The average American kitchen is comprised of different kinds of kitchenware, including appliances such as microwave oven, coffee maker, bread toaster, convection oven, food processor, electric stove, blender, and other food preparation appliances. While other appliances can be plugged on the wall's outlet, the number of appliances that can be plugged is limited, in which case, a kitchen plugmold becomes necessary.

Kitchen plugmold is just like any other outlets. The difference lies on the installation. While typical wall outlets are embedded on concrete, a kitchen plugmold is installed on the surface where you can see where the surface raceway is mounted.

Kitchen plugmolds can be installed in several ways:

Under the cabinet kitchen plugmolds. The plugmold is mounted under the cupboard, just above the backsplash. This is done if you want to hide the plug strips and do not want to mount plugmolds on the wall of the backsplash. One disadvantage is that you can't actually see the outlet when you need to plug your appliances and you may need to duck every time you're going to plug or unplug it. Finding the right length and splicing the plugmolds can also be a problem so if you want under the cabinet kitchen plugmold, hire an electrician that suits the job.

Bottom of kitchen countertops. Plugmolds are located just under the countertops and the backsplash. While this configuration also hides away the outlet and the dangling cords, the cords itself can be a problem since you can trip on the cord (if the cord is too long) or accidentally remove it since you are moving frequently inside the kitchen.

Angled kitchen plugmold. The plugmolds run on the side of the cabinet and can be spotted directly, which makes it easy to plug and unplug appliances. Angled plugmold can also be installed under the cabinet, just mount the flat plugmold on an angled surface (wood, metal, etc) and you can still achieve the same effect of angled plugmold on the side of the cabinet. However, angled plugmold (cabinet side) limits the number of outlets that can be installed. Appliances with short cords can also be a problem with angled plugmolds.

Over the backsplash. This is the most common location where plugmolds are mounted. The plugmold strips are mounted just above the tiles, sometimes running halfway to the end of the tiles.

Kitchen plugmold is mounted on kitchen countertops and over the backsplash to add new outlets where traditional outlets are not applicable. If you need to install or mount plugmolds on your kitchen, refer to the National Electrical Code to ensure that you can mount plugmolds on the kitchen's specific area. The plugmold must also be protected with a GFCI or a ground-fault circuit interrupter to ensure that the plugmold does not overload. There are specific wiring assemblies that need to be followed when mounting outlets on wet locations or locations where the surfaces are frequently washed or damp. To ensure safety and protection, hire a licensed electrician to install and mount the kitchen plugmold for you.

Electricity is an invention that has changed the lives of everyone in the world. Starting in the home, electricity has many uses. If one finds that their electricity is not working, then they may want to invest in some lighting parts or lighting supplies to fix their lamps. Lamps are useful because if you have it on then you can see in the dark. Electricity can heat a whole house instead of people depending on burning wood or coal for heat. Because of electricity, people can be comfortable in their home in the winter time. Electricity heats air and then proceeds to blast it through a labyrinth of pipes and passages then warm air emerges from vents that are placed strategically throughout one's house. Air conditioning is also fueled by electricity and works in the same way but has the opposite effect rather than adding warmth to the home, the air conditioning make it cool and is often used during the summer months.

Electricity is used in food preparation in most modern households. Ovens can be used to cook a variety of things including casseroles, cookies, meat, fish, cupcakes, and even sausages. Most ovens have the option of choosing the temperature that one want to cook something at. There is also usually a timer so that one can time the meal or treat that they are cooking. Microwaves are an invention that uses electricity and cooks smaller things in a much quicker time. One can make pasta, hot drinks, soup, eggs, and broccoli in a microwave. One can even reheat a previous meal and eat it as leftovers. Popcorn is a popular microwave treat. Refrigerators also use electricity and they work to keep food cool and fresh so that its shelf life can be longer. This allows people to go to the grocery store less since they can save more food.

Television is more of a form of entertainment but it uses electricity as well. Many people watch TV shows and often have a favorite. There are thousands of channels and there is something to watch for everyone. If one does not want to watch a channel, then they can watch a DVD. There are movies that fall under every genre and every interest topic. One can even purchase movies from cable channels if they do not have any DVD's. Things such as an Xbox, a Wii, and a game cube are gaming systems that plug into TV's. People can play all kinds of games and fitness activities on these devices. They are especially popular with elementary to high school age boys.

There are all sorts of smaller household gadgets that people use that need electricity to work. Alarm clocks are used by many people in order to wake up in the morning. Many women use a curling iron, hot rollers and blow dryers in order to style their hair. Clocks, lamps, and stereos are also popular. Computers also use electricity and are probably the most popular device in the world. Printers also run on electricity.

Electrical contractors are just not limited to electrical installation and repairs. They can also help with data / telecommunication installations.

