Month: July 2022

Everyone enjoys spending time in the pool, especially during these hot summer days in the south. Owning a pool comes with its fair share of maintenance, however, but nothing is more important than making sure your pool is a safe place for you and your family to spend some time. Whether you’re planning on building a pool, having one built, or you’re just curious about your existing pool, it is essential that you know whether or not your pool is properly grounded.

What is Grounding?

When a pool is built, there are a number of different wires, electrical components and equipment involved. Anytime you are dealing with an electrical system near water, it is vital that everything is properly grounded, but what does that mean? Grounding refers to the process of transferring electricity in the safest way from an object back to the ground. This provides a pathway that is typically only used in instances where there is an issue with the main wiring system. Making sure everything is grounded assures that there is no risk or electrocution, should anything go wrong.

Is My Pool Grounded?

Making sure your pool is grounded is one of the most important things you can do when you have a pool built or are inspecting an existing pool. If your pool is not properly grounded, there is a large risk of electrocution; this is because those swimming in the pool could unknowingly become the conductor. In order to dissipate excess electricity, every pool’s electrical system must include a connection of copper wiring. Everything from the pool walls, filtration and water pump systems, posts and other metal parts should be properly bonded. A successfully bonded pool will include the connection of all these parts with a copper wire in order to equalize any differences in voltage and prevent the flow of unwanted electricity to hazardous areas.

Things to Look Out For

When checking if your pool is properly grounded, you should make sure that every fixed metal part of your pool is bonded. Make sure that any metal piping and awnings, fences, doors, cables, raceways and window frames are not at risk of becoming conductive. While checking for proper bonding is essential, it is also important to note that a pair of experienced eyes will guarantee that nothing goes unnoticed. 

At Professional Electric, our goal is to keep you and your loved ones safe. Dealing with electricity is a tricky and dangerous task, so it is important that you hire a professional to get the job done effectively. If you are curious about whether or not your pool is properly grounded, or you are planning to install a pool, give us a call today! (251) 313-5619 We are more than happy to help assess your situation and make sure your family is safe.

Spending more time outdoors is something that many of us strive for. Breathing in the fresh air, enjoying some sun and getting in touch with nature are healthy and uplifting ways to spend your time. This summer, you may have plans to work on your yard. If you’re interested in finding ways to liven up your space, proper lighting is essential. For those nights when you want to relax on your deck, sit by the pool or just enjoy the evening air, you need a space that is well-lit. 

If you’re looking for ideas on how to go about brightening up your outdoor space, we’re here to help!

Patio Lighting

A common option for lighting your backyard space is to include lights on and around your patio. You can get creative with this: layer lights to add dimension, use decorative lanterns, experiment with color-changing bulbs or decide to string lights overhead. The options are endless!

Fence Lights

For a practical approach to lighting, consider using lights to illuminate your property’s fencing. Add lighting on top of your fence or around the base to identify the barrier around your yard and brighten up the perimeter.

Brighten Up Trees

For a unique lighting approach, adding lights on or around your trees is a great place to start. Place lights around the base of the tree or add hanging lights from branches. Another great option is to wrap string lights around or through the branches of trees to add a dreamy look to any space.

Pathway Lighting

Adding lighting around your pathways is one important idea to look into. Any guests will be glad to know exactly where to walk when they visit your space, and the lighting provides a sense of safety, keeping you from tripping or losing your footing in the dark.

Canopy of Lights

Another unique option for backyard lighting is to create a canopy of lights overhead. Get a string of lights or a net of string lights and have them hung over your seating area for a blanket of lighting above.

Flood Lights

Add a sense of safety to your property by installing flood lights. These lights do just what you might expect! When installed, the lights wash your area with light. This is useful to deter intruders and illuminate those areas that you need to have fully lit, such as entryways, stairs, etc.

If you’re looking into getting backyard lighting installed, or you have questions about how to safely light your home, make sure you give us a call at Professional Electric at (251) 473-5788. We are more than happy to help you create the yard of your dreams!