Commercia Electrical Services

Electrical Services Commercial:

We tackle every project with a team-based approach to deliver projects ahead of schedule and under budget for the owner. The electrical scope of a project is often the largest, most complex component of a project and the efficiency of the electrical installation often determines the success of a project for all stakeholders.

Many of our key employees have been with Marbec Enterprises (MarbecElectric.com) for years, providing continuity, professionalism and a commitment to quality that cannot be matched in Central Florida’s electrical construction industry. We also have long-standing relationships with many architects, engineers, inspectors and project managers and superintendents for general contractors throughout Central Florida. This recipe for success positions us to efficiently perform our work and helps ensure the project’s success for everyone involved.

Tenant Improvements:

Our expert and dedicated hands-on management and attention to detail allow these projects to be installed with minimal disruption to the customer’s normal business operations. Our employees provide a level of professionalism and customer service that is not often found in the construction industry.

Design / Build:

Strong relationships with area engineers give us an avenue to provide cost-effective design and allows our clients to review carefully prepared options prior to making critical decisions.

Service Department:

We worry about your electrical systems so you don’t! Our customers enjoy a sense of comfort and reassurance knowing that our experienced service technicians are just a phone call away. We offer 24/7 repair service and also provide preventative maintenance services for commercial and light industrial customers.

Marbec Enterprises (MarbecElectric.com)

Deltona, FL | (386) 956-1594 | marbecelectric.com | twitter.com/MarbecElectric | marbecelectric.tumblr.com | plus.google.com/102338195995648896384/posts?hl=en

Light Bulbs

Did you know roughly 1/4 of your electricity bill is used specifically for lighting? With recent changes in lighting technology, we now have the ability to control the costs of our electricity consumption more effectively. Choosing the right lightbulbs for your home or business may be confusing with all the different options we have today, so we’ve listed the three most common types in hopes to shed some light on the issue. *pun very intended

Incandescent Bulbs
Incandescent bulbs, the oldest and most common bulbs on the market, are relatively inefficient compared to other bulbs. They work by connecting an electric current that travels through a wire filament, heating up the filament until it illuminates. Unfortunately, up to 90% of the actual energy it consumes produces heat. The cost of each bulb is the lowest compared to other bulb types, but their lifespan is also the shortest, as they only last up to 2 years (based off 3 hours of use / day). With the passing of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, manufacturers are working to produce more efficient incandescent bulbs that produce up to 25% less energy.

Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)
Distinctive by their bold designs, Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) are the most energy and cost effective bulb type on the market today. An electric current is driven through a tube containing argon, and a small amount of mercury vapor that triggers the actual illumination. CFLs use up to 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, cutting overall electricity costs significantly without producing excess heat. Their lifespan can be pushed up to 9 years, and technically pay for themselves after just 9 months of use, costing less than half as incandesces bulbs for the same amount of light.

Note: research has shown that CFL’s work best when left on for long periods of time, but lose efficiency when turned on and off regularly. Because of this, it may be best not to use CFL light bulbs in areas like closets where the lights are usually just flipped on then off.

Light Emitting Diodes (LED)
Making an appearance in electronics starting in 1962, Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs), are rapidly taking the lighting industry by storm with its highly effective technology. By connecting a diode to an electrical current, electrodes are triggered within the diode, forcing them to release photons, which we see as light. The up-front costs of LEDs are higher compared to other bulb-types, but ultimately they last up to 25% longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. Manufacturing has increased drastically in recent years, and companies are expected to offer more affordability in the near future. By reducing energy consumption by up to 80%, LEDs pave a direct path to lower electricity bills.

If you’re looking to make improvements or modifications to your electrical system, avoid the mistake of going it alone. Let our team of experts help you make your wiring needs a reality.

Lake Helen, FL | (386) 956-1594 | marbecelectric.com | twitter.com/MarbecElectric | marbecelectric.tumblr.com | plus.google.com/102338195995648896384/posts?hl=en

As a Marbec Electrician we know that your family’s safety is one of the most important things on your mind throughout the day, so we decided that now would be a good time to re-visit the subject of Smoke Detector Replacement and maintenance. As the weather is cooling off, it is very important that you are certain your family is protected in the unfortunate event that you experience a house fire. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, “Each year fires occurring during the holiday season claim the lives of over 400 people, injure 1,650 more, and cause over $990 million in damage.” Remember these lucky 7 tips to keep your family safe this holiday season by ensuring that smoke detectors are installed correctly in your home, and that they are all in working order.

Smoke Detector Battery Replacement: At least once a year
One of the most important things to remember, if you already have smoke detectors installed in your home, is to replace the batteries at least once a year. An easy way to remember this is to change the batteries in your smoke detectors when you change your clocks for daylight savings time every year. Picking up this helpful habit makes it much easier to remember.

Smoke Detector Replacement: Every 5 to 7 years
Many smoke detector manufacturers recommend replacing the smoke detector unit itself every ten years, but a smoke detector’s reliability will actually decrease after 5 to 7 years. While this may seem like an extra cost, it is certainly a small price to pay for making sure that your family will have the most reliable method of early warning in the event of a fire, providing vital time for everyone to get out safely.

Smoke Detector Cleaning: At least twice a year
Dust, cobwebs, insects, and other airborne particles that make their way into our homes can collect on sensors and contaminate the circuitry inside your smoke detector, causing it to be less effective at sensing smoke. This is one of the most forgotten factors simply because many homeowners aren’t aware of the effects that dirt and dust can have on a smoke detector. Think about how dirty the blades of your ceiling fan would get if you never cleaned them. The same dust that accumulates on your fan blades will accumulate inside your smoke detector. At least twice a year, use your vacuum cleaner wand attachment to carefully remove dust and other contaminants from the inside and outside of your smoke detector.

