Feeling overwhelmed by your home’s electrical system? Fear not! We’ve got you covered with this comprehensive guide. At State Electrical Contractors, we’re the go-to experts for all your electrician needs right here in Phoenix, AZ, and Maricopa County.

When it comes to owning a home in Maricopa County, Arizona, we know that a properly functioning electrical system at home is essential for comfort, safety and wellbeing. But if you’re like most homeowners, you don’t really possess a firm understand how your home’s electrical system works. And that can be a confusing and even , especially when there is a problem that you simply don’t know how to fix.

Here are some of the hurdles that homeowner’s encounter when trying to understand their home’s electrical system:

• It’s complex. The electrical system in a modern home is a complex network of wires, circuits, and breakers. It’s not easy to understand how all of these components work together to power your home. We encourage you to contact one of our licensed electricians before you touch any live wires or circuits.
• It’s hidden. Most of the electrical system in your home is hidden behind walls and ceilings. This makes it difficult to inspect and troubleshoot. Our professional electricians possess the proper tools to peer through walls to pinpoint the areas of concern.
• It’s dangerous. Working with electricity can be dangerous, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing. That’s why it’s important to hire a licensed electrician for any electrical work in your home.

If you feel confused about your home’s electrical system, you’re not alone. Our licensed electricians will explain how the electrical system in your home works and answer any questions you have.

Whenever you’re looking for a locally trusted electrician in Maricopa County, Arizona, State Electrical Contractors is your go-to source for everything electric. We will listen to your concerns and work with you to target a solution.

Remember, it’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your home’s electrical system. If you’re not sure what to do, give us a call.

Don’t Miss This Essential Series: “Getting to Know Your Home’s Electrical System”

When you are looking for the most comprehensive, reliable, and expertly crafted guide to understanding your home’s electrical system? Search no more. State Electrical Contractors, Maricopa County’s most trusted electricians, proudly present our multi-part series, “Getting to Know Your Home’s Electrical System.” This in-depth guide is designed with one goal in mind: to empower our local community’s homeowners with essential knowledge and practical insights into their home’s electrical ecosystem.

Please take your time when reading through this guide. Bookmark it, so that you may reference the information as the need arises.

Think of the circuit panel as the control room of your home’s electrical system. This grey box is where the magic happens. It’s the hub that divides the electrical power flowing into your home into subsidiary circuits. If you experience frequent trips, it might be time to call an electrician for a panel upgrade. Especially in older Phoenix homes, old panels can be fire hazards. So, it’s essential to get this checked by a certified electrician. At State Electrical Contractors, we provide top-notch panel services for Phoenix, AZ & Maricopa County residents.

Upgrading your home’s circuit panel in will have many benefits, including increased safety, increased capacity, improved efficiency, and increased property value. Older electrical panels may not meet modern safety standards and can pose a risk of electrical fires and other hazards. Newer panels are equipped with advanced safety features, such as ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and arc fault circuit interrupters ( AFCIs), which can help to prevent these hazards. Additionally, older electrical panels may not be able to handle the increased power demands of modern appliances and electronics. Upgrading to a new panel with more amperage can give you the peace of mind knowing that your electrical system can handle whatever you throw at it. Newer electrical panels are also more efficient than older models, meaning they waste less energy. This can save you money on your monthly electric bills. Finally, an upgraded electrical panel is a valuable asset to your home, and it can make it more attractive to potential buyers.

Aluminum vs. Copper Wiring in Arizona Homes

Copper shortage: During the 1960s, there was a worldwide shortage of copper, making it difficult and expensive to obtain. This shortage forced many industries, including the construction industry, to seek alternative materials. Aluminum, with its abundance and affordability, emerged as a readily available substitute for copper wiring in homes.

