Electrician in Kansas City

Work with an electrician who'll help you complete your commercial or residential project on schedule and within your budget. Ric Ginn Electric is Kansas City's source for a full suite of electrical services, including inspections, installations, repairs, replacements, and maintenance options. Our technicians stay on top of safety and electrical building code changes to deliver the code-compliant solutions you need to power your home or business.

Call (816) 564-9574 to discuss your next wiring project with an electrical specialist who prioritizes your safety and satisfaction.

Speak to a Qualified Electrician

Is Your Electrical System Safe and Efficient?

A safe electrical system is one that meets all current code requirements, has properly sized wires and secure connections, and is free from hazards like exposed wiring or overloaded circuits. Efficiency, in this context, means your system distributes power effectively without energy loss, using modern components like energy-efficient appliances and optimized circuit layouts.

We can help maintain both the efficiency and safety of your system by first inspecting key components, like wire insulation, grounding systems, and breaker functionality. One particularly dangerous issue is wrong wire sizing, which is a fire hazard. Addressing outdated panels, loose connections, or unprotected outdoor wiring is also critical to maintaining a safe system.

Efficiency may be improved by upgrading to a higher-capacity panel, replacing outdated fixtures with LEDs, or adding dedicated circuits for certain high-energy appliances and devices, like hot tubs or saunas. Specific signs of inefficiency include breaker trips or dimming lights. Inefficiencies aren’t always noticeable, but we can rule them out or spot them with an inspection.

The Importance of Properly Insulated Electrical Wiring

Proper insulation is crucial for electrical wiring. It prevents shocks, short circuits, and fires by containing the electrical current within the wires. Insulation also protects wires from moisture, heat, and physical damage. However, insulation can sometimes degrade from age or physical abrasion, which means you’ll need it inspected and likely replaced.

For new installations, we assess the type of insulation based primarily on the purpose of the wiring. For instance, moisture-resistant insulation is required in outdoor or damp areas, while more heat-resistant options are suitable for high-temperature environments.

Here are the different types, including use cases:

Thermoplastic (PVC): Flexible, cost-effective, and resistant to heat and moisture, commonly used in residential wiring.
Rubber (EPR or neoprene): Heat and chemical-resistant, ideal for industrial environments.
Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE): Durable and heat-resistant, suited for high-voltage and underground cables.
Silicone: Flexible and moisture-resistant, perfect for high-temperature environments.
Ethylene propylene rubber (EPR): Thermally stable and flexible, used in medium to high-voltage applications.

Why Choosing the Wrong Wire Size Is a Hazard

Wire size (or gauge) simply refers to the diameter of the wire, which determines its capacity to carry electrical current safely. It’s chosen based on factors like the circuit’s amperage, voltage, and the length of the wire run. The correct sizing ensures the wire can handle the electrical load without overheating or causing voltage drops.

Choosing the wrong wire size can lead to serious risks. Undersized wires may overheat, causing insulation to melt and increasing the risk of fires. Oversized wires, while less risky, can result in inefficient connections. Across all applications, the wire’s capacity must match the demands of the devices it powers, ensuring safe and reliable performance.

Ric Ginn Electric's Services

Our electrical services cover everything from ceiling fan installations to rewiring. We offer a full suite of customizable options to keep your building fully powered.

Look to us for:

Emergency electrical services
Electrical inspection
Electrical installation
Electrical repair
Electrical replacement
Electrical upgrades
Electrical maintenance

What’s Involved in Adding a New Electrical Switch?

Adding a new electrical switch begins with planning the switch's location and determining its purpose, such as controlling a light or appliance. We identify the closest power source, like an existing circuit or outlet, and assess whether the circuit can handle the additional load. We use proper wiring diagrams to plan the connections.

For installation, you need an opening for the switch box, which we install securely, running wires from the power source to the new switch. If it’s a standard single-pole switch, connections are straightforward: hot wires to the terminals and grounding to the box. For a three-way switch, additional wiring is needed to connect it to a second switch, allowing control from two locations.

With the wiring complete, we can test the circuit for proper function and ensure all connections meet safety standards. We can also check for issues like loose connections or miswired terminals, which could cause malfunctions. Finally, we secure the faceplate, and your switch is ready to use.

When Should You Call for Emergency Electrical Services?

Contact us for emergency electrical services whenever you suspect an underlying electrical hazard in your home or business. This includes flickering lights, tripped breakers that reset themselves, burning smells, sparks, or outlets that are discolored or hot to the touch. Don't ignore any electrical issues.

Our team of experienced electricians is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to assess the problem and provide immediate solutions.

How Often Should You Schedule an Electrical Inspection?

You should schedule an electrical inspection every three to five years for newer residential properties. If you live in an older home (50 years or more), you should consider having your electrical infrastructure assessed annually. We recommend that commercial properties be inspected every two years. When you spot signs of electrical problems, don't wait. Have your electrical components inspected as soon as possible to avoid potential hazards.

What Do Electrical Installation Services Cover?

Our electrical installation services cover new construction, remodeling, and upgrades, including:

Fan installation
Lighting installation
Hot tub and sauna electrical installation
Surge protection installation
Wiring installation
In-floor heating electrical installation
Electrical panel installation
Phone and speaker wiring installation
Electrical rough-in installations (for new home construction and remodeling)

How Do Professionals Plan Lighting Installation?

If you're installing new lights, perhaps for a kitchen renovation, you need to ensure the fixtures are properly rated for the space, the wiring can handle the load, and the placement provides adequate illumination for tasks like cooking or dining. We start by assessing the area’s needs and your lighting’s intended use.

