Artisan Electric | Midwest Indiana Electrical Consultants

In the wake of all these Midwest floods we thought this was a relevant topic.  Many kinds of contractors get called during the aftermath of floods and water events.  Make sure they know and understand what water does to electrical systems!

(6) Things to know regarding electrical systems and water

• If electrical service entrance equipment has been submerged it needs to be inspected, dried out, and have all the connections re-made with anti-corrosion compound.  In some cases total replacement may be the only guaranteed option for safety
• Circuit breakers that have been exposed to direct water, extreme weather, high moisture, or active water need to be replaced, no exceptions! Circuit breakers are over current protection devices – they are the main safety device in the electrical circuit and need to work
• Any outlet or switch that has been submerged or effected by direct water or moisture needs to be removed and replaced – water means corrosion and corrosion is the enemy of good electrical connections
• Romex type building wire that has been submerged should be replaced.  It is nearly impossible to get it fully dried out… the plastic casing acts as a hose and retains water that over time will leak back out into the device connections and cause corrosion
• Ground mounted lights that have been submersed can be full of water days after a flood event – these should be checked out carefully to insure safe operation when switched back on
• Remember that electricity and water do not mix, and most electrical products are not tolerant of being submerged.  Just because it “came back on” does not mean it is safe to use or is in the same condition it was prior to being effected by water

If you have any questions let us know – we do site consults an can get you on the right path to a speedy and safe restoration.

A little known fact in the building trades is how cheap the workmanship has really gotten.  Once upon a day – when you put your companies name on it that meant you stood behind what you did, period.  In this day and age low bid gets the job.  Sure there are some stand up exceptions to this, but for the most part the war cry of  “get it done fast and cheap” is the norm.  In that process the real loser is the homeowner, and in most cases they don’t even know it happened.

Here is one example:  most sub-contractors are only required as part of the bid process to back their work with a 1 year warranty to the builder, and most builders only offer a stock 3 to 5 year warranty on the whole project.  Frankly speaking – we think that is despicable!  Your home is likely the single  largest investment you will ever make – how is it that you can get a great warranty on a car these days but not your house?

Here are 25 reasons an Artisan Electric custom home project stands out from the rest

1)      Our jobs are run and staffed by Journeyman electricians, no exceptions!

2)      We use only quality materials and practices, no exceptions!

3)      No 15 amp – 14 gauge “cheap-o” circuits.  We use only 20 amp (or larger) rated branch conductors

4)      We only use copper buss commercial load centers and service entrance equipment

5)      We use separate circuits for each room (excluding lighting) in a home.  This avoids problems with today’s computer and electronic equipment, as well as new high-demand appliances

6)      We do not share neutrals for any of our circuits

7)      Artisan Electric is the highest rated Angie’s List contractor in a 30 mile radius of Lafayette – go take a look

8)      Arc-fault circuit breakers are used on bedroom power circuits per NEC requirements

9)      We do not use feed thru wiring practices or “stab in the back” wiring methods. All devices are pig tailed at the point of use

10)   We only use steel junction boxes with threaded ground screw connections.  Do it once, do it right!

11)   Our employees take extensive safety training (CPR, First Aid,) and OSHA safety certifications

12)   All of our employees have been thru a BAT certified 4 year electrical apprenticeship program and have testing documentation

13)   We use Hubbell 15 and 20 amp commercial rated receptacles, with dedicated 20 amp rated receptacles for all appliance loads. We only use 20 amp rated commercial GFCI outlets

14)   We put spare pipes to the garage / attic / outdoor living / and crawl spaces for future use.  It is our job to look out for your total lifespan needs

15)   We use only 1000 watt or larger rated Lutron dimmers for our projects – with CFL / LED dimmers for any unique lighting requirements

16)   All of the products we use for construction come from pro vendors – no “home store” off brand or B-Stock items are used for our installs

17)   Artisan Electric is a member of a certified recycling system, all wasted generated by us will be sorted and recycled with Resolve Earth Solutions

18)   We provided “As-Built” drawings for our projects upon completion – you will know exactly what you paid for

19)   We understand the importance of good housekeeping, our projects are cleaned daily – we won’t leave a mess for you

20)   We have the experience, expertise, professionalism, and training to handle the job – without creating stress and re-work for the other trades, project supervisors, and especially to the home owner