Aluminum Wiring

• Usage Period: Commonly installed in homes in the Maricopa County region from the 1960s to the early 1970s.
• Advantages: Cost-effective compared to copper.
• Concerns:
  • Oxidation Risk: Prone to oxidizing, leading to resistive layers at connections, raising the likelihood of overheating and fire hazards.
  • Thermal Expansion: More susceptible to expansion and contraction than copper, potentially resulting in loose connections and sparking risks.
  • Compatibility Issues: Aluminum’s lower compatibility with other metals (like copper and brass) in electrical systems may increase the risk of overheating and fire.

Copper Wiring

• Usage Period: Predominantly used since the early 1900s and continues to be the standard.
• Advantages:
  • Stability: Copper resists corrosion and oxidation better, ensuring stable connections and minimizing fire risks.
  • Thermal Properties: Less prone to thermal expansion and contraction, maintaining secure connections.
  • Conductivity: Offers higher electrical conductivity, allowing for more efficient power transmission with reduced heat generation.
• Concerns: Higher cost compared to aluminum wiring.

Why Consider Replacing Aluminum Wiring?

1. Enhanced Safety: Copper wiring minimizes risks of overheating and fire, making it a safer option.
2. Electrical Stability: Provides more secure connections, protecting appliances and equipment from electrical damage.
3. Increased Property Value: Homes with copper wiring are often more appealing to potential buyers.
4. Peace of Mind: The reliability of copper wiring offers homeowners greater confidence in their electrical system’s safety.

Factors to Consider for Aluminum Wiring Replacement

• Home’s Age: Homes built before the mid-1970s are more likely to contain aluminum wiring.
• Wiring Condition: Signs of wear, oxidation, or corrosion in aluminum wiring indicate a need for replacement.
• Budget Considerations: While crucial for safety, replacing wiring is an investment that requires budget planning.
• Local Building Codes: Some areas may mandate aluminum wiring replacement during major electrical renovations.

Making the Decision

Deciding to replace aluminum wiring is significant and requires careful consideration of safety, cost, and local regulations. As your trusted local electricians in Phoenix, AZ, we will evaluate your home’s needs and ensure a safe, up-to-date electrical system solution.

The IoE is still in its early stages of development, but it has the potential to revolutionize the way we live and work. By connecting all of our devices to the internet, we can create a more efficient and interconnected world. For example, a smart thermostat can learn your heating and cooling preferences and adjust the temperature automatically to save energy. Smart lights can turn on and off automatically when you enter or leave a room, and smart locks can let you unlock your door remotely with your smartphone.

The IoE also has the potential to make our homes safer and more secure. For example, smart security systems can monitor your home for break-ins and send you alerts if something goes wrong. Smart smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms can notify you if there is a fire or gas leak, even if you’re not home.

Overall, the IoE has the potential to make our lives easier, more efficient, and more secure. As the technology continues to develop, we can expect to see even more innovative and useful IoT devices come to market.

It is important to understand that the IoE also opens up your home’s network to exploitation. Safety & security should always be a priority.

Smart home devices can be a fun, engaging and convenient. However, they do add to your electrical burden. Before making your home a smart home, have an electrical inspection done to ensure that you are not in need of a sub panel, or minor repairs so that you don’t put your current electrical system into overload.

Why Your Maricopa County AZ Home Needs a Whole Home Surge Protector

Power surges are a common occurrence in Arizona, especially during the monsoon season. These surges can be caused by lightning strikes, downed power lines, and even the switching on and off of large appliances. While power surges may not always be noticeable, they can have a devastating impact on your electronics and appliances.

A whole home surge protector is a device that is installed in your electrical panel. It protects your entire home from power surges by diverting excess voltage to ground. This can help to prevent costly damage to your electronics and appliances, including:

Whole home surge protectors are a relatively inexpensive investment, and they can save you thousands of dollars in the long run by preventing damage to your electronics and appliances.

Choose State Electrical Contractors for Your Whole Home Surge Protector Installation

State Electrical Contractors is Arizona’s most trusted electrical contractor. We have been serving the Maricopa County area for over 50 years, and we are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality service and products.

Our qualified electricians can install a whole home surge protector in your home quickly and efficiently. We will work with you to choose the right surge protector for your needs and budget, and we will make sure that it is installed correctly.

