When a Electrical Outlet Doesn’t Function Correctly, Call Marbec Enterprises

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

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

Helping You Prepare For Storm Season.

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.

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

Chandelier Installation

Chandeliers look beautiful when installed in your home, but the process of properly installing them should be left to a qualified, experienced electrician Plano homeowners can trust. Proper installation of a complex electrical fixture like a chandelier is best left to a licensed residential electrician who understands the intricacies of adding a chandelier to your home and who can make sure that the process is carried out safely and efficiently so that your fixture has a long life with little need for repairs.

Instead of finding an electrician homeowners sometimes opt to do a chandelier installation themselves. What they don’t realize is that chandelier installations are very difficult and complex, and as a result it’s always best to contact local electricians who are experienced to do the job. installation chandelier that is installed incorrectly can mean many costly and dangerous complications in the future. Follow these important electrical tips to ensure your chandelier is properly installed in your home.

1. Hire an electrician who is experienced with this type of installation and its wiring, as it is very different from many of the other fixtures in your home. Homeowners are often unfamiliar with the proper wiring for a chandelier; as a result, they end up damaging the fixture when doing the installation themselves. Experienced electricians know that the side of the wiring with the ridges and bumps is the “power out” side and the smooth wiring side is the “power in.” Getting those mixed up can cause serious damage to your wiring and your equipment.

2. Make sure that your electrician follows the manufacturer’s order of instructions for fixture installation. Steps missed or skipped can cause serious problems and result in wasted money and time, as well as risky complications. For example, it’s important for your electrician to remember that, when installing a crystal chandelier, the fixture must be installed before hanging the crystal. Otherwise, the fixture will be too heavy and fragile to install.

3. Be mindful of weight limits when it comes to chandeliers and your ceiling. If the chandelier weighs over 100 pounds, chances are you’ll need an additional complex support installation in your ceiling to ensure that there’s enough support to hold the weight. Not being aware of these weight limitations can cause major problems with the installation.

4. The residential electrician you hire needs to make sure that the canopy cover is properly installed and adjusted to the correct depth before hooking up the chandelier’s wiring. Placing the canopy cover flush to the ceiling may result in twisted wiring and a bad connection.
5. Your electrician should know that chandeliers are hung from their chains, not the wiring itself. Hanging the chandelier from the wires can stretch them, causing a fire hazard. Chandeliers, in any case, are not designed to hang from anything other than the chains they come with.

Marbec Enterprises: Electrician Homeowners Can Count On
Marbec Enterprises offers quality emergency and routine electrical repairs for residential and commercial applications. Whether you need a chandelier installed or you have an electrical emergency of any sort, Marbec can send a licensed and experienced electrician homeowners can count on. Call us today and connect with us online.

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

Why Install Dimmer Switches?

Marbec works with everything from large home electrical installations to installations as simple as switches. One popular install is dimmer switches, which are a favorite in many homes, both for their energy-friendly operation and their style.

Dimmer Switches: Why Install Them
Dimmer switches are an inexpensive item that many homeowners love to add to their electrical setup at home for many reasons.
Dimmers save power, decreasing energy usage significantly and resulting in a lower power bill.
They set the mood and a unique ambiance to a home, whether it’s in the kitchen or the bedroom.
They’re easy to install, even for homeowners.

Dimmer Switch Installation Tips
Even an easy installation can turn tricky, which is why you should call your local electrician at Marbec to ensure that your dimmer switch install is done correctly. Still, if you feel comfortable doing the installation yourself, here are some tips for a smooth and pain-free dimmer switch installation.

Check the wattage limits on switches to prevent overheating and overloading of the circuits. Dimmers can handle anywhere from 600 to, in some cases, 2,000 watts of power. The key is to not run too many lights on the switch and risk overheating or overloading it, which can be dangerous. You will know if there is something wrong with one of those scenarios if, when you touch the dimmer after installing it and running it, it’s hot to the touch. Warm is normal; hot is not. This is one of the reasons why you should consider calling the best Dallas electrician to help oversee your installation.