We can then plan the circuits, calculating the appropriate wire gauge and breaker capacity to ensure safe operation. We account for factors like wattage, distance from the panel, and the inclusion of dimmers or smart controls. In some cases, existing wiring may need to be upgraded to handle the new load safely, especially in older homes.

Our plans for lighting installations also factor in:

Transformer requirements: Accounting for low-voltage lighting systems that may require transformers.
Wire routing: Planning the path for wiring to minimize disruption to walls, ceilings, or existing structures.
Voltage compatibility: Ensuring the fixtures match the voltage of the circuit to prevent damage or inefficiency.
Load balancing: Distributing the electrical load evenly across circuits to avoid overloading any single breaker.
Neutral wire availability: Ensuring the presence of a neutral wire for modern dimmers and smart switches.

Why Is Surge Protection an Important Consideration?

A power surge without surge protection can devastate your appliances and electronics. This sudden spike in electrical current can fry sensitive components, rendering your devices useless. No equipment is immune to the damage an unexpected surge can inflict, from televisions and computers to refrigerators and microwaves.

The cost of replacing multiple damaged appliances can quickly add up, making surge protection a wise investment to safeguard your belongings.

What Are Some of the Most Common Electrical Repair Services?

Our technicians provide a wide range of electrical repair services, from fixing circuit breakers to outlet and switch repair. We're here to help whenever you notice a problem, whether it's a faulty lighting fixture, flickering lights, or repairing a powered system that needs electrical code corrections.

Over the years, we've used our expertise to deliver electrical repair services to resolve everything from the most common to the most complex electrical issues, and we look forward to doing the same for you.

How Will You Know When It's Time for Electrical Replacements?

Certain signs will let you know when it's time to start planning for electrical replacements.

Here's what to look for:

Circuit breakers that trip frequency
Lights that flicker or dim
Outlets and switches that feel warm to the touch
Wiring that's old, damaged, or outdated
Electrical surges that occur frequently
Buzzing or humming sounds
An electrical panel that's overloaded or insufficient
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets that stop working

Why Should You Upgrade Your Electrical Panel?

Upgrade your electrical panel to protect the safety of everyone who occupies your space and prevent your electronic devices from expiring early. This upgrade will help reduce the number of power surges your equipment experiences and allow you to add more outlets for increased convenience.

An electrical panel with an increased capacity also means your space is equipped for high-demand appliances like power tools, electric vehicle chargers, and whatever else you desire. Be advised that if you plan to change the location of your panel during the upgrade, you may need a permit.

Do All Appliances Require an Electrical Upgrade?

Not all appliances require an electrical upgrade, but high-energy devices often do. These appliances draw significant power and may exceed the capacity of your existing circuits or panel. An upgrade, in this case, will ensure your system can handle the increased load safely, preventing issues like tripped breakers or overheating wires.

A hot tub, in many cases, will specifically require a dedicated circuit and a higher-amperage breaker to support its heating and pumping systems. If your current panel lacks the capacity, we can install a subpanel or upgrade your main service, which will provide the necessary power.

Is It Worth Installing a Subpanel?

A subpanel is a smaller electrical panel connected to the main panel, used to extend power to specific areas or manage additional circuits. It doesn’t increase your home’s overall electrical capacity but allows for better organization and distribution of power. They’re often useful for garages or workshops.

Installing a subpanel is an option when your main panel is full or when it’s inconvenient to run multiple circuits directly from your main panel. For example, a detached garage with power tools and lighting or a basement renovation with added outlets and appliances would benefit from a subpanel for localized circuit control.

Do You Need a Permit to Move Your Electrical Panel?

Yes. You'll need permit approval when you plan to move your electrical panel. We'll help with this step by submitting detailed plans of the required work along with your application. Once your panel is moved and its installation is complete, we'll help you schedule an inspection with a Kansas City building inspector to have them sign off that our work meets all relevant codes and regulations.

How Long Does an Electrical Panel Upgrade Take?

Since every household has unique power demands, there's no set time for an electrical panel upgrade. Some considerations that will influence your project's timeline include the complexity of your upgrade, the condition of your existing wiring, the size difference between your former and new electrical panels, and any permits or inspections required once your installation is complete.

We'll let you know how long you can expect our work to take after your initial consultation appointment. Once we know more about your goals, we'll give you an accurate estimate.

What Causes Electrical Humming and Buzzing Sounds?

There's no single culprit responsible for electrical humming and buzzing sounds. These high-pitched noises can result from loose wiring connections, overloaded circuits, faulty circuit breakers, incompatible dimmer switches, and grounding issues.

Why Are Your Outlets Hot to the Touch?

Your outlets may feel hot to the touch for several reasons. One is an overloaded circuit, which can generate excessive heat when too many devices are plugged in. In this case, you should unplug everything and consider upgrading this circuit to handle increased power demands.

Another possible suspect is a problem with the outlet itself. If it's damaged or worn out, it may not make proper contact with plugs, which can cause overheating. When you notice your outlet is warm, it's essential to take action.

If it's safe to turn off power to your outlet from your circuit breaker, you should do so to prevent potential hazards. Then, give us a call and have one of our electricians diagnose and solve the problem.

Hire an Experienced Electrical Contractor

Protect your Kansas City home or business by partnering with one of Ric Ginn Electric's seasoned electrical contractors. Our team has plenty of experience delivering code-compliant solutions to address any electrical challenge. Call (816) 564-9574 to learn more about our services, rates, and appointment availability.

Looking for an electrician in Kansas City? Contact us at (816) 564-9574.