The Flash Electric FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

The Flash Electric, a friendly, family-owned electrician business here in Athens. Servicing clients across Athens, Watkinsville, Winder, and beyond, we are your residential electrician specialist. We promise you won’t find an electrician who does a better job for less!

No one can take care of your electric needs better than we can. Do you have an outdated panel? Need to rewire a room—or your entire home? Have a breaker that’s giving you grief? Trying to tackle these issues on your own is not only complicated and time-consuming, but it can be dangerous. The Flash Electric will take care of it all, so you never have to worry if you’re doing it right or if you’re making a mistake! Our friendly technicians will come right to your home to diagnose and fix all of your electrical problems. Our knowledgeable techs will troubleshoot then make the necessary repairs for you so things can get back to normal. No issue is too big or too small. With years of experience in the industry and by keeping up to date with the most modern electrical practices, we promise that you are always getting the best service possible!

When you give us a call, you will be connected directly to our owner, so you can expect immediate attention to your inquiry.
So don’t wait. Call now!

When not properly installed or attended, faulty lights and lighting fixtures throughout your home often pose problems and can become dangerous fire hazards. Many people love filling their homes with bright lights and lighting fixtures, however many do not insert the proper bulbs during installation. Some lighting fixtures cannot handle a certain bulb wattage which, in extreme cases, can lead to a fire. Before changing your light bulbs always check a fixture’s maximum wattage and never install a bulb that is beyond that recommended amount.

Before you go out and purchase energy efficient products that are both expensive and oftentimes unnecessary, take small steps in your everyday life that in turn will limit the amount of energy your home uses everyday! When you’re not in a room simply turn off your lights. The same goes for everyday appliances such as washing and drying machines and dishwashers. Use faster cycles and then turn off the machines completely to save energy. You can also resort to doing machine based tasks manually such as hand washing clothes and dishes and letting your hair dry naturally as opposed to using a hair dryer.

Fuses and circuit breakers are similar in that they aim to protect electrical circuits from overloading, which can cause fires. Both fuses and circuit breakers stop the flow of electricity. It’s the way in which they handle the stopping of the electricity that sets them apart both functionally effectively. Fuses are made from metal and so when they are overheated they melt. They are quicker at stopping the flow of electricity but more commonly need repairs. Circuit breakers, on the other hand, have an internal switch that is slower to stop the flow of energy but far easier to fix, by simply switching back on, when overpowered.​

Heat is usually one of the first symptoms of a growing problem that will eventually result in a failure. By means of a specialized Infrared Thermal Imaging camera readings are done of the heat signatures of equipment and graphically demonstrates the problem. The information provided allows our specialized technicians to catch problems before they result in shutdown due to failed equipment.

A Megger is a tester that uses a high-voltage pulse to test conductor insulation. This test enables you to anticipate a growing or current problem in your electrical system that could result in a ground fault to system wiring or equipment.

Fiber optic scope inspection of Lighting Pole Interiors for Rust and Corrosion Damage

Unbeknownst to most people lighting poles have a hidden enemy. Rust and corrosion can quickly and secretly undermine the integrity of your pole. Without warning the weakened pole falls and leaves you with a major problem. Don’t let this happen to you, take a preventative maintenance test to anticipate a problem before it happens!

We offer these preventative maintenance services: High Resolution Thermal Imaging Reporting, Single and Three Phase Digital Power Analyzing and Data Logging, Megger Testing/ Power Analyzing/ Data Logging, Diagnostic and Preventive Maintenance Inspections and Testing, Conductor and Motor Insulation Megger Testing.

Pole light fixtures require professional installation and maintenance, whether they’re parking lot lights, flag pole lighting, LED pole lights, decorative pole lighting or other types of outdoor pole lighting. To safely install, wire and replace your pole lighting fixtures, rely on the professional electricians. Let us handle your lantern, post light and pole lighting repairs, wiring and installation. Our electricians will get the job done right the first time, with an attention to detail and a dedication to safety and professionalism. We look forward to meeting your pole lighting need!

We prefer cash, check, cash app, zelle, or Paypal.  We can also take a credit card payment but there will be an additonal 3% fee on top.

We serve Athens, Watkinsville, Bishop, Good Hope, Bogart and surrounding areas. As well as the Greater Atlanta Area.

If we are already doing a service call for you and you request a home inspection then it will be free.

If you would like a home inspection of your electrical then it will be $125. If we find issues then that will be rolled into items you desire to be corrected.

Absolutely we do. We care about our customers, their families as well as ours. Our job is to do our part to keep everyone safe.

I’m not sure why it’s called a shoe protector because our goal is to protect our customers flooring. So Yes..once we enter your home our mask is on and so are the shoe protectors.

Do Whole House Surge Protectors Really Work? Yes! A whole-house suppressor instantly blocks the surge from entering home circuits to provide comprehensive lightning protection. Individual plug-in suppressors can’t protect electronics that aren’t plugged in, but are hard-wired instead.Jan 5, 2016

Search for: Do whole house surge protectors really work?

Simply put, a whole house surge protector protects all the appliances in your home from voltage spikes, limiting excess electrical current by blocking its flow or shorting it to ground, much like a pressure relief valve.

Search for: How does Whole house surge protection work?

two years

If you’re aware of your surge protector taking a big hit, you should probably toss it too. Otherwise, a good rule of thumb is to replace them about every two years.Mar 24, 2015

Search for: How long do whole house surge protectors last?

