number of concerns with knob and tube wiring. Some of them are listed here…
1. It is an ungrounded system, which provides a greater chance of shock or electrocution and of damage to sensitive equipment.
2. It is very old wiring, and in many cases has deteriorated, cracked or missing insulation, which can lead to fires.
3. It is common to find that newer wiring has been improperly connected to knob and tube wiring by amateurs, resulting in dangerous conditions in the form of shock hazard, reverse polarity problems, switched neutrals, overloaded circuits, and fire hazards, to name just a few.
Just like other components of your home, such as your roof, air conditioner and plumbing, there comes a time when replacement is necessary. That time has come for knob and tube wiring.
So to answer the question "is knob and tube wiring safe?" we have to say that in our opinion – the answer is "NO."
What can you do about it?
In our opinion, rewiring the home is the only solution that correctly addresses knob and tube wiring.
If your home has knob and tube wiring, and you are concerned about the safety of your electrical system, contact Small Jobs Electric and arrange for an assessment.
Generators
Most people buy an Emergency Standby Generator once in a lifetime. Here is the information you need to get the right one. When you lose power it is often when you least want to go outdoors. Modern society depends on a reliable and stable supply of electrical power. For this reason, each year thousands purchase standby generators to protect themselves, their families and their businesses in the likely event of power failures. Here are some tips…
Portable vs. Stationary – Let's Compare
Portable
A portable has to be brought out of storage and moved to where you need it. It must be refueled frequently. Portables are universally fueled with gasoline, a fuel that requires safe storage and extra care in handling. Portables have small tanks and need refueling every few hours. Also, gasoline does not store well for extended periods, and even with additives it is only stable for a few months.
Portable generator owners usually employ a series of extension cords to connect the generator to specific items in their house, such as a refrigerator, lights, computer and TV. Although this method works, it is most practical for outages of very short duration.
Automatic Standby
With a Stationary Automatic Standby Generator on duty, you and your family can stay warm and dry in your home instead of battling the elements to start your portable generator.
An Automatic Generator employs an automatic transfer switch with monitors the incoming Utility company power supply, starts the generator, and transfer the load automatically. Upon return of utility power after the power outage, it automatically transfers the load back to the utility power supply, continues to run the generator for a brief cool down period, and then shuts down the generator. It is ready for the next power outage.
Should You Get An Electrical Inspection?
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, any home that is over 40 years old, has had major renovations or major appliances added or is changing owners, should receive a comprehensive electrical inspection.
Your standard home inspection will inspect the property for structural defects, as well as plumbing, electrical, and mechanical problems. But keep in mind that property inspections are just surface inspections. Light switches will be flipped. Wiring in the attic will be looked at. But you should have someone look a little bit further.
What does your electrical inspection mean? It means that we will check for loose-fitting outlets; check the fuse boxes and circuit breakers. Everything electrical is tested and double-checked.
Why should you bother? Electricity is a powerful force that leads to another powerful force – fire. There are more than 165,000 electrical-related home fires in any given year. On average, 900 people lose their lives to these fires each year.
Think about it, when was the last time you checked your electrical system? Do you check for frayed or overheated circuits? Do you put too high of wattage light bulbs into your lights?
Join us on the tour of your property. Ask questions and have us explain what we are checking and why. The information can help you in the maintenance of your home's electrical system.
Keep in mind that electricity isn't something to play around with. You shouldn't use 100-watt bulbs in a 40-watt fixture. Don't run extension cords heavily all over your home. Check your smoke and C.O. detectors and replace their batteries regularly. Have your home inspected and prevent any problems before the have a chance to catch a spark.
Smoke Alarms
Did you know that smoke inhalation while sleeping is a major cause of death in house fires? This is preventable.
If you have older smoke alarms, consider having them replaced with new ones.
Surge Protectors
Did You Know?
Many homeowner's insurance policies DO NOT cover lightning strikes? Many insurance companies give a discount for homes that have surge protectors.
The average home gets hit with over 20 energy spikes per day.
A lightning strike up to one mile away can do damage to your sensitive equipment.
Surges also travel through your phone lines and cable/satellite lines.
Damaging power spikes also occur WITHIN your home's wiring as well.
You get up to 30% more life out of your appliances and equipment if you use surge protectors.
You may ask: Why do I need special protection from surges?
Electronics are becoming increasingly sophisticated and utilize technology that was not even conceived of just five years ago. Items like the ones listed above are damaged by even small voltage changes. Part of the danger is that the damage from small surges can add up over time and may eventually shorten the life of your equipment or even destroy it.
What does a Surge Device protect?
The whole house device is the first stage. It will help protect household appliances. It has up to a lifetime warranty and protects up to $75,000 of connected equipment. The second stage is the plug in surge strips to protect smaller appliances and sensitive electronic equipment.
As long as you have both stages, you are getting the best protection available. As with just about everything, there is a high-end and a low-end to surge protectors, and you typically get what you pay for. Low-end surge protectors offer very little protection, and the circuits are prone to quick failure. Our surge strips have a lifetime warranty and are not available in stores.
You can call our office and speak with a live person, not an answering machine. We know that it is never a convenient time for an electrical emergency to occur, so we strive to assist you as fast and efficiently as possible!
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