Technology has moved such a rapid pace that phone systems are now being integrated with various computer systems. Phone companies are focusing their attention elsewhere than telecommunication installation. It is becoming more common for an electrical contractor to do telecommunication installations. Electrical contractors can do installations in both residential and commercial buildings. The advantage of having an electrician doing different types of installations is that it is a one-stop shop. You save time. You also only have to deal with one contractor rather than two or three.

Having an electrical contractor help with telecommunication installation is especially helpful in the commercial area. Businesses buy computers, intercom and elaborate phone systems that can be very complicated to install. The equipment needs to meet special power requirements to run properly. The items also need to have certain wiring in place. An electrical contractor will have the experience to wire all the components together. The contractor will also make sure everything has the correct power sources.

Industrial buildings, like warehouses and factories, are also places were contractors with electrical experience are doing more telecommunication installations. They will often help install cabling, wiring and computers. The projects may also include installing phone and intercom systems as well as networking wiring and equipment.

If you need to upgrade a system, then a skilled electrician can also help with the upgrade. Like any other system, computers and communication tools need to be replaced. An electrical contractor can inspect your current system. Contractors can see what components are starting to wear out. When upgrading the system, they will make sure everything is up to code. Making sure everything is up to code ensures safety.

Finally, a service more people should take advantage is surge protection. Power surges can damage electrical equipment, especially computers. By having surge protection, you can protect your investment. A qualified electrician can install surge protection in a certain area or throughout an entire building.

With all the many changes happening with telecommunications, an electrical contractor is a great resource to have. Many electricians continue to obtain training to make sure they adapt to the changing technology. By continuing to learn and train, they can give you advice on the best products out there on the market. At the same time, they save you time on different types of installations.

I am a Master Electrician from Atlanta Georgia. I have been an Electrician for over twenty years. In the past few years, the evolution of surge protectors and or suppressors has been huge. At this point the National Electrical Code does not require Electrical Contractors to install surge protectors on electrical panels. I have installed over ten of these devices in residential electrical applications this year. Some of these Surge Suppression range in price, from fifty dollars to over three hundred dollars, for single phase, two circuits applications. The more expensive protectors provide electrical protection for the 120/240 circuits, also including telephone line and cable source buffers. They also include replaceable components so in the event of damage to the unit, a licensed electrician can replace the part without removing the entire suppression unit, while maintaining electrical protection.

Three phase Surge Protectors range in price from five hundred dollars to over two thousand dollars. The price depends on the electrical supplier and the amount of protection needed to ensure the electrical circuit's integrity. When I install these types of protection I usually charge my customers a flat hourly rate. Although this electrical installation is not the most difficult install I perform, I would not recommend installing this Electrical buffers yourself. Most insurance companies are beginning to provide discounts for property owners who have electrical upgrades installed on their property. Eventually, the National Electric Code will require Electrical Contractors to install this protection on all electrical panels. This protector is not the primary over current protection for your electrical system in your property, however, the protective equipment could be the most important component in protecting your property from fire damage.

Power Outage is not something that we look forward to but in some countries, this is the norm for them. Yes, they would be faced with this challenging problem for at least three times a week or more and, the outage may last for more than two hours each time.

However, for countries that seems to have a grip of this valuable supply, occasionally, a line is cut unexpectedly, perhaps due to a storm and things along this line, occurs, we are faced with this challenge.

Some families may have a generator, in their homes and they would be able to give electricity to their family. However, all of us do not have this and during these times, the following suggestions may be helpful as we wait until the electricity supply is once more flowing to our home.

Keep Refrigerator Closed

It is best not to enter the fridge and freezer too often during this time because this would allow hot air to enter it and cold air to escape from it, thereby causing the food to spoil.

Then, if two hours passes and the electricity has not been restored, and the refrigerator and freezer, is not packed with food, get a lot of ice cubes, or crushed, it does not matter.

Then, if you have a cooler, put the ice inside of it, along with as much food as possible, from the fridge. It is best to put only the foods that would spoil quickly, inside of the cooler. This should help to keep them a bit longer.

Lamps Instead Of Candles

When it is possible, it is a good idea to use a lamp instead of a candle, to give light to the entire household. Additionally, if it could be hung, hanging it from a secure location and away from clothing material, paper, wood etc. would be best.

However, if using a lamp is not possible, care should be taken when using candles. Things should as outing them, when no one is in the room, keeping them away from the window and from children and things along this like should be observed.

Keep Children Close

When there is a power outage in the night, some children may not be too happy about it. They may not be able to watch their regular programs, play their usual games and do the things that they usually do. Additionally, they may be sacred.

Therefore, keeping them close-by would go a long way in calming them and this may be a good time to play some family games, tell some stories and things along this line.