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FAQ




Frequently Asked Questions

We know that you have a lot of questions about our services and why we usually recommend using a professional for electrical diagnosis, repair, and installations. We have listed some of the more frequently asked questions below. If you still have questions, please use the contact form or send an email to jimmy@ces89.com.

All light fixture or electrical product must be CSA (Canadian Standard Association) or UL (Underwriters Laboratory) label. Only then it can be installed. It is illegal to installed a device that is not approve, in Canada.

There can be number of reasons for this problem. Thermal sensor safety switch is not working properly/ Heat build up in a pot light/ If Ceiling is insulated and non-IC pot lights are used/ bulb burning out more frequently.

In most cases, it can be a faulty light bulb, but in other cases it can mean something more serious/ potentially dangerous.

This is not normal and it is a good indication that there are other serious issues. Get help right away, it is good potential for a fire.

A short circuit occurs when the energized wire comes into contact with either the Ground/ Neutral conductor. A short generates excessive heat, that is detected by the thermocouple in the breaker, that initiate the tripping process of the circuit breaker.

A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet is an outlet receptacle designed to protect you from electrical shock when moisture is present. There is a good chance that your kitchen, bathrooms, garage, and outdoor outlets are protected by a GFCI outlet.

Most likely your outlets wired in series to a GFCI. There may be other issues, consult a license contractor to investigate.

Around 1965 to 1975 copper price was very high. Aluminum wire was used. Since then a number of electrical fires have been attributed to aluminum wiring. Many building codes have been rewritten not to allow the use of aluminum wire for branch circuit in houses. The problems associated with aluminum are expansion/ contraction, resulting in loose connections,
arc and heat build up which gradually deteriorates insulation and eventually causes short circuit.

 Some problems associated with aluminum wiring

  • Warm cover plates
  • Unusual static on radio or TV
  • Strange odour of plastic burning in some areas
  • Circuit breaker tripping for no apparent reason
  • Intermittent flickering of lights that eventually will turn into lights going out completely

Best solution is replacing the wiring/ replace all devices (switches and receptacles) with CI/ALR rated devices. Alternatively, copper rated devices can be used by using a short piece of copper wire pigtailed into ends of aluminum wire. CSA rated twist wire connector and apply anti oxidant compound.

Panels should not make any noise. The buzzing noise is most likely one or more breaker is not making a good contact with the panel busbar. The connection point will eventually burn and that space can not be used for replacement breaker. Have your panel inspected, as soon as possible by a License Electrical Contractor.

Houses that was built after 1980, there is a good chance that there is a GFCI outlet in your kitchen that has tripped. Look for a GFCI outlet that is located in your Kitchen. Once you locate a GFCI outlet, depress the reset button, which may restore the power. If not, Consult a licensed electrician.

Knob and Tube wiring was the standard method of wiring in 1880-1930s.The method of wiring porcelain knobs support the wires running along joists and porcelain tubes provides for separation from wood when wires run through holes made in the joists. Currently many insurance companies will not issue new homeowner policies unless all knob and tube wirings are removed. Others require a certificate stating that Knob and Tube wiring is in safe condition. 
Here are some of the problems associated with Knob and Tube wiring:

  • No Grounding
  • Since it was designed for usage before 1940s, Knob and Tube wiring lacks the ampacity required by loads in modern houses
  • It is susceptible to abuse by homeowner who use a larger size fuse to avoid repeated fuse blowing and therefore causing overloading and overheating wires and therefore damaging the insulation which may cause short circuit and fire

In City of Toronto, a single family dwelling is allowed to have only one electrical meter. If your property is approved for multi family residence and is classified by the city of Toronto, extra meters can be installed. A "Permitted use letter" can be obtained from City Hall and must be provided to Toronto hydro.

Refrigerators cool themselves with a compressor similar to a heat pump or air-conditioner. The compressor is driven by an electric motor. Depending on the size and age of the refrigerator, the circuit may be overloading.

A short circuit is not causing your light bulbs to burn out. Your circuit breakers will protect you against short circuits. The most common reason for light bulbs to burn out, other than old age is heat and vibration. Also, inadequate air flow, use a lower wattage bulb or Led.

Surge protection or surge suppressor blocks or shortens to ground voltages above safe threshold. Anything with internal electronic circuits like your fridge, stereo system, computer, television, microwave oven - is under attack every day. The attacks are silent and destructive.

Cabinet-mounted microwaves was added to the house after the home has been built. Builders generally only install a range hood above the range to exhaust cooking fumes. This range hood is generally powered by a convenient 15 Amp lighting circuit, shared with other lights and outlets in your house. Once kitchen and dining room lights are switched on, the circuit begins to be pushed past its maximum capacity, causing the lights to dim or the circuit breaker to trip.

Refrigerators cool themselves with a compressor similar to a heat pump or air-conditioner. The compressor is driven by an electric motor. Depending on the size and age of the refrigerator, the circuit may be overloading.

GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) prevents electrocution by shutting down the circuit before you get electrocuted. You can install a GFCI breaker to protect the whole circuit or install a GFCI protected receptacle on a circuit protected by regular breaker. GFCI is constantly measuring and comparing current flowing through the hot and returning through the neutral wire and as soon as current flowing in the neutral is lower, that indicates leakage to ground and shuts down power in a fraction of a second to prevent electrocution. Whirlpools and bathtubs (indoor or outdoors), outlets in the bathroom, close to kitchen sink, outdoor and washing machine need to be protected by GFCI/ GFCI breakers.

Grounding makes your wiring system much safer. In a grounded system as soon as hot wire contacts the frame of appliance, a large amount of current flows though the ground wire and causes the breaker to trip and shut down the power. In an ungrounded system, if a hot wire come into contact with a metal frame of an appliance or fixture it energised it, now,if your body touch it, you will make a perfect path for electricity to be discharged to ground. This is an indication that something is wrong and you need to check your wiring.

Electricity can be discharged unintentionally as a result of an ARC and good potential for a fire. Arc can be caused by damaged or worn insulation, an object pressing the electrical cord, screws and nails driven into the wire or staple is hammered in too deep on the wire. Currently Arc Fault breakers must be used for bedroom receptacles in new construction and in old construction only if new wire is run to feed the bedroom outlets.

Switch(es) in bathrooms must be installed not less than 1meter from the bath tub or shower stall, unless they are protected by GFCI breaker or GRCI outlet.

Refer to Ontario Electrical code Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4 for maximum allowable ampacities for different types and sizes of conductors. For outlet configuration refer to diagram 1 and 2 which show CSA configuration for locking and non locking receptacles.

All light fixture or electrical product must be CSA (Canadian Standard Association) or UL (Underwriters Laboratory) label. Only then it can be installed. It is illegal to installed a device that is not approve, in Canada.

Yes, providing that conductor insulation is rated for burial and if they are in proper type of conduit, (i.e. PVC Conduit). How deep they should be buried, depends on few factors like what is the voltage, buried in vehicular or non-vehicular area and if conductors have metal armour. Refer to Table 53 of Ontario Electrical code.


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