Make sure that there are no other dimmers connected to the same circuit. Much like having too many appliances in the same circuit can be a danger, too many dimmers can cause overloading that results in dangerous circumstances and costly repairs.
Never use fluorescent bulbs with dimmer switches. Fluorescent bulbs will not work with dimmer switches. If you really want to use fluorescent lights, you can find some for a pretty hefty price that will run on dimmers.

Ordinary dimmer switches cannot run devices that rely on a motor, like ceiling fans. Ceiling fans are set to run at a specific, predetermined wattage and therefore they are not compatible with dimmer switches, which gradually adjust wattage.

Older styles of dimmers can sometimes interfere with audio equipment, creating a humming or whining noise. A Marbec electrician can quickly recognize this as a sign that the dimmers are too old. To resolve this issue, you must either install a new dimmer or install a noise filter.
To learn more about our services, visit our website. And if you ever have any questions, please feel free to call us or use the Contact form on our website!

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

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)

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

Require a Commercial Electrical Contractor?

Marbec Enterprises (MarbecElectric.com) is a leading electrical contracting company serving Central Florida. Specializing in commercial, light industrial, tenant improvement and design / build projects, we have built our reputation by providing our clients with unmatched workmanship and customer service and by taking on unique, complex projects that provide cultural and economic significance to the areas in which we live, work, and play.

Our employees, many of whom have been with us for 20+ years, serve as the foundation for our company and provide for a family-type atmosphere that is rare in today’s marketplace. It is our employees that allow Marbec Enterprises (MarbecElectric.com) to be one of the top electrical contractors in Central Florida and they are the key to our future.

Marbec Enterprises (MarbecElectric.com) continues to achieve success by delivering on all projects with quality, value and service, ensuring that your projects are completed on-time and on-budget. Our "Commitment to Excellence" begins as soon as we introduce our services to a client and continues long after the project is completed.

As we continue to evolve and adapt at Marbec Enterprises (MarbecElectric.com), we remain rooted in our dedication to client and employee satisfaction and know that this commitment will position Marbec Enterprises (MarbecElectric.com) as one of Central Florida’s premier electrical contractors for many years to come.

If you require a commercial electrical contractor for your new construction or renovation project, call Marbec Enterprises (MarbecElectric.com) today.

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

Our Commitment

Marbec Enterprises (MarbecElectric.com) is a Florida owned and operated electrical contractor with years of commercial, industrial and residential knowledge in the electrical.

Our Pledge to You!

You are the most important people to us. We will respond quickly and graciously to your needs.

Without you, we wouldn’t exist. You can depend on us because we depend on you.
You are the purpose of our work. Sure, we’re in business to make a profit, but we only earn it by doing our best work for you.

You’re not just another project. We believe in personal relationships, and making you comfortable with every decision about your electrical service needs.
You do us a favor when you do business with us. In return, we owe it to you to give you our very best every time, and to make sure that you are completely satisfied with our work and our attitude.

We know that you can take your business to our competitors. That’s why we strive to give you our best work for a fair price—every time.

Leading the industry in quality work at a fair price
Marbec Enterprises (MarbecElectric.com)

Orange City, 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.

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

Running Short of Time?

Marbec Enterprises has a large staff of professional electricians that will complete your wiring project, whether it is on a remodeling job, a new home or a large business contract, quickly, accurately, and in your time frame.

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

Differences between AC & DC electricity

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 directions, 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 m
odern 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!

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

Thunderstorms pose a safety hazard in several ways!