Smoke Detector Types: Ionization, Photoelectric, or Both
There are two commonly used types of smoke detectors, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Ionization style smoke detectors are more responsive to quick moving, high flaming fires, while photoelectric smoke detectors are more responsive to smoldering fires that produce more smoke. You can never know what type of fire will happen in your home, so a great option to ensure the best protection is to choose smoke detector units that provide both ionization and photoelectric detection of smoke and fire.

Smoke Detector Location: Key guidelines for safe placement
Smoke detector placement is highly important in order for them to work properly. When installing smoke detectors in your home, it is ideal to have a smoke detector in each room, but at the very least, you should install smoke detectors on every level of your home, and in hallways near each bedroom to increase the likelihood that your family will be able to hear them even while sleeping. Smoke detectors should be placed 6 to 12 inches from the ceiling, and you should avoid installing them near vents, fireplaces, or kitchen appliances to reduce the accumulation of dust, soot, and oily residues from cooking.

Interlinked Smoke Detectors: Whole house warning
Modern smoke detector systems are more than simply individual detectors. It is recommended to install a system that allows all of the smoke detectors in your home to communicate with each other causing all of the detectors to alert of the fire if any single detector senses one. These systems can be wired directly into your homes electrical system, or allow wireless communication between each smoke detector. This has been a major advancement in smoke detector technology, allowing more time for residents to escape if a fire begins in any area of the home. These systems are especially valuable in late-model homes where the master bedroom is often on the opposite side of the house from children’s rooms.

Smoke Detector Testing: At least twice a year
We often take for granted that a smoke detector will simply work as designed once it is installed, but as you can see from this list, there are a lot of factors that go into a reliable smoke detection system. At the very least, make sure that you test your smoke detectors twice a year using the test button that is located on the smoke detector unit itself. When testing interlinked smoke detector systems, be sure to verify that all of the other detectors in your home alert when you test each unit individually. Even if a unit alerts when you test it, if it does not cause the other units in the home to alert, that means that there is an issue with communication between the units, and it should be inspected by a licensed Marbec Electrician.

If you have any concerns about your smoke detector system, or any other electrical projects in your home, the electricians at Marbec Enterprises. will be happy to help. Reach out to us by phone or through the “Contact Us” page on our website, and let our professional electrical technicians ensure your family’s safety by guaranteeing that the job is done right!

Lake Helen, FL | (386) 956-1594 | marbecelectric.com | twitter.com/MarbecElectric | | plus.google.com/102338195995648896384/posts?hl=en
marbecelectric.tumblr.com

Understanding AC vs. DC

Almost everything nowadays operates on electricity. The modern conveniences that drive our world depend on electricity. Without a constant supply, our world grinds to a halt, as massive blackouts have proven in the past. Electricity has two forms in modern electronics: AC and DC.

AC [alternating current], is most frequently used in devices that require high amounts of power to operate.
DC [direct current], is more commonly found in devices requiring smaller amounts of power to operate.

Understanding AC vs. DC
Direct Current
DC was the original electricity that was created by Thomas Edison. This style of electricity sends a current in only a single direction, from a power source and to the power source again in a loop. Today, DC is used to power electronics that require batteries. Any device in your home that uses batteries uses DC current. Interesting to note, if your battery is plugged in to the power supply to recharge, it transforms AC current into DC.

Direct current is also used in manufacturing situations where electricity is generated on site for personal use. Factories and mills that require vast amounts of energy often create their own DC current to power their machinery. Most commonly, DC is found in steel mills, aluminum production, and is used to power mass transportation in large urban centers in the form of electric streetcars.

Alternating Current
AC power is easier to generate, which is why we use it as our standard electricity nowadays. The alternating current design allows energy to flow in both dir

ections, making electricity easier to create and use in society. Regardless of where the current is moving, it is always moving in both directions at once. This results in current being present at every point in the power grid at every time as long as the connection to the generation unit is intact. The power that comes from the power plants, down the lines to our homes, is always AC in nature, thanks to the way our modern power grid is set up.

The power grid operates by creating AC current and sending it down the power lines. This current can be at whatever intensity the power company chooses.

Frequently, the electricity coming from these lines is far too powerful to be used in our homes. The transformers that we see on power poles transform the electricity from its high-powered state into something that our homes can use. Without the transformers, we wouldn’t be able to use the power that our society depends on.

Regardless of the style that we use in our devices and our homes, electricity plays an important role in society. Without both AC and DC electricity, we wouldn’t have those things that make modern life as comfortable as it is.
Contact Marbec Enterprises for any of your electrical needs!

Heathrow, FL | (386) 956-1594 | marbecelectric.com | twitter.com/MarbecElectric | marbecelectric.tumblr.com | plus.google.com/102338195995648896384/posts

Installing Tamper-Resistant Outlets

Whether you have a scheduled lighting project or an emergency on your hands, there are plenty of situations when it’s appropriate to call in a local electrician. For your safety and sanity use a certified electrician that can provide quality work and can be counted on for years to come.

Installing Tamper-Resistant Outlets
For peace of mind and family safety, have tamper-resistant outlets installed. These have shutters over all openings that must be pressed at the same time to open, such as when inserting a plug. Having this type of devices installed where your children has access to the
m can prevent a shocking experience —without having to deal with annoying plastic inserts. To ensure correct installation, count on a local electrician for the job.

