MAY IS ELECTRICAL SAFETY MONTH!!!

Faulty Circuit Breakers In Thousands of Homes 

May Cause Serious Fires

Circuit breakers are designed to keep you, your family and your property safe from fire, some breakers might not only fail to protect your family, they may cause a fire.

“There’s thousands of them out there,” Clifton, N.J. Fire Chief Vince Colavitti told NBC 4 New York's I-Team. “It’s a ticking bomb waiting to happen.”

The breakers, mostly found in homes built before 1990, were made by Federal Pacific Electric and there are thousands of these breakers that are still installed in homes today. 

Circuit breakers are designed to trip during an overload or short circuit, if the breaker doesn't trip, the increasing current causes excessive heat and can ignite a fire. Any circuit breaker can fail however Federal Pacific has the reputation of an extreme failure rate. Any competent Electrical Contractor would always suggest that Federal Pacific Electric breakers and panels be changed..

Home inspectors and some insurance companies are aware of problems with Federal Pacific Electric breakers. Some insurance companies refuse to cover homes that have the breakers. Some Municipalities also notify Homeowners of the dangers and suggest that the electric panels be changed. 

According to fire investigators, the Federal Pacific Electric breaker in Clarissa Rosario's New Jersey home did not trip when overheated wires were burning in the ceiling between her bedroom and the attic. “I saw the light flickering and I thought it wasn't normal,” said Rosario. “When I opened the attic, it was full of smoke.” 

Engineer Jesse Aronstein has been studying the breakers for decades. He has testified in lawsuits against the company and published reports about the failures. According to his research, Federal Pacific Electric breakers may be associated with as many as 2,800 electrical fires each year in the U.S.

“People should know that these have a high defect rate and should be advised to have them replaced,” said Aronstein. Read More 

May is Electrical Safety Month !!!

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Replace Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors Every 7 Years

Replacing your smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors every 7 to 10 years may seem like a waste of money, especially if the old faithful ones you have still test good. However, newer battery-operated smoke detectors are more sensitive than older versions. Updates in requirements for new homes call for hardwired detectors that operate off the home's electricity and have a battery back up. A big advantage to this system is that if one detector sounds, all of them sound, alerting you earlier to problems in other areas of the home.

To get the full 7 to 10 years of use from your Detectors, do some simple maintenance. The batteries should be changed on a regular schedule at least once a year. 

New 10 year Lithium Batteries for smoke alarm offer continuous operation with no replacement necessary for the life of the Detector. Read More Here 

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LED's Provide Energy Significant Savings

LEDs: Comparing Apples to Apples
Chuck Ross

Over the years, we’ve become used to describing lamps by how many watts they draw, as with basic Edison lamps, or by the size fixture or ballast in which they’re used, as with fluorescent tubes. 

However, neither of these approaches says anything about the quality of the light those lamps produce, which can cause problems when trying to match expectations to actual lamp performance. 

While terms like “warm white” or “soft light” might have become familiar marketing terms, the lack of quantitative measurements for these qualities can make matching new lamps to well-established expectations difficult. More

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44 NJ Contractors Issued Registration Violations

New Jersey Consumers should beware of Home Improvement Contractors that hold themselves out as Licensed when they are not in fact licensed. Many list a "License Number" on their vehicles beginning with 13VH. This is not a license number it is and always has been a State of NJ Home Improvement Contractors Registration Number.

Only Electrical, Plumbing and Alarm Contractors are Licensed in the State of New Jersey, Home Improvement Contractors are not Licensed, they are merely required to be Registered. If there is no number at all, that is a huge RED Flag for any consumer to stay away from that contractor.

To that end New Jersey has issued violation notices to 44 home improvement contractors that the agency found to be non-compliant and unregistered. The Division of Consumer affairs is seeking $195,000 in civil penalties from the contractors. The investigation was based on complaints and referrals from consumers across the state.

Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa says the division receives more complaints about home improvement contractors than any other category. Chiesa says four of the contractors face sanctions for failing to perform work after accepting customer deposits. Forty of the contractors allegedly performed or solicited home repairs without properly registering with division. 

  

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Home Fires On The Rise All Over New Jersey

Over the past several months – in counties all over Jersey – there has been a significant spike in home and apartment fires.

No one is sure why this is happening, but many fire officials think the increase may be tied to the economic downturn- where people have been more willing to put off fixing or upgrading the electric wiring in their homes, because it’s so expensive.

