Catalyst Electric

As electricians at Lake of the Ozarks , we are extremely focused on safety. We worked with electricity every day, so we particularly aware of the hazards, but we also want our clients to be safe. That’s why we are always sharing helpful tips and information about electrical safety in our blogs. This week we want to focus on outlet safety. We have three tips for you to look for in your home to make sure your outlets are safe and up-to-date. Just keep reading to see what they are! 1) Non-Childproof Outlets As we all know, with little ones it can only take a fraction of a second for something to go wrong. We know they’re curious, and constantly exploring, and they depend on us to look out for them. Technology has improved when it comes to childproof outlets. You no longer have to rely on the little plastic covers that can be pulled out. Today, you can get outlets that have small doors behind the holes in the outlet to prevent little fingers from making contact with electricity. You can se...

Most people have heard of GFCI outlets, but may not know how they work, or why they are sometimes required. As electricians at Lake of the Ozarks , we know they really do play an important safety function in your home's electrical system. Any outlets that are located within a few feet of a water source, or locations that are prone to high moisture, should be GFCI outlets. It’s a very simple upgrade that creates and added safety features and peace of mind that your family deserves. If you’d like to learn how they work, why you need them and where you should have them for your home and family’s safety, just read on. What are GFCI Outlets? The purpose of GFCI outlets is to prevent electrical shock if anything causes water to come in contact with your outlet and create an electrical short. They should be located in your kitchen near the sink, in your bathrooms near water sources, your laundry room, and your outdoor outlets as well. If you’re not sure how to tell the difference between ...

When it comes to home improvements, some upgrades are for aesthetics, and others are for safety. That is true when it comes to electrical upgrades as well. Some electrical updates you might not even notice or see, but they provide the proper level of safety that you need to keep you, your home and your family from risk of short or fire. At Catalyst Electric , we take care of electrical remodels and upgrades for residential and commercial clients every day. If you’re considering doing some home improvements, we have a few for you to consider to bring your home up-to-date and up to code. If you’d like to hear some updates you could do for both safety and style, just keep reading. 1) Light Fixtures Light fixtures are one of those instantly gratifying upgrades because you can see such a big and immediate impact. Your choice of light fixture can really set the tone for the style of your house. It can brighten it up immensely and make it feel bigger and more open. Plus, we can get light to e...

As electricians at Lake of the Ozarks , we are always focused on electrical safety. We never want our clients to have an issue with fire, shorts, or shocks because of an unnoticed or unaddressed safety hazard. There are a few common safety hazards that we notice more often than others when we are in our clients’ homes. We care deeply about our clients safety, so, we wanted to share three common safety hazards related to the outlets in your home. If you notice any of these, you can contact Catalyst Electric to have them corrected. Just keep reading to find out what they are. 1) Ungrounded Outlets If you have any outlets in your home that only have two holes instead of three, that means they are not grounded. It may mean that your entire home has not been wired with a ground wire. Using an adapter is not the solution. In fact you can’t just change the outlet either. You have to add a ground wire which may involve rewiring the electrical panel to a three wire circuit. Only an experienced ...

You have probably noticed that you have a couple different types of outlets in your home. Have you ever wondered exactly how they work differently? Any place that you have electricity within a few feet of a water source, should have a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets. They have a very important feature to help maximize the safety of your electrical system in your home or business. As electricians at Lake of the Ozarks , we would like to share with you a little bit about how they work and why you want to make sure your home has them properly installed where needed. If you are interested in knowing how GFCIs keep your home and family safer, keep reading to learn more. What GFCI Outlets Are GFCIs are used in high moisture areas to protect your home's electrical system e.g. in the event of water causing an electrical short. They are an important way to protect you and your family from electrical shock. If you’re not sure what they look like, or if you have them, just loo...

As experienced electricians at Lake of the Ozarks , we know it happens over time.  There are things in your home that become outdated, out of style, or even unsafe. The same is true with your electrical system. Unless you have a very new house, times have changed since your house was built, and our demands for electricity have, too. So, if you’re thinking about some home improvements, you might want to consider some electrical upgrades to make your home safer and more modern. If you’d like to hear some ideas on some simple electrical upgrades to bring your home up to date, We have some ideas for you in this blog. Electrical Panel With greater demand for electricity and a much larger demand for electronics and specialty appliances, it is quite possible that your electrical panel is not big enough or suited for the upgrades in technology. Since all the power coming into your home is directed through and dispersed by your electrical panel, it’s important to know it is capable of handl...

