Author Archives: electric

Encountering Thunderstorm Aftermath – Repair and Restoration

LIGHTNIGN

Thunderstorms and lightning are a common occurrence during the summer, with some more damaging than others. We have helped tons of residents in the Philadelphia area with electrical system repairs.

 

We can recall one of our customers who endured damage to their electrical system when a thunderstorm rolled in and caused a tree to fall down on the PECO lines behind their residence. The impact had sent 5,000 volts into the residence, causing a power outage. The customer called up PECO very upset and worried about their situation, which is understandable – not having power causes a major inconvenience for homeowners!

 

PECO told the customer over the phone that they would cover all electrical repairs to the home. The PECO representative recommended that the customer call us at A-1 Electric to do the work. While we are a credible and certified third party agency, we operate with a separate division to provide electrical service work in Montgomery County, PA.

 

Soon enough, we received a call from the customer requesting immediate repair for the damage. That same day, within hours, we dispatched a full bucket truck and hi-voltage crew to the property and got to work. Working quickly and carefully, our electrical contractors of Philadelphia repaired all of the interior wiring and had the power up and running once again.

 

The customer was extremely grateful for our prompt service, and was ecstatic when we let him know that we’d handle the logistics of the PECO billing. This account highly demonstrates how we go above and beyond to serve our customers! Of course, the repair had to be inspected by another electrical inspection company so that the examination was unbiased. Although we are a third party agency certified by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, we cannot perform an inspection on the same project we did work on, so as to avoid confliction between AHJs.

 

As this season quickly comes to a close, we encourage our customers to stay safe during thunderstorms and remain calm during electrical repair emergencies. Whether the damage to the electrical system is the result of a snow storm or lightning, the issue can be assessed and fixed by our skilled and experienced division of contractors. We’re proud to be a PECO certified electrical company!

 

If your electrical system needs repair, give us a call today. We’ll make sure your power is restored in no time!

Need Your Generator Inspected? We’ve Got You Covered!

When was the last time you had your generator inspected? Too long to remember? Or maybe your generator seems like it’s malfunctioning. Whatever the case is, you should think about getting it inspected before it’s too late, and you’re stuck with no electricity. Because no one wants that! Plus, if you had your generator repaired or had a new generator installed, you’ll want it to get inspected to make sure it is safe and meets state requirements!

 

At A-1 Electric, we’d like to make sure that you’re as comfortable as possible, which is why we provide electrical services in Bucks County, PA, and the surrounding areas. We are a certified third party agency that performs inspections and underwriting on electrical generators by following all of the codes and conducts throughout the process. We service commercial and residential customers in areas throughout Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, Bucks County, and Montgomery County.

 

Electricians and homeowners hire us to perform assessments, inspections, and underwriting for your electrical equipment. As a third-party agency, we provide thorough and unbiased inspections to make sure your generator complies with the safety regulations that are set by the Commonwealth of PA.

 

Our electrical inspectors in Philadelphia, as well as other local areas, will take a look at the electrical components of your generator system to help ensure that you do not spend another day with a faulty generator. We don’t want you to be stuck in the dark, heat, or cold all because your generator isn’t working properly. Also, without an inspection, you could experience fires or explosions that result after improper repairs or installations. We inspect your generator to make sure everything is correct, and none of that can happen in the future.

 

We take pride in the quality of our assessments to make sure your generator is safe for the property. Our technical consulting helps guide the homeowner and the contractor working on the project to promptly correct any code or safety issues that may arise.

 

It’s a good idea to get your generator inspected annually or semiannually to detect and prevent leaks and problems and stop further issues from developing. To ensure your highest safety, we cannot be the electrician and inspector on the same project due to possible conflict with authorities having jurisdiction. To learn more about our generator inspection services, contact us at 800-401-6114.

Trust and Safety Go Together for Quality Electrical Inspections

If you’ve just had electrical work performed on your property, the components need to be examined by a certified professional. The state of Pennsylvania enforces a series of codes and regulations for construction work to ensure that the environment is safe for all who will be present in the vicinity of the building. Just think of what electrical mishaps would occur if there were no standards set in place to prevent them! Electrocution, fires, and explosions would be the highlight of every morning news segment. Thankfully, building owners, friends, and families can feel at ease knowing their electrical work is accurate and secure by confirmation of an experienced and qualified electrical inspector of a third party agency.

 

At A-1 Electric, we are not just a regular group of electrical contractors in Philadelphia; we also operate as a certified third party agency! Years ago, we obtained our certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and gained approval from the Commonwealth of PA as an accredited third party agency. Plus, we are also accredited as an electrical inspector. That means that we are the one to call when you need electrical underwriting or inspection performed.

 

However, to ensure that the electrical elements of the building are not dangerous, trust is super important. We base our entire company around trust, making sure that our work follows core ethical values of the industry. We choose to operate morally so that we can meet the needs of our customers and keep them safe. Unfortunately, there are a number of electrical companies who claim they can perform inspections, but do not contain the proper credentials and certifications set forth by the state. For your protection, we advise that you hire a company that you can trust and depend on to provide you with a knowledgeable and accurate electrical inspection in Montgomery County, PA.