New Jersey state Fire Marshal Bill Kramer says “we don’t have the data yet to make a comparison (on how many fires there have been this year compared to previous ones” but older homes or apartments can have sub-standard electrical wiring, and if you find yourself having to reset – or your breakers are tripping on a regular basis – and it’s the same breaker all the time – that’s a problem – that circuit is overloaded and you need to either find out where that circuit is and unload it or have an electrician come in and upgrade your service or add more outlets.” Read More

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MAY IS ELECTRICAL SAFETY MONTH!!!

Faulty Circuit Breakers In Thousands of Homes 

May Cause Serious Fires

Circuit breakers are designed to keep you, your family and your property safe from fire, some breakers might not only fail to protect your family, they may cause a fire.

“There’s thousands of them out there,” Clifton, N.J. Fire Chief Vince Colavitti told NBC 4 New York's I-Team. “It’s a ticking bomb waiting to happen.”

The breakers, mostly found in homes built before 1990, were made by Federal Pacific Electric and there are thousands of these breakers that are still installed in homes today. 

Circuit breakers are designed to trip during an overload or short circuit, if the breaker doesn't trip, the increasing current causes excessive heat and can ignite a fire. Any circuit breaker can fail however Federal Pacific has the reputation of an extreme failure rate. Any competent Electrical Contractor would always suggest that Federal Pacific Electric breakers and panels be changed..

Home inspectors and some insurance companies are aware of problems with Federal Pacific Electric breakers. Some insurance companies refuse to cover homes that have the breakers. Some Municipalities also notify Homeowners of the dangers and suggest that the electric panels be changed. 

According to fire investigators, the Federal Pacific Electric breaker in Clarissa Rosario's New Jersey home did not trip when overheated wires were burning in the ceiling between her bedroom and the attic. “I saw the light flickering and I thought it wasn't normal,” said Rosario. “When I opened the attic, it was full of smoke.” 

Engineer Jesse Aronstein has been studying the breakers for decades. He has testified in lawsuits against the company and published reports about the failures. According to his research, Federal Pacific Electric breakers may be associated with as many as 2,800 electrical fires each year in the U.S.

“People should know that these have a high defect rate and should be advised to have them replaced,” said Aronstein. Read More 

May is Electrical Safety Month !!!

Visit Our YouTube Channel  

Planning for Florescent T12 Lamp Phase Out

More than 500 million T12 fluorescent bulbs are still in use throughout the U.S., but by July 2012, manufacturers will cease producing most of these products. As with many incandescent lamps, the T12 fluorescent – with a design that hasn't changed significantly since 1938 do not meet current energy-efficiency standards.

The first choice is to maintain the existing fixtures and retrofit them with florescent T8 ballasts lamps. Choosing this option will provide environmental and economic benefits since T8 lamps contain less mercury than T12 lamps and offer longer life. Their light output also does not degrade as much over time than less-efficient T12 lamps.

On the surface, a one-for-one T8 retrofit may seem the least expensive approach, however new fixtures designed for T8 technology may provide better light optics a comparable overall cost, especially when energy savings are factored into the equation. Read More

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Republican House members are preparing themselves to take a stand to save the incandescent light bulb.

Monday, the House of Representatives will vote on H.R. 2417, the Better Use of Light Bulbs (BULB) Act, a bill to repeal the federal ban on the incandescent light bulb, contained in a 2007 energy law.

Sponsored by Texas Republican Rep. Joe Barton, the bill would protect Americans’ ability to use the kind of light bulbs they want and not be forced to use mercury containing light sources such as compact fluorescent lights. Read More

As Electrical Contractors we have mixed feelings about the ban and this legislation to reverse it. The light bulb is perhaps the single most important invention by Thomas Edison. He worked on the invention in his two labs right here in New Jersey and Menlo Park NJ was the first city in the Nation to be lit by the Edison Light bulb, To see it banned is extreamly sad, but there are much more energy effecient lighting choices now.

Most of the reasoning for wanting to reverse the ban is that CFL flourescent lamps, that are widely replacing the Incandescent lamp contain mercury. However, there is a better although more costly choice that saves even more energy without mercury, which is the up and coming LED lamps. We predict that LED Lamp is the future of lighting to replace the Edison Incandescent Light Bulb.

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New Jersey & Solar Not So Perfect Together

There is considerable confusion about whether an Electrical Contractor's License and Business Permit is required for solar-photovoltaic (SPV) installations in New Jersey.

The answer, direct from NJ's Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors who regulate the Electrical Contracting Industry in NJ is; with the exception of owners of single family homes performing the installation of PV panels on own home themselves is yes. See letter published in the NJ Construction Code Communicator Here

N.J.S.A. 45:5A-1 et seq., known as "The Electrical Contractors Licensing Act of 1962", States; "No person shall advertise, enter into, engage in, or work in a business as an electrical contractor unless they have secured a business permit and a license from the New Jersey Board of Electrical Contractors (the Board)."

