You may be sitting at home and watching the TV when suddenly your lights flicker. Your TV shuts off without the use of a controller. You may even hear a popping sound. At the time, you may think nothing of it. Perhaps a tree branch touched a power line and momentarily interrupted the electric flow to your home. When you attempt to turn your TV back on, however, you suddenly that it refuses to work at all. You've become the...

In today's world, almost everything in a home uses electricity. We flip a switch or plug in an item. "Voilà," it works. A properly functioning outlet is essential for the electric current to flow properly to power appliances and devices in our homes. Our small appliances are essential for making coffee and cooking. We are at a loss if our entertainment items are unable to work. Everything usually works fine until you experience electrical outlet problems. Many people encounter electrical...

If you're a homeowner, you know that sometimes you need to fix things around the house. Plumbing wears out, air conditioners break, and furnaces need to be replaced every 15 to 20 years. The electrical panel, otherwise known as a circuit breaker, is no different. But how do you know when it is time to replace your breaker box? There are several tell-tale signs and reasons that it is time to upgrade. Old Electrical Panel One reason that you might...

Mother's day is almost here, and you're probably wondering what you should give the person who gave you life. It's common for people to feel frustrated, especially if your mother is one of those people who already have everything. You gave her a candle gift set and a gift certificate to dinner last year, and you don't want to repeat the same thing. This year, wouldn't it be nice to give her something that she will be able to enjoy...

Since their introduction into the National Electrical Code (NEC), Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet location requirements have expanded way beyond the initial recommendations, and now include practically every outlet on your property, in and out of the house. These life-saving devices have improved to the point where they are, almost, tamper-proof, but they can still suffer the consequences of age, overuse, and/or incorrect installation. SIMPLE GFCI TROUBLESHOOTING GFCI outlets were initially designed to protect against electrical shock hazards in...

Electricity powers almost everything that makes our lives comfortable. Heating and cooling equipment, refrigerators, computers, lights, fans and hybrid cars require electricity to function. Before World War II, 60 amperes at the service panel was adequate to meet home electrical system requirements. Today, households require a minimum of 100 amps. Large homes, or those with electrical heat and other major electrical appliances such as water heaters and clothes dryers, may require 150 to 200 amps of service. Your home electrical...

Home electrical safety may not be the most festive topic, but it's an important consideration before pulling out the holiday decorations. Knowing what holiday electrical hazards are most common during the season, you can prevent unnecessary problems and help to keep your family safe. Here are the top 10 causes of electrical shock, fires, and other issues during the holidays: 1.) Using the wrong type of lights Indoor holiday lights are not always waterproof or safe to use outside. Outdoor...

Three Prong vs. Two Prong Electrical Outlet We’ve all noticed the obvious difference between a two prong electrical outlet and a three prong electrical outlet. But many have never stopped to consider why they’re different and what the difference might mean for your home. The answer is quite a bit. The main difference between a two prong electrical outlet and a three prong electrical outlet is that a three prong outlet has a ground wire, while a two prong outlet...

October means Halloween, football and beautiful foliage. It’s also National Fire Safety Month. On average, fires cause 3000 deaths and 15000 injuries in the US each year. According to the CDC, children four and under are particularly susceptible to fire-related injuries and deaths. You can help your children understand the importance of fire safety through drills, talks and safety tips. Here at Mister Spark, we want to remind you of the best ways to keep your home safe so that...

Today we launch the first in a new series designed to help you prevent common electrical catastrophes, with tips and advice to better protect you and your family from a house fire. In the first of the series, we look at the best ways to avoid the worst of electrical disasters: the house fire.   The Overloaded Outlet Electrical outlets are a necessity in our everyday lives, and it is not uncommon to plug multiple appliances into one along our...