There are a few items you need to be aware of when it comes to your electrical system The below information discusses
recurring and known electrical problems, issues and cautionary advisories. Please call a licensed electrical contractor to discuss
your concerns about any of the electrical information provided.

Electrical Wiring Issues in Aging Homes
Aging residential wiring is a major issue as the number of housing units over age 40 increases, historic preservation and
restoration increases, and old wiring falls further behind with regard to improvements in the National Electric Code. Corroded
wiring and arcing at poor connections behind face plates of outlets and switches and in light fixtures are a few of the causes of
40,000 fires annually from poor wiring, often in older home.

Federal Pacific (Stab-lok) Electrical Panels
Circuit breakers are supposed to shut off when current reaches levels that could start a fire or damage equipment. Due to design
and/or quality control problems, the FPE Stab-Lok circuit breakers do not always work reliably. Testing has shown that roughly
30% of the 2-pole circuit breakers fail to trip when they should. Virtually 100% of some lots of these breakers are defective.
Federal Pacific Electric "Stab-Lok" electrical panels and breakers present a possible hazard and can fail, giving way to electrical
fires. The issue is that some FPE "Stab-lok" double-pole 240-Volt FPE circuit breakers and possibly also some FPE single-pole
120 volt units simply may not work. There are reports that independent of the breaker problems, there have been panel and
panel-bus fires and arcing failure




Smoke Alarms - Important Information
Experts recommend smoke alarm units should be replaced every 10 years. How old are your smoke detectors? Are they the
original hardwired type that have been on the ceilings and walls since your home was built? If your home is 10 or more years old,
call a licensed electrical contractor to have them replaced. This will ensure your safety and the protection of your family, loved
ones, property and pets.

Surge Protection Information

What Can Done to Protect Against Electrical Surges?
You have probably protected some of your equipment already. If you have a "power strip" - you have surge protection for what is
plugged into it. For example, your computer, monitor and printer has limited protection against fluctuations in the electricity flowing
into those components. The level of protection is usually stated on the product packaging. Some surge protector/power strip
manufacturers offer warranties that will pay for damaged equipment in the event their product fails to provide the advertised level
of protection. Be aware that a direct lightning strike to your property will result in damage and no level of protection - within a
reasonable budget - will prevent this!

Whole House Surge Protection
To secure peace of mind and to protect your entire property from harmful electrical surges, there is a modern solution. The
answer is a simple device that is connected to the main electrical service panel. The device monitors your grounding system for
excessive voltage levels between neutral and ground. If it detects an unusual level, power is shut down before it affects the inside
of your property. Although not the single fix, whole house surge protection can give you a distinct advantage of protection for your
internal electrical wiring and what is plugged into each outlet.

Whole house surge protection should be installed by a licensed electrical contractor because it involves working inside the
electrical panel where live wires coming into the property exist (even with the main breaker turned off). Call a licensed electrician
to ask about surge protection today. Installing a whole house surge protector usually takes two hours or less for a lifetime of
protection. Call Today

NOTE: Whole house surge protection guards all electrical circuits inside the home. Antennas, cable and satellite television
coaxial cables, telephone and other outdoor wiring leading into the home from other locations may be a source of electrical
surges. Ask your licensed electrician about ways to protect against these hazards.


Tips on How to Prevent Electrical Surge Damage
Use an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for computer equipment and sensitive components
In addition to whole house surge protection, use quality power strips/ surge protectors for computers
Ensure surge protection devices are Underwriters Laboratories (UL) rated. Look for "UL" on packaging
Buy the best quality you can afford. Surge protection extends the life of components and computers
If unprotected from surges, unplug sensitive computers and electrical devices during lightning storms
Use a power conditioning/surge suppressor unit for home theater protection
Install in-line telephone wire surge suppressors to guard against telephone system damage
Information