Ever since the birth of the lightbulb in 1887, the availability of electrical power has provided enrichment and life-sustaining power to our daily existence on this planet. Additionally, an incredible timeline of technological progress and innovation in the realm of electricity has developed over the years to benefit humanity in various ways. Many of our in-home appliances and tools require electricity in order to function; not to mention our favourite gadgets including televisions, radios, ipads and of course our cell phones. When the weather is hot, electricity is the power source used to cool our homes and offices. Conversely, to offset the winter cold, we use electric energy to provide heat and comfort.
When our heavy reliance upon electricity is put into perspective, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that we experience major losses as well as inconvenient interruptions when a power outage strikes. Businesses suffer and lose revenue without adequate power; it’s especially important for company owners and managers to have access to a good, quality electrician to keep their daily activities running smoothly. It’s important to seek proper electrical care and maintenance for your home or business; electricians are not only useful for fixing obvious problems, but are also invaluable for helping to prevent hazards and issues before they occur. You’ll want to hire an experienced electrician to handle any electrical installations or needs you have and to keep all of your systems and wiring up to the proper code and standard.
Accreditation and Licensing
The first and most necessary qualification to look for when hiring an electrician is that they are licensed. In order to be deemed an accredited electrician, the individual would need to satisfy a number of requirements.
The three basic requirements of a Licensed Electrician include:
1) Ownership of the proper tools needed to correctly install and maintain electrical systems.
2) State specific training and experience required to meet the licensure standards.
3) The right kind of insurance. This is important in the case that an accident occurs while the electrician is working; insurance guarantees compensation for both the clients and the electrical company or the electrician in the event of such an accident.
Not all licensed electricians have the same capabilities and accreditation; there are different levels of experience that each allow an electrician to perform specific tasks.
How to Spot a Good Electrician
A quality electrician is easy to spot because he’ll be the one focusing intently on his work and demonstrating precision and neat, organized work station. A good electrician will leave behind a neat, tidy service panel and arrangement of cables; this is an indicator that he or she has done a good job. Another way to screen for a good provider is to ask your potential electrician for references you can check to make sure they can complete the work you’re looking for and that they’re reliable and trustworthy.
Asking if the electrician is licensed is a must, but asking to see a copy of their license is a smart way to guarantee you’re finding the electrical expert you need and ensuring their license is active. Another good tip is to ask to see the insurance documents to make sure you will have the proper coverage just in case there was an accident during the electrical installation or maintenance.
