Electrical FAQ and Common Questions Across the Treasure Coast

A panel upgrade is worth considering in several situations. If your breakers trip frequently, you notice flickering lights, or your panel has double taps, where two wires share a single breaker slot, those are signs the system is under strain. Double taps are a code violation and a safety concern that should be corrected promptly. Adding high-demand appliances, an EV charger, or a standby generator to an undersized panel also calls for an upgrade. In Touch Electric handles panel installation, relocation, and upgrades, including whole-home surge protection, to bring your system up to current Florida code standards.

Standby generators run periodic self-diagnostic exercises automatically, typically on a weekly schedule, so the engine stays conditioned. Beyond that automatic cycle, a professional maintenance check at least once a year is recommended, ideally before hurricane season begins. In Touch Electric offers warranty and maintenance plans for Generac and Cummins equipment, performed in-house by authorized technicians. Keeping up with scheduled service ensures the transfer switch, fuel connections, and engine components are all functioning correctly so the system activates without delay when the grid goes down.

A few consistent habits go a long way toward keeping a home safe. Test your GFI outlets monthly, especially in kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor areas, since these devices protect against shock in wet locations. Make sure your panel has whole-home surge protection, as Florida's storm season brings frequent voltage spikes that can damage appliances and electronics. Never use a portable generator indoors or in an attached garage. Units with CO Alert technology, like the DuroMax models In Touch Electric carries, add an extra layer of protection by shutting down automatically when carbon monoxide reaches unsafe levels. If you notice flickering lights or a breaker that trips repeatedly, have a licensed electrician diagnose the root cause rather than simply resetting the breaker.

Propane system maintenance covers inspecting the LP tank, checking fuel lines and connections for leaks or wear, and verifying that the generator or appliance receiving the fuel is operating within spec. Because propane is a pressurized fuel, these checks require a licensed professional. In Touch Electric holds LP Gas License LI45237, which means the team handles tank installation and fuel line connections directly without requiring a separate gas contractor. This integrated approach covers both the electrical and fuel sides of a standby power system under one licensed provider.

An Automatic Transfer Switch, or ATS, monitors your utility power and switches your home to generator power within seconds of detecting an outage, without any action required from you. For households with members who rely on medical equipment, this hands-free response is critical because even a brief delay in power can create a health risk. It also protects refrigerated food and medications, prevents sump pumps from losing power during heavy rain, and keeps communication systems running. Standby generator installations by In Touch Electric include ATS setup as part of the full turnkey process, which covers permits, drawings, and transfer switch testing.

A portable generator is a manual, fuel-dependent unit that you start yourself and connect to specific appliances or circuits. In Touch Electric carries DuroMax dual-fuel portable units that run on gasoline or propane, with models ranging from around 5,500 to 16,000 watts of peak output. A whole-home standby generator is permanently installed outside your home, connected to your electrical panel, and fueled by natural gas or liquid propane from a fixed tank. It starts automatically during an outage and can power the entire home. Standby systems from Generac and Cummins range from 13kW to 125kW. The right choice depends on your load requirements, budget, and how much automation you want during a storm event.

Yes. In Touch Electric installs code-compliant EV charging stations and high-amperage RV hookups, including 30-amp and 50-amp breakers and outlets, at residential properties across the Treasure Coast. These installations require dedicated circuits sized correctly for the load, and all work is performed to Florida code standards with proper permitting where required. Whether you are adding a charger for an electric vehicle in your garage or setting up a permanent RV connection in your driveway, the electrical infrastructure needs to be matched precisely to the amperage demand to operate safely and reliably.

Standby generator installations in Florida generally require permits and, in many cases, engineered drawings. In Touch Electric manages the full permitting and documentation process as part of a five-step turnkey workflow covering consultation and load calculation, site assessment for code-compliant placement, physical installation, transfer switch testing, and ongoing maintenance. Handling permits and drawings in-house removes a significant logistical burden from the homeowner and ensures the installation meets all local code requirements from the start. This is one of the key differences between working with a licensed, authorized dealer and hiring an unlicensed contractor.