A Guide to Common Electrical Questions
If you are looking to save on power bills, upgrade electrical systems or need a repair, we are here to help you.
Residential Electrical Services FAQ
Home electrical systems form the backbone of daily life, powering everything from appliances to lighting.
This FAQ covers topics that include breaker tripping causes, the role of GFCI outlets in moisture-prone areas, and the components of lighting upgrades, which often involve efficient LED swaps to reduce energy use. Security lighting options and backup solutions, such as generators or solar batteries, round out the discussion. References to customer reviews are included for context, emphasizing the value of Aztec Electrical's verified experiences.
If you have a question we missed, send an email or call the office at (541) 245-8560.
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A fuse is a one-time safety device that melts and breaks the circuit when overloaded, requiring replacement.
A circuit breaker, on the other hand, trips to interrupt the flow of electricity during an overload or short circuit and can be easily reset.
At Aztec Electrical, our energy management protocols recommend modern circuit breakers for their convenience and reliability in residential setups.
A lighting upgrade typically involves replacing outdated incandescent or fluorescent fixtures with energy-efficient LED options, rewiring if needed, and installing smart controls like dimmers.
Yes, it can save you 50-80% on energy bills. Recent studies report LEDs use far less electricity and last longer, often paying for themselves in under two years.
Yes, we specialize in security lighting installations for homes, including motion-sensor floodlights, pathway LEDs, and integrated smart systems that connect to your home automation. These enhance safety while being energy-efficient
A lighting upgrade typically involves replacing outdated incandescent or fluorescent fixtures with energy-efficient LED options, rewiring if needed, and installing smart controls like dimmers.
Yes, it can save you 50-80% on energy bills—LEDs use far less electricity and last longer, often paying for themselves in under two years.
Yes, we specialize in security lighting installations for homes, including motion-sensor floodlights, pathway LEDs, and integrated smart systems that connect to your home automation. These enhance safety while being energy-efficient.
A short circuit occurs when electricity flows through an unintended path with low resistance, causing excessive heat and potential sparks or fire. Schedule a home safety review.
If you see sparks, immediately turn off the power at the breaker and evacuate if necessary and do not touch anything electrical. Call Aztec Electrical right away for safe diagnosis and repair.
A warm outlet or switch often indicates a loose connection, overloaded circuit, or early signs of arcing, which can lead to fires. It's a safety hazard abd sign that your electrical systems needs repair or an upgrade.
Avoid using it and contact us for a professional inspection to prevent bigger issues.
A home safety review will avoid these types of issues in most homes.
Common causes include circuit overload (too many devices), short circuits, or ground faults. It could also be a faulty breaker or wiring issue. At a home safety review we'll perform a load calculation and testing to identify and fix the root cause, ensuring your home stays powered safely.
Commercial Electrical Services FAQ
Commercial buildings demand robust electrical infrastructure to support operations, from office lighting to data networks.
The FAQs here focus on practical troubleshooting and efficiency measures. Questions cover common lighting systems. Tor example, like fluorescents and LEDs, nd their potential for cost savings through upgrades.
Additional topics include fault diagnosis methods, including thermal imaging and load testing, are outlined for minimizing disruptions. Data cabling upgrades are explained step-by-step, from assessment to testing, ensuring compatibility with high-speed demands. Energy reduction strategies, like sensor installations and audits, provide actionable insights for building managers. These entries reflect standard industry practices, helping you evaluate systems objectively.
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Common systems include fluorescent troffers, HID (high-intensity discharge) lamps for large spaces, and increasingly LEDs for versatility.
Upgrading to LEDs can reduce energy use by up to 75%, lower maintenance costs, and qualify for rebates which often deliver ROI in 1-3 years from substantial savings on energy bills.
Yes, and electrical system can have standard thermal-magnetic, AFCI (arc-fault) for fire prevention, GFCI for shock protection, and combination units.
Upgrades are a smart investment for commercial spaces, enhancing safety, reducing downtime, and meeting code requirements while potentially lowering insurance premiums.
Our energy management protocols begin with a visual inspections for damage, followed by multimeter testing for voltage/continuity, thermal imaging for hot spots, and load balancing checks.
We use systematic protocols to minimize disruption and ensure compliance with commercial standards.
Upgrading data cabling means assessing current infrastructure (e.g., from Cat5e to Cat6 or fiber), pulling new cables through conduits, terminating connections, and testing for speed/reliability.
It's essential for faster networks, supporting VoIP, security cams, and cloud services without bottlenecks.
Strategies include LED retrofits, installing occupancy sensors and timers, conducting energy audits, upgrading to efficient HVAC controls, and power factor correction.
We can help identify quick wins that cut costs by 20-40% while improving comfort and sustainability.
Industrial Electrical Services FAQ
Industrial environments involve high-stakes power distribution, where downtime can cascade into significant challenges for offices and other facilities.
This FAQ segment addresses heavy-duty concerns, starting with identifying faulty panels through signs like buzzing or scorch marks. It differentiates single-phase from three-phase systems, crucial for machinery efficiency, and covers schematic recreation and upgrading necessary documentation using site inspections and CAD tools.
ROI from system and lighting upgrades is quantified based on energy savings and maintenance reductions. There are troubleshooting protocols for panels, including lockout procedures and thermography, are detailed, along with maintenance programs for equipment across plants and offices.
Our work with your project will prioritize safety and compliance, providing a technical foundation for informed decisions.
Absolutely! We're proud of our 4.3-star rating on Google. Check out our Google reviews and our Facebook reviews to see what our industrial customers say about our prompt, professional service.
Signs include frequent breaker trips, buzzing or humming noises, scorch marks or burning smells, warm/hot components, flickering lights, or exposed wiring.
These signs of an electrical system that is overload, corrosion, or component failure and the enxt step schedule a prompt inspection to prevent costly downtime and hazards.
Single-phase delivers power via two wires (one phase, neutral) for lighter loads like homes.
Three-phase uses three alternating currents via three or four wires for balanced, efficient power in industrial motors and machinery to facilitate handling higher voltages and reducing wiring costs for heavy-duty applications.
Our team can create accurate as-built schematics by inspecting your facility, documenting components, and using CAD software. we will utilize the most current energy management protocols to insure your electrical systems are in complaince with local regulations and standards for your specific business.
We will insure that you have the essential documentation for maintenance, expansions, and compliance, tailored to your industrial setup
Upgrades like variable frequency drives, LED industrial lighting, and panel modernizations can yield 15-30% energy savings, reduce maintenance by 40%, and minimize downtime
This translates to potential ROI in 2-5 years via lower utility bills, extended equipment life, and productivity gains.
Yes, troubleshooting involves safety lockout/tagout, visual/thermal scans, load testing, breaker diagnostics, and infrared thermography.
We'll isolate issues like loose connections or harmonics, then repair or replace to ensure minimal operational impact in your plant.
Yes, we provide customizable preventive maintenance programs, including quarterly inspections, infrared scans, load testing, and emergency response for panels, motors, and controls.
These programs extend equipment life, ensure OSHA compliance, and help to avoid unexpected failures.
Last updated on November 8, 2025