Catalyst Electric

In today's technology-driven world, a lot of homes and business are not equipped to support the influx in technology and therefore do not have enough outlets. Often, this leads homeowners and business owners to use powerstrips to supplement more outlets. Overloading power strips can be dangerous causing electric shock and in some cases even cause a fire! Catalyst Electric wants to help spread awareness for electrical safety so today, our electrical contracting company at the Lake of the Ozarks has a few safety tips regarding the do's and don'ts when using power strips.  Don't Use the Piggyback Method, Ever Unfoutunilty, many folks use the piggyback method if they don't have enough outlets - this is especially true around your tv! The piggyback method is when you use overload a powerstrip and the create more room, then you plug another powerstrip into it to create more plugs. This is a BIG no no! Each power strip is only rated for a certain amount of electr...

Have you been using an electric blanket to keep you warm and toasty this winter? Like anything electrical, they provide convenience but when dealing with anything electrical, you should always keep safety top of mind. Catalyst Electric wants you to continue to stay warm for the rest of winter but we also want you to do it safely! Our electrical contracting company at the Lake of the Ozarks is focused on electrical safety and that's why today, we have a few do's and don'ts when using an electrical blanket. Do's Always keep your electric blanket flat. You never want to wad up or fold your electric blanket because it can become too hot.  It may be tempting to lay on top of your electric blanket rather than underneath but you should always lay underneath to avoid damage to the coils. Be sure to turn off your electrical blanket when no one is using it. Not only will this help you cut costs on your energy bill but it's not safe to leave your blanket on because...

Whether it be at your home or your business, going without power is never fun. During frigid temperatures, it can be downright dangerous to go without power and if you own a business, losing power can cost you big time if you are forced to go without computers, networks, lights, and POS Systems. You may be thinking that winter is almost over and a backup generator at the Lake of the Ozarks isn't necessary outside of winter, but that's not true! Read on to find out 5 situations where you may lose power and a backup generator would come in handy. #1 Winter Ice Storms  Of course, now one of the biggest cause of a power outage is the chance of winter weather, especially ice storms. Ice storms can cause havoc on power lines. When ice forms on power lines, the lines get heavy and have the potential to snap. Power is even more crucial during the harsh winter months because often when you do not have power, you don't have heat either. Installing a backup generator can give y...

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 ...

We often don't think about it becasue we use electricity every single day but electricity is extremely dangerous if you are not careful and cautious. At Catalyst Electric , we want to raise awareness and keep electrical safety top of mind, always! That's why today, our team of electricians at the Lake of the Ozarks would like to share with your some electrical safety tips to keep in mind when dealing with electricity. Safe Handling with Plugs, Extention Cords, and Other Cords   Always pull the plug NOT the cord when you disconnecting an electrical device. The third prong on an electrical device serves as a ground, never cut it off or use it if it is missing.  When using extension cords outdoors, always make sure they are rated to be used outside.  Never place an extension where it will frequently get stepped on such as under rugs or in doorways.  Extension cords should only be used for temporary use and never a permanent solution   Don't ...

Heating equipment is a leading cause of fires in U.S homes, according to the National Fire Protection Association . Fire departments responded to an average of 52,050 homes that involved heating equipment which resulted in 490 civilian deaths and 1,400 civilian injuries each year between 2012-2016. 86% of these civilian deaths caused by home heating involved stationary or portable space heaters. In light of these devastating statistics, our electrical contracting company at the Lake of the Ozarks would like to share with you some important tips for using space heaters this winter and shed light on how dangerous they can be. Never Leave a Space Heater Unattended  It is extremely important to never leave a space heater unattended. This is a common mistake made by many and if you want to ensure your safety never leave a space heater unattended, even if you are asleep in the home. Never Use Gas or Kerosene Heaters Indoors  Gas and kerosene space heaters are portable and...

Did you know that according to the National Fire Protection Association , every 24 seconds a fire department in the United States responds to a fire somewhere? In 2017, there were 1,319,200 fires responded to, 499,000 structure fires, and 3,400 civilian fire deaths. With these shocking statistics, you may be wondering, what is the leading cause of all these fires? The answer to this question is the mishandling of electrical devices! What this tells us is that the public needs to be more educated on the dangers of electricity. That's why today, our electrical contracting company at the Lake of the Ozarks , Catalyst Electric, wants to keep you and your family safe so we put together five ways to minimize your risk of a house fire in today's blog! #1 Don't Overload Your Outlets  We live in an electronic world. which means many of us are more than likely plugging entirely too many devices into our electrical outlets. Our home's circuits are designed to only han...