The term "electrical contractor" is defined as a person who engages in the business of contracting to install, erect, repair, or alter electrical equipment for the generation, transmission, or utilization of electrical energy (N.J.S.A. 45:5A-2(d)).

SPV systems, by definition, are electrical work. They are a series of components that generate (the SPV panels), transmit, and/or utilize electrical energy. Any person engaged in installing, erecting, repairing, etc. such equipment must be an electrical contractor under the provisions of the Act. Read More

The Law applies to all Residential, Commercial, and Institutional, and Industrial installations of Photo Voltaic Panels.

Additionally any person who engages in these activities without a valid Electrical Contractors Business Permit may be charged with a Felony in the State of New Jersey. (151_C.2C21-33 of the New Jersey Statutes) Read Felony Law Here

May is Electrical Safety Month

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Place Safety High On Your Project List!

Do it Yourselfers: Put safety high on your project list!

If summer weather is sprouting thoughts of home improvement projects, you are not alone. Rising temperatures traditionally give rise to more remodeling, repairs, maintenance, landscaping and construction projects both inside and outside the home

Whether it’s putting in a new deck, remodeling, or landscaping, Advanced Electric Design & Service urges everyone to take precautions, particularly when working around electrical equipment and overhead power lines. Make sure electric tools are in good working order, with cords free from frays and cracked insulation. Be sure to use ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection when using power tools.

For added protection consider the installation of ARC Fault Circuit breakers on your existing circuits. More on ARC Fault Here

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FloodPak Series FPL-Featuring Philips LifeLED™ Technology

Stonco’s new FloodPak is the ultimate in exterior lighting versatility. It is the perfect blend of performance, flexibility and architectural design.

The FloodPak is three fixtures in one! It’s a high performance cutoff luminaire for perimeter and site lighting. Rotate it 22.5° and it’s a semi-cutoff luminaire offering forward throw. Rotate it to 45° for floodlighting or turn it over to create indirect/accent lighting—the possibilities are endless.

The High-output LED FloodPak is a perfect blend of architectural design and performance. It Functions in environments with temperatures that range from -30°C to 40°C and can be surface mounted in various positions for forward throw with semi-cut-off.

The FloodPak can also be pole mounted or ground mounted using mounting accessories and is available in a variety of designer colors.

Its Patented LifeLED™ Optical System individually controls the placement of light in the target area minimizing glare. LEDs have an average rated life of 60,000 hours.

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LED Lighting Retrofit

Advanced Electric Design & Service offers economical LED solutions and addresses the need for more energy efficient, sustainable lighting. Retrofit modules convert existing incandescent downlights into energy efficient LED downlights using the latest in LED technology.

Achieving general illumination with LED has finally arrived with the introduction of LED recessed retrofit fixtures. High output warm white LED sources (2750K or 3500K), dimmable integral power modules, and optimal light distribution patterns all combine in these fixtures to showcase cutting-edge technology for functional lighting purposes. These recessed products represent the future of recessed lighting and the benchmark of LED lighting performance for general residential lighting.

Fixture trims are designed and UL Classified to mount into existing standard 6" recessed housings including products by Capri, Commercial electric, Emerald, Halo, Intense, Juno, Lithonia, Nora, WAC and others.

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GE Unveils Home Version Of Its WattStation Electric-Car Charger.

GE has launched their new residential electric-car charger that promises to be faster and more user-friendly than traditional charging stations. The new GE WattStation is a residential version of the companies public charger released in July.

The home WattStation will lower the time it takes to charge from 12 to 18 hours for a standard charger to as few as 4 to 8 hours, assuming a full-cycle charge for a 24 kWh battery.
"The residential GE WattStation design is friendly and so simple to adopt that it will literally change one's life overnight: No more trips to the gas station, something that surely no one will miss," Company spokesman Yves Behar said in a statement.
The WattStation will also tap into the smart-grid technology managed by utility companies, allowing them to manage the overall impact of electric cars on their local and regional power grids.
will provide the names of certified electricians who can install the charger at a consumer's home.

As a Service Magic Certified Contractor we have teamed up with GE to help roll out their new Wattstation car charging system. Advanced Electric Design & Service provides consumers with our award winning electric contracting services for the purchase and or installation of the new GE Wattstopper Electric car charging system in homes throughout New Jersey.

Through its GE Capital financing arm, GE will also offer consumers financing to help pay for the WattStation over time.

