DIY projects are incredibly satisfying; as electricians, we fully appreciate the desire and willingness to tackle projects of all kinds around the house. All of us here at Powertec Electric have done DIY projects at one point or another, and most of us have DIY projects we plan on doing in the future.

Here’s the thing: We’re electricians, so DIY electrical projects are in our wheelhouse. You’re probably not an electrician, or you wouldn’t be reading an article about whether or not you need one to change a light fixture.

With that in mind, the answer is yes: You need an electrician to change a light fixture. Changing one without an electrician can be incredibly dangerous, time-consuming, and expensive. Here’s why:

Potential DIY Obstacles

Improperly Fitting Mounting Brackets

The new light fixture you’ve purchased will come with mounting brackets. The problem here is that the mounting brackets that come with your new fixture might not be properly sized for your current configuration. 

The size and location of junction boxes, joists, walls, and more can all impact how your mounting brackets should be sized. Don’t risk using an improperly sized bracket, or your light fixture could become unstable—that’s a real safety hazard! 

Screws That Are Too Long

Hardware continues to be a potential problem regarding the screws that come with your fixture—or any screws that you might have lying around. Screws that are too short are an obvious problem; they simply won’t allow you to secure your fixture.

Long screws are a bigger problem since you’ll be more tempted to use them. When your screws are too long, it might be impossible for you to mount the fixture flush against the wall or ceiling, leading to instability. 

The screws may also end up protruding into the junction box—which can lead to damaged wires and short circuits. It’s a Goldilocks scenario; your screws need to be just right.

Wires That Are Too Short

The wires in your junction box may be too short. These wires are difficult to work with, which can lead to loose connections. In many cases, they’re impossible to work with, and you’ll need to lengthen the wire. 

To do this, you’ll need a wire stripper, spare wires, and a whole lot of electrical knowledge; extending wires is not a job we recommend doing yourself, even if you feel you’re ready to install your own light fixture. 

Live Wires Can Shock You

Turn off the breaker and start installing your new light fixture; simple enough, right? Not so—your junction box might contain wires and connections that aren’t actually on the circuit you turned off. That can lead to serious shocks; a non-contact voltage detector is the second best way to prevent injury or even death. The best way? Don’t try doing it yourself—call your electrician instead! 

Feeling Unsure? Contact Powertec Electric Today

“Do I need an electrician to change a light fixture?” is a good question—and the answer is yes. Spare yourself the effort of going to the hardware store, messing with all the wires, and literally risking life and limb to change your fixture. 

Call the pros at Powertec Electric instead. We’re electricians in Winnipeg working hard every day to ensure that our customers have high-quality electrical services at their fingertips. Contact us today; we’ll change your light fixture in no time flat! 

Did you know that your old fixtures might actually be costing you more money than they need to? You can look at both plumbing fixtures and lighting to see how some simple upgrades could be the final touch necessary to save hundreds on utility bills at the end of the year. 

New fixtures will give your home a much-needed upgrade and save you money. Here is what you need to know to start upgrading your lighting: 

Daylight Sensors Turn Off Lights

Many homeowners are unaware of the technological upgrades available with their task lighting. In some newer fixtures, you will find daylight sensors that automatically turn off the lights when the sun comes out. This means that you only pay for the electricity that you truly need and let the sun do the rest of the work. 

Energy Efficiency Incentives

One way to save money on the cost of your new upgrades is to install energy-efficient fixtures. This applies to upgrading plumbing fixtures as well as your indoor lighting. Some provinces provide credits for making the switch to greener fixtures. 

For example, Manitoba Hydro might  offset the cost of moving from incandescent bulbs to LED bulbs that last longer. 

If you are worried about the out-of-pocket cost of upgrading your plumbing fixtures or lights, these incentives make it a little easier on your wallet. 

Increase Home Value

When you replace older plumbing fixtures and lighting, you are making a solid long-term investment in your home. Prospective home buyers are looking for new fixtures that cut back on energy costs and water consumption. Outdated plumbing fixtures and poor lighting don't impress buyers. 

Sell your home for top dollar by upgrading to all LED lighting and using water-efficient bathroom fixtures. 

People are looking for energy savings that can substantially cut down on their monthly energy bills. As a result, they are willing to pay a higher price tag for high-quality fixtures. Look for modern fixtures that match the design and aesthetic of the rest of the home. 

Add Outdoor Lighting 

Another way to increase home value is to add more outdoor lighting. This deters burglars and allows for outdoor space enjoyment even after the sun sets. This can take the form of floodlights, bulb lighting, or anything else that illuminates both the front and rear parts of your home. 

In particular, you might want to investigate solar lighting that doesn't cost a dime (after initial purchase) to brighten up your living spaces. This ensures that you can always use your outdoor spaces without adding to your utility bills. 

Get Significant Savings for the Average Household

Upgraded features like new fixtures for your home can lead to a significant difference in your monthly energy bills. Look for fixtures rated by Energy Star and those that use LED bulbs, as well as some of the other features listed above. 

When you are ready to find new lighting solutions in Winnipeg, let Powertec Electric help you save money! 

No matter what type of business you may be running, electricity is at the heart of all you do. Your employees wouldn’t be able to run their computers or fax those documents without a grounded electrical system. The question is: How can you ensure that your office is running smoothly and safely when it comes to your power? 

This guide to office building electrical safety and tips will help you make the most out of the machines in your office and set you up for success!

