Category: Lighting

5 Common Electrical Shock Causes

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We all use electricity in our homes for utilities and entertainment, but with this comes the risk of electrical shock. Electricity is a dangerous, sometimes unpredictable element. And if live electricity touches you or conductive material, electrical shock can occur. With over 30,000 non-fatal accidents happening per year, electrical shock is no laughing matter. But what can cause it to happen?

The experts at Roman Electric are here to list 5 common causes for electrical shock. Follow our guide below to help understand how electrical shock can occur in your Milwaukee home.

1. Faulty Outlet/Switch

When an outlet or switch is faulty or malfunctioning, electrical shock can ensue. Outlets and switches receive their electrical currents through a box, further connected to wiring. If any screw or wiring is loose on the box, wiring, or outlet/switch, electricity becomes unstable. This can lead to electrical shock if you plug in an appliance or flip the light switch.

Aside from loose connections, damages can also cause electrical shock. Damages such as frayed wiring, and cracked casing give less resistance and a bad path for electricity. Therefore, if you see any burn marks, cracks, or sparks coming from your outlet, contact Roman Electric for immediate assistance.

2. Outdated Outlets

An outlet doesn’t have to be damaged to emit electrical shock – it can happen from just being old! Outdated outlets usually possess two-prong instead of the now common three. Two-prong outlets possess no ground wire. Ground wire acts as an additional safety barrier in the case of an unstable electrical current. This wire gives unstable currents a passage to the ground instead of you or the other wires, hence the name.

Without a ground, two-prong outlets have no way to safely channel unstable electricity. This increases the chances of shock.

3. Faulty Appliances

Faulty appliances don’t always channel electricity as well as they used too. And if you plug one in, you may receive electrical shock! When an appliance has damaged circuitry, frayed wiring, or broken cords, electrical currents become unstable. When you plug one in, the unstable electricity can ruin your appliance, as well as shock you. Always check your appliances before plugging them in!

4. Electricity Touching Water

When electricity encounters water, get away from it! Electricity and water make a dangerous combination, as the water’s ions are extremely conductive. This leads to electrical shock, possibly at a more severe level. A submerged source of electricity can turn any body of water into an electrical shock hazard. This can damage the electrical source as well, possibly ruining whatever appliance or device that may hold the current.

5. Mishandling Electricity

If you don’t treat electricity with caution in mind, you are at risk of electrical shock. As we described, electricity is dangerous and can be unpredictable. You must be careful when using any part of your electrical system. Follow these general tips below:

  • Dry your hands before touching an outlet/switch.
  • Place plastic covers over your outlets if children are around.
  • Keep water sources and outlets, switches, and appliances at a safe distance
  • Never touch hot/live wire, or any hot circuit.
  • Never perform any work on your electrical system without first consulting a professional.

As the last step says, if you require service on your electrical system, first contact Roman Electric to consult with an electrical professional. Not only will we advise you on the best solution for you to take – we can perform any electrical service at a reasonable cost!

Keep in mind these common electrical shock causes as you help improve the electrical safety of your Milwaukee home. And contact Roman Electric when you require affordable and quality electrical services. We help ensure you have ample electrical safety as well as protection against shock. Give us a call at 414-369-3798 to schedule an appointment today!

Related Links

Electrical Injury – MedlinePlus

Spring Outdoor Lighting: The Ultimate Guide

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Spring in Southeastern Wisconsin brings beautiful weather – and what better way to showcase the season’s beauty than setting up outdoor lighting that screams “professional”. Although we have discussed in the past some outdoor lighting tips, we want to expand upon this topic, further assessing options for your yard. Milwaukee homeowners should know the best ways to improve their outdoor lighting, and the professionals at Roman Electric want to help. Read below to see what kind of lighting is best suited for each outdoor area.

Porch –

Cover the railing with string lights for fun accent illumination and use lanterns to brighten up each support beam. If you have an enclosed porch, consider installing pendant lights for those outdoor dinner nights. An outdoor fan with a light fixture is also a great idea for those long summer evenings with friends. Use step lights on the porch steps for both safe passage and a boosted aesthetic.

Patio –

A fire pit provides both light and warmth for those who prefer the magic of a burning flame. Place some chairs around the fire pit for a relaxed evening with friends. Stake lights or lanterns placed around the general area to highlight a safe path through the yard combine safety with subtle illumination. If your patio has an open roof, run string lights underneath in either a horizontal or vertical direction.

Deck –

Place a lantern around each support beam on the railing to light up the general vicinity. On the outside edges of your deck, place landscape lighting in the grass to brighten even further. Avoid using a fire pit on a deck, as this can burn the wood. Instead, use specifically made deck lights to brighten up any inside area of your deck.