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Protect Your Valueable Electronic Equipment with Surge Protection

Chances are your home and its contents are not protected from lightning & surges. Most wait until it is to late and they have suffered a loss before they consider a Whole House Surge Suppressor, waiting until you have lost appliances and sensitive electronic equipment that costs thousands of dollars is to late, The cost of protecting your home is far less than your potential loss.

With Energy usage on the rise, and the number of electronics in the home increasing rapidly, now is the time to start conserving energy and protecting these investments with a clean power system. SteadyPower provides a cost-effective, single-installation way to protect the entire home from electrical surges and spikes while conditioning incoming electricity to optimize power factor and reduce static-causing line noise.

Typical residential and light commercial power sources allow hundreds of spikes and surges each day to reach valuable electronic equipment in the home. While these voltage spikes come from many sources (power fluctuations, lightning, static electricity, etc), all can cause damage to televisions, stereos, computers, security systems, and other costly electronics. In the event of a surge or spike which enters the home through the main line, SteadyPower is designed to cut off the flow of electricity and block the surge, keeping damage to appliances and electronics to a minimum.

SteadyPower connects directly to your main circuit breaker box and immediately begins helping to prolong the life span and efficiency of appliances and electronic equipment throughout your entire electrical system. Steady Power comes with a Limited 10 year, $25,000 warranty.

*SteadyPower must be installed by a licensed qualified electrical contractor.

Philips Color Kinetics - eW® Blast Powercore LED FloodlightDelivers a high-intensity wash of solid white or colored light. Consumes 66% less power with comparable light output of a 150W metal halide lamp. Added benefits include instant on, instant restrike, and as well as continuous and step dimmability.




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Electronic Timers are designed to provide cost-effective lighting control anywhere inside or outside the home. These new timers provide quiet, accurate timing for control of lighting and appliance loads within the home, and can reduce energy costs. Just set the timer and go – you’ll never leave those lights on again. Electronic timer switches can also serve as an anti-theft deterrent by giving a home a “lived-in” look while homeowners are at work, school or away on vacation, by turning lights ON and OFF at preset intervals.

Ideal for residential indoor/outdoor lighting, heat lamps, spas/hot tubs, pool filters, exhaust fans and much more. Also great for offices, schools, hotel rooms and other light commercial applications.

Choose from fully programmable, 14-hour programmable, variable countdown, or preset countdown timers. There is even a single pole, incandescent only version for a low cost alternative in closets, utility rooms and similar applications.

A Clever Combination

Legrand/Pass & Seymour's Tamper-Resistant Hallway Light Receptacle combines a single receptacle with an LED nightlight lasting 20 years. A photocell illuminates the light in the dark and turns it off in daylight. Meeting NEC® tamper-resistant requirements, the built-in shutter system lets plugs in but keeps

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Home Improvement Books Recalled

Home Improvement books recalled by Oxmoor House due to faulty wiring instructions
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Oxmoor House has recalled nearly 1 million home improvement books because of errors that could lead do-it-yourselfers to make risky mistakes while installing or repairing their electrical wiring. The errors in technical diagrams and wiring instructions could cause people to be shocked or create a fire hazard.
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Industry's First Slide Dimmer For CFL Lamps

The Industry's First Slide Dimmer Designed For Use With The Widest Variety of Dimmable CFL light bulbs

A breakthrough product, the CFL Slide Dimmer replaces a standard switch, uses standard wiring and has a shallow depth for easier installation. Finally a CFL dimmer that really controls dimmable Compact Flourescent Lamps (CFLs).

Now you can enjoy the energy-saving benefits of dimmable compact fluorescent lamps, but with improved ambiance and lighting options. The Decora CFL Slide Dimmer optimizes the performance of dimmable CFLs and works with the widest range of dimmable CFLs. Innovative and versatile, the preset dimmer in auto mode will detect whether a lamp is an incandescent or dimmable CFL, determine low-end dimming capabilities and adjust the dimmer range accordingly. It outperforms incandescent dimmers when controlling dimmable CFLs.

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EPA Expands Law Requiring ALL Home Improvement Contractors to be LEAD-SAFE Certified

The Environmental Protection Agency April 23 announced efforts to expand its Lead-Safe Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) program, just one day after the program took effect.
The current rule exempts contractors from the RRP program if the homeowner certifies there is no child under the age of six and no pregnant women living in the home. However, beginning June 22, that exemption will be abolished and contractors renovating any pre-1978 residential building will have to be trained under the RRP program.
EPA also issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking seeking to expand the RRP program to include public and commercial buildings, a policy the agency plans to finalize by July 2013.
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