As electrical contractors at Lake of the Ozarks , we are very focused on safety at Catalyst Electric . Electricity is essential for our comfort and convenience every day of our lives, and having the proper electrical components installed by qualified professionals is essential to day-to-day safety. That is why we are so particular about noticing safety hazards and pointing them out to our clients along with solutions. We know better than most how dangerous electricity can be, and we also know how to make it safe. So in today’s blog, we wanted to take some time to talk about 3 safety hazards related to the outlets in your home, and what you can do about them. Non-Childproof Outlets Did you know you can get child-proof outlets? You don’t have to rely on the outlet covers. If you have little ones, having this step done can help you relax and have peace of mind in your own home. Kids are curious and quick! Having your outlets upgraded to childproof outlets is super easy, and won’t cost an ...

Most homeowners aren't super familiar with their electrical systems. If you're not sure what a GFCI outlet is, our electricians at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to help you understand the importance of these types of outlets. These outlets are designed to maximize safety in your home and are now required in today's homes for your home to be up to code by the National Electrical Code. Read on to learn more!  GFCI Outlets Explained GFCI outlets are designed to protect your home's electrical system, specifically in high moisture areas. GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupters) protect you and your family from electrical shock. If you are wondering if you have GFCI outlets in your home, they are easy to identify. GFCI outlets can be identified by the "test" and "reset buttons on the face of the outlets. How Do GFCI Outlets Work? The purpose of these outlets is to prevent serious electrical shock and also reduce the risk of a house fire. They do th...

We've seen rapid upgrades in technology over the past ten years. Most of us keep up with new technology like smartphones, tablets, appliances, and large flat-screen TVs but has your home's electrical system kept up with these upgrades? If your home is more than ten years old, it's likely that it hasn't. Read on to find out 3 signs that your outlets are behind the times.  Sign #1 Two Prong Outlets  Problem:  For one, if your home still has two-prong outlets, you won't be able to plug in 3-prong prong appliances and electronics. However, this might be the least of your worries. Two-prong outlets can be a huge safety risk due to electrical shock and risking frying your electronics.  Solution:  You'll need to replace the two-prong outlets with three-prong outlets, but not so fast - in addition to changing out the outlet, you'll need to also rewire the panel with a 3-wire circuit. The prong is for grounding, without rewiring the circuit, you won...

Did you know that your home is equipped with different types of outlets? One type of outlet that your home should have is GFCI outlets. GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter. These outlets are designed for added safety in high moisture areas of your home. These outlets are essential for protecting your home's electrical system and today, our expert electricians at the Lake of the Ozarks would like to discuss more about GFCI outlets! GFCI Outlets Explained  GFCI outlets are designed to protect your homes electrical system, specifically in high moisture areas. GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupters) protect you and your family from electrical shock. If you are wondering if you have GFCI outlets in your home, they are easy to identify. GFCI outlets can be identified by the "test" and "reset buttons on the face of the outlets.  How Do GFCI Outlets Work? The purpose of these outlets is to prevent serious electrical shock and also reduce the risk ...

Like anything in your home, your electrical system in your home ages. As your electrical system ages, it begins to run less efficiently. Over time, you may want to consider making a few upgrades to your electrical system. Not sure what you should upgrade? Your trusted team of electricians at the Lake of the Ozarks have a few electrical upgrades you should consider. Electrical Panel  Our homes have more electronics now than they ever have. More electronics means we need power in our home. Your electrical panel is responsible for bringing power into your home and dispersing it. With an increase in electricity usage, you will need a bigger electrical panel to support it. Upgrading your electrical panel is not a difficult upgrade but it should be done by a licensed electrician at the Lake of the Ozkars .  Kitchen Lighting  Adding more kitchen lighting is a great way to not only brighten up your kitchen but add a new design element to your home. You can add ...

What exactly is a GFCI outlet? GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter. These outlets are designed to maximize safety in your home and are now required in today's homes for your home to be up to code by National Electrical Code. These outlets are essential for your home and your expert electricians at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to tell you why these outlets are so important. GFCI Outlets Explained  GFCI outlets are designed to protect your homes electrical system, specifically in high moisture areas. GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupters) protect you and your family from electrical shock. If you are wondering if you have GFCI outlets in your home, they are easy to identify. GFCI outlets can be identified by the "test" and "reset buttons on the face of the outlets.  How Do GFCI Outlets Work? The purpose of these outlets is to prevent serious electrical shock and also reduce the risk of a house fire. They do this by monitoring the electrica...