Local-Electrician
Learn what lighting projects around the house call for the skill and experience of a local electrician.
Repairing a Wire Damaged from Drilling a Hole in the Wall
Whether you’re hanging pictures, shelves or a TV mounting bracket—or any other reason you might be drilling into a wall—there’s always the possibility that you’ll hit and damage a wire. This is definitely a fix you want to leave in the capable hands of a certified electrician.

To prevent the problem from happening again, use a stud finder and aim for the center of the stud. Before drilling, use a small tipped screw driver to verify you are hitting the stud and not the side. Once you have verified, feel free to drill away.

Upgrading a Ceiling Fan
Many homeowners aren’t familiar with the specific requirements involved in hanging a ceiling fan. First you must have a ceiling fan rated brace and box. You need to also make sure the weighted blades are properly installed to the motor. The motor has specific wiring leads that must be connect to the proper power leads. If there is any question, it’s best to leave this project to a local electrician who has the experience from thousands of installs. The last thing you want, after spending hours on the project, is to have the fan wobble or come crashing to the floor, all electricians will agree, fans looks better on the ceiling.

Re-Doing the Kitchen Lights
Some popular kitchen light upgrades include adding recessed lighting and pendant lights controlled by dimmer switches. Under-cabinet lighting and above cabinet lighting is also an excellent way to indirectly light your kitchen. Your interior lighting project is guaranteed to go smoothly when you trust your home to a licensed local electrician. The upgraded lights add a whole new dimension to your kitchen for everyone to enjoy.

To work with a licensed qualified professional for your next electrical project, please contact a certified electrician at Marbec today. Marbec is a trusted, local electrician.

Longwood, FL | (386) 956-1594 | marbecelectric.com | twitter.com/MarbecElectric | marbecelectric.tumblr.com | plus.google.com/102338195995648896384/posts?hl=en

When in Doubt, Call Marbec Enterprises & Take the Worry Out!

It is the rare person who does not deal with electrical appliances today. Most people watch television, turn the oven on to cook food, or simply pop frozen foods into the microwave. With electricity pouring through virtually every home, everyone should be aware of the following electrical safety precautions:
1. Never use electrical devices that have damaged or frayed wires.
The thick wires that connect an electrical device to the wall for energy are designed to safely transfer electricity from the socket to the device. When those wires tear apart, fray, or otherwise become damaged, they can allow the flow of electricity to escape the wire. This can lead to a shock of you grab the wire in that area, but it can also lead to an electrical fire. Safety precautions require you to throw these appliances out if you cannot replace the wire.

2. Play it safe with water in close vicinity to electrical devices.
When water comes in contact with an electrical outlet or electrical device plugged into the wall, it can become live with electricity and present a danger to humans. If you have a flood in your home, do not step into the water if it is covering electrical outlets. Do not place electrical devices where they can fall into a sink or bathtub full of water.

3. Watch the placement of cords leading to electrical devices.
All electrical devices have cords, and it is common to run longer cords along the wall in order to place them where you want them. The problem is you can create a tripping hazard if you run cords along doorways or across floors in heavy traffic areas of your home. Carefully place cords where they are safe for everyone in your home.

4. If you are going to change parts on or repair an electrical device, you have to disconnect it from the outlet or otherwise shut off electrical flow to the device.
Never do work on or repair an electrical device while it is live with electricity. In most cases this just means unplugging the device before you open it up to make repairs, but when doing home improvement projects it could mean shutting off electricity from the breaker box. If you don’t know how to do this, then do not attempt the repairs on your own.

All of these electrical safety precautions should be remembered by adults working with electrical appliances. If you know someone who isn’t aware of any precaution on this list, send them here to learn. It could save a life!

When in doubt, call an electrician from Marbec Enterprises and have them take the worry out!

Longwood, FL | (386) 956-1594 | marbecelectric.com | twitter.com/MarbecElectric | marbecelectric.tumblr.com | plus.google.com/102338195995648896384/posts?hl=en

Your Trusted and Local Electrician

Whether you have a scheduled lighting project or an emergency on your hands, there are plenty of situations when it’s appropriate to call in a local electrician. For your safety and sanity use a certified electrician that can provide quality work and can be counted on for years to come.

Installing Tamper-Resistant Outlets
For peace of mind and family safety, have tamper-resistant outlets installed. These have shutters over all openings that must be pressed at the same time to open, such as when inserting a plug. Having this type of devices installed where your children has access to them can prevent a shocking experience —without having to deal with annoying plastic inserts. To ensure correct installation, count on a local electrician for the job.

Local-Electrician
Learn what lighting projects around the house call for the skill and experience of a local electrician.
Repairing a Wire Damaged from Drilling a Hole in the Wall
Whether you’re hanging pictures, shelves or a TV mounting bracket—or any other reason you might be drilling into a wall—there’s always the possibility that you’ll hit and damage a wire. This is definitely a fix you want to leave in the capable hands of a certified electrician.

To prevent the problem from happening again, use a stud finder and aim for the center of the stud. Before drilling, use a small tipped screw driver to verify you are hitting the stud and not the side. Once you have verified, feel free to drill away.

Upgrading a Ceiling Fan
Many homeowners aren’t familiar with the specific requirements involved in hanging a ceiling fan. First you must have a ceiling fan rated brace and box. You need to also make sure the weighted blades are properly installed to the motor. The motor has specific wiring leads that must be connect to the proper power leads. If there is any question, it’s best to leave this project to a local electrician who has the experience from thousands of installs. The last thing you want, after spending hours on the project, is to have the fan wobble or come crashing to the floor, all electricians will agree, fans looks better on the ceiling.

