The Power is in Your Hands - Sometimes!

Picture this: I am ushered to a main hallway by the lady of the house. She is frustrated to the point of talking through her clenched teeth.
"I told him 'Just get an electrician. You're going to burn the house down!' Would he listen to me?"
I am guessing he didn't based on the colorful arrangement of wires escaping from the switch box, with a few scattered burn marks on the wall near the wires.
"Well, are we going to die?"
"No ma'am"
"Too bad. It'd serve him right...". She begins to wander down the hallway, muttering about the plumbing. Suddenly she turns and demands "You can fix it, right?"
"Yes, ma'am".
Many times have I witnessed this scene played out. A plethora of multi-colored wires crazily protruding from an electrical box, arc marks on the wall and husbands with band-aids on their fingers. Usually a wife near by, muttering and shaking her head.

Here's the secret: If someone utters the phrase "It can't be that hard. I'm an engineer/architect/lawyer/mechanic/accountant, I can figure it out", distract them with a football game and hide their tools.

Electrons do not respect a degree. Or good intentions. They flow where and when they can at the speed of light.

Call ABR Electric for anything electrical in your home to be fixed right, for you to have a great experience and to have some fun (without the burns).

We are located in the great City of Allen, and can be reached at 214-690-1941 or at www.abrelectrician.com

Have a great day!

Electricity in Allen, Texas

Some of my friends may be wondering: 'James, you moved from California to Texas. You have opened another electrical business. Is the electricity in Texas different than in California?'

I'm surprised you were able to have your first cup of coffee without having that burning question quenched.

Shockingly enough, the answer is 'yes'. My pseudo smart friends will disagree. The OCD-ites are confounded, while checking for grammatical errors and counting ceiling tiles. The nurturers are affirming: 'I just knew there'd be difference. I just felt it.'

There I was, setting finish in a small apartment remodel. Something was wrong. I had mixed neutrals on the load side of a GFCI. What does that mean to you? Nothing at all. Just keep reading. I reached in to separate to wires. My thumb and forefinger approached the wire in the darkened room. They got closer. And closer. Finally-
HEY, HOWDY! DON'T TOUCH ME! THAT DOG WON'T HUNT! Zap! That's what Texas electrons say to you while they're trying to stop your heart. I yanked my hand back, annoyed and embarrassed. Don't worry. It didn't kill me.

You see in California, the scenario would have played out this way:
I reached in to separate to wires. My thumb and forefinger approached the wire in the darkened room. They got closer. And closer. Finally-
I WILL SUE YOU! I KNOW YOU DON'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE, AND I WILL SUE! Zap! California electrons are more reluctant to kill. They don't believe in the death penalty.

There you are. Stay in touch as we explore the vast chasm between Texas and California.