Maryland Electricians

Services Offered by Maryland Electricians

Electricians in Maryland provide a full range of residential electrical services. Whether you need a small installation or repair, a complex panel upgrade, or something in between, Best Pick Maryland electricians have you covered.

In addition to standard repairs and installations, ask your electrician about more specialized services:

• Generator installation and service
• Electrical meter replacement
• Electrical service upgrades
• Landscape lighting installation
• Electric vehicle charger installation
• Whole-house rewiring and surge protection

Because electrical services must be done correctly and to code in order to keep your home safe for you and your family, only hire electricians who hold a current Maryland electrician’s license.

Electrical safety devices

If your home was built relatively recently or has been extensively renovated, it’s likely equipped with all (or most) of the following safety devices. Older homes, however, may be lacking AFCI protection and tamper-resistant receptacles, for example.

Since these devices can make your home significantly safer and less likely to experience an electrical fire, ask your electrician about installing them.

1. AFCI (arc-fault circuit interrupter) outlets and panel devices. AFCI outlets prevent electrical fires by stopping the flow of electricity to a circuit when an arc has been detected. Electrical arcs are the result of electricity traveling between two conducting materials—in residential cases, this is often two wires. The arc of electricity carries a lot of energy and is therefore very hot, which can cause a fire.

The US National Electric Code (NEC) has required AFCI outlets in bedrooms since 1999. This requirement was expanded in 2008 and again in 2014 to include almost the entire house. In newer homes, AFCI protection is typically achieved with a special breaker on the main electrical panel.

2. GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) outlets. GFCI outlets monitor circuits for variances in the levels of electrical current and shut off power to the circuit if any change is detected. These outlets are an important safety feature because they help prevent electrocution and fires caused by overheated wires.

GFCI outlets have been required by the NEC since the 1970s, but their use has expanded steadily over the years to include interior outlets near plumbing fixtures as well as all exterior outlets. If you live in a home that was built prior to the 1970s and has not been extensively renovated, have an electrician point out where you need GFCI outlets installed.

3. Tamper-resistant receptacles (TRR). Tamper-resistant receptacles, or outlets, look almost exactly like standard power outlets, but they have one important difference. While the slots on conventional outlets are always open, TRRs have a pressure-sensitive cover blocking the outlet slots. This cover only opens when equal pressure is applied to both slots at the same time.

TRRs are required in new construction and renovations per the current NEC, but older homes (and even homes that are not that old) are unlikely to have them. Luckily, they’re a straightforward and relatively inexpensive upgrade for your electrician to perform.

Electrical inspections

An electrical inspection may not make it onto your to-do list until something goes wrong, but there are plenty of good reasons to prioritize it while everything seems to be working well. Schedule an inspection every five years, or more often if you renovate or add on to your home.

Here’s what you can expect your electrician to do during a typical inspection:

• Check the electrical service meter on the outside of the house
• Inspect the main electrical panel and any subpanels for proper size and correct installation
• Inspect GFCI and AFCI outlets and panel devices
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Note any electrical hazards and prepare plan for repair

We use more electrical gadgets today than ever before, so even if your house is relatively new, periodic inspections are always a good idea. Peace of mind that your home is safe is priceless.

The Best Picks for the Best Electricians in Maryland

High-quality, experienced electricians can be hard to find. That’s why the Best Pick Reports survey team reaches out to Maryland homeowners every year to find the best electrical contractors in your area.

All Best Pick companies are fully vetted on an annual basis for outstanding work and stellar customer service, and we verify all state-required licenses and insurance each year, too. Our rigorous company qualification process ensures that the companies we recommend truly are the best of the best. We’re proud to present this information in a format that is clear, simple, and easy to use.

When you hire a Best Pick Maryland electrician, you can rest assured that your home will be cared for by a reputable, experienced professional. You’ll be pleased with the experience from beginning to end—we guarantee it!