Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the commonly asked questions we get from customers.

Are you licensed and insured?

Cocalico Electric is fully insured and licensed to work as an electrical contractor in all of the surrounding area.

How do I choose the right electrician?

Proper license and insurance, experience, and communication skills are at the top of the list when you are hiring an electrician. An experienced electrician will be able to do the job in an efficient, cost effective and professional manner.

Can I do it myself?

Most electrical work should be completed by an experienced electrician. Personal safety and the safety of the work that has been performed are very important. An experienced electrician can make sure the work is performed according to the National Electric Code.

Do you work in our area?

We are located between Reading and Lancaster and work in Lancaster, Berks, Lebanon, Chester and surrounding areas.

What are GFCI outlets?

Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection is required in areas where water sources are present to prevent people from getting shocked. Some examples of where they are required would be in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry and outside area. These GFCI devices compare the amount of current going to and returning from equipment and trip when a fault is detected.

What about arc fault protection?

Arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) protection is now required in most areas of a house. AFCI devices measure current and or voltage waveforms to detect the presence of an arc. If the characteristics of an arc are detected, the device trips to prevent the possibility of a fire.

How do I know if my house needs to be rewired?

Ungrounded, or 2 prong outlets, older wires that are cloth covered, fuse boxes instead of panels, need for extension cords, flickering lights or constantly tripping fuses or breakers are all indicators that some electrical work is required to keep your home safe.

Can you rewire older homes?

Cocalico Electric has rewired many older homes as part of renovation projects or stand alone projects.

When do I upgrade my electric service?

We recommend upgrading a panel or electric service if you have less than a 200 amp panel or if you are considering adding additional load such as central air, hot tub or electric car charger.

How do I get the right light bulbs?

First choose the right bulb shape and base size. Then the 3 things to consider are wattage (power used), color – measured in the unit of Kelvin (lower Kelvin is a warmer color), and lumens – amount of light produced.

What are my options for generators?

We install manual generator set ups where you would provide a portable generator and we would install wiring to connect it to your main electric panel. Or we could supply and install a fully automatic whole home generator.