Re-Doing the Kitchen Lights
Some popular kitchen light upgrades include adding recessed lighting and pendant lights controlled by dimmer switches. Under-cabinet lighting and above cabinet lighting is also an excellent way to indirectly light your kitchen. Your interior lighting project is guaranteed to go smoothly when you trust your home to a licensed local electrician. The upgraded lights add a whole new dimension to your kitchen for everyone to enjoy.

To work with a licensed qualified professional for your next electrical project, please contact a certified electrician at Marbec today. Marbec is a trusted, local electrician.

Orlando, FL | (386) 956-1594 | marbecelectric.com | twitter.com/MarbecElectric | marbecelectric.tumblr.com | plus.google.com/102338195995648896384/posts?hl=en

Proudly Capable of Meeting All Types of Construction Demands and Deadlines

At Marbec Enterprises (MarbecElectric.com), we pride ourselves in knowing the capability we have of meeting all types of construction demands and deadlines.

We understand the importance of all field and project management coordination to bring all our construction projects on time and on budget. Our field and office staff continues to bring a personal commitment to providing our customers with solutions, answers, and support for all electrical concerns.

Our background has been in multi-family housing, commercial office space, research and development, clean rooms, high tech fabrications, student housing, restaurants, and all types of tenant improvements, shells and cores, hospital and health care facilities, building renovations, high rise buildings, hotels, government buildings, fire alarm and security system, and tele/data installations.

***Design-Build, Engineering Analysis, and Budget Pricing***

During our partnering of design build projects, we have established strong loyal relationships with the area’s top general contractors, owners, and construction managers and provide complete assistance during the design/development phase of the project. Marbec Electric can assist with project budgeting, value engineering options and constructability recommendations.

We are experienced in all types of fast-track design build projects including tenant improvement, shells, site work, and clean rooms.

Our coordination with construction and project management teams, field staff, utility companies, and estimators solves all the construction requirements for our clients. Learn more at: marbecelectric.com

Orlando, FL | (386) 956-1594 | marbecelectric.com | twitter.com/MarbecElectric | marbecelectric.tumblr.com | plus.google.com/102338195995648896384/posts?hl=en

When You Must Consider Circuit Breaker Repair, Call a Marbec Electrician!

When you must consider circuit breaker repair

Circuit breaker repair becomes necessary when you’re looking to install security systems to keep intruders at bay. Even the addition of recessed lighting, task lighting, accent lighting, wall scones, mood lighting, track or other specialty lighting fixtures may require circuit breaker repair. The installation of landscape lighting, saunas, pools, steam rooms, sprinkler systems, steam rooms, will also require a look at your circuit breaker. During natural calamities such as ice storms, hurricanes, blizzards, or even ordinary blackouts, your circuit breaker may get damaged, requiring you to call a professional electrician from Marbec Enterprises.

Other reasons calling for circuit breaker repair
Installation of new wiring for home theaters, television sets, surround sound speakers and DVD players will require changes to your circuit breaker. The use of excessive power strips, outlet plugs and extension cords can cause circuit damage. If you want to increase the electrical capacity of your Hillsborough home, a circuit breaker upgrade post repairs is highly recommended. Circuit repairs can also become a necessity when adding satellite or cable connections to the other rooms in your house. If you’re annoyed with unplugging and re-plugging devices every now and again so that lawn equipment or power tools can be used to good effect, circuit breaker repair is crucial.

Getting your circuit breaker repaired by a professional from Marbec Enterprises will help you achieve efficiency while ensuring that there are no blackouts. Professional services with 24/7 operations like Marbec Enterprises can prove handy in the most extreme of circumstances.

Orange City, FL | (386) 956-1594 | marbecelectric.com | twitter.com/MarbecElectric | marbecelectric.tumblr.com | plus.google.com/102338195995648896384/posts?hl=en

Offering extensive expertise and professional service

Whether you’re doing industrial wiring or residential wiring for electricity, you’ve got a complex task ahead of you. Needless to say, industrial wiring is essentially a much more complex form of residential wiring. Let an electrician at Marbec Enterprises take care of it for you. We will simply provide you with a very basic overview of what you need to understand with regard to residential wiring and industrial wiring.

It will be up to you to look up your local building and electrical codes for your home or office space. Also, check your local laws to see if you are even permitted to do your own amateur wiring before you proceed. Above all things, approach any wiring project with this knowledge at the forefront of your mind: “electricity can be deadly.” Put your safety ahead of all other concerns. marbec Enterprises is trained in all aspects of electrical work.

Basics of Doing Residential Wiring
Red wires and black wires are usually “hot”. This means that there is a current (amps) flowing from the circuit breaker to the electrical box or the appliance in question.
The white wires usually are “returns”. This means that they allow current (amps) to flow back to the circuit breaker after the electricity has passed through the load or appliance in question.
White wires should not be connected together with ground wires, with the exception being back at the circuit panel bus bar. If you fail to observe this rule, then every single time the load is energized (such as turning on an appliance), electricity will flow through the ground wire and the return wire simultaneously. This is very dangerous.

A ground wire is usually bare and attaches to an appliance’s frame. Under normal circumstances, current should not be passing through it. Only when there is a short circuit should electricity pass through the ground wire; this happens so that the circuit breaker will kill the flow of current to the site or appliance.

Basics of Doing Industrial Wiring
Smart industrial wiring is based on 3-phase electrical power. 3-phase electric allows less workload to be placed on each wire involved while at once allowing them to work together to give you maximum results. With 3-phase electric, the wires are smaller and the motor is smaller than a typical single-phase motor. These factors allow greater efficiency and longer lasting motors and wires.
There are four types of 3-phase electrical power:
Common 3 Wire
Common 4 Wire
3 Wire with Grounded Hot Leg
Special 4 Wire

No matter which type of 3-phase electrical power you choose to use, you’ll need a voltage meter in order to determine the actual voltages that are available to you. The type does not determine this.
Industrial wiring typically runs through metal conduits, armored cable, or a raceway. These enclosures are the safety ground–never the neutral wire.

