FAQs
Use these answers to prepare for a service request, then contact Hanson Electric to discuss the property, equipment, and work involved.
Common Questions
Does Hanson Electric work with both residential and commercial customers?
Yes. Hanson Electric provides residential and commercial wiring services and also supports the other electrical services listed on this website.
What types of electrical work does Hanson Electric perform?
Hanson Electric performs the ten electrical service categories in the service directory, including wiring, generator, lighting, motor, EV charger, bucket truck, and low-voltage work.
What warning signs mean an electrical system should be professionally assessed?
Repeated breaker trips, flickering lights, dead outlets, unusual heat, damaged equipment, or other changes in operation should be discussed with a qualified electrical professional.
What information should I provide when requesting electrical service?
Describe the property or facility, the equipment involved, what you have observed, when the problem began, and the result you need. Photos and equipment details may also help with the initial discussion.
Will my project require permits or inspections?
Permit and inspection requirements depend on the work and the applicable local requirements. Hanson Electric can discuss those factors after reviewing the proposed scope.
How is the scope of an electrical project determined?
The scope depends on the property, existing electrical system, equipment, intended use, site conditions, and applicable requirements. Final scope requires direct evaluation.
When should electrical work be left to a qualified professional?
Electrical work that involves wiring, panels, circuits, life-safety systems, generators, motors, or other energized equipment should be assessed and performed by a qualified professional.
What should I do if I notice sparks, smoke, a burning odor, or exposed wiring?
Keep away from the hazard and do not touch exposed or damaged electrical equipment. If there is an immediate danger, fire, or active smoke, contact emergency services; otherwise, contact a qualified electrical professional for guidance.
Questions By Service
Residential And Commercial Wiring
What signs suggest wiring or electrical equipment needs professional assessment?
Repeated breaker trips, flickering lights, dead outlets, unusual heat, damaged wiring, or changes in equipment operation are reasons to request a professional assessment.
What information helps diagnose flickering lights, tripped breakers, dead outlets, or other power problems?
Note which rooms, circuits, outlets, lights, or equipment are affected; when the problem occurs; and whether any equipment or electrical work changed recently.
How is available panel and circuit capacity evaluated before adding equipment or renovating a space?
The existing service, panel, circuits, connected loads, proposed equipment, and applicable requirements must be evaluated together before the work is scoped.
Industrial Electrical Services
What signs indicate an industrial electrical system or piece of equipment needs service?
Unexpected shutdowns, repeated protective-device trips, unusual heat or odor, inconsistent operation, or visible damage should be assessed before operation continues.
What facility and equipment information should be available before an industrial service visit?
Provide the equipment purpose, manufacturer and nameplate information, symptoms, operating conditions, affected area, and any relevant electrical documentation that is available.
How can electrical work be planned around facility operations and possible downtime?
Share operating schedules, access restrictions, affected equipment, shutdown constraints, and safety procedures so the work and any necessary outage can be evaluated.
Generator Installation And Maintenance
How is the appropriate generator capacity determined for a property?
Capacity depends on the loads the generator must support, how they operate, the existing electrical system, and the intended backup-power priorities.
What does a transfer switch do as part of a generator installation?
A transfer switch manages the connection between the normal electrical supply and generator power so the selected loads can be supplied through the installed system.
What factors determine a generator's maintenance schedule?
The generator model, manufacturer guidance, operating hours, environment, usage, and condition all affect maintenance needs.
Lighting And Life Safety Systems
What signs indicate lighting or a life-safety electrical system needs assessment?
Failed fixtures, flickering, damaged components, repeated trips, testing concerns, or changes in system operation should be professionally assessed.
What should be considered when upgrading existing lighting?
The existing circuits and controls, fixture locations, intended light levels, operating conditions, access, and applicable requirements all affect the plan.
What property and system information is needed before planning life-safety electrical work?
Provide the property type, affected system, existing equipment, observed issue, available documentation, and the outcome the project needs to achieve.
Pools And Spa Lighting
Why should pool and spa lighting be assessed by a qualified electrical professional?
Water and electrical equipment require careful evaluation of the wiring, fixtures, protective devices, connections, and applicable safety requirements.
What can cause pool or spa lighting to stop working or trip a protective device?
The cause may involve the fixture, wiring, connections, controls, transformer, protective device, or other parts of the electrical system and should be diagnosed directly.
What should be evaluated before pool or spa lighting is repaired, replaced, or upgraded?
The existing fixture and wiring, controls, protective devices, equipment condition, installation location, and proposed replacement must be reviewed together.
Motor Repair And Maintenance
What symptoms indicate an electric motor may need repair or maintenance?
Failure to start, unexpected stopping, unusual noise, heat, vibration, odor, repeated trips, or reduced performance are reasons to request an assessment.
How is the decision between motor repair and replacement evaluated?
The motor condition, failure, application, equipment requirements, parts availability, and the practical scope of repair or replacement all need to be evaluated.
What motor nameplate, equipment, and operating information helps with an assessment?
Provide clear nameplate details, the driven equipment, controls, supply information, operating conditions, symptoms, and any recent maintenance or changes.
New Construction And Remodels
When should an electrician become involved in a new construction or remodeling project?
Electrical planning should begin early enough to coordinate service needs, circuits, equipment, lighting, controls, routing, access, and the larger construction schedule.
What plans and equipment details help prepare the electrical scope?
Share available drawings, room uses, equipment specifications, lighting and control needs, service information, and construction milestones.
How are electrical permits, rough-in work, and inspections coordinated with the larger project?
The sequence depends on the scope, applicable requirements, and construction schedule. These details should be coordinated with the project team after the work is evaluated.
EV Charger Installation
How do I know whether my electrical panel has capacity for an EV charger?
The service, panel, existing loads, proposed charger, charging settings, circuit path, and applicable requirements must be evaluated before installation.
Can an EV charger be installed indoors or outdoors?
The location depends on the charger, parking arrangement, electrical route, environmental exposure, equipment rating, and applicable installation requirements.
What vehicle, charger, parking-location, and electrical-panel information is needed before installation?
Provide the vehicle and charger details, desired charging location, parking layout, panel location, available equipment documentation, and photos if requested.
Bucket Truck Services
What kinds of electrical projects may require bucket truck access?
Elevated lighting, service access, and exterior electrical work may require bucket truck access when the work location and site conditions make it appropriate.
What site-access information should I provide before requesting bucket truck service?
Describe the work height and location, ground and access conditions, gates or obstructions, nearby structures or utilities, and where the truck could be positioned.
How is the appropriate access method determined for elevated electrical work?
The work location, height, reach, ground conditions, clearances, surrounding hazards, and equipment needs must be evaluated before selecting an access method.
Low Voltage Systems
What types of wiring and equipment are considered low voltage?
Low-voltage work can include wiring and connections for compatible communications, controls, and other connected building systems within Hanson Electric’s published service scope.
How is low-voltage wiring planned alongside standard electrical wiring?
Routes, separation, device locations, equipment needs, access, future serviceability, and applicable requirements should be coordinated as one project plan.
What building, device, and connection information is needed before planning a low-voltage system?
Provide the building layout, device locations, equipment specifications, connection needs, available pathways, and the outcome the system must support.