21)   Our bids are comprehensive, ethical, and truthful.  We provide a line item of the circuits to be used to our clients so they KNOW exactly what they are paying for and what it includes

22)   Our bids cover the items the others leave out, including options for audio, video, internet, exterior lights and audio, home theater, and smart home wiring

23)   Whole house surge protection comes standard with our bid package

24)   We are an authorized Kohler GenSet dealer.  We can provide best in generator solutions for natural gas and LP systems -including pre-wire options for future generator hook-up / smart transfer interface panels / legendary Kohler reliability and certified maintenance plans

25) A custom home wired the Artisan Electric way comes with a 10 year transferable workmanship warranty – we do it right, period!

2011 was an exciting year for us here at Artisan Electric, we closed out the year as our best ever!  We had growth nearing 20% for our second year in a row – and have finally slayed many of the demons that came with 2008 / 2009 crash!  We meet some very specific goals in 2011, here our a few highlights:

• Implementing a certified recycling plan with Resolve Earth
• Forming a partnership with Buckeye Power Sales to become a Kohler generate dealer / installer
• Forming a partnership with Surge Assure to offer advanced residential and commercial surge protection solutions
• Being award for the second year in a row the Angie’s List Super Service Award for our area
• In depth web and social media development – hitting the 1500 click thru a month mark on our web platform (primary site / blog)
• Attending the X.commerce / Magento web development conference in San Fransisco – this was truly an awakening
• Developing the Monticello Electric brand and companion web site
• Our continued involvement with the RPM Chapter of Business Networking International (now ranked number#1 in the state)
• Working with Food Finders Food Bank and the mobile pantry program to help feed the hungry
• Working with Dave Mason and IS Photographic to sponsor the the ISmotorsports track bike

As you can see – 2011 was a busy year full of changes and forward thinking.  We are getting pretty juiced up for where this is leading us in 2012.  We have some big changes in store to roll out this year, the most exciting of which will be a full new web site and a companion on line eCommerce store.  Our new web store will be offering a large selection of goods and service for sale as “buy now” only products (like battery backup UPS units, multi-outlet plug strips, point of use surge protection, specialty audio and video items, USB outlets, portable generators) as well as package deals on other offerings including installation and service(s).

Additionally we will be rolling out some fun new branding and graphics for the company, based on our very popular “happy outlet” design developed for us by Mineus Print and 838 Sign Co.  Here is sneak peak at where that is headed!

In closing I just want to say an honest and sincere thanks to all of the people who have helped us along the way.  Our clients and advocates, the designers and web folks that have helped us, our mentors and business community, BNI, all of you!  I have long believed that it takes a community to build a business.  A few individuals have gone over beyond that I would like to mention by name (you people ROCK!)

My amazing wife Michelle – who never fails to lend an ear and be the best mom ever (and keep me in check).  My equally amazing daughter Rosemary, Johnny Klemme (who may be one of the very best people in the world), My right hand guys Dustin Beebout and Aaron Paris – none better in town!  My bookkeeper CJ Reynolds, Dr. Di Begley, My accountant Diana Isbell, Chas and Bonnie Dela for being a second family when we had none and our very first clients! Noah Mattern and Maximumedia Design , Bill White, Steve Thalls, Aaron Zernack and Mineus Print, Inked Spot, Instant Copy, Stan Mithoefer (who has been our very best client from day one!), Javin and the Mad Men Creative gang, ALL the members of the RPM Chapter of BNI, Paul Baldwin for being Paul, Chris and Jessica Johnson – People’s Brewing Co, K. Dees Coffee, Dr. Dan and the Miracles Fitness Team, Ron Whitaker, Dave and Tara Mason, Roger and Kristy Miley, Brian Elgin, Brady Lumley, Ron Smith, Joe and Erica Wilson, Rob Handcock and the Beck’s Auto Service Team, Barry Bruce and the Mitchell Agency, Jeff Onken and The State Farm Insurance Team, The Lafayette Brewing Company, Chris and Susan X, Kelly Good, Randy Lynch, Andy and Michelle Schwindler at Outdoor RoomScapes (for being some of the best new folks we meet this year!).  I am sure there are many more… sorry if I missed you!

WE ALL COME UP TOGETHER!

Best Regards,

- Chris Voglund & the Artisan Electric Team