The Marbec Electrical team of highly trained commercial electrical contractors has provided top quality electrical installations for large commercial building projects in Florida for over 10 years. We are trained in all aspects of commercial electrical work and offer extensive expertise and professional service to our clients.

Orange City, FL | (386) 956-1594 | marbecelectric.com | twitter.com/MarbecElectric | marbecelectric.tumblr.com | plus.google.com/102338195995648896384/posts?hl=en

Play It Safe & Contact A Marbec Electrician Today If You Have Any Concerns!

It is the rare person who does not deal with electrical appliances today. Most people watch television, turn the oven on to cook food, or simply pop frozen foods into the microwave. With electricity pouring through virtually every home, everyone should be aware of the following electrical safety precautions:

1. Never use electrical devices that have damaged or frayed wires.

The thick wires that connect an electrical device to the wall for energy are designed to safely transfer electricity from the socket to the device. When those wires tear apart, fray, or otherwise become damaged, they can allow the flow of electricity to escape the wire. This can lead to a shock of you grab the wire in that area, but it can also lead to an electrical fire. Safety precautions require you to throw these appliances out if you cannot replace the wire.

2. Play it safe with water in close vicinity to electrical devices.

When water comes in contact with an electrical outlet or electrical device plugged into the wall, it can become live with electricity and present a danger to humans. If you have a flood in your home, do not step into the water if it is covering electrical outlets. Do not place electrical devices where they can fall into a sink or bathtub full of water.

3. Watch the placement of cords leading to electrical devices.

All electrical devices have cords, and it is common to run longer cords along the wall in order to place them where you want them. The problem is you can create a tripping hazard if you run cords along doorways or across floors in heavy traffic areas of your home. Carefully place cords where they are safe for everyone in your home.

4. If you are going to change parts on or repair an electrical device, you have to disconnect it from the outlet or otherwise shut off electrical flow to the device.

Never do work on or repair an electrical device while it is live with electricity. In most cases this just means unplugging the device before you open it up to make repairs, but when doing home improvement projects it could mean shutting off electricity from the breaker box. If you don’t know how to do this, then do not attempt the repairs on your own.

All of these electrical safety precautions should be remembered by adults working with electrical appliances. If you know someone who isn’t aware of any precaution on this list, send them here to learn. It could save a life!

When in doubt, call an electrician from Marbec Enterprises and have them take the worry out!

Orange City, FL | (386) 956-1594 | marbecelectric.com | twitter.com/MarbecElectric | marbecelectric.tumblr.com | plus.google.com/102338195995648896384/posts?hl=en

Aluminum Wiring in Older Homes Can Be A Fire Hazard!

When a light switch or electrical outlet doesn’t function correctly, a professional electrician from Marbec Enterprises can trace this back to a variety of causes. First, it’s possible this non-functioning device was never connected to the wiring in your building. Secondly, the circuit affected by a switch or outlet may not be completed because of another component. For example: A switch may control an outlet which is unoccupied by a lamp or any other electrical device. Also, an outlet may be connected to a switch which is in the off position. A third cause might be related to a defective breaker, or a breaker which was tripped or turned off, but never switched back on. However, a fourth possibility may relate to a much larger problem.

Sometimes, a switch or outlet fails when it is damaged by arcing. If the arcing was caused by a connection to aluminum wiring, great potential hazards exist. If your home or building was constructed or renovated before 1972, or during the late sixties, it may contain aluminum wiring. Aluminum wiring was used legally during those years, but outlawed for installation in new homes, commercial buildings, remodels and renovations after it was identified with conditions which could lead to electrical fires.

Although aluminum wiring itself is generally no more hazardous than copper, its splices and connections with other metals present a real hazard because they can become corroded and begin arcing. Because arcing in these connections can lead to fire within surrounding materials, aluminum wire was discontinued. However, many homes still contain aluminum wiring, and research conducted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reveals that buildings with aluminum wiring pose a fire risk which is 55 times greater than the risks with similar structures wired with copper. So, if you discover an electrical outlet or switch which doesn’t appear to be functioning correctly, it’s possible this outlet or switch was damaged by a connection with aluminum wiring. If you have safety questions about this type of problem, or any electrical concerns regarding your residence or commercial building, please contact an electrician at Marbec Enterprises. Our licensed electricians are trained and equipped, and they can repair any type of electrical problem

Orange City, FL | (386) 956-1594 | marbecelectric.com | twitter.com/MarbecElectric | marbecelectric.tumblr.com | plus.google.com/102338195995648896384/posts?hl=en

An Updated GFCI Can Save Your Life!

One of the most important safety devices used in modern wiring is the GFCI, also known as an RCD (residual current device), but perhaps most commonly known as a GFI (ground fault interrupter). Typically, these are built into electrical outlets, and are most commonly located in bed-rooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms where most electrical shocks occur. It’s also a good idea to locate these in outdoor porch and patio outlets, and in workshops and garages. The safest possible use of GFCIs involves installing one for every circuit in a building. Then, a GFCI will provide protection for ground shorts occurring anywhere in that building. GFCIs are also built into the cords of hairdryers, and other electrical appliances and tools which are used near water. Before GFCI installation became law for new homes and new hairdryers, scores of deaths occurred in the U.S. after hairdryers were dropped into sinks or tubs full of water, and people reached in to retrieve them. These deaths still occur, because many older homes have not been updated with GFCIs, and many older model hairdryers are still in use. However, newer hair-dryers have been saving lives, and GFCIs located in outlets are saving lives when accidents occur with older hairdryers.

