Established in 2004, Hi Amp Electric , a family owned business and a full-service electrical contractor, provides electrical wiring for both new and remodel commercial, residential, industrial and institutional facilities in Western Washington. It is the purpose of the company to provide timely electrical service at a competitive price. Time after time, you can rely on quality craftsmanship from Hi Amp Electric employees,who are committed to serving the client's best interest. Call Mike @ 888-278-3616 for a firm, competitive quote for your electrical project. Electrical problems fixed too.
Hi Amp Electric is a FULL service electrical contractor for The South Puget Sound region
. Here are SOME of the services our professional electricians can complete for you.
Electrical Service to Puget Sound areas include but not limited to:
Western Washington South King County, Pierce County, Thurston County, Mason County,
Lewis County, Seattle, Sea-Tac, Burien, Federal Way, Auburn, Kent, Covington, Sumner, Pacific, Gig Harbor
Algona, Maple Vally, Black Diamond, Enumclaw, Bonney Lake, Orting, Buckley, Ruston, Milton, Fife, Puyallup, Eatonville,
Lake Tapps, Edgewood, Des Moines, Renton, Tukwila
Elbe, Ashford, Morton, Steilacoom, DuPont, Lakewood, University Place, Tacoma, Parkland, Spanaway,
Graham, Roy, Mckenna,
Yelm, Nisqually, Rainier, Tenino, Bucoda, Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Shelton, Centralia, Chehalis.
 | Here are some checks you can make in your home today to ensure electrical safety: |
| Outlets Check for outlets that have loose-fitting plugs, which can overheat and lead to fire. Replace any missing or broken wall plates. Make sure there are safety covers on all unused outlets that are accessible to children. |
Cords Make sure cords are in good condition—not frayed or cracked. Make sure they are placed out of traffic areas. Cords should never be nailed or stapled to the wall, baseboard or to another object. Do not place cords under carpets or rugs or rest any furniture on them. |  |
Extension Cords Check to see that cords are not overloaded. Additionally, extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis; they are not intended as permanent household wiring. Make sure extension cords have safety closures to help prevent young children from shock hazards and mouth burn injuries. Plugs Make sure your plugs fit your outlets. Never remove the ground pin (the third prong) to make a three-prong fit a two-conductor outlet; this could lead to an electrical shock. NEVER FORCE A PLUG INTO AN OUTLET IF IT DOESN'T FIT. Plugs should fit securely into outlets. Avoid overloading outlets with too many appliances.
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Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) GFCIs can help prevent electrocution. They should be used in any area where water and electricity may come into contact. When a GFCI senses current leakage in an electrical circuit, it assumes a ground fault has occurred. It then interrupts power fast enough to help prevent serious injury from electrical shock. Test GFCIs according to the manufacturer's instructions monthly and after major electrical storms to make sure they are working properly. Replace all GFCIs that are not working properly, but never replace a GFCI with a standard non-GFCI outlet or circuit breaker. Do not use an appliance or device that trips a GFCI on a nonGFCI-protected circuit; instead, take the appliance to authorized repair center to be checked for faulty wiring or replace it.