Thunderstorms pose a safety hazard in several ways. Lightning is the most dangerous part of a thunderstorm, and it kills more people than hurricanes and tornadoes combined. Thunderstorms produce heavy rain, which can cause flash flooding. The strong winds from a thunderstorm can also cause widespread damage. Each of these components requires specific precautions to minimize their danger.
A thunderstorm typically has a diameter of 15 miles and lasts for 30 minutes, which is much smaller than a hurricane or winter storm. The National Weather Service places specific criteria on a severe thunderstorm. These include thunderstorms that produce hail with a diameter of at least ¾ inch, wind gusts of at least 58 mph or a tornado. Severe thunderstorms comprise about 10 percent of all thunderstorms. And we know how quickly Central Florida weather can become dangerous.
Lightning
Lightning from a thunderstorm can strike as far as 10 miles away in from any rain. This generally means that you are at risk from lightning. Lightning travels much faster than sound, which allows you to estimate your distance from the lightning. You can do this by measuring the number of seconds between the lightning and thunder. Divide this result by five to obtain the distance to the lightning in miles.
The NWS recommends that you stay indoors for 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder when you hear thunder less than 30 seconds after the lightning. This rule is known as the 30/30 lightning safety rule.
Emergency Shelter
You may need to take emergency shelter in a thunderstorm if you don’t have time to get back to your main residence before the thunderstorm hits. A shelter should generally be a sturdy structure that is closed on the top. It should also have some type of wiring or plumbing through the structure to ground it from the lightning. A vehicle with a hard top is better than no shelter at all.
Avoid taking emergency shelter in structures that are vulnerable to high winds, such as a mobile home. Outdoors shelters such as sheds, pavilions and golf’s typically will not protect you from flying debris and lightning. Avoid and report downed power lines. Bring pets under shelter to protect them during hailstorms.
Indoor Precautions
You must also take additional precautions once you are safely indoors. Unplug any electrical appliances that you don’t need immediately, since lightning can severely damage electrical appliances when they are plugged in. Refrain from activities that involve running water, such as taking a bath or shower. Running water can provide a conduit for lightning. Draw the blinds to protect yourself from broken windows.
Once the storm clears and you're safe it is time to take account of the any damage that might be done. Let Marbec Enterprises help you get back on your feet.

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

Industrial & residential wiring

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

Safety Precautions from Marbec Enterprises

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
http://marbecelectric.com

LEDs are the way to go

Short for “light emitting diode” and introduced commercially in the early 1960’s, the first LEDs produced low levels of red light, and were first used as indicator lights on electronic equipment. As their name suggests, LEDs are diodes, and will operate on both AC and DC electric current. In the mid-seventies, the first digital watches featured LED displays, and in the following decades, LED technology expanded into many applications as LEDs producing most of the light spectrum were developed, from infrared to short wave ultraviolet.

Most notable has been the development of LEDs producing extremely bright “white” light. Although these “white LEDs” first produced very cold bluish white light, their output has become more sophisticated, and LEDs are now available which produce “neutral white” as well as “warm white” light. The latter light color is very pleasing, and quite similar in color temperature to light produced by halogen lamps. Another term for LED lighting is “solid state lighting,” as opposed to “hollow state lighting” which describes nearly every other type of lamp or light bulb. LEDs have seven distinct advantages over halogen lamps, and ten advantages over fluorescent lamps. Smaller in size, quicker in response time, and cooler in operation, LEDs last 100,000 hours or more – longer than both halogen and fluorescent lamps. They are more efficient in their consumption of electrical energy than either halogen or fluorescent lighting, and they are safer than other lighting because LEDs can operate on much lower voltages. Also, because they have no delicate glass envelope or fine wire filaments, they are much more resistant to shock and vibration than halogen and fluorescent lamps. Because of their low voltage operation and resistance to impact and vibration, solid state lighting is rapidly replacing all other forms of RV, truck, marine, aerospace, and automotive lighting.

