With summer around the corner now, it seemed only right to highlight a unique light fixture that it’s now the season to DIY install! This 1 Light Hacienda Outdoor Sconce Lantern is the perfect addition to entryways or traditional patios. Not only is it durable enough to stand up to the elements, but it’s beautiful enough to receive compliments from your neighbors and guests!
For today’s post, we asked our on-staff Electrician what he would rate as the top 3 electrical “no-no’s” he’s seen in his experience. Here’s what he responded:
This one can be answered quickly and easily. Yes, it is possible and OK to have a light fixture and plug on the same switch. It is common to switch an outlet for control of a lamp when you walk in a room.
Got a question for our Electrician? Leave us a comment with your query and we’ll have him address it in the next month’s round of questions!
Run and call the fire department. Just kidding. If you have a floor lamp or other fixture that is turned on and you plug it in, it is possible to see a small spark as the plug makes connection under load. This is not a real big deal. If you plug in an extension cord that does not have anything attached to the other end and therefore no load on it–and it sparks, then you have a real problem. It is usually a worn out plug that needs to be replaced and or a loose connection. You can either call an electrician or replace it yourself by turning off the circuit and replacing the plug.
Dimmer switches for certain types of lighting and floor lamps have a wattage rating on them. Some are 1000w, some are 2000w, and so on. This is the amount of lights or light bulbs you can put on the dimmer. So you’ll need to add up the wattage of the light bulbs and choose the appropriate size dimmer. If you have more than one dimmer in an electrical switch box then you have to de-rate them because of the amount of heat they produce. So if you have two 1000 watt dimmers in one box then you can only dim about 800 watts on each one.
Our team is constantly looking for new and unique products to add to our product list. Do you have suggestions as to items you’d like to see us carry or those that you currently need? We’d love to hear them! Email us at sales-specialist(at) uniquevanities(dot) com or simply give us a ring at 866-526-1843 to let us know! Today’s product spotlight is on this cool outdoor wall sconce. Spring is here and with summer just around the corner, we’ll be spending much more time outdoors! Is your outdoor décor up to date? Check out this great looking sconce as a possible addition to your outdoor lighting plan!
This guest post was written by David Rosso
David Rosso is the owner of Lighting By Design, a company that specializes in lighting design in Essex County NJ. He has many years of experience in dashing both interior and exterior lighting in order to make the home a warmer more inviting place.
Exterior lighting has become a very popular aspect of exterior design and backyard remodeling. Over the last few years there have been many changes and developments in the design and use of exterior lighting. They are quickly becoming one of the more popular features used in exterior remodeling projects, partly due to their versatility. The addition of exterior lighting allows homeowners more hours of enjoyment of their outdoor landscaping features. Properly placed they can bring a new dynamic to the landscape. Here are just a few ideas of the ways exterior lighting can be used to enhance a specific area.
Swimming Pools
Adding exterior lighting to a swimming pool design can help provide many more hours of enjoyment. There are many different types of pool lighting fixtures available. Homeowners can modernize their pool areas with lights in and out of the pool; as well as make the area much safer. Pool lights are available in many different styles, shapes and colors. The type of lighting chosen will depend upon the pool design as well as the homeowner’s personal taste. Lights can be attached to pools in many different ways. Some styles hook on the top of the walls of the pool; or are mounted on the wall. They can also be installed directly onto the return line of the pool.
Driveways and Walkways
Exterior lighting can be used to line walkways and driveways. The addition of these lights can provide security and safety as guests move about the yard in the evening hours. Driveway lighting can help cars know where to park after dark. Walkways can become much safer to navigate after dark and lights can give walkways additional beauty while making landscaped areas visible at night.
Patios
When completing a backyard remodeling project, remember to install exterior lighting in the patio area. These lights can be used to accent a particular area or landscape feature. Homeowners can choose from many different designs depending on what types of features they wish to accentuate. Some styles include directional lighting or pavement lights; colored lights are also among the many choices available.
Create a dynamic effect by lighting your patio or deck. For these frequently used areas, lighting can help highlight steps, a drop-off or even a small change in elevation. This can make the area much safer as well as adding a dramatic effect. Light fixtures are commonly concealed under railings, benches or suspended from vertical posts. Fun overhead lighting ideas can include unique wagon wheel chandeliers or other funky pendants. Just make sure that any lighting used outside is safe to use after being exposed to the elements.
Garden Lighting
Homeowners spend a lot of time ensuring that their flowers and other plants are cultivated and decorative. There are many styles of garden lights that can help make the garden’s beauty enjoyable day and night. Solar lights are among some of the most popular choices. They are very simple to install; and there are no wires to have to worry with. They charge during the daytime hours so that they can illuminate the garden area during the night. There is no expense involved in operating solar garden lights. Another type of garden light that is low maintenance is LED lights. These offer a soft glow and are energy efficient.
Walls and Fences
Homeowners who have areas containing retaining walls can add an element of safety and beauty to their home by adding exterior lighting fixtures. They add a level of security to the property; but they also add aesthetic beauty. It is a wise choice to add illumination along a wall or fence. These fixtures can bring much more light into an area of the yard. There are many different stylish and attractive options available. Many can be equipped with sensors so that they turn off at sunrise and come on at sunset.
Now is the time to utilize that garage space for more than a car. In order to make it fully functional, it needs to be wired with outlets and lights so you can see what you are doing and are able to use appliances and power tools too. Below is a step by step guide that will walk you through the process of turning your garage into a well lit and powered room.
Step 1. Before you can begin you need to step back and see what all you are going to be using this garage for. If you plan to turn it into a mini workshop, then take inventory of all your power tools. Check the voltage requirements so you know if the standard 110 voltage will be enough or will a 220 voltage need to be installed. The same goes for other appliances like freezers, window air conditioner units, refrigerators, TV, and so on.
Step 2. For bigger equipment such as the table saw, you may want to consider putting it on a 220 voltage circuit. The reason for this is because it will prolong the life of the tool by not running hot and straining the equipment.
Step 3. Most other tools and appliances run on a standard 110 voltage circuit. Considering there will be several outlets wired, spreading the power around equally and not all weighing in on just one single outlet.
Step 4. Lighting is generally on its own circuit. The reason for this is even though it doesn’t use much power, it
keeps lights on all the time without dimming when other appliances or tools are being used. That way the worry of losing light will never be an issue especially while cutting wood on the table saw.
Step 6. If there is going to be more than four circuits in the garage then installing a subpanel inside the garage may be beneficial. This makes it easy to get to when needed and can be locked up so no one messes with it and it keeps the kids from being able to access it. Its common in most garages to install a sub panel by running a 100A line and then just running the circuits off that.
If at any time during this project you feel unsure about what you are doing or don’t have much experience in electrical wiring, call an electrician. This can prevent a fatal accident from occurring in the long run when safety is put first.
Bio: Jack blogs about a variety a subjects from cars, to handy work. Currently he is a blogger at cashforcarssandiego.com, a company in San Diego that purchases cars.
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Changing out an iron chandelier to a ceiling fan is certainly a do-able option. You may need to change the electrical box out to an approved fan box. In newer homes it is common practice to use a fan box to hang a chandelier from. The difference between a fan box and a standard ceiling fixture box is the way it mounts the framing and the size of the screws or studs it has to hang the fixture from. Fan boxes are rated for more weight than a standard box and have metal brackets that attach them to the studs or framing instead of just having a couple nails. Additionally, the screws or studs will be at least #10 where a standard box will have holes for 8/32 screws.
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