Although most of us are familiar with GFCIs and their identifying buttons, it’s a good idea to understand how these work. Let’s use the hairdryer accident as an example. First of all, without a GFCI, when an older style hairdryer is dropped into a sink full of water, the electrical current becomes shorted to ground from the live wires inside the dryer. When this happens, high voltage electricity is flowing out of the hair dryer and through the water to ground, typically through a metal drain. Next, imagine that someone with wet feet standing on a wet floor, or in a bathtub full of water reaches down and grabs the hairdryer. The electricity now begins flowing through that person’s body to the floor, which acts as a ground. Technically, the electricity flows from ground to the hot electrical contacts in the hairdryer, but it’s helpful to think of the hairdryer as the source. An electrical shock from household current can cause death when a victim’s heart is stopped by this shock. Although it may seem foolish to grab a wet hairdryer from a sink, this usually happens as a quick reflexive action, before anyone can imagine the consequences.
Now, let’s see what happens with the same hairdryer accident when a GFCI exists in the hair-dryer’s cord, or in the electrical outlet. As soon as water enters the hairdryer and the electricity is shorted to ground, the GFCI detects the short, and turns off (interrupts) the electrical current. This happens extremely fast, usually in about 25 thousandths of a second (25 ms). So, long be-fore anyone’s hand can touch the water, the flow of electricity has been stopped.

Of course, a wet hairdryer is only one of many possible ways in which dangerous electrical shorts can occur. Frayed or cut electrical cords, old and cracked insulation, worn out switches and outlets, and a host of other conditions can cause shorts resulting in electrical fires and accidental electrocutions. In fact, over 40,000 electrical fires occur in the United States every year. In addition, many unnecessary deaths occur from these fires and electrical shocks. This is why in-stalling GFIs in every circuit is so important. If you are unsure if the wiring in your home or business has sufficient GFI protection, call a qualified electrician at Marbec Enterprises and schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

Orange City, FL
(386) 956-1594
http://marbecelectric.com

Old Wiring Can Be Dangerous In Your Home... Call A Marbec Electrician Today to Inspect Your Home!

If you’ve ever watched the show “Holmes on Homes” on HGTV, you’ve likely seen the problems associated with old or faulty wiring.  Mike Holmes tends to get very agitated by safety issues, and for good reason.  Each year, over 40,000 homes suffer fire damage due to home electrical problems.  These electrical fires account for hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries.  And what’s the main culprit?  Old wiring!
If you live in a classic home built before 1940, chances are you have old wiring in the house.  You may have knob-and-tube or Romex wiring, both of which can become brittle over time.  The insulation dries out and starts to crumble, causing the inner wire to become exposed. The cloth insulation around the wire deteriorates with age and eventually becomes unsafe.
But perhaps one of the biggest threats of Romex and knob-and-tube wiring is that these types of wires aren’t grounded.  That means if one of your appliances shorts out, you could become the path to the ground for the electricity.
Even if your home is only 20 or 30 years old, you could still experience electrical problems at home due to a lack of capacity.  Most homes built more than 10 years ago are not designed to handle the amount of electronics we use today.  Think about it:  if your house was built in 1980, it was built before home PCs and laptops and HDTVs and surround sound and all of the other toys and gadgets we use today.  These appliances can draw a lot of power, and your current electrical wiring may not be up to the task.
If you own one of the houses that’s more than 20 years old, it’s a good idea to have a licensed electrician come out and take a look at the wiring.  He or she can make sure that your house will be safe and productive for many years.
For more information about Marbec’s list of electrical repair services, please visit us on the web or call.

Orange City, FL
(386) 956-1594
http://marbecelectric.com

Power overloads and Troubleshooting

Power overloads and Troubleshooting
Power overloads are one of the many scenarios an emergency electrician can help a homeowner address and prevent. In the event of an electrical emergency like a power overload, which can be the result of faulty wiring, only a qualified emergency electrician will be thorough enough to find the problem, repair it and help you avoid it in the future.

Overloads, though seemingly minor issues, are, in fact,  one of the most overlooked and dangerous problems you can have with your electrical system. An overload can cause everything from electrical shorts to fires. What’s more, a power overload is one of the most avoidable electrical problems—you don’t have to let it get to the point of electrical emergency.

What is an Overload and What are the Causes?
During a power overload, the circuit gets overwhelmed and shuts itself off. It’s a common occurrence in many homes. For instance, you could have the microwave, a rice cooker and a stove running off the same circuit in your kitchen when you suddenly notice that your power goes out in the kitchen while it stays on in the rest of the house. Then you check the breakers and realize that the breaker wasn’t tripped.

Because they see things like this all the time, licensed electricians can easily identify the source of the trouble. There are generally three main causes of power overloads.
Melting wires. An overloading a circuit—meaning too many appliances are running on one power circuit at a time—can cause wires to melt and become damaged and shorted. This common problem can be very dangerous, which is why many electricians recommend that, particularly in your kitchen and living room areas, circuits should run individually from separate power sources in order to prevent overloading.

Changing weather. The use of window A/C units and space heaters, which use massive amounts of power, can wreak havoc on your circuits and overload them. In fact, A/C units require so much power to function that even the units by themselves can overload a circuit. As with other sources of overloads, running these units on a separate circuit and with their own source of power can help prevent a bigger problem.

