This section has been included to answer some common questions and help resolve typical problems encountered by the handyman and homeowner.  Aside from what we have here, don't hesitate to give us a call for a service visit or send us an email to contact_us@cpelectrical.com.  While we will try to answer all requests, due to time constraints, some may be answered on future FAQ pages.

Stop the telemarketers from calling your home.  The National Do Not Call Registry gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls at home. Most telemarketers should not call your number once it has been on the registry for three months. If they do, you can file a complaint at this Website. You can register your home or mobile phone for free. Your registration will be effective for five years.
 

1.  What does CP Electrical stand for?

This is well explained in the first paragraph of the Industrial page of our website.  Please refer to it, I think you will find it interesting.

2.   How do I fix a “High Hat” recessed light that keeps going on and off every few minutes.

The wattage of the bulb in the fixture is greater than the rating of the trim.  The trim limits the ability of the fixture to dissipate the heat generated from the lamp.  The fixture has a thermal switch that is turning the power off when it gets too hot and resets when it cools off.  Change to a lower wattage bulb.  If you need more light, change the trim.  If you need more fixtures installed, call a licensed electrician.  Did I mention that C.P. Electrical installs fixtures of every shape and kind?

 3.    I have lost power to one or more receptacles throughout my house.

Go through the house and check the GFI receptacles for one that may have tripped. They are generally located in bathrooms, kitchen counters, garage and basement.  Other electricians will install one GFI and wire to other receptacles that are required to be GFI protected.  The best way to eliminate the problem is to replace the receptacle with a GFI. 

Another possible problem is that other electricians often use the "push in" holes for the wiring of the receptacle versus the screws on the side which are a more positive means of connection.  These are holes in the rear of the device that accept the wire and have a metal pressure plate that is intended to hold the wire firmly in place.  Over time and constant plugging in and out, the wires loosen up and no longer make contact.  Turn the power off and check the back of the device for a firm connection.  Also check the receptacles adjacent to the problem device.  The problem may actually be with one of the receptacles that neighbors the one that no longer works.

If all else fails, call a licensed electrician.  C.P. Electrical would be a good choice.

4.      A circuit breaker in my house electrical panel keeps tripping.  Can I put in a larger fuse or breaker?

NO!  DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!  The fuse or breaker is sized to protect the wire in the wall from catching on fire.  If you increase the size of the fuse/breaker, you also increase the possibility of burning down your house.  Next time the problem occurs, go through the house and determine what was plugged into that circuit.  Unplug and move some of the devices to another circuit.  That should temporarily solve the problem.  If you need more power at that location, call "the" licensed electrician and have another circuit brought up from the panel. 

5.      Can a person die from coming in contact with 120 volts?

 ABSOLUTELY!  Under perfect conditions, it takes 1/2 amp at 120 volts to kill a person.  The smallest circuit in a house is 15 amps.  Perfect conditions would be to stand on wet grass or wet concrete (basement or garage) with bare feet or holding a water pipe with wet or sweaty hands.  DO NOT put this to a test.  You will be more than sorry, you will be DEAD.

6.       Can you help me identify the breakers in my breaker box?

With the use of a radio, you can identify the breaker for every receptacle in your house.  Start in one room, plug the radio into the receptacle to be tested, turn it up loud enough to hear from the breaker panel and then go to the panel and start turning breakers on and off until the radio goes out.  Make a note of the location of the receptacle in regards to the room and the breaker number.  Now continue through the house until all receptacles are accounted for.

The lights are not as easy unless you have someone with you.  Once again, turn on the lights and go turn off breakers until the lights go out.  Make a note and continue until all lights are accounted for.

The 2-pole breakers are for BIG power items like an oven, AC unit, pool, spa, sub-panel, etc., etc.  Use the same procedure just don't plug your radio into one of the unusual shaped receptacles.

Once you have completed the tests, compile the list, i.e. Breaker #1: this, this, this, that, that, the other one.   Breaker #2: this, that etc., etc., etc.  Make several copies, put one at the panel for future reference and store the others away.  If you do not have time for this or it is too much for you, give us a call and we will do it for an hourly charge.    

7.  Why do you install the receptacles in my house upside down, with the ground (small center hole) facing up?

There are two reasons for this.  First is that we only install commercial grade devices which are a grade above residential.  On the top of the device stamped into the metal it says "TOP" meaning that is the top of the device.  Secondly, and the reason for this, if you look at the plate that covers the device, it is held on with one and only one screw.  If the screw should become lose and it happens often enough, and if something is plugged into the receptacle, the plate could fall and potentially cross the two current carrying prongs of the plug.  Now if the plate was made of metal, as often times they are (stainless or crinkle finish for wallpaper) you would have a dead short across the two prongs and a dangerous situation.  With the ground facing up, the plate would fall and land on the third prong and nothing would happen.

8.  Why do I need a fan brace for my ceiling fan when I secured the box to a quadruple 2"x18" with 7-6" lag bolts?

The concern and the reason is not how well the box is attached to the building structure but rather the type of screw that is used to hold the fan to the box.  You see the fan brace comes with what they call captive screws.  Perhaps you have seen the nuts that have the nylon on the inside where the threads are.  By using these captive screws and nuts The vibration of the fan will not over a period of time vibrate the normal steel screws loose from the box, resulting in a good example of Newtons law of gravity.

9.  What is the difference between a 2-way, 3-way and a 4-way switch?

Tough question and how they came up with this I don't know.  So here goes my best explanation.  First of all there is no 2-way switch.  If there were one it would be ON OFF.  A 3-way switch is typical of top and bottom of the stairs.  Either switch will turn the lights on & off in any position.  A 4-way switch is additional switches added the center of the 3-way arrangement.  Not that you would have a switch in the middle of the stairs, well....... no just kidding.. but rather one at the bottom, one at the top, one in the middle of the hallway, one at the top of the maids stairwell and one at the bottom of the maids stairwell, etc., etc.  Each of the switches turns the lights on and off.  Not that all 4 way arrangements are there for the maid but you get my point.