Don’t Believe These Myths About Home Electrical Wiring!

by Ryan DalPezzo, Owner

As the leading experts in home wiring installation in Northern Virginia, we often find ourselves addressing misconceptions about electricity. There are numerous myths and misinformation about home wiring, which can be problematic and even dangerous for homeowners. In this article, we aim to debunk some of the most pervasive myths and explain why they’re incorrect or risky.

1. Low-voltage shocks are harmless

One dangerous myth we encounter is the belief that low-voltage shocks aren’t harmful, so occasional shocks from outlets or wires are inconsequential. While minor shocks may not always cause harm, the risk remains.

When your body comes in contact with live electricity, the shock travels through your entire body, potentially causing muscle seizures or brain disruptions. If an individual has pre-existing neurological vulnerabilities, even a minor shock can be detrimental. Moreover, secondary injuries may result from a person’s reaction to the shock.

Always treat live wires and outlets with caution.

2. New wiring is immune to problems

A common falsehood is the notion that new wiring cannot fail; only old wiring can. However, wiring of any age can have issues. Poor wiring installations, rodents chewing on cables, or damage from water leaks are just a few examples. While thicker, well-insulated cables offer better protection, electrical problems in your home could still arise from wiring infrastructure, regardless of its age.

3. Flickering lights are always due to power shortages

Although power shortages can cause flickering lights or brownouts, they’re not the sole culprit. Other causes include wiring issues, faulty light sockets, or problematic light bulbs. Recently, we’ve even seen poorly configured “smart lights” causing problems.

If a lightbulb flickers, try replacing it and ensuring it’s screwed in securely. If the issue persists, consult Northern Virginia electrical specialists to investigate the problem.

4. Thicker wires carry more electricity

Another misconception is that thicker power cords contain more electricity than thinner cords.

In reality, the amount of power in your wiring depends on your power supply and how electricity is distributed throughout your home. The difference between thin and thick wires lies is resistance; thinner wires have greater resistance, making electricity flow less efficiently and potentially causing heat buildup or reduced power to connected devices. However, the current remains the same regardless of wire size.

5. Ordinary safety gear is adequate for handling electricity

It’s crucial to emphasize that working with electricity at home is extremely hazardous, and professional assistance is strongly recommended. However, in case of emergencies, only use rated safety gear.

For instance, not all rubber gloves can prevent electrical conduction; many contain conductive materials, especially low-quality ones. Similarly, wood is not guaranteed to be safe, as even small amounts of moisture can make it conductive. Rely on professionals like RD Matthews Electrical Contracting for handling live power.

With over 25 years of experience, RD Matthews Electrical Contracting offers expert home wiring installation, electrical repair, and other electrical services across Northern Virginia.

Don’t let myths and misinformation put your safety at risk—trust the professionals to ensure your electrical needs are met safely and effectively. Call RD Matthews Electrical Contracting to solve your electrical issues.

A Guide to Understanding Residential Electrical Wiring

02Dec

by Ryan DalPezzo, Owner

A Guide to Understanding Residential Electrical Wiring

Unless you’re a DIY or professional, understanding your home’s needs when it comes to electrical wiring is often easier said than done. As one of the leading residential electrical contractors in Northern Virginia, the team from RD Matthews Electrical Contracting has collected some important things for you to consider here.

Below you’ll find our comprehensive guide to residential electrical wiring!

Your Home’s Main Service Panel

The service panel in your home is the piece of electrical equipment responsible for distributing power to all your home’s circuits. Essentially, it’s the heart of your home’s electrical system. This component is most often referred to as a circuit panel or breaker box. If you lose power, this is where a residential electrical contractor will begin their inspection of your home’s electrical wiring system.

It’s important to know that often, an excess of power can trip a circuit. However, some older homes may have electrical panels with fuses. In the case of a burnt-out fuse, it will need to be replaced or you may want to consider having your electrical panel updated. This panel is directly connected to your main power service lines, meaning before providing any breaker panel service, it’s important to contact your power company to have the service shut off until the issue can be resolved.

We recommend having your electrical panel inspected by a professional every 5-10 years.

Different Types of Wires

A household electrical system contains many different wires and components, each that serve a specific need. Each electrical circuit will contain several different wires including what’s referred to as a “hot wire,” which sends the electrical current from your home’s main service panel to each circuit throughout the house; these wires are often red or black. Neutral wires that are white are designed to carry any electrical current back to the main panel.

4 Common Residential Electrical Wiring Problems

Although every home is different, there are some common warning signs and problems that homeowners can keep an eye out for, such as:

Outdated electrical wiring
Broken light switches
Lights that won’t dim if they have a dimmer switch
Switches or outlets that get hot
Frequently tripped circuit breakers or GFI outlets
Power surges caused by faulty wiring, lighting, or damaged power lines

All of these issues are warning signs that you’re in need of the help of a residential electrical contractor.