Install More Power Outlets

In many commercial businesses, there are hundreds of items that need to be hooked up to power. You may have dozens of computers, printers, fax machines, and copiers that all need electricity to function. Unfortunately, many offices lack the proper number of outlets to supply their office with the power they need. This leads to overloading the circuits with too many power strips and extension cords. 

If this describes your office, consider hiring an electrician to install outlets and circuit breakers to accommodate your needs. This is the best way to safely handle your need for more power. 

Inspect Outlets & Wires

One of the best things you can do to maintain electrical safety in the office is to keep a close eye on the condition of your outlets and wires. Outlets should not be discoloured, which could indicate that there is some burning going on. Similarly, your cords should not be frayed or torn, exposing the wires inside. Both of these issues can lead to fires in the building, so be sure to replace them or call an electrician to inspect your outlets right away! 

Pay Attention to Flickering

When you run the toaster oven or print out a long document, do you notice that the lights flicker or dim? This type of fluctuation in the power running to your lights could be caused by an overloaded circuit or a wiring short. It should be taken seriously and addressed by an electrician to keep everyone safe. In the meantime, unplug the offending appliance to give the circuit as much of a break as possible until it can be remedied. 

Get the Right Wattage

Take a brief stroll down the lighting aisle at your local home improvement store, and you’ll notice just how many different light bulbs there are. Many business owners think that a higher wattage is always better, but your light fixtures might not be able to handle it. Make sure that you’re only buying bulbs that are the recommended wattage for your fixtures.

Contact an Electrician With Questions

Are you unsure how to handle the electrical issues in your office? If you’re searching for top-notch Winnipeg electrical work, you need to contact Powertec Electric. We can help you address things that are going awry and/or provide you with preventive care for your electrical system. Give our experienced team a call today to learn more about how we can help you safely care for your office!

WINNIPEG, Canada – Powertec Electric Inc. is one of the largest and most successful firms in Canada that provides electrical services for residential, commercial and industrial projects. Today, Powertec Electric is proud to announce the opening of its new location at 1433 Erin Street, Winnipeg, MB R3E259. 

The big move is part of an ongoing strategic plan to grow and expand the business further. The new site is significantly larger, has excellent access, and can accommodate more stock and many more staff members. 

The company had been on the lookout for different premises for a significant period of time, having acknowledged that they had outgrown their previous building. As with all aspects of their business, they wanted to take their time and ensure that whatever location they chose was suitable both for now and in the future. These requirements reduced the number of properties and sites that were available, but as this was a long-term plan, the owners of the company were prepared to wait until the right property and location became available. 

"It became apparent to us a long time ago that the rate at which our company and brand was growing would not be sustainable at our previous location, and so we put the wheels in motion to identify and then secure new premises," said Daniel Lacovetsky. "We wanted to future-proof the business and put it on a firm foundation for the future growth that we anticipate. It took a lot of hard work and time to find our new location, but we are thrilled to have been able to move into our new premises. We are now actively pursuing our goal of becoming the number one company in Canada that provides the best electricians and electrical services. We are confident that our target will be achieved. 

Powertec Electric Inc. provides a variety of electrical services for residential, commercial, and industrial customers. They get the job done right, and they don't just meet expectations – they exceed them! Their customers keep coming back because they are dependable, knowledgeable, and pleasant to work with. Their high-quality work and fair prices make them the perfect choice for every project. For more information about the company and the various services it provide, visit their website at https://www.powertec.ca

The electrician is coming to your home and you want to make sure you understand all of the lingo. How exactly is your home wired and what do you need to know about it? Most people have either a fuse box or a circuit breaker box in their home. It’s time that you learned how to tell the two apart and what makes one better than the other.

What is a Fuse? 

A fuse can come in several different shapes and forms, but the basic premise of how it works remains the same. It typically consists of a metal wire or filament with a glass, ceramic, or metal casing. When used in your home, you will probably find your fuses plugged into one central fuse box with all of the wiring. Electricity moves across the metal filament and through the fuse to power the next circuit. 

If there is too much power and you experience an overload, the fuse will melt. At this point, it effectively stops the electricity from continuing any further. It may take some time for a fuse to blow like this whereas a breaker can trip almost instantly. Keep in mind that a fuse must be completely replaced once it’s blown. 

What is a Breaker? 

A breaker is a much different item than a fuse, but it is also designed for electrical current to pass through it. A circuit breaker can work in one of two ways: it either has an electromagnet or a bi-metal strip. Both types work the same way by allowing the electrical current to pass from the bottom to the upper terminal. 

If the electrical current becomes too strong, the magnetic force of the strip will throw a small lever and cut off the current completely. Alternatively, the metal strip might bend and cut off the current. In either case, it is easy to reset a breaker. All you have to do is flip the switch from the off position back to the on position in your breaker box. 

Advantages and Disadvantages

There are a few different ways to compare fuses and breakers. They serve the same purpose, but they are entirely different things. As a result, there are some advantages and disadvantages to choosing each one. 

For example, fuses are relatively inexpensive and readily available. They are very fast to react and might be better if you are using sensitive electronics. The downside is that they must be fully replaced when they melt, which can be difficult to do in the dark or if a replacement is not available at the time. 

On the other hand, circuit breakers are more expensive to install and repair. They are a little slower to react to dangerous electrical current which could cause harm to electronics plugged in during a power surge. However, an overload can be easily fixed with just the flip of a switch. It can also be used for other applications like ground fault interrupters or GFCI outlets. These protect against electrical shock as well as overheating. 

If you are having trouble with your fuses or breakers, be sure to contact a professional electrician in your area. At Powertec Electric, we can help you correct major issues with your fuses or breakers today!