FAQ's - Fact/Fiction & Commonly Asked Questions

Federal Pacific panels can cause fires - Fact

Do you really want to risk your life to find out when one will fail?

Wood is an insulator - Fiction

Wood is in fact a conductor, though not a good one. The molecules in wood are far apart, so it becomes difficult for electricity to jump from molecule to molecule. But the higher the voltage, the easier it is for electricity to move through wood. And if the wood is damp, it changes the equation and wood becomes a good conductor, even at low voltage. So be careful standing on a wooden crate to turn on your main fuse box or when you use a wooden ladder.

Household rubber gloves or rubber-soled shoes insulate - Fiction

Only 100% pure rubber insulates against electricity. Household gloves and shoes are not made of pure rubber. Often, to make these shoes more marketable and durable, additives are mixed in with the rubber-like material. And that makes these gloves and shoes conductors.

Power lines are insulated - Fiction

Ninety percent of outside power lines are not insulated. There may be a weather coating over the wire that provides no insulation or protection from electric shock. Further, the lines that are insulated are exposed to the rigors of weather, so you never know what condition the insulation is in. No line is safe to touch or approach too closely, ever.

Only high voltage is dangerous - Fiction

Voltage is the pressure that pushes electricity along, like water though a hose. Amperage (amp), the amount of electricity in any given spot, is what will hurt or kill you. It takes less than one quarter of one amp to put a heart into ventricular fibrillation (irregular beating). Most residents have at least 100-amp service coming into their houses. Many residents have 200-amp service.

Tires are electrical insulators - Fiction

Tires are electrical conductors, not insulators. It is true that you are safe in your vehicle when a live wire falls on it. But that's because electricity always seeks the easiest path to the ground. If you remain in the vehicle, the path of the electricity will be on the outside of the vehicle, through the tires, and into the ground. As long as we do not provide a path to the ground through our body the electricity will not enter it. So when an electrical wire falls on your vehicle, stay in your vehicle until help arrives and the power is shut off by PSE&G. If you have to get out of your car because of a life-threatening situation, jump out with both feet together, making sure that you are not touching any part of the vehicle when your feet hit the ground and hop or shuffle at least 30 feet away.

What would cause a receptacle to quit working?

The first thing is to do is check your panel for a tripped breaker, then we always recommend our customers to check all their GFCI outlets, inside and outside.  More often than not a GFCI is on the same circuit and just needs reset.  If you have checked all your GFCI outlet and all of them are working properly, your receptacle may need replaced.  Call ALL Electric Inc for a service call.

Half of the power in my house is out?

The first thing to do when your house has half the power out is to check your panel for a tripped breaker, if that isn’t the problem then call your electric utility company for them to check the outside lines.  Most electric utility companies will come out and check your outside service for free.  If the issue is on the electric utility company side they will fix it at no cost, if it is not a problem on their side they will tell you to call an Electrical Contractor.

What is the cause of Flickering lights?

A poor connection is a sign of flickering lights.  This can lead to a broken connection.  You will need to have an electrician track down the broken/loose connection to correct the problem.

How can I tell if my Main panel box (Service panel) is safe?

A service panel’s worst enemy is moisture!  Inspecting panels is dangerous and we never recommend removing the panel cover yourself.  Our electrician’s are highly qualified to check for oxidation or corrosion, overheated components, improperly sized circuit breakers, moisture, proper clearance, branch wiring, loose connections, sealed entrance cable and outside meter socket connections.

YOU MATTER

Quality Workmanship & Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed!

24 HOUR SERVICE

24 Hour Emergency Service to ensure we are there for you!

FREE ESTIMATES

We give Free Estimates for all of the jobs you want done right!

YOU MATTER

Quality Workmanship & Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed!

24 HOUR SERVICE

24 Hour Emergency Service to ensure we are there for you!

FREE ESTIMATES

We give Free Estimates for all of the jobs you want done right!

OUR AFFILIATIONS