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Residential Surge Protection

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Residential Surge Protection provides a safe environment so that you don’t have to worry about voltage surges destroying TV, computer, and other electrical appliances. Any surge protective device won’t do much because power can travel through wires, destroying sensitive electrical equipment. According to a survey, 20% surges come from outside, while 80% are from inside. If you install protectors on right areas, you can prevent damage to your residential property.

How Residential Surges occur?

• 20% of the surges come from outside the house, lightning strike and Power Company can be the source of surge.
• Utility operations can be the reason
• There could be any reason, a tree could fall on wires, wind damage, car hitting nearby pole, utility repair, and more. Electrical wires have magnetic field, when power is interrupt, this field collapses which increase voltage in electrical wires. A mere 12 volt coil can produce thousands of voltage, or in worse situation whole home can catch fire.
• 80% surges are because of internal wiring, usually when an equipment’s cycle is on and off. Internal surges are sometime related to current magnitude being interrupted, and the length of wire from load.

Protection against Residential Surges

Surge protectors can be classified into three types, you can use these three on different locations to get rid of surges.

• A type of protector that is suitable for external power. External surges are caused by power company capacitors or lightning strikes. These protectors Install on main service, which is between power meter and the utility pole. It is first defense against surges because from this point power comes to your house, the only drawback of this device is that your power company has to monitor installation process. Your service panel will be shut off during the process
• The second type of protective device is for your branch panel, it is known as branch because from this point power is distributed to your house, same as tree branches. The device is wired to dual pole breaker in your branch panel, and can protect all the circuits that it cover. There are many devices that can protect, some brands allow high voltages to pass while others restrict a lot of power during surges.
• The third type of protective device is surge strip, or battery backup along with the protection. In this protector you plug circuits that you want to protect. You have to plug in power outlet, most people use this for protection against surges, but they are designed to be an alternative.

These were three type of protectors that you can use in your residential property to protect against surges. Protectors are important, but the most important thing is hiring a professional electrician who know what type of protectors to use. Hiring the right person can reduce a lot of stress, and your residential surge protection won’t break easily.

Stephen M, Lead Technician – Lighting Specialist

Steve brings many years of electrical experience and lighting experience. Steve is well versed in all facets of lighting including HID Lighting, LED Lghting, Energy Conservation, Bucket Trucks, Sign lighting.

Perry W, Lead Technician

Patrick B, Lead Technician

Lance N., Apprentice Electrician

Justin S, Lead Technician

Jason T, Lead Technician

Ernest Render, Journeyman Electrician

On any given day you will never see Ernest with a smile. From his infectious laugh to his ability to mold aspiring electricians Ernest has left many lasting impressions on our future generation. His patience and teaching ability are second to none.

Gary S., Lead Technician – Journeyman Electrician

We are proud to have Gary as part of our Jacksonville Electrician Team.

Daniel L, Apprentice

We are proud to have Daniel as part of our Jacksonville Electrician Team.

Evelin M, Administrative Assistant

We are proud to have Evelin as our Administrative Assistant for Empire Electric.

Michele S, Accounting

Michele has been working in the electrical trade for the last 20 years, with that it has brought her a vast range of experience in the electrical industry. In her early years she worked in the warehouse which allowed her to learn the parts and basics behind electrical work. When she transferred into the office it allowed her to be able to talk to the customers and answers their questions over the phone. She has handled everything from dispatching, accounting and management of employees. Providing top notch customer service to our customers is her number one goal. It makes her feel good to be able to be the first point of contact to our customers to help assist them over the phone then to schedule for the technicians to resolve their electrical needs. The end result is making sure our customers are completely satisfied from start to finish. On her days off, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters doing outdoor activities such as kayaking, camping and water sports. In her spare time she enjoys scrapbooking and reading. We are pleased to have Michele as part of our Jacksonville Electrician Team

Kitty JonJock, Permit Coordinator

With permitting being an integral part of construction combined with the sheer volume of permits Empire Electric Inc. pulls with the different locale’s we are pleased to have someone with the experience and expertise dedicated to handling our very important and critical permitting indenture. From coordination to scheduling Kitty can handle the most critical or sensitive permitting with ease. Kitty brings over 20 years of combined Electrical and Mechanical experience in the construction / contracting field.

Jon Brockel, Project Manager

Dave Thompson, Service Manager

Dave is a native of Jacksonville. With over 25 years of electrical experience Dave performs the daily duty of smooth running fleet of technicians. From his combined electrical experience with impeccable customer service skills and techno0logy, Dave is able to maintain a smooth running service department and handle customers hand in hand.

Jim Sullivan, Owner – Vice President

Jim Sullivan is a native of Jacksonville, Florida, he attended Englewood High School and went right into the Electrical trade out of high school in 1983. He worked in the field as an electrician’s helper and then a Lead man then obtained his electrical license in the trade in 1990. Ove the course of 32 years in the trade he has gained a vast range of electrical knowledge by working on many different projects. He transferred into the office in 1999 to become a project manager, where he took off sets of plans for commercial and military jobs. He followed each job thru that he was awarded where he managed crews and over saw the job sites. He is eager and excited to be on a new adventure with his own company to be able to build on his customer basis and continue to provide outstanding customer service. During his off time, Jim enjoys spending time with his two sons boating and camping. He received his private pilot’s license in 2001 and enjoys flying in his spare time as well. We are proud to have Jim as part of our Jacksonville Electrician Team.

Rich Speaker, Owner – President

Rich is President of Empire Electric Inc. Rich was born and raised in Buffalo, New York in where he graduated Lafayette High School and joined the United States Navy. While in the Navy, Rich began his path in the electrical trade as a Electricians Mate stationed in Philadelphia Pennsylvania and subsequently upon the Conventional Aircraft Carrier, John F. Kennedy CV67, ultimately ending in Jacksonville, FL with an Honorable Discharge.Still young and eager to fulfill his thirst for knowledge in the electrical trade, R applied as an Electricians Helper. While progressing through the ranks as Electrician Helper, Rich decided it was time to utilize his G.I. Bill that was given for his military service. Wanting to integrate Electrical and Computer networking, Rich decided to attend night school to obtain his Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer MCSE certification in 2006. After the birth of his two children, Rich decided it was time to once again further his education and knowledge of the electrical trade. In December 2010 Rich obtained his Florida State Certified Master Electrician License EC13004667 and subsequently being accepted in to the Jacksonville Master Electricians Association J.M.E.A.