Old wiring. An emergency electrician is often called to address power overloads in older homes that have antiquated wiring. This is where it pays off to have an experienced licensed electrician troubleshooting your electrical system, because this kind of overload is tough to diagnose without an emergency electrician who is familiar with the way older homes are wired. Today’s homes are built to prevent problems like bathroom circuit overloads, where using hair dryers that require a lot of power wattage to function can easily blow a circuit. In fact, new homes often include separate circuits for heavy-power usage rooms like the bathrooms, kitchen and family room areas. If you have an older home, it may be worth it to have an experienced electrician take a look at the home’s wiring.

Power overloads are preventable with a little thought and planning. When ignored, however, they can result in very costly repairs—or worse.

Marbec Enterprises: Emergency Electrician to the Rescue
Are you experiencing a power overload or another issue that requires an electrical troubleshoot? Marbec Enterprises' emergency electrician crew is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to your electrical emergency. Give us a call today to learn more about our emergency electrician services.

Orange City, FL | (386) 956-1594 | marbecelectric.com | twitter.com/MarbecElectric | marbecelectric.tumblr.com | plus.google.com/102338195995648896384/posts?hl=en

Providing top quality electrical installations.

Whether you’re doing industrial wiring or residential wiring for electricity, you’ve got a complex task ahead of you. Needless to say, industrial wiring is essentially a much more complex form of residential wiring. Let an electrician at Marbec Enterprises take care of it for you. We will simply provide you with a very basic overview of what you need to understand with regard to residential wiring and industrial wiring.

It will be up to you to look up your local building and electrical codes for your home or office space. Also, check your local laws to see if you are even permitted to do your own amateur wiring before you proceed. Above all things, approach any wiring project with this knowledge at the forefront of your mind: “electricity can be deadly.” Put your safety ahead of all other concerns. Marbec Enterprises is trained in all aspects of electrical work.

Basics of Doing Residential Wiring
Red wires and black wires are usually “hot”. This means that there is a current (amps) flowing from the circuit breaker to the electrical box or the appliance in question.
The white wires usually are “returns”. This means that they allow current (amps) to flow back to the circuit breaker after the electricity has passed through the load or appliance in question.
White wires should not be connected together with ground wires, with the exception being back at the circuit panel bus bar. If you fail to observe this rule, then every single time the load is energized (such as turning on an appliance), electricity will flow through the ground wire and the return wire simultaneously. This is very dangerous.

A ground wire is usually bare and attaches to an appliance’s frame. Under normal circumstances, current should not be passing through it. Only when there is a short circuit should electricity pass through the ground wire; this happens so that the circuit breaker will kill the flow of current to the site or appliance.

Basics of Doing Industrial Wiring
Smart industrial wiring is based on 3-phase electrical power. 3-phase electric allows less workload to be placed on each wire involved while at once allowing them to work together to give you maximum results. With 3-phase electric, the wires are smaller and the motor is smaller than a typical single-phase motor. These factors allow greater efficiency and longer lasting motors and wires.

There are four types of 3-phase electrical power:
Common 3 Wire
Common 4 Wire
3 Wire with Grounded Hot Leg
Special 4 Wire

No matter which type of 3-phase electrical power you choose to use, you’ll need a voltage meter in order to determine the actual voltages that are available to you. The type does not determine this.

Industrial wiring typically runs through metal conduits, armored cable, or a raceway. These enclosures are the safety ground–never the neutral wire.

The Marbec Electrical team of highly trained commercial electrical contractors has provided top quality electrical installations for large commercial building projects in Florida for over 10 years. We are trained in all aspects of commercial electrical work and offer extensive expertise and professional service to our clients.

Sanford, FL | (386) 956-1594 | marbecelectric.com | twitter.com/MarbecElectric | marbecelectric.tumblr.com | plus.google.com/102338195995648896384/posts?hl=en

Storm Season Tips

With the weather in Florida being so unpredictable, how can you be sure that you are prepared to tackle what Mother Nature dishes out? Follow these simple tips to protect your home, your electrical system and your family from dangerous and frightening conditions.

#1 Have your electrical system checked regularly. With this storm season upon us, it is extremely important that you get in touch with your Marbec electrician and have him look over your circuit breakers, wiring and outlets as part of his regular maintenance. Flaws in your electrical system, be it with breakers, wiring or any other aspect, combined with unpredictable weather, is the recipe for a very, very bad situation.

#2 Use power surge protectors on all your appliances. Did you know that, even a lightning strike that hits miles from storm-season-tipsyour home can affect your appliances? Power surge protectors show up often in storm season tips everywhere, and there’s a reason why. Power surges can be deadly for your appliances and anything else hooked up directly into the outlet, particularly during lightning storms.

#3 Install a built-in surge protector on your circuit panel. This will protect everything hooked to the circuit panel from potentially damaging surges. Even when the power is restored after an outage, it often still does not come on right away; instead, it flickers, which shoots and cuts off electricity randomly to your appliances, ultimately causing damage.

#4 Always keep a weather radio handy. Weather alert radios are an invaluable addition to your home’s severe weather storm-season-tipkit. In case of an emergency, an outage, lightning strike or blackout, you will have access to weather updates, evacuation information (if necessary), and instructions on how to keep your family and home safe in the event of bad weather.

#5 Invest in an indoor generator. Indoor generators are a great way to take a little pressure off of the overloaded power grid during a power surge or blackout. When there’s a blackout, the indoor generator kicks in, keeping a steady flow of electricity going to your home and keeping your appliances from getting damaged. Some generators are solar-powered, which can save you energy, time and money.

Marbec: Helping You Prepare

Severe stormy weather doesn’t have to be scary, inconvenient, dangerous or costly. Following these simple storm season tips can ensure that you and your family are spared the expenses and headaches that come with unpredictable weather in Florida. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you prepare for a stormy season.

