Nothing really turns off anymore. Almost all home appliances, from the TV to the toaster, are using power even when they’re not in use. This is known by many names, including vampire power, phantom load, idling current, and standby power. But it all means the same thing: when a device appears to be off, it’s […]

We’ve all seen those electrical transformer boxes. But what’s inside? Why do we need them? And what does an electrical transformer do? What Is An Electrical Transformer? Let’s start at the beginning. According to Wikipedia, “a transformer is a passive component that transfers electrical energy from one electrical circuit to another circuit, or multiple circuits.” […]

Lightning and thunderstorms are rare in the Pacific Northwest. On the one hand, this means we can be less worried about it. On the other, it means we’re less prepared when a storm does roll in. Here’s what you need to know for the next time a freak lightning storm pops up, including home electrical […]

Cooking and decorating are what make fall and winter holiday get-togethers so fun. But doing both also means you’re using more electricity, both inside and outside. That means the holidays are also times to be extra careful about electrical safety. In general, you should make sure that any electrical device you’re using is safe, including […]

We’re all used to turning lights on and off, hearing the hum of a refrigerator, and seeing an indicator light pop on when we turn on the rice cooker.  We’re so used to electricity working that many of us aren’t sure how it works or have full-on misconceptions about how it operates. Which wouldn’t matter […]