Top Emergency Electricians in Radnor, PA, 19008 | Compare & Call
Keith Martin Electric
Question Answers
We found a Federal Pacific panel in our 1958 Radnor home. Is it safe to add an EV charger or heat pump?
A Federal Pacific panel presents two critical issues. First, the brand has a known failure rate and is no longer considered safe for any new loads. Second, its 100-amp capacity is insufficient for a Level 2 EV charger or a modern heat pump. You will need a full service panel replacement to at least 200 amps to safely support these upgrades and eliminate the fire hazard.
What permits are needed for an electrical panel upgrade in Radnor Township, and does the electrician handle that?
All major electrical work in Radnor requires a permit from the Radnor Township Building and Planning Department and must comply with the 2023 NEC. As a Master Electrician licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, I secure the permits, schedule inspections, and ensure the installation meets all code requirements, so you don't have to navigate the red tape.
We have overhead wires coming to our house. Does that make our electrical service less reliable?
Overhead or mast service is common here. While it is subject to weather and tree interference, its reliability is more a function of the age and condition of your home's internal wiring and panel. An overhead service does simplify the process for a masthead upgrade if you need to increase your service capacity, which is often the first step in modernizing an older home's electrical system.
My smart lights keep resetting after storms. Does PECO's grid cause surges that damage electronics?
PECO's grid in our area faces moderate surge risk from seasonal thunderstorms. These transient voltage spikes can easily bypass basic power strips and damage sensitive smart home electronics. Installing a whole-house surge protector at your main service panel is the most effective defense, as it clamps these surges before they enter your home's wiring.
I've lost all power and smell something burning from my panel. How quickly can an electrician get to a St. Davids home?
For an emergency like that, dispatch is immediate. Our shop is based near the Radnor Township Building, and we use I-476 to reach St. Davids homes directly, typically arriving within 8 to 12 minutes. A burning smell indicates an active fault that requires immediate disconnection and professional diagnosis to prevent a fire.
Could the heavy tree canopy in St. Davids be causing my flickering lights?
Absolutely. Rolling hills with dense tree canopy, like around the Radnor Township area, can cause interference. Branches contacting overhead service drops or primary lines create intermittent faults. Furthermore, rocky soil common in these hills can challenge proper grounding electrode installation, which is critical for system stability and surge dissipation.
How should I prepare my home's electrical system for a Pennsylvania ice storm or summer brownout?
For winter ice storms, ensure your sump pump has a dedicated circuit with GFCI protection and consider a generator transfer switch for essential circuits. During summer peak AC loads, a whole-house surge protector safeguards against utility brownout-related surges. Upgrading an old 100-amp service also increases overall system resilience against these seasonal strains.
My lights dim when the air conditioner kicks on. Is it because my St. Davids home's original 1958 wiring can't handle modern appliances?
Your 68-year-old cloth-jacketed copper wiring is a likely culprit. While the copper itself is a good conductor, the insulation degrades over decades and the original system design was for a few simple circuits. Today's high-amperage appliances, like air conditioners and induction ranges, demand more power than a 1958 panel was ever meant to supply, causing voltage drops that manifest as dimming lights.