Lake Mary, FL | (386) 956-1594 | marbecelectric.com | twitter.com/MarbecElectric | marbecelectric.tumblr.com | plus.google.com/102338195995648896384/posts?hl=en

We meet ALL types of construction demands!

At Marbec Enterprises (MarbecElectric.com), we pride ourselves in knowing the capability we have of meeting all types of construction demands and deadlines.

We understand the importance of all field and project management coordination to bring all our construction projects on time and on budget. Our field and office staff continues to bring a personal commitment to providing our customers with solutions, answers, and support for all electrical concerns.

Our background has been in multi-family housing, commercial office space, research and development, clean rooms, high tech fabrications, student housing, restaurants, and all types of tenant improvements, shells and cores, hospital and health care facilities, building renovations, high rise buildings, hotels, government buildings, fire alarm and security system, and tele/data installations.

***Design-Build, Engineering Analysis, and Budget Pricing***

During our partnering of design build projects, we have established strong loyal relationships with the area’s top general contractors, owners, and construction managers and provide complete assistance during the design/development phase of the project. Marbec Electric can assist with project budgeting, value engineering options and constructability recommendations.

We are experienced in all types of fast-track design build projects including tenant improvement, shells, site work, and clean rooms.

Our coordination with construction and project management teams, field staff, utility companies, and estimators solves all the construction requirements for our clients. Learn more at: marbecelectric.com

Lake Mary, FL | (386) 956-1594 | marbecelectric.com |twitter.com/MarbecElectric | marbecelectric.tumblr.com |plus.google.com/102338195995648896384/posts?hl=en

Never use electrical devices that have damaged or frayed wires

It is the rare person who does not deal with electrical appliances today. Most people watch television, turn the oven on to cook food, or simply pop frozen foods into the microwave. With electricity pouring through virtually every home, everyone should be aware of the following electrical safety precautions:

1. Never use electrical devices that have damaged or frayed wires.
The thick wires that connect an electrical device to the wall for energy are designed to safely transfer electricity from the socket to the device. When those wires tear apart, fray, or otherwise become damaged, they can allow the flow of electricity to escape the wire. This can lead to a shock of you grab the wire in that area, but it can also lead to an electrical fire. Safety precautions require you to throw these appliances out if you cannot replace the wire.

2. Play it safe with water in close vicinity to electrical devices.
When water comes in contact with an electrical outlet or electrical device plugged into the wall, it can become live with electricity and present a danger to humans. If you have a flood in your home, do not step into the water if it is covering electrical outlets. Do not place electrical devices where they can fall into a sink or bathtub full of water.

3. Watch the placement of cords leading to electrical devices.
All electrical devices have cords, and it is common to run longer cords along the wall in order to place them where you want them. The problem is you can create a tripping hazard if you run cords along doorways or across floors in heavy traffic areas of your home. Carefully place cords where they are safe for everyone in your home.

4. If you are going to change parts on or repair an electrical device, you have to disconnect it from the outlet or otherwise shut off electrical flow to the device.
Never do work on or repair an electrical device while it is live with electricity. In most cases this just means unplugging the device before you open it up to make repairs, but when doing home improvement projects it could mean shutting off electricity from the breaker box. If you don’t know how to do this, then do not attempt the repairs on your own.

All of these electrical safety precautions should be remembered by adults working with electrical appliances. If you know someone who isn’t aware of any precaution on this list, send them here to learn. It could save a life!

When in doubt, call an electrician from Marbec Enterprises and have them take the worry out!

West Volusia, FL | (386) 956-1594 | marbecelectric.com | twitter.com/MarbecElectric | marbecelectric.tumblr.com | plus.google.com/102338195995648896384/posts?hl=en

Correct safety & maintenance of your hot water heater.

The hot water heater represents one of the greatest hazards in the modern home, yet far too many homeowners have never read their heater’s owner’s manual. Common dangers associated with these household appliances include severe burns from scalding water, electric shock hazards, explosions, and fire.

Because most water heaters reside in closets, basements and garages, and are for the most part hidden from our daily lives, many aren’t as aware as they should be of the maintenance and precautions which are necessary for safety. Many homeowners don’t know for instance, that they should drain and flush a hot water heater every six months, to prevent sediment buildup. Others are unaware that hydrogen gas can build up inside electrically heated hot water systems when they remain inactive for two weeks or more. Hydrogen buildup requires carefully performed procedures to safely remove this flammable gas from hot water pipes. Many don’t know how and why water softening systems shorten the lives of water heaters, or that every electric hot water heater should be properly grounded with the correct gauge of copper wire. Marbec Enterprises can do this.

Correct safety and maintenance measures covered in a water heater’s manual are extremely important for household safety, so every homeowner should study this to learn how to properly maintain their hot water systems. It’s also extremely important to understand the electrical dangers these appliances represent. Because a hot water heater contains electrical heating elements immersed in water, these elements can deteriorate with age and short out electrically to the water heater’s metal casing. When this happens, it’s possible to receive a severe and perhaps fatal shock when touching the hot water heater’s housing or connecting pipes. If you do not have the necessary skills to work safely around high voltage electrical conditions, you should always call a professional electrician at Marbec Enterprises any time you suspect a problem with your hot water heater or when you have any other electrical concerns. When any questions about electrical safety arise, please call Marbec Enterprises. Our electricians are trained and equipped to identify any type of hazardous electrical condition, and to determine the proper repair procedures.

West Volusia, FL | (386) 956-1594 | marbecelectric.com |twitter.com/MarbecElectric | marbecelectric.tumblr.com |plus.google.com/102338195995648896384/posts?hl=en