In an era of rising costs, many homeowners have turned to online tutorials and are performing many residential updates and repairs themselves. That is not the route to take when you are having electrical issues in Queens, however. There are many reasons why household updates and repairs require a licensed electrician in Queens. In this posting, ACM Electrical Contracting, a commercial, industrial, and residential electrician firm in Queens, details the reasons and offers suggestions for an optimal outcome.
To begin, every electrician in NYC, as well as every Bronx and Queens electrician, must be licensed. There are also numerous code requirements that everyone performing electrical tasks in the borough must be not only aware of, but also be fully compliant. Here is the brief rundown:
- Receptacle outlets: It is a temptation for many homeowners, especially those who now work remotely and have established home offices, or even those who have had a kitchen remodel but wish to tweak the outcome, to try to install additional outlets themselves. There are NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) requirements, however, that include outlet placement no more than 20 inches above a countertop or work surface. Most DIYers would not be aware and could unknowingly create a violation as well as a potentially hazardous situation.
- Permits: First and foremost- No installation or modification to electrical systems can be performed without a permit. Again, a licensed residential electrician in Queens, NY will be fully aware of as well as adhere to this requirement.
On that note, homeowners might be questioning when it is necessary to hire a licensed electrician in Queens and to obtain a permit for electrical upgrades to their residence
- General Electrical Work: Installations and upgrades must be performed by a licensed electrician in NYC. The same goes for tasks in other boroughs which require either a licensed Bronx or Queens electrician who must obtain a permit, and the finished project must then be inspected by the DOB.
- Minor Electrical Work: Simple installations and upgrades must be performed by a licensed electrician in NYC. The same goes for tasks in other boroughs which require either a licensed Bronx or Queens electrician who must obtain a permit, however, these tasks do not require a DOB inspection. These tasks include but are not limited to:
- Replacement and Repairs:
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- Replacement of defective circuit breakers/switches (30 amps and under) excluding main service disconnects;
- Replacement of electrical panel parts (150 volts and under to ground);
- Replacement of minor elevator parts;
- Replacement of defective controls (30 amps and under);
- Repair of defective fixtures;
- Replacement of fixtures in existing outlets (no more than 5 fixtures; no increase in wattage;
- Replacement, repair, disconnection, or reconnection of motors (1 horsepower and under), and associated devices;
- Repairs to low-pressure heating plants (capacity under 15 lbs/sq.in.);
- Installation of any ten or fewer units not requiring the installation of an additional branch circuit;
- Installation of motors of fractional horsepower; and
- Installation of transformers rated at one thousand volt-amperes or less.
To recap, in the 5 boroughs, electrical work is not for amateurs. Not only is it a violation of many regulations affecting the region, but also ensures that all work carried out is safe, code compliant, and will also offer long-term savings. Professionally installed and maintained electrical systems run more efficiently, thereby reducing energy bills, costly repairs, and/or replacements. Before you review that online tutorial to update your home’s electrical system, give ACM Electrical Contracting a call. Better yet, put our number in your cell under “Residential Electrician in Queens”.
