Many older homes with outdated wiring have two prong or ungrounded devices. The fact that there is no ground wire present prevents you from installing a grounded receptacle for safety reasons. Bootlegging a receptacle (attaching a wire from the neutral to the green ground screw of a receptacle) is a common mistake many unqualified electricians make. The practice of bootlegging a receptacle to provide a false grounded reading can lead to a potential hazard of having unwanted energized equipment causing severe shock. The neutral (white wire) is a current carrying conductor that provides the path for the current to return to its source. The ground wire (typically bare or green) that connects to the green screw is a non current carrying conductor. It is only meant to carry current in the event of an electrical fault. Under normal everyday conditions the ground wire does nothing. It is there for safety reasons only. When you examine a three prong receptacle you notice that the green screw (ground) and the neutral screws are not connected. We typically see bootlegging of devices when an older home is for sale. As stated above, bootlegging provides a false good ground reading for a device. Replacing an ungrounded receptacle with a GFCI is also an option, but an ungrounded GFCI can’t safeguard sensitive electronics such as a computer or phone from the interference caused by stray currents. The National Electrical Code requires this replacement to be identified at the device.
For all of your electrical needs contact your licensed electrical contractor Lauterborn Electric.
Electrical repairs when selling a home
The process of selling a home reveals many code violations when a home inspector goes through the property. Having exposed wiring or open junction boxes are typical violations that must be corrected before the sale of a home.
Here are a few other common issues that must be addressed when selling a home
- The proper grounding of your electrical system
- Breakers in your main electrical panel double tapped because of lack of space or over sized breakers
- GFCI protection for your receptacles in kitchens, bathroom, exterior, garages, and unfinished basements
- Devices with a open ground or reversed polarities
When purchasing a home Lauterborn Electric recommends hiring a licensed electrician to evaluate the wiring, devices, and service of the property. Once the evaluation is complete the buyer can negotiate with the seller as to corrections needed. Failure to have your home properly evaluated could lead to pricey electrical repairs in the future.
For all of your electrical needs contact your licensed electrical contractor Lauterborn Electric.
Our friends at Benjamin Moore Paints reached out to Lauterborn Electric for a television installation at one of their stores. While there, track lighting was also installed to highlight their front bay window.
This track light was installed from scratch meaning no wires were available and we needed to fish and make several surgical notches to bring power to the fixture.
Pendant lighting is very trendy these days. This installation (above right) also provided valuable lighting to a dark area in this kitchen. This installation also required wiring and minimal notching for wiring.
This is another panel installation by our panel specialist Larry Lauterborn Jr. This panel upgrade allowed the customer the flexibility to add circuitry to their home.
For all of your electrical needs do not hesitate to contact your licensed electrical contractor Lauterborn Electric.
We originally met the home owner, an accomplished saxophonist, playing with his fellow band members and friends of Lauterborn Electric at a local establishment. When he was in the process of purchasing this home he contacted us in regards to evaluating the electric. We recommended an upgrade to the electrical service and completed the work upon purchase. This single family home in the Manayunk section had a lot of potential, but needed some tender loving care. Three months later the 
homeowner called and wanted to renovate the kitchen. The home owner and Lauterborn Electric came up with a lighting and power solution to make this small area a show piece for the home. Four inch recessed lights lined up over working areas and pendant lights over the island was a perfect balance for the lighting. Decora style receptacles with GFCI protection on the counter area provided power for the appliances. An air switch for the disposal cored into the granite provided convenience and a sleek look. The successful conclusion of the project was proof of what can be accomplished in limited space. For all of your kitchen or home remodeling ideas feel free to contact your licensed electrical contractor Lauterborn Electric for a free estimate. Click Images to Enlarge.
The National Electrical code (NEC) requires the mechanical execution of work. Electrical equipment shall be installed in a neat and workman-like manner, but we see this code requirement violated regularly.
Dressing up a panel, neatly running wires through open or concealed spaces or simply leveling a switch plate are examples of what qualified electricians do instinctively. If proper workmanship is not followed during installations, what makes you think as a customer that the electrical codes are followed?
The NEC goes through changes every three years. Qualified electricians must keep up with these changes with continuing electrical education. Making sure the electrician you hire is up to the latest codes is essential to avoid having to pay for electrical work to be done twice.
Contact your licensed electrical contractor Lauterborn Electric for all of your electrical needs.
Lauterborn Electric was recently involved in a lighting upgrade for a Benjamin Moore paint and decorating store. The existing lighting which was installed by the previous owner of the property did not adequately light the space.
Our client requires adequate lighting for its many displays and also prides itself in exact paint matching. Therefore, having the right lighting is extremely important. After consultation with the store manager we came up with a game plan. Metal Halide low bay lighting was the solution to their lighting woes. The final installation provided the store with the lighting enhancement needed to provide their customers with maximum quality service.