When you are looking for a reputable electrical contractor to install a whole home surge protector in your Maricopa County AZ home, contact State Electrical Contractors today. We will be happy to answer your questions and provide you with a free estimate.

Your home isn’t just a home anymore; it’s a connected ecosystem. The “Internet of Everything” refers to the interconnectivity of devices and systems that communicate with each other over the internet. Think Alexa, smart thermostats, and even smart refrigerators. While they offer convenience, they also add to your home’s electrical load. Ensure you have a robust electrical system that can handle this additional demand.

In addition to these specific items, any other device that is connected to the internet and can collect and share data with other devices can be considered part of the IoE. This includes things like laptops, smartphones, tablets, and even wearable devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers.

It is important to remember that each device or appliance that you connect to the internet, possesses another opportunity for exploitation. When we speak to the IoE, a strong network security protocol should be in place, along with a reliable program that detects these types of events.

The IoE is still in its early stages of development, but it has the potential to revolutionize the way we live and work. By connecting all of our devices to the internet, we can create a more efficient and interconnected world. For example, a smart thermostat can learn your heating and cooling preferences and adjust the temperature automatically to save energy. Smart lights can turn on and off automatically when you enter or leave a room, and smart locks can let you unlock your door remotely with your smartphone.

The IoE also has the potential to make our homes safer and more secure. For example, smart security systems can monitor your home for break-ins and send you alerts if something goes wrong. Smart smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms can notify you if there is a fire or gas leak, even if you’re not home.

Overall, the IoE has the potential to make our lives easier, more efficient, and more secure. As the technology continues to develop, we can expect to see even more innovative and useful IoT devices come to market.

It is important to understand that the IoE also opens up your home’s network to exploitation. Safety & security should always be a priority.

Smart home devices can be a fun, engaging and convenient. However, they do add to your electrical burden. Before making your home a smart home, have an electrical inspection done to ensure that you are not in need of a sub panel, or minor repairs so that you don’t put your current electrical system into overload.

Imagine a Phoenix summer without air conditioning. Unthinkable, right? A home generator ensures that you never have to face such a scenario. It kicks in automatically when there’s a power outage, powering essential systems in your home, effortlessly.

A whole home generator is a necessity in Maricopa County, Arizona for a number of reasons:

• Extreme heat: Maricopa County experiences extreme heat during the summer months, with temperatures often reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. A power outage during a heat wave can be dangerous, especially for people with health conditions. A whole home generator can provide backup power to keep your home cool and safe.
• Monsoon storms: Maricopa County is also prone to monsoon storms, which can bring strong winds, heavy rains, and lightning. These storms can often cause power outages. A whole home generator can provide backup power to keep your home running even during a power outage.
• Utility company rolling blackouts: In recent years, the utility company in Maricopa County has implemented rolling blackouts to conserve energy during peak demand periods. A whole home generator can provide backup power to keep your home powered during a rolling blackout.
• Medical equipment: If you or someone in your household relies on medical equipment that requires electricity, a whole home generator can be essential. A whole home generator can provide backup power to keep your medical equipment running even during a power outage.

In addition to these practical reasons, a whole home generator can also provide peace of mind. Knowing that you have backup power in case of a power outage can be very reassuring.

Here are some specific examples of how a whole home generator can be beneficial in Maricopa County:

• If you have a pool, a whole home generator can keep your pool pump running, preventing algae growth and damage to your pool.
• If you have a sump pump, a whole home generator can keep your sump pump running, preventing flooding in your basement.
• If you have a security system, a whole home generator can keep your security system running, protecting your home from intruders.
• If you have pets, a whole home generator can keep your pets comfortable and safe during a power outage.
• If your home has a refrigerator, or both refrigerator and freezer, a rescue generator will ensure that food is preserved.
• If you have an electric vehicle, a whole home generator will ensure that you are able to travel.

Overall, a whole home generator is a valuable investment for any homeowner in Maricopa County. It can provide backup power during power outages, ensuring your safety and comfort, as well as protecting your home and belongings.