Residential Wiring in Asheville & Buncombe County

RA Thomas Electric Specializing in Troubleshooting Residential Wiring in Asheville & Buncombe County Since 1985, RA Thomas Electric has provided homeowners, multifamily housing communities and residential project developers with efficient, intelligent, responsive and highly effective electrical services. Electrical contracting for homes, mansions, residences, efficiencies, grandfather and grandmother cottages, apartments, condos and townhomes has been our passion for decades. We provide a $135 service call fee and do not upcharge for materials. Our reputation as honest and efficiency has helped our business grow in Asheville and Buncombe County.   City of Asheville Buncombe County The City of Asheville Building Safety Department has identified some areas of the North Carolina Building Codes that may require additional details. The following examples are offered to assist you with compliance: 2012 Code Enforcement Update Please take note that residential plans submitted after March 1, 2012 shall comply with the 2012 North Carolina Residential Building Code unless specifically identified on the plans. Commercial plans submitted on or after July 1, 2012 must comply with the North Carolina Building Code. From January 1 to June 30, 2012 either the 2009 or the 2012 code can be used. For more information or to view codes online, please visit http://www.ecodes.biz/ecodes_support/Free_Resources/2012NorthCarolina/12NorthCarolina_main.html The Buncombe County Permits & Inspections Department exists to protect the life, safety and welfare of its citizens by administering and enforcing the North Carolina State Building Codes as adopted by the Building Code Council. Buncombe County Permits & Inspections provides building inspections and permitting services for all unincorporated areas of Buncombe County and through contractual agreements, provides these services for the towns of Biltmore Forest, Weaverville and Woodfin. Building inspections and permitting is a cost-recovery program through user fees and not funded as a direct cost from county-accessed property taxes. Buncombe County does not maintain data concerning hazardous waste sites within the county. For information on hazardous waste sites contact U.S. EPA Region 4 Superfund Division (www.epa.gov/enviro/index.html) at 1-800-241-1754 or the Division of Waste Management with the N.C. Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (http://wastenotnc.org) at (919) 508-8400. Memos House Bill 1409 – Electrical Work Exempt from Permitting 2012 Residential Code Changes 2012 NC Residential Code Part 4 of the Energy Conservation Code (Effective March 1, 2012) 2012 NC Energy Conservation Code (Effective March 1, 2012) Location Our office can also be accessed from Charlotte Street by turning into the first parking lot directly behind Tripp’s Restaurant....
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Understanding Electricity

Electricity is the ability to move an electron through a guided pathway. The flow of electrons in homes, businesses, hotels, hospitals and institutional buildings is subject to a planning, engineering, installation and repair standard codified by North Carolina Law and National Electric Code. Electricity is dangerous and most of the electricity in residences, civic and commercial buildings and built structures can kill or hurt if the wiring and circuit was misdesigned or overpowered.  Machinery such as heating systems, water heaters, air conditioners, furnaces, coolers, water coolers and fans may fail or malfunction causes other circuits or machinery to be affected with a bigger problem. All electrical work in North Carolina requires a licensed electrician. We provide free telephone troubleshooting or $99/hour for inspections for residential homes, commercial businesses, industrial factories and civic – government – institutional...
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Typical Electrical Problems in the Home

Electrical disturbances of which 80% originate inside the home can be caused by day-to-day use of normal home equipment and appliances. Outside of lightning and storm related accidents residential home equipment and appliances often break, are installed incorrectly or produce electrical problems by virtue of mechanical failure or improper use. Electrical devices with motors, compressors or large power loads like air conditioners, fan systems, water coolers, and water heaters often cycle on and off in a 24 hour period. These devices in particular can overpower circuits, experience mechanical failure and overheat. Our experience has show that heating and air conditioning systems, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, pumps, fans, solar panel inverters, hot water hearers, pool motors, garage door openers and fans are responsible for electrical problems. In certain cases even simple non-fixed home appliances like microwaves  vacuum cleaners and blenders, and power tools like saws, sanders and drills can cause of electrical disturbances. Digital equipment powered by circuits that have problem appliances or equipment sharing a line can be affected by electric disturbances. While most major digital equipment manufactures place built in surge and spike protection inside the devices to prevent damage to microchips, screens and speciality digital storage, damage can still occur. A power disturbance can produce problems like instant breakdown to more gradual deterioration over time. We recommend  surge protectors and when appropriate power conditioners to protect your valuable digital equipment. Electronic devices don’t even need to be in use to be susceptible to spikes and surges. If a device is plugged into a live circuit in your home it is vulnerable to any disturbances on the circuit. While spikes are brief bursts of too much voltage, surges are also bursts of additional voltage which last a bit longer. Typically spikes and surges are precipitated by weather such as lighting storms and accidents, or by home appliances such as faulty air conditioners, power tools, coffee makers or microwave ovens being turned off, either automatically or by hand. Spikes and surges can destroy electronics instantly or over a more gradual timeframe. Among the things most susceptible to spikes and surges are TVs, DVD & Blue Ray, home computers, stereo systems, microwave ovens, electronic video games and telephone answering machines. Devices like Security systems, digital thermostats, refrigerators and additional home appliances may be damaged by them as well. We always recommend digital equipment to be connected to an intermediary device to protect from  spikes and surges. The opposite of surges and spikes can be equally damaging. Sags and dips...
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Repairing Outdoor Outlets

Repairing Outdoor Outlets R.A. Thomas Electric has a great many calls for troubleshooting, repairing and repairing outdoor outlets, receptacles and sockets. Most of the time water is the culprit which can be caused by old, broken or missing gaskets. Our Asheville and Buncombe County residents have experienced efficient service often saving clients money by using our licensed electricians Repairing Outdoor Outlets. Homeowners and residential multifamily unit owners may wave a the $78 permit fee requirements by hiring a licensed electrician. Homeowner insurance typically favor work being done by a licensed and insured contractor. Outdoor outlets and receptacles are also susceptible to condensation. Properly installed outdoor receptacles can make a difference. Recent changes in the National Electric Code (NEC) now require “seal-off” inside of exterior circuit sub-feeders – connected wiring to extend power off of an exterior power conduit. This prevents condensation and maintains the integrity of home energy conservation. Our thermographic imaging can immediately detect water damage or heat signatures of hotspots for problem outdoor outlets, receptacles and sockets....
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Service Upgrade

Service Upgrade to Circuit Breaker Panel In Asheville, our historic neighborhoods and farm homes at times still use the old fashion glass screw-in fuses. R.A. Thomas Electric can if necessary replace the glass screw in fuses with a modern and code compliant circuit breaker. At times, older homes require a power / service upgrade can involve an increase in available power coming from the power company.  This can be necissary because of the addition of new Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems or modernization to a circuit breaker panel. All our work meets National Electric Code (NEC). As Licensed Electricians we are exsempt from City Inspection fees for residental repairs which saves you the additional $78 dollars on many service calls.  We have an outstanding relationship with Asheville and Buncombe County inspectors for efficient, safe and fast permitting for larger projects. R.A. Thomas Electric has experience working with older homes with old nob and tube wiring and residential electricity problems. Our electrical power for homes experience includes working with vs. replacing all the antique or older electrical systems. We save clients money my ensuring that only unsafe elements are replaced. Old homes are important to those who wish to keep the historic nature of the residence. “Old-work” is a term to craft new electrical wiring, receptacles and antique fixtures in such a way that keeps a similar look and feel – not to modernize your aesthetic rather keeping the antique look and replacing unsafe elements. Call (828) 258-3999 I have been in the electrical business my whole life and have always enjoy...
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