Be safe…not sorry!

It is almost stunning to think that a little over 100 years ago electricity was still rare.  Only wealthy people had electricity in their homes.  By the time we got around to building the Empire State Building in 1930 (the Great Depression was still going strong), most commercial buildings had acquired electricity, and coal-gas lighting was being eliminated from street light fixtures.

When electricity was present in a home, its function was illumination—that’s it—until some smart folks started inventing household appliances, like electric stoves and refrigerators.  Soon they were departing from battery radios (how they all worked initially) to brand new units that you could connect to your electrical wiring and “never have to buy batteries” ever again!

Modern Times

At Illuminations Lighting Design we know it’s a far cry from those days to now where virtually everything in our home requires electricity.  Can you point to something that doesn’t need it to function?  Would it still work well if you didn’t have electric lighting to see it?

If your home was one of the earliest ever to have electricity, there is a good chance that somewhere inside the walls you have some old Knob-and-Tube wiring.  This was a two-conductor system (with no ground wire) that snaked throughout your house, and appliances could be attached as needed.  This was awkward since each device had to be connected permanently.  Receptacles weren’t regulated, and most companies had their design; it took years until we arrived at the plugs and sockets we use today.

Early Electricians

Back then, the requirements seemed to be a strong sense of self-preservation, knowing that the two wires should never touch, and remembering not to hold one wire in each hand while standing in a bucket of water.  Beyond that, it was pretty much the Wild West, with installers doing as they liked.

Some installed bare copper wiring, with the logic that it was safe inside the walls.  They may have been right; the insulation of the day for wires was considerably less durable paper and/or resin impregnated cloth since we didn’t yet have thermoplastics.

Real Electricians

Nowadays you must begin with a high school diploma, preferably with trade school experience to obtain preliminary knowledge, so you can apply to be an apprentice electrician.  In Texas (for example) you must register with the state before you are allowed to work on a job site.

As apprentices we learn to read blueprints and riser diagrams; we learn the National Electrical Code; we gain practical experience in maintenance, repair, and installation from experts about wiring, lighting, control systems, and best practices for electrical distribution.  It takes a good 4-6 years to become an electrical journeyperson.

To become an electrician in Texas, you’ll need to pass an exam at each level.  You must have 4,000 supervised hours to become a residential wireman/woman, 8,000 to become a journeyperson, and 12,000 to become a Master Electrician.  It is not something undertaken lightly.

At Illuminations Lighting Design we are incredibly proud of all of our electricians; from Apprentice to Master, and beyond, to Electrical Engineers.  Our teams have decades and decades of experience—often passed from mother and father to son and daughter.  We know the value of family; we understand about keeping your family members safe.  There are no shortcuts when you consider that everyone is part of some family.

Customers Love ILD

Our Gallery shows many of our successful designs that include backup power (never forget “Harvey”), security lighting, stunning artistic lighting of all sorts, as well as systems for power conditioning and surge protection.  Being safe is one thing—looking great while doing it is just a free bonus!  Our customers will be happy to attest that we’re their first choice for all of their electrical work.

It’s Important

In January 2017, in just one sting operation by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), they caught 43 unlicensed contractors and handymen—folks without insurance (in case they burn down your house), and most without paperwork to work in the state, by patrolling Facebook and Craig’s List.  These people lack the minimum knowledge to undertake these tasks safely.  This is not a risk you should be willing to take.

The Takeaway

We’ll place our crack-team of experts against anyone in the field, and no one will be better equipped or skilled to tackle your hardest challenges safely and economically.  You deserve people that treat your family like their own family, and that means you were looking for Illuminations Lighting Design.

We are based in Houston, but service most of the state.  ILD is your only “one-stop” solution in the whole state of Texas.  We are here to handle all of your electrical needs.

Please feel free give us a call at 713-863-1133 or toll-free at 800-863-1184, so you can learn more about all of our residential electrical services.   You’ll find that you are anxious to begin your journey towards the ultimate combination of beauty and safety.  C’mon and say “howdy”!  We’re waiting to hear from you!