Balcony –

Run rope lights across the railing and direct them up your support beams. Rope lights come in a variety of colors and are an inexpensive accent that can transform a balcony at night.

Front Yard –

Landscape lighting is important for your front yard. Use them to guide a safe passage to your home, as well as brighten any potential obstacles such as vegetation or fences. As the landscape lighting nears your home, you can then switch to pole-lamps to beautifully finish the passage to your door. Speaking of vegetation, you can also cover bushes and shrubs with string lights for added illumination.

Backyard –

Landscape lighting works well to brighten up the edges of your backyard, as well as creating a safe passage if the size requires it. Additionally, you can use landscape lighting as a guide towards other backyard attractions, such as a gazebo or garden.

Gazebo –

Lanterns and string lights are a gazebo’s best friend and can be assorted in almost any fashion for your preference. Additionally, you can have a flood light outside your gazebo to provide a brightened entrance and exit.

Garden –

Depending on the design of your garden, there are wide variety of fixtures to choose from. Solar fixtures are a great way to illuminate a garden without the need to run cords. Spot flood lights, path lights and edge lights all come in solar options that can help bring out the beauty of your garden at night. You can also find garden lighting kits that come with an array of fixtures ideal for highlighting the flora in your garden.

Make your spring outdoor lighting an dynamic experience with our simple fixture tips! If you are ready to install new outdoor lighting in your home, contact Roman Electric today! Our lighting services can help every Milwaukee homeowner revitalize their yard with affordable options. Give us a call at 414-369-3798 to schedule an appointment with your lighting experts.

Outdoor Lighting Tips for Spring

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Roman-Outdoor-Lighting-Tips-for-Spring

With spring right around the corner, now is the time to prepare outdoor lighting. Milwaukee weather is slowly heating up, and although chilly breezes are still the norm, the beginning of spring is the perfect time to prepare your outdoor lighting for the upcoming season, as well as the eventual summer. With help from the experts at Roman Electric, we have provided some outdoor lighting tips for spring to provide that perfect illumination – while also safely brightening up your home exterior.

Before proceeding, be sure any outdoor lighting you purchase is Energy Star certified. Energy Star lighting cuts down immensely on energy usage and ensures your utility bill isn’t making you pull out your hair.

With that said, let’s get started!

Lanterns

  • Lanterns are a basic yet effective way to boost illumination and draw attention to select areas.
  • Lanterns come in several different variations such as electrically-powered, solar-powered, and candle-lit, as well a variety of designs and patterns to give an old fashioned, warm glow.
  • Lanterns are available in hangable forms but can be purchased with attached poles to act as pathways or lawn decorations.
  • Make sure you purchase lanterns that are designed for outdoor weather conditions.

String Lighting

  • String lights are easy to install and can brighten up your outdoor area without driving up the utility bill.
  • String lights come in endless variants of colors, bulb type, and length.
  • Be sure any string lighting you purchase is suitable for outdoor weather, as they are designed to handle these conditions and avoid deterioration.
  • String lights can be hung around patios and porches, as well as lining the edges of floors and gazebos.
  • Additionally, you can wrap string lights around trees, bushes, and shrubs, adding beauty to your outdoor vegetation.

Landscape Lighting

  • Landscape lighting brightens the pathways, highlights trees and bushes and illuminates your home adding both beauty and safety.
  • Landscape lighting allows for endless customization, as you can create any pattern you want.
  • Beyond improving your home’s aesthetic, landscape lighting also works as a safety measure, allowing you to see more clearly during the night.
  • Many landscape lighting options are low voltage and relatively easy to install and can be programmed to turn on at a specific time.

Pendant Lights

  • Pendant lights are a modern upgrade to conventional lighting and are a surefire way to increase the outdoor aesthetic of your home.
  • Pendant lights are light fixtures hanging from a chain, cord, or rod, and are usually suspended lower than other fixtures.
  • Pendant lights come in different designs ranging from dynamic to minimalist and are a perfect addition to any outdoor patio table.
  • Roman Electric offers affordable lighting services for pendant lights for your porch and deck ceilings.

Fire Pits

  • Want to ditch the light fixtures for natural illumination? Fire pits are your answer!
  • Having an ignited fire pit in the center of patio chairs adds a natural brightness that boosts your home’s aesthetic.
  • The crackling of flames along with the added warmth gives your outdoors a comfy ambience while also preventing the spring breeze from getting too chilly.

Make your home the brightest on the block with our outdoor lighting tips for spring! Ready to install new lighting in your outdoor area? Roman Electric is ready for you! We offer the professional lighting services to boost your home’s aesthetic for the upcoming seasons. Give us a call at 414-369-3798 to schedule an appointment and get started.