Very recently, solid state lighting is also appearing in homes and offices. And this is where its additional advantages over fluorescent lamps really shine. First, when operated from a DC power supply, solid state lighting doesn’t flicker like fluorescent lighting, which lends to a much more comfortable environment for individuals sensitive to flickering light. LEDs designed for visible spectrum illumination produce no harmful UV emissions, making them safer for our eyes and for artwork which can fade from exposure to ultraviolet light. Most importantly, LEDs contain none of the hazardous mercury vapor present in all fluorescent lamps, including CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps). Because of the mercury vapor they all contain, fluorescent lamps of all kinds represent a serious and potentially dangerous hazard in our homes, schools, hospitals, public spaces, and offices. They also represent a serious ongoing disaster as we dump literally tons of mercury from discarded fluorescent lamps into our environment every year. So, as prices for LEDs continue to drop, we should all hope to see solid state lighting replace all forms of environmentally hazardous fluorescent lighting. If you are interested in a mercury free home or workspace, please contact Marbec Enterprises.

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

Tripped Circuit Breakers: MarbecElectric.com

Tripped circuit breaker: many of us have experienced them at some point in our homes, yet instead of asking ourselves, “Why Do Breakers Trip?”, we reset the breaker without much thought. Before flipping the switch back over to the “ON” position, however, it’s important to understand why the breaker tripped in the first place, and what can be done to keep it from happening again.
At Marbec Enterprises we understand the danger of ignoring the warning signs of a tripped circuit breaker. But first, you need to know what a breaker does and how it works.
Simply put, a home or business circuit breaker is a safety device that monitors the amount of electrical current going through the electrical wires in your home and shuts off the circuit if too much electricity is being pulled through it, or if there is any disturbance in the current that could result in a fire.

Whereas a fuse performs the same task but can only be used once, a circuit breaker can perform over and over with the use of a switch that trips to indicate when it has effectively cut off current to a particular area.

So, Why Do Breakers Trip and what kind of things could cause a circuit breaker to trip? Some of the most common causes of a tripped breaker include:
Overloaded circuits: Often times, when there are too many appliances plugged into an electrical circuit, the wiring reaches unsafe heat levels due to pulling more electricity through the circuit than it is designed to accommodate,  and puts your home at a risk for a fire. That’s when the circuit breaker trips, shutting off everything that is plugged in to that circuit, preventing overheating, reducing the risk of fire. This happens often in older homes, where the wiring was not designed to withstand the power of modern appliances.

Electrical shorts: Other times, a tripped breaker can happen as a result of an electrical short, due to old and worn out appliances, with damaged wiring in your home. Common causes of electrical shorts in the home include faulty wiring, rodents or other animals chewing through your wires or aging wiring in older homes. Because of the large range of possible culprits, diagnosing an electrical short can be more difficult and therefore should not be ignored. Determining whether a short is in an appliance may be as simple as disconnecting your appliance and resetting the breaker, if it continues to trip, definitely call a Marbec Electrician. Often times, it’s when an appliance is not being used and the electrical short is happening, that it is much more complex and requires professional help.

Because of the many reasons why your circuit breaker could be tripping, and because of the purpose of the circuit breaker, you should never take a tripped breaker lightly. It’s important to understand that the circuit breaker is a safety device; simply switching the circuit back on without investigating the culprit can become costly in the long run and, in many cases, extremely dangerous.
If your breaker trips consistently, chances are there is a potentially dangerous electrical issue that needs to be looked at. Call Marbec Enterprises to make sure that your home is safe and free from the risk of a short or a fire.

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

GFI - Your home needs it!

