Frequently Asked Electrical Questions

In our years of experience, we have found that our customers prefer an accurate price based on their exact electrical issue. Most phone quotes are subject to change once the technician sees the job. We don't think that is fair to you. By allowing us to diagnose the problem in person, you will know exactly what it will cost to finish the job before we begin work.

Most electrical repairs can be fixed on the same day. However, repairs requiring us to file permits, get inspections, or work within other constraints may take longer. Pinellas County Electric offers superior, expedited service and will always resolve your electrical issue as efficiently as possible.

It's wise to seek a code inspection any time you:

• Move into a new home

 • Haven't had an inspection in 5-10 years

 • Are living in an older home

 • Plan on renovations or an addition

If the lights are also out at your neighbors, alert your power company and use safe lighting methods, such as flashlights, while your utility company corrects the problem. Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible to prevent food from spoiling during a prolonged outage. If your home is the only one on your block without power, call Pinellas County Electric. We'll come out 24/7 to diagnose and repair your problem.

Pinellas County Electric provides you with a free quote to complete the work. We must look at each panel location to provide this quote, as many variables must be considered. Things like panel location, electrical system flexibility, feeder cable length, and, most importantly, deciding to repair or completely replace the panel are essential information we must find out before we begin a job. To provide an accurate quote without this information is impossible.

If your lights are flickering – especially when a major appliance turns on or off (like your air conditioning system, washer, and dryer, etc.) – the chances are that the wiring in your home is old and needs to be replaced. Old, out-of-date wiring wasn't designed to handle the electrical capacity of today's modern technology, and if left unfixed, it could result in an electrical fire.

Today's homes are more advanced and filled with electronics than ever, and we are increasingly dependent on electronics and the ability to charge them quickly. Whole Home Surge Protection protects all the electrical equipment in your home from surges and spikes that can be created outside or even inside your home. It acts just like the high-quality power bars we often buy for our entertainment systems or our computer systems, but instead, it protects all the devices in your home. This means it protects the electronic components of refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryer dishwashers, coffee makers, and anything else that wouldn't traditionally have protection. We recommend whole home surge protectors be installed in all homes to protect all the electronics.

If you find a specific circuit continues to trip over and over, you may have too many electrical items or devices running on the same circuit or a faulty short. Call us to diagnose and correct the problem.

The quickest and easiest way to save energy in any building is by making sure your lighting system is as efficient as possible. Many options are available to make your lighting more efficient, from retrofitting existing fluorescent fixtures to replacing old fixtures with new energy-efficient solutions. This could mean using fluorescent bulbs where high bay metal halide or high-pressure sodium fixtures were used previously or even using LED technology to improve lighting levels and reduce energy usage. Pinellas County Electric can give you the correct information and work with you to get all the incentives available in your area to improve your lighting.

A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter is a receptacle that protects against electric shock when using electrical devices near water. It senses when power is going where it should not, and if it senses a problem, it shuts off. This is why most codes specify that they are used in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and outdoor areas. Many people need to realize that these devices are designed to be tested once a month to ensure proper operation. This is done by pressing the test button on the device to ensure it turns off and then pressing the reset button to ensure it turns on. If the test or reset button does not work, it is time to replace the device.

Generators are an excellent backup power source during the many Florida storms and Hurricanes, but you should never operate a generator inside your home or in a garage. Call us for a free estimate throughout Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties!

Many areas allow a homeowner to do their electrical work, provided they take out the proper permits and have the work inspected by the appropriate authorities. Your family and home's safety should always be considered before you undertake any electrical work. Pinellas County Electric suggests you call a professional.

We will only set a meter with a final inspection, or in some instances, the local electrical inspector shall allow a non-occupancy permit.

We offer a variety of lighting products, including decorative colonial, cobra heads, directional floodlights, and security lights. We can customize plans to fit any lighting need.

Aluminum wiring was used in the late 1960s and into the mid-1970s in many homes across North America. Aluminum wiring itself is not dangerous to have in your house. The issue with aluminum wiring is faulty terminations in receptacles, switches, or light fixtures and equipment. Due to the expansion and contraction of the conductor itself and the fact that aluminum will oxidize over time, heat can be generated at points where the aluminum wiring is improperly terminated. One of the main issues with aluminum wiring is that while everything may appear fine with your wiring, it could be deteriorating behind devices, creating a dangerous fire hazard. If you have concerns about aluminum wiring in your home or business, you should have it inspected by a licensed electrician like Pinellas County Electric.