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Light Bulbs Check the wattage of all bulbs in light fixtures to make sure they are the correct wattage for the size of the fixture. Replace bulbs that have higher wattage than recommended; if you don't know the correct wattage, check with the manufacturer of the fixture. Make sure bulbs are screwed in securely; loose bulbs may overheat. |  |
Circuit Breakers/Fuses Circuit breakers and fuses should be the correct size current rating for their circuit. If you do not know the correct size, have an electrician identify and label the size to be used. Always replace a fuse with the correctly specified size fuse. Water and Electricity Don't Mix Don't leave plugged-in appliances where they might fall in contact with water. If a plugged-in appliance falls into water, NEVER reach in to pull it out—even if it's turned off. First turn off the power source at the panel board and then unplug the appliance. If you have an appliance that has gotten wet, don't use it until it has been checked by a qualified repair person. Appliances If an appliance repeatedly blows a fuse, trips a circuit breaker or if it has given you a shock, unplug it and have it repaired or replaced. Entertainment/Computer Equipment Check to see that the equipment is in good condition and working properly. Look for cracks or damage in wiring, plugs and connectors. Use a surge protector bearing the seal of a nationally recognized certification agency. Outdoor Safety Electric-powered mowers and other electric tools should not be used in the rain, on wet grass or in wet conditions. Inspect power tools and electric lawn mowers before each use for frayed power cords, broken plugs and cracked or broken housings. If any part is damaged, stop using it immediately. Repair it or replace it. Always use an extension cord marked for outdoor use and rated for the power needs of your tools. Remember to unplug all portable power tools when not in use. When using ladders, watch out for overhead wires and power lines. Ladders When using ladders, avoid contact with overhead wires and power lines. Stay at least 10 feet from all lines. Lightning During an electrical storm, do not use appliances (i.e., hairdryers, toasters and radios) or telephones (except in an emergency); do not take a bath or shower; keep batteries on hand for flashlights and radios in case of a power outage; and use surge protectors on electronic devices, appliances, phones, fax machines and modems. Space Heaters Space heaters are meant to supply supplemental heat. Keep space heaters at least 3 ft. away from any combustible materials such as bedding, clothing, draperies, furniture and rugs. Don't use in rooms where children are unsupervised and remember to turn off and unplug when not in use. Do not use space heaters with extension cords; plug directly into an outlet on a relatively unburdened circuit. Halogen Floor Lamps Halogen floor lamps operate at much higher temperatures than a standard incandescent light bulb. Never place a halogen floor lamp where it could come in contact with draperies, clothing or other combustible materials. Be sure to turn the lamp off whenever you leave the room for an extended period of time and never use torchiere lamps in children's bedrooms or playrooms. Consider using cooler fluorescent floor lamps.
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Wiring Unless you are qualified and experienced in electrical work, consider hiring a licensed electrician for electrical repairs, maintenance and installations. If you elect to perform such work, make sure you follow these safety basics: Never work on or around “hot” lines. Always de-energize lines and equipment by disconnecting from the power source at the circuit breakers or fuses. Don't forget to test every conductor before you make contact with it. Never use the ground wire as the neutral or circuit-carrying conductor. The ground wire is not designed to carry current continuously, but briefly under an abnormal condition. The neutral wire is designed as a current carrier and can carry as much current as the hot wire. Use a strip gauge on devices to strip the proper length of insulation from wires. Too little risks the screw tightening on plastic insulation; too much leaves bare wires that can cause a dangerous contact. When using wire connectors, be sure the insulation on the wires is completely covered by the wire connector. Source Electrical Safety Foundation International, www.esfi.org. |
6 Easy and Inexpensive ways to cut your electric bill!
Programmable Thermostat
Ceiling Fans
Moving air tends to feel cooler, allowing for higher summertime thermostat settings. According to EREN, the effect is equivalent to lowering the air temperature by about 4 F (2 C), and using less energy than air conditioners in doing so. Set the unit on reverse and it will bring the warm air down.
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL's)
Energy-efficient appliances
Among household appliances, the refrigerator is likely your biggest energy consumer, especially if it's more than 15 years old. It can account for up to 9% of your energy costs alone. Again, use the Energy Star site for a list of energy-efficient models if you're looking to replace yours.
Hot water jackets
Heating water is the third-biggest home-energy cost and typically accounts for 14%-20% of your energy bill. Because hot water jackets usually sell for $10 to $20, shipping charges for buying them online can easily increase their cost by 50% or more. It's best to use the Web to find offline deals in this case. At the Home Depot site, I found a $10 Frost King vinyl-cased fiberglass jacket for water heaters up to 60 gallons and used the online site to find the closest store.
Aerating, low-flow faucets and showerhead
Other ways to save
If you use space heaters instead of central heating, you can save nearly $1200/year!
If you use fans instead of air conditioning, you can save about $600/year.
If you dry your clothes on a line instead of in a dryer, you can save $150/year.
If you wash your laundry in cold water instead of hot, you can save $150/year.