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

Let Marbec Electric re-wire 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

Thinking of remodeling? Let Marbec Electrical help

Working with thousands of homeowners Marbec Enterprises has taken part in just about every home improvement project you can think up. Unfortunately, many homeowners’ plans for their dream home makeover have been put on hold due to a lack of funds. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to perform an affordable home makeover for a lot less than you might think.
By far, the most dramatic way to change the look and feel of your home, without a complete makeover, is by simply changing the way it shines! The lighting in your home plays a huge role in the first impression that you get when you walk into a room, and can be one of the major determining factors in setting the ambiance and overall feel of the room. By installing the proper recessed lights and pendant lights, along with chandeliers in your home, you will be able to accent the existing décor you already have.
Recessed can lighting will clean up your ceiling and do away with unsightly light fixtures installed everywhere.  When installing a recessed can, the type of trim is essential to maximizing the amount of light that you can get in an area.  A baffled or recessed trim will create a spotlight effect, whereas a flush mount trim allows the light to start at the ceiling and move throughout the room.  This gives a much more even look upon finished product.  Any electrician that has done a lot of installations should be able to guide you in the proper direction so that the style of lighting that you are looking for will be achieved.  Be careful attempting these by yourself, drywall will need to be cut for installation, and you never know where a wire or plumbing pipe may be hiding.
Pendant lighting is also making a big hit right now.  This type of lighting can be used to decoratively light up kitchen islands and kitchen bar-type counters.  This is a creative way to separate your kitchen from your living room.  Typically, homes are not pre-wired for these lights, and wiring will have to be added before they can be installed.  We highly suggest when wiring for these lights, that a new switch leg be installed for independent control.  As always, installing new wiring to your existing electrical should be done by a Marbec electrician.
Depending upon your tastes in furniture, replacing a living room of furniture can cost ten or twenty thousand dollars! Updating the lighting in the same room can drastically change the look and feel of the room, often for less than one thousand dollars. Replacing lamps and old fixtures with recessed can lighting and a classy chandelier can transform a dim dreary space into a room that you can be proud of. Switch out the chandelier with a nice ceiling fan that compliments the room, and you can even do your part in going green with the energy savings that come with using a fan to circulate the air in your home instead of relying constantly on your energy hogging air conditioning system!
If you need some help in creating your own affordable home makeover by replacing the out of date lighting in your home, contact an electrician at Marbec Enterprises to discuss the options available to upgrade.

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

Appliance tips from Marbec Enterprises

Appliances can make for exciting and valuable additions to your home; however, they use a lot of electricity and can ultimately take a toll on your electrical system. We've have seen it time and again—homeowners buy new appliances that, even when they have an “Energy Star” label, use a significant amount of electricity. These homeowners are unaware, however, that the more important problem lies in the installation of these devices, taking for granted the safety precautions that were addressed (or not) during the installation process.

The old “set it and forget it” mentality that a lot of people seem to have when it comes to their new appliances is that, whether or not a Marbec Enterprises electrician is called to help install the appliance, the importance of appliance installation safety is ignored and the awareness of potential dangers and mistakes in installation is minimized. As a result, things that at the time of installation seemed trivial in the long run can cause significant problems.

Ideally, with the help of a Marbec electrician, you should have no problems installing your new electrical equipment. Here are some tips that might help you prevent safety concerns with the installation of your brand new appliances:
Check the electrical requirements of any new appliances, especially if they will be replacing older equipment. It’s important to ensure that the installation was done properly and that the transition from the old appliance to the new one is smooth.
Call your Marbec electrician to help you remove old, hardwired appliances. This is extremely important! In many older homes, appliances were hardwired to the electrical system. Removing them incorrectly can result in serious damage to the wiring.
Turn the power off before installing new appliances. Some think that this goes without saying, but you’d be surprised how many people forget about this very simple rule. Not turning off the power can result in damage to the appliance, as well as shock and possible injury to you.
Be sure to place the new appliances where they can be easily moved for cleaning. Flammable lint and dust often collect in the back of appliances, causing a fire hazard if they can’t be moved to be cleaned routinely.

Hire a Marbec electrician to check that the new appliance installation was done safely and correctly, especially if it was done in an older home.

If you have any doubts or questions about how to install your appliance safely, don’t hesitate to call us at Marbec Enterprises so we can make sure that your installation goes off without a hitch.

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

Storm Season Tips from Marbec Electric

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.

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