Outlets pepper every room of your home. Today’s two-pronged, 120-volt outlets come with a built-in “ground” (that half-circle-shaped hole) to ensure that inside the wall, the hot wire doesn’t make contact with the neutral one, which could lead to electrical shock or fire. Look at your home’s outlets – they don’t have the little half-circle (some don’t in older homes), you need to add a grounding adapter to stay safe. You may be able to install one yourself, or you can contact an electrician to do the work for you.
Electrical fixtures are fun to shop for. You can dramatically alter both the look and the performance of your home through three categories of fixtures.
- General, or ambient, lighting – wall-mounted lamps, chandeliers, recessed lights or track lights – are available in a range of styles, from traditional to cutting-edge.
- Task lighting zeroes light into small areas. These practical fixtures are ideal for areas where you read, sew or cook.
- Accent lights can include everything from lava lamps to LED stand-up fixtures. With their specialized shapes and illumination, they can draw attention to your art, your garden – or just to themselves.
When you’re ready to explore ways to upgrade your home, a St. Louis electrician can be a great resource.