If you replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescents, you can save nearly $100/year.
If you get rid of your television, you can save $75/year.
If you put your computer in sleep mode when you’re not using it, you can save $60/year.
Each year, fire claims the lives of 4,000 Americans and injures approximately 20,000 more. During a typical year, home electrical problems account for 67,800 fires,
hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries and $868 million in property losses. Home electrical wiring causes twice as many fires as electrical appliances.
Many of these fires are caused by misuse or overloading electrical circuits .
You've upgraded your kitchen, plumbing, roof, bathroom, and carpet...
now pay some attention to the most critical and unfortunately
most overlooked system in your home. Your electrical System!
THE FACTS
Winter months are the most dangerous time for electrical fires. Fire deaths are highest in winter months which call for more indoor activities and increase in lighting,
heating, and appliance use. Most electrical wiring fires start in the bedroom.
THE CAUSE
Electrical Wiring
Most electrical fires result from problems with "fixed wiring" such as faulty electrical outlets and old wiring. Problems with cords and plugs,
such as extension and appliance cords, also cause many home electrical fires.
In urban areas, faulty wiring accounts for 33% of residential electrical fires.
Many avoidable electrical fires can be traced to misuse of electric cords, such as overloading circuits,
poor maintenance and running the cords under rugs or in high traffic areas.
Home Appliances
The home appliances most often involved in electrical fires are electric panels, stoves and ovens, dryers, central heating units, televisions, radios and record players.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Have your electrical panel checked by a licensed electrician
Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters; pay special care to electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen.
If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.
Never overload extension cords or wall sockets. Immediately shut off, then call electrician to professionally replace,
light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker. Use safety closures to "child-proof" electrical outlets.
Finally, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. And remember to practice a home escape plan frequently
with your family.
Maintain Electrical Safely
The insulation on electrical cords can
become damaged by wear, flexing, or age.
Do not use any cord that is stiff or cracked.
Some clues that you may have an electrical
problem are :
1. Flickering lights. If the lights dim every
time you turn on an appliance that
circuit is overloaded or has a loose
connection.
2. Sparks. If sparks appear when you
insert or remove a plug, they could be a
sign of loose connections.
3. Warm electrical cord. If an electrical
cord is warm to the touch, the cord is
underrated or defective.
4. Frequent blown fuses or broken
circuits. A fuse or circuit breaker that
keeps tripping is an important warning
sign of problems.
5. Frequent bulb burnout. A light bulb
that burns out frequently is a sign that
the bulb is too high a wattage for the
fixture.
Use Electrical Devices Safely
Light bulbs, especially the newer halogen
types, get very hot and can ignite
combustible materials that get too close.
Clothing or towels should never be placed
atop a lampshade and table lamps should
not be used without a shade where they
might fall over onto a bed or sofa. Most
light fixtures are labeled to show the
brightest bulb that can be safely used in
that fixture; too high a wattage bulb can
cause the fixture to overheat and start a
fire. Extension cords are a common cause
of electrical fires. You must be careful to
use only extension cords that are rated for
the power used by the device they are
powering. Extension cords should never be
used as a long term solution to the need for
another receptacle. Extension cords must
never be run inside walls or under rugs or
furniture. Extension cords can get warm in
use and must be able to dissipate this heat
or they can start a fire.
Prevent electrical problems
Studies of electrical fires in homes show
that many problems are associated with
improper installation of electrical devices
by do-it-yourselfers. Common errors that
can lead to fires include the use of
improperly rated devices such as switches
or receptacles and loose connections at
these devices. Both can lead to overheating
and arcing that can start fires. Fires are still
caused by people using the wrong size fuse
or even putting a penny behind a fuse when
they don’t have a spare. These practices are
very dangerous. The fuse is a safety device
designed to limit
the electricity
carried by the
circuit to a safe
level. Electricity
and water are a
bad combination.
All electrical
devices installed
outdoors should
be specially
designed for
outdoor use. Outdoor receptacles as well as
those in kitchens, bathrooms, and anywhere
else near water should be the ground fault
circuit interrupting type (GFCI).
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