In conclusion, if your lighting or power to your building is lacking, contact your licensed electrical contractor Lauterborn Electric for a free consultation.
Smoke detectors save lives
The Philadelphia fire department is constantly reminding people of the importance of fire alarms in their homes. The recent tragedy in the Tacony section in where three people perished is a sad reminder of the lack of proper working fire alarm systems in many mixed or multi used buildings.
The City of Philadelphia has many homes and multi-function units throughout the city that were built before modern day wiring was available. Many multi-family units that we come across are buildings with outdated wiring and no proper working fire alarm systems. In some instances gas is not available or has been disconnected. Electric is the only option to power up in some of these buildings and to cut on costs many of these building owners find the cheapest type of labor to make these units function.
Unfortunately many of these “handymen” are unlicensed and unskilled in the electrical field with no knowledge of any electrical or fire alarm codes. This can lead to unsafe electrical conditions.
Many of the electrical fires in a multi-family or mixed use (Small business on first floor and apartments above) are a result of neglectful or cost- saving measures that sometimes compromise human life.
Contact your Licensed Electrical Contractor Lauterborn Electric with all of your electrical needs.
Gone are the days when you walked into a room and hit a single switch to a controlled receptacle and a lamp would come on. Also gone are the undersized light fixtures in the center of a room dimly lit. The modern home lighting has brightened and broadened the horizon with a variety of options. Recessed lighting has become the main source of lighting in contemporary homes. Other options include sconces, track, and under cabinet lighting to balance and enhance the lighting in a room. Creating the right lighting in a place where you spend a significant amount of time is essential.
There are several things to consider when deciding on your lighting options for the interior of your home.
1 Lighting of a general area such as a large room or a hallway
2 Function or task lighting in the kitchen and bathroom areas
3 Accent lighting to highlight an object such as art or a piece of furniture
Dimmers are a must to control intensity and set the mood to a room. There are a variety of decorative styles of dimmers to choose from.
We must not forget exterior lighting. One of the first impressions of your home is the front door exterior light fixture. When selecting an exterior light, the décor and security of you home must be considered. Low voltage accent lighting is also available for exterior decks or gardens.
Having a game plan and consulting with your electrician is important when deciding on your lighting upgrades. Contact your licensed electrical contractor Lauterborn Electric for all your lighting needs.
The images on the bottom left show situations where unlicensed electricians tried to add circuits to already overextend main electrical panels.
After experiencing more problems the home owners reached out to Lauterborn Electric to clean up (images on the right) the mess.
1. To apply to become a licensed electrical contractor in Philadelphia you must have worked in the electrical field for a specified amount of time.
2. You must take an exam in all aspects of the NEC (National Electrical Codes) and pass.
3. You must be insured in order to secure your license.
4. You must renew your license annually and be in good standing with the City of Brotherly Love.
5. You must be licensed to be able to secure an electrical permit.
6. Continuing education in the electrical field is required as a condition to maintain your license.
7. The state of Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General requires home improvement contractors to be licensed, insured, and registered.
8. An unlicensed electrician cannot provide you, the consumer, the same expertise and assurance that the work will be done properly and to all electrical codes.
9. We at Lauterborn Electric are also affiliated with highly respected and accredited organizations such as The EAP (Electrical Association of Philadelphia) and The IAEI (International Association of Electrical Inspectors)
10. We at Lauterborn Electric are a family owned and operated business which stakes its name on customer satisfaction.
Contact your licensed electrical contractor Lauterborn Electric for all of your electrical needs.
Under cabinet lighting
The most visited space in your home is the kitchen area. The lighting in your kitchen can provide the mood or positive impression of your home .Under cabinet lighting is a great way to add task lighting to your kitchen area and also accentuate the look.
There is a wide variety of choices for under counter lighting. You can select line voltage fixtures or low voltage which requires a transformer. The traditional under counter light was Fluorescent, but now we have other options to consider. Halogen, Xenon, and now LED lamps offer a range of styles for consideration. 
Under counter lights come in different shapes and sizes from compact light fixtures to pucks or light strips.
There are advantages and disadvantages to consider when selecting the type of lamp in your under counter fixtures. Fluorescent lamps are bulkier and not dimmable. The Halogen lamps burn hotter and have a shorter life span. The Xenon lamps last longer but are more expensive than Halogen and require a transformer. The LED la
mp is the most energy efficient, but also the most expensive.
With the help of your electrician, you can select the under counter lighting that best fits you and your budget. Contact your licensed electrical contractor, Lauterborn Electric for all of your lighting needs. The images above show under counter lighting installed by Lauterborn Electric.