 

The best inspection service is provided by those who are certified as a third party agency, such as us at A-1 Electric. You can trust us to perform an in-depth examination of your electrical system and provide you with honest results! We provide an unbiased inspection as an approved third party agency by the township. If you are having electrical work done, installing an appliance, or having the system re-wired, give us a call so we can determine if everything was done correctly. Within 48 hours, we’ll provide you with a certificate of compliance that validates your property is safe from hazards. (Of course, if the inspection does not pass, you would have to have another inspection done after the problem is assessed)

 

We also do inspections for all types of properties, including residential, industrial, and commercial. Remember, trust and safety are the keys to quality electrical inspection. Contact us today to inquire about our inspection service!

 

Please be advised that if we are hired as an electrician, we cannot also be the inspector, as it would cause confliction between AHJ.

The Importance of a Third-Party Agency

Why is a third-party agency necessary when doing electrical work? The answer is simple: to eliminate bias.

You may notice how one’s pre-existing bias can be a negative factor when it is involved in government, sports, education, contests and journalism. The fact is that you will always be biased whether you make a conscious effort to be impartial or not. It can result in poor decision making and cloud your judgment when working.

We at A-1 Electric, the premier electrical contractors in Philadelphia, make sure we take bias out of the workplace by doing our job and then getting a third-party agency to perform the ensuing inspection. This is because although we are also a third party agency, we can only do either inspection or contracting, but not both – so we can avoid a conflict of interest. When it comes to an inspection, either we will do it, or we will make sure a separate certified and unbiased agency takes care of it for you.

 

A-1 Electric as a Third Party Agency

When performing an inspection, we stick to the requirements enforced by Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and are in compliance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. These requirements include checking the service head, service cable, structural integrity, meter socket, panel, sub-panel, service disconnect, grounding/bonding, service equipment and circuit breakers.

 

Our examinations include the connecting and disconnecting of outlets, electrical replacements and removals, routine maintenance and repair and systems and wiring installations in accordance with the National Electrical Code (NEC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Building Code (IBC) in the Philadelphia region. We are also a certified third party agency that can perform inspections and residential work in opt-in or opt-out municipalities.

 

Why a Third Party Agency is Essential

Having an unbiased inspector when you need upgrades or changes to wiring or existing electrical systems comes in handy when you require a letter of certification or a consultation. This work, which requires a permit, includes pool bonding and wiring, fire alarm systems, carnival generators, emergency lighting, emergency exit signs and outdoor electrical signs. Once the inspection is complete, the third-party agency will provide a certificate of compliance within a 48-hour timeframe.

 

Unmatched Level of Service 

Our craftsmanship and satisfaction guarantee result in electricians wanting to use our inspectors. We have worked tirelessly to become a leading and trusted third-party agency since 1955 and promise that our clients will be satisfied. Our dedicated team of contractors, generator inspectors, electricians and underwriters pay great attention to detail to ensure your property is safe.

 

We recently became an official member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 98, furthering our services into the heart of Philadelphia. We can now tackle projects in new environments like city high rises and skyscrapers.

 

If you are interested in one of our exceptional electrical services in Montgomery County, Bucks County or Philadelphia, or are in need of an inspection, be sure to call us at 1-800-401-6114.

We are Now an Official Member of the IBEW Local Union 98!

For over sixty years, we have been providing the Philadelphia region with quality electrical work and service as an electrical contracting firm and third party agency. We make safety a priority and operate with a skilled team of technicians who are certified and experienced. Recently our level of expertise and excellent workmanship has taken our company to new heights. On April 28, 2016, we signed with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 98 to be accepted as an official member. We are extremely proud to announce our new membership with the Local 98 union and look forward to embarking on future projects that were previously unavailable to us due to the requirements of benefits and wages.

 

Our workers pay attention to every detail to make sure the property is safe and secure. We take pride in being the electrical company our customers can trust. Making sure no job is overlooked, adhering to safety regulations, and providing quality service has allowed us to join the Local 98 as a member, being that their mission is to deliver the best level of electrical work. Our next electrical projects will entail work in new environments like city high rises and skyscrapers. As a certified union company, we will take on new projects in the heart of Philadelphia and expand our customer base. We will also be able to network with other members of the union and contribute to the chapter’s activism.

 

Through the union, many new benefits are offered to us, such as the right to address unsafe work environments, and the peace of mind in having employment security. While we will still be offering services such as electrical inspection in Montgomery County, PA, we are pleased to be able to service the city of Philadelphia as well. As we finish up our first week as an electrical union company, we have already signed contracts with customers and are embarking on our next phase of work. Those who need electrical inspection in Philadelphia, as well as electrical services and underwriting, can depend on our dedicated team.

 

The IBEW Local 98 was first chartered in 1900 and has gone on to enlist devoted electricians throughout the years who worked diligently to build the city with their skilled workmanship and union solidarity. The union continues to flourish and prosper with their unwavering mission to deliver their partners with the most skilled and trained electrical technicians of the field.

 

If you need electrical service or an electrical inspector in Philadelphia, you can count on us here at A-1 Electric! We operate as two divisions – as a third party agency and a contracting company that specializes in reintroduction of service, repair, installation, inspection, underwriting, and emergency service. Contact us today to have your control needs met! Dial 1-800-401-6114.

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