Whole-house systems should be rated to stop a 40,000-amp surge, at minimum. Features to look for include thermal fuses, and lights or alarms that indicate when a device has taken a hit. Protection for an average house with 200-amp service will run about $500—including a couple of hours of an electrician’s labor.

Search for: Are houses surge protected?

When deciding on the right whole home surge protector for your rental property, consider the following factors:Your property’s outlet volt service. … Whether or not the SPD is UL Certified. … The Voltage Protective Rating (VPR). … The Maximum Continuous Operating Voltage (MCOV).More items…•Jan 10, 2020

Search for: How do I choose a whole house surge protector?

The wiring on these surge protectors is stranded and after reading the instructions further, they never state a dedicated breaker is required, only that it has to be double pole of a certain amperage.Mar 21, 2019

Search for: Does whole house surge protector need dedicated breaker?

In addition to qualifying you for potential discounts from your insurance company, a whole house surge protector can save you the replacement costs of your many sensitive and expensive electrical devices, from your home entertainment system, to kitchen appliances, home office equipment and mobile technology, paying for …

Search for: Are whole house surge protectors worth the money?

You probably already know they do more than offer a few more outlets to use. They’re also known as surge protectors. … While you can easily plug a simple surge protector into any outlet yourself, a whole house surge protector involves (carefully) accessing the main power panel box or hiring an electrician.Dec 5, 2018

Search for: Can I install a whole house surge protector myself?

A whole house surge protector that is installed at your circuit breaker panel within the house. It is wired directly into a dual-pole breaker, which is in your main breaker. And in some cases can be routed through your sub-panel for down-streaming.

Search for: Where does a whole house surge protector go?

Yep, that’s right: Surge protectors don’t last forever. Most estimates put the average lifespan of a surge protector at three to five years. And if your home is subject to frequent brownouts or blackouts, you might want to replace your surge protectors as often as every two years.5 days ago

Search for: How often should you replace your surge protector?

Surge protectors offer protection in amounts called joules. Generally, the more joules the better, as this means the device can handle one large surge, or multiple smaller surges, before your gear is in danger. Over time, the parts inside the protector wear down, reducing its effectiveness.Jun 9, 2019

Search for: Do surge protectors really do anything?

Top 5 Best Whole House Surge ProtectorsPreviewProductBest OverallSquare D by Schneider Electric HEPD80 Home Electronics Protective DevicePremium ChoiceSiemens FS140 Whole House Surge ProtectionExcellent ValueEATON CHSPT2ULTRA Ultimate Surge Protection 3rd Edition, 2.38″ Length, 5.25″ Width 7.5″ Height2 more rows•Aug 8, 2020

Search for: Who makes the best whole house surge protector?

A surge protector with 1000 to 2000 joules will provide sufficient protection for power tools and office equipment such as printers, copiers and routers. Consider the highest joule ratings—2000 and above—for home theater components, gaming consoles and any computer that stores important data…Jun 8, 2020

Search for: How big of a surge protector do I need?

If you want to protect your gaming PC and equipment from power fluctuations, you have to plug them in the right way. … The short answer is no, power strips do not protect your PC from any sort of electrical fluctuations. However, you can get more sophisticated strips that have surge protection built in.Nov 12, 2017

Search for: Do I need Surge Protector for PC?

This is a Plug-In RCD (Residual Current Device). These are used to prevent against electrocution but do not prevent against power surges. … This is a Plug-In Surge Protector. These are designed to smooth and filter the power supply of potentially damaging spikes.

Search for: Is an RCD the same as a surge protector?

When voltage reaches a certain point, surge protectors simply re-route that extra energy with the help of what is essentially a pressure-sensitive valve. With the correct voltage, current flows through as normal, but with a spike or surge, the device kicks-in immediately and redirects the excess.

Search for: How Does a surge protector breaker work?

If a power surge damages or destroys your electronics and appliances, personal property coverage in your homeowners insurance may help to protect you — up to the limits in your policy. … For example, if an appliance overheats and dies due to a power surge, your homeowners insurance may help cover that loss.

Search for: Is power surge damage covered by homeowners insurance?

The Steps to Install a Panel Mounted Surge ProtectorStep 1: Prepare the Panel. Locate the main breaker panel for your house. … Step 2: Mount the Surge Protector. … Step 3: Connect the Wires. … Step 4: Re-assemble The Panel. … Step 5: Confirm Operation.

Search for: How do you wire a whole house surge protector?

You should never plug one surge protector into another. Surge protectors don’t always come with directions. … Daisy chains overload the surge protection technology, putting your electricals at risk during power surges. If you must use a power strip as a temporary solution, stick to one at a time.Oct 24, 2016

Search for: Can you plug a surge protector into a surge protector?

If the surge or spike is high enough, it can inflict some heavy damage on a machine. The effect is very similar to applying too much water pressure to a hose. If there is too much water pressure, a hose will burst.

Search for: What happens when a surge protector trips?

on cheap SURGE protectors, the only way to tell if they are going bad or not is if the light starts flickering in the switch. There’s a metal oxide varistor on the back side of the switch that provides the surge protection, along with a collection of capacitors. It also drives the light in the switch.Jul 29, 2016

Search for: How can you tell if a surge protector is bad?

That said, it can also be a failing appliance. However if you move the appliance to a different AFCI protected circuit, this circuit will stop tripping and that circuit will start. First off, a whole-home surge protector is almost certainly NOT going to solve your problem.

Search for: Will Surge Protector stop breakers from tripping?