Common Residential Electrical Mistakes & How to Prevent Them

Residential electrical systems can be quite distinct. However, it’s important to avoid connecting wires outside of a junction box or install a three-pronged outlet without a ground wire. Additionally, any loose connections or switches should be repaired immediately. Also, any wires should be cut at a minimum of three inches to ensure safe wiring installation.

Electrical Wiring in Modern Homes

Today’s most modern homes often work via an overall current, meaning that the electrical system is designed to power virtually anything you need in the common household. However, if you plan on redesigning or adding additional outlets to your home, it’s important to get in touch with a professional electrical company.

Older Electrical Wiring Systems

In the case of those with older homes, the electrical wiring system will likely be different or outdated and require some major changes to modernize it. As previously mentioned, many older homes employ fuses rather than breakers. Such things corrode and break over time, so it’s often recommended to replace such a system, as doing so can be more efficient and provide additional energy savings. Also, it’s important to note that outdated wiring systems might not have the proper power necessary to power certain of today’s modern electronic appliances.

Contact us today for residential electrical contractors in Northern Virginia!

As a family-owned and operated company, RD Matthews Electrical Contracting has become a household name in Northern Virginia due to our commitment to quality service and customer care. Whether it comes to electrical rewiring or panel upgrades, our team of trained professionals can handle it.

RD Matthews is proud to offer competitive prices, friendly services, and accurate work with a warranty. In addition to our general residential electrical services, our team is equipped to provide panel inspections, recessed lighting installation, ceiling fan installation, smart switch solutions, and EV charging station installations as well.

To schedule a service call contact us online today or call (540) 840-2933 today!

What You Should Know about Electrical Installations

23Nov

by Ryan DalPezzo, Owner

Wiring is one of the most important parts of your household, and it’s crucial to make sure you’re not ignoring it. Bad or old wiring can be a potential fire hazard and if not taken care of, you risk endangering everyone in the home. In order to make sure you’re staying up to date, the best way to address these challenges is through electrical wiring installation by trained professionals.

Electrical Installation 101

When it comes to installations, there are several factors that updating electrical systems need to take into account. Electrical wiring installation needs to comply with American standards as well as safety best practice requirements. There are standard state regulations when it comes to safety requirements, and because of this, it’s absolutely crucial that wiring be done by a licensed contractor. Electrical wiring should not be a DIY project as there are fundamental quality checks and safeguards that are necessary for appropriate electrical installation.

Red Flags to Watch For

We’ve all seen what an old or improper electrical installation looks like, and the reality is that the messier it is the more likely there are to be urgent or long-term problems. If you’re uncertain whether your electrical wiring is having issues or not, make sure you’re keeping an eye out for the following warning signs:

Scorch marks can be an indicator of electrical board issues, even if there is no indication of a fire.
If you smell burnt plastic or ozone this can also be an indication of wiring issues.
Strange noises or behaviors in your machinery or technology can also be an indication of faulty wiring.
Overheating of appliances can be an indication that the appliance is unsafe or that there are power issues.
If there is water around any of the electrical fittings this can be a serious indication of problems. Any water-damaged areas around outlets should be treated urgently.
Flickering lights or electronics are normally caused by appliances, however, if this is not the case then it’s an indication of power issues.

Testing for Quality

To be proactive and keep an eye out for any potential issues, it’s always a good idea to have your electrician do regular system audits after your house electrical wiring installation. Conducting an audit provides for quality control, and can also be a good mechanism for planning future upgrades and installations.

If you’re looking for expert professionals to support you with your house electrical wiring installation in Northern Virginia, come check out all of the amazing services we have to offer at RD Matthews Electrical Contracting. Our expert team will provide guaranteed code compliance and fully-warrantied work, and we will work with you to ensure that all of your electrical installation needs are taken care of in a thorough and safe manner. Get in touch with us today for a free phone consultation and let us provide exceptional wiring installation services for your home.

Category: Electrical Installations

Don’t Believe These Myths About Home Electrical Wiring!

1. Low-voltage shocks are harmless

2. New wiring is immune to problems

3. Flickering lights are always due to power shortages

4. Thicker wires carry more electricity

5. Ordinary safety gear is adequate for handling electricity

A Guide to Understanding Residential Electrical Wiring

What You Should Know about Electrical Installations

Services Area

Services Area

Bristow

Haymarket

Gainesville

Manassas

Warrenton

Catlett

Centreville

Services Area

Services Area

Bristow

Haymarket

Gainesville

Manassas

Warrenton

Catlett

Centreville