West Seattle Electrical Outlet Installation Services

The modern home relies upon electricity to do just about everything on a daily basis. From watching TV, turning on the lights and running the refrigerator, families everywhere depend on electricity to conduct their daily functions. But electricity needs actual outlets, for without them, it cannot be accessed.

Malfunctioning outlets or outlets that are not giving the needed amount of power to devices are annoying and can even be hazardous. When a family needs a repair or an upgrade to their outlets then it is a local electrician that can make sure that this job is done properly and safely.

What’s new with electrical outlet installation?

Almost everyone can benefit from upgrades to your electrical outlets, whether you live in an older home or a new one. If your outlets are the standard two-prong models, you might be interested in upgrading to GFCI, USB, and/or smart outlets throughout your home. Continue below to learn about the range of options for upgrading your home’s electrical outlets.

Switched Outlets

Usually this sort of outlet has one port that is connected to the other port by a switch. The electricity can be blocked or allowed from the outlet so that it doesn’t always have to be powered on. You can simply disconnect or connect the outlet by switching it on or off instead of taking out the device.

GFCI Outlets

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter is used to hold back electricity flow when a short circuit or ground fault is present. This shields against electric shocks from water particularly, which is the reason they are required for kitchens and restrooms or anyplace else that is close to water. You can tell an outlet is a GFCI model by the two buttons that enable you to reset it after it’s been tripped. In case you don’t already have these installed within six feet of water sources, an expert can come and install them in order to keep your household safe from shocks and other dangers.

AFCI Outlets

Many older homes may not have these outlets present at all, as Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter outlets did not become standard until 1999. The purpose of installing AFCI outlets at the electrical panel is to keep electricity from jumping, or arcing, from one wire to another, which is a common cause of home fires. If your home lacks AFCI outlets, you can have them installed by a professional electrician, either at the electrical panel or at the beginning of each circuit in your home.

20A Outlets

The average outlet will not supply enough power to every type of appliance and some large appliances require a larger amount of power. Laundry rooms and kitchens typically have 20A outlets for appliances with high power demands, such as washers and dryers or refrigerators. Such outlets may have the appearance of regular outlets but the difference is they have a slit.

On the off chance that your breakers are always stumbling or a machine needs more power than your outlets can give, an electrician can help you move up to these 20A styles and get your apparatuses running at full capacity instantly.

USB Outlets

There are a lot of modern devices now that make use of USB cords but cannot be used in conventional outlets without using an adapter in it. Luckily, some outlet models on the market now have integrated USB ports directly on the outlet so the user doesn’t have to worry about constantly lugging around an adapter for their devices. USB outlets typically either have two standard ports and two USB ports, or they can have four USB ports but no standard ports. Depending on your household’s needs, a professional can install whichever type of electrical outlet you require.

Smart Outlets

Instead of making use of a switch to control the device, a device that is connected to a smart outlet can now be controlled with the use of voice commands from a smart home speaker or with an app. This can make it advantageous to remotely turn gadgets on and off and even gives homeowners a chance to set timetables for use for the day.

Smart lights can be scheduled to turn on and off at certain times so it looks like someone is home to deter theft. Some homeowners prefer outlets that can be programmed on a certain schedule to help control their energy use and electric bills. Smart outlets cost more than the standard two-prong variety, but they offer far more in the way of applications and benefits.

You must call an electrician to examine and check if you have switches which seem to have burnt wires. Working with electricity can be dangerous for those who are unfamiliar with the different wires and the network of the house, particularly when problems already exist. To maintain a strategic distance from any pointless hazard, consistently call your nearby electrician for help with any electrical outlet work you require.