Frequently Asked Questions

Did you know that a single Energy Star-rated LED light bulb can save you $75 per year in energy costs, uses 75% less energy, and will actually last 25 times longer than any comparable incandescent bulb? Homes and businesses are continually looking to save on energy costs and become more "green" for the environment.

So how can you become more energy efficient?

Only use ENERGY STAR®-certified products.

Purchase LEDs instead of incandescent light bulbs. They cost more out of the box, but light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are far more efficient than incandescent, halogen and even CFL lights – other light bulbs commonly used in residential recessed lighting.

LEDs save energy while providing clean, bright light.

Look for LEDs that are airtight and rated for contact with insulation (ICAT-rated). This will allow for airtight insulation around the cans, preventing air leakage that robs homes of heated or cooled air.
Put the lights on a dimmer. Adjusting the brightness whenever full-intensity light isn’t needed saves energy and money.

Do you need a specific color of light? No problem! LEDs are available in a wide range of colors and light levels.

Licensed electricians charge and earn more than handymen because they understand complicated electrical concepts and formulas. We’ve repaired the electrical messes made by handymen on countless occasions, so we won’t complain if you use them. Just be mindful that you may end up paying about as much for a handyman who thinks he knows what he is doing and takes twice as long to do it as you would for a licensed electrician. Work done by our licensed electrician is guaranteed to meet code requirements, whereas the work of the handyman and unlicensed electrician is not.

Both devices, either breaker or fuse, are designed to trip (turn off) in the event of an electrical overload; e.g., 20 amps of electrical load on a 15-amp circuit would cause a trip. The only difference is that a breaker is mechanical and may be reset. On the other hand, a fuse is one-time only and must be replaced.

Please Note: Modern breakers are much more efficient and offer greater levels of protection.

Turn the breaker completely off and then completely on. Some breakers will look like they are not tripped, but could be in the neutral stage, which still does not allow them to function as if they were completely on. A way to help determine this is to turn every breaker completely off and then on.

This might be due to a defective breaker. Replacement should be immediate because the defective breaker could cause serious harm to electrical components.

This overheating is a serious defect and could cause arcing in the breaker. It should be immediately replaced.

If the plug falls out of the outlet without anyone prompting it, or if the outlet is not secure and easily moves when no one is touching it. When the outlet is warm or hot to the touch, you need to immediately take care of the issue by unplugging the device and calling Berkeley Electric, because this type of problem can result in a fire.

This may indicate bulb failure, minor power fluctuations, and/or improperly installed bulbs. Cycling on and off is typically a clear indication of ballast and/or bulb failure.

Yes. We will match the dimmer to the lights in your home. It’s important to remember there are different bulbs required for specific dimmers. Such bulbs include incandescent, CFLs, and LEDs.

Yes, but you should first make sure the electrical box is properly braced and rated for the weight and torque of the ceiling fan you’re installing.

Recessed lights come in a variety of sizes, such as 6”, 5”, 4”, 3” and 2”. When sizing recessed lights, Berkeley Electric shall take into consideration the room, layout, and mood to choose the specific type, make, and model to suit your wants and needs. Recessed lighting is a great way to enhance areas in your house such as theaters, bars, and kitchens, as well as to show off amazing artwork. Recessed lighting can also be installed in cabinets, pantries, and nooks to illuminate areas without the bulk of a fixture.

Knob and tube wiring is an old style of electrical wiring that was commonly used from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. The wires are supported by ceramic knobs and held in place by tubes, which inspired the name.

Knob and tube wiring no longer meets modern electrical codes. It was designed to carry a much lighter electrical load than current appliances tend to use. This can lead to frequent electrical issues, which are annoying and inefficient. In addition, knob and tube wiring is generally unsafe to use. It doesn't have the ground wire that modern systems have, which means that there is no protection in the event of a fault. This increases your family's risk of electrical shock and your chances of experiencing an electrical fire.

If you have purchased an older property and discovered knob and tube wiring, or if you've recently noticed this type of wiring in your existing property, it's important to contact an electrician as soon as possible. It's possible that the wires in your home are not active; many electricians simply leave deactivated wiring where it is. An experienced professional can ascertain whether the wiring is live; if it is, it's considered a major hazard and we'll most likely need to re-wire the problem areas.

Yes, to a certain extent, but knob & tube wiring can be very dangerous. An inspection can help to keep your home and family safe until you are ready for the re-wire. Berkeley Electric can help determine the current state of the knob and tube wiring in your home. A 15-amp arc fault circuit interrupter can be installed on the circuit occupied by the knob and tube. An arc fault breaker is a circuit breaker designed to prevent fires by detecting an unintended electrical arc and disconnecting the power before the arc starts a fire. An AFCI must distinguish between a harmless arc that occurs incidentally to normal operation of switches, plugs and brushed motors and an undesirable arc that can occur, for example, in a lamp cord that has a broken conductor in the cord.

Arc faults in a home are one of the leading causes for electrical wiring fires. Each year in the United States, over 40,000 fires are attributed to home electrical wiring. These fires result in over 350 deaths and over 1,400 injuries each year.

Conventional circuit breakers respond to overloads and short circuits, but they don’t protect against arcing conditions that produce erratic and often reduced current. An AFCI is selective so that normal arcs do not cause it to trip. The AFCI circuitry continuously monitors the current and discriminates between normal and unwanted arcing conditions. Once an unwanted arcing condition is detected, the AFCI opens its internal contacts, thus de-energizing the circuit and reducing the potential for a fire to occur. An AFCI should not trip during normal arcing conditions, which can occur when a switch is opened or a plug is pulled from a receptacle.

A whole-house safety inspection can help us to understand the current status of the wiring. Knob and tube wiring, BX wiring, or ungrounded systems are considered major hazards. These can pose hazards in your home, and if in poor condition, a re-wire shall be considered.

With experience in homes dated over 100 years old, Berkeley Electric can find efficient paths and ways to complete a project in a safe and clean manner. Our company will preserve the beautiful details and structure of your home, which in turn will keep the costs and heavy repairs to a minimum.

Most properties can be completed within one week. Larger spaces can take up to two weeks. You will not need to move out of the home during the process. Berkeley Electric will work around your schedule in order to maintain your comfort and meet your needs.