There’s never a good time for an electrical issue to arise, so it’s a good idea to be prepared in the event that one comes up at an inopportune time. One of the easiest ways to do this is to know ahead of time what constitutes an electrical emergency and what can wait until a better time to address it.

It is also important to keep in mind that most electrical work requires a level of expertise and can pose a serious risk to anyone who tries to tamper with it. Not only that, but certain electrical issues can put your home and loved ones at risk if left unaddressed, so it’s good to know when to call in a professional for an emergency.

1. An unexplained power outage

Most power outages have a relatively simple explanation. Whether it’s inclement weather, infrastructural work, or an accident that has knocked out power to an area, your utility company should be able to explain why your power is out. 

However, if your home has lost power, the utility company can’t explain it, and the problem is isolated to just your home, you can consider this an electrical emergency.

2. You find a burnt outlet

If you see brown or black marks surrounding an outlet, this is a clear sign that it has been overloaded. When an outlet is overworked, it heats up and can reach a point where it actually begins to burn. An overloaded outlet should be addressed right away, so be sure to call an electrician about the issue immediately, no matter the hour. 

3. A new noise coming from your circuit breaker

If you notice that your circuit breaker is suddenly making a noise that you’ve never heard before, this could be indicative of a larger issue. The biggest risk in this situation is that your breaker isn’t tripping properly. 

It can be frustrating when a circuit breaker trips, but when this happens it’s actually a good thing. Circuit breakers trip when they sense something is wrong, so the tripping mechanism works to prevent further harm.

If the breaker isn’t tripping, it can leave your home vulnerable to electrical damage. There’s no doubt this is an electrical emergency, so don’t hesitate to contact a professional if this is happening in your home.

4. An electrical issue that can’t be fixed with simple troubleshooting

Sometimes fixing something electrical is as simple as unplugging it and plugging it back in again, wiggling a cord, or ensuring everything is plugged in where it’s supposed to be. But if these easy steps don’t do the trick, you may be dealing with an issue that requires professional help.

If an outlet, appliance, or light fixture isn’t functioning as it should and it’s putting off an unusual noise or smell, it should be considered an emergency and dealt with as quickly as possible. 

Leave it to the professionals at Phillip M. Brunelli Electric

There’s a reason electricians go through intensive schooling, apprenticeships, and additional training. Electrical work can be quite dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing and it’s easy to make a situation go from bad to worse if you try tinkering with the problem in an attempt to fix it. 

Our team at Brunelli offers 24/7 support for any electrical emergencies you may experience. If you are in the midst of an electrical emergency do not wait! Contact our team today.

As a homeowner, there are a lot of intangibles that often get overlooked. More so than not, utility maintenance tasks are a number of the issues that pop up with the day to day upkeep of a home. No more than electrical issues, seeing as so many do not understand the workings and layout of electrical systems. For that reason, it is one major aspect of home maintenance you’ll want to do regularly. How often? That requires a bit of knowledge about electrical inspection and repair. For starters, there are a few things to note about electrical safety.

Electrical Safety

There’s a reason specific schools and programs solely focus on electrical work. For one, it is incredibly intricate, with numerous scientific and engineering elements to it. To lay an electrical network in a home, it takes quite a bit of time because each every small part is connected to one another. When one thing goes wrong, everything could come grinding to a halt. Likewise, if one thing is outdated or worn, its danger is spread to all of its connected parts. For that reason, electrical safety is of the utmost importance. Many home fires that occur are electrical related. This makes staying on top of electrical maintenance incredibly important.

On this note, there are a number of homeowners that will argue that you can check things out yourself. Sure, switching a pilot’s light is relatively easy and quick, but major electrical problems are best left up to the professionals. There are a ton of issues that come from mismanagement of the electrical circuit of your home, and even if you follow along with a YouTube video or online tutorial, there are too many intangibles that amateurs do not know about. For that reason, regular maintenance is crucial.

How Often Should I Inspect My Electrical System?

As listed above, doing any sort of your electrical inspection is going to be flawed from the get-go. In order to properly, safely inspect your electrical system, it should be done often and by a professional. On average, homeowners are nearly always behind on regular electrical inspection. For that reason, professionals recommend a checkup at the beginning of the summer and winter. These seasons are both times of extreme weather and conditions, as well as different electrical needs. Checking with Phillip M Brunelli Jr. Mater Electrician and his team twice a year on the condition of your electrical system ensure your home’s safety, as well as everyone living in it.

Nowadays it’s pretty commonplace to have fire alarm systems in most homes. Even pre-war homes and apartments have been retrofitted over time due to fire codes and various building safety ordinance and regulations. Most of the time our fire alarm systems are simply an afterthought – how often do you think about it without those annoying ‘beeps’ to let you know the batteries need changing? It is exactly because of that very reason that we have listed out some good reasons to install or have your system regularly checked on.

Safety Is Important, Especially When You Least Expect It

It’s easy to sit around and be comfortable with the fact that you have a fire alarm system. After all, what can go wrong as long as you have a fire alarm? A lot, in fact. When a fire will start is anyone’s guess. What’s not entirely left to chance is whether or not you decide to put your fire alarm system through a variety of checks and tests. At least once a month, you should be checking your fire alarm system to make sure the batteries and sound systems operate properly. You never know when a circuit will short and a small house fire might develop.

Hard-Wire Systems Are Still Vulnerable And Need Back-Up

Making sure your hard-wired systems are not faulty or susceptible to shorting out is an important task. Unless you have a lot of experience working with electrical wiring (and even if you do) it is often best to leave these tasks to an electrician. For the same reason that you trust an IT expert even if you know a thing or two about a computer, it is best to leave the most important (and dangerous) check-ups to the professionals.

Fire Alarms Can Reduce Your Insurance

A good, reliable fire alarm system can reduce your insurance costs as well as ensuring payout of your policy in case there is a fire. Insurance companies are often relieved to see a pro-active homeowner. Talk to the electrician performing your installation for more information about other insurance cost-cutting safety options such as regular maintenance scheduling, etc.

All in all we can understand that fire alarm systems are helpful, however, too many of us write them off as unnecessary – after all, when was the last time you had a fire?  Just like in a casino, however, you shouldn’t gamble based on what has already happened – especially not with your life. Your best bet is to speak with a professional and to have your household electrician regularly perform check-ups on all your systems after installation. This way, you’ll sleep more safely at night knowing your house – and all your memories inside – are covered with protection and insurance. 

Why wait? Contact Phillip Brunelli and his team of electricians operating all over Eastern Massachusetts! Call (508)-400-5571 or request a free quote online!