Long Beach Electrician

Electrician in Long Beach

Welcome to Carter Electric

At Carter Electric, we are proud to be the premier Long Beach electricians serving the diverse and vibrant communities of the “International City.” From the historic Craftsman bungalows of Rose Park and Bluff Heights to the waterfront estates of Naples Island and the bustling commercial corridors of Bixby Knolls, we understand that Long Beach is a city of unique neighborhoods, each with its own electrical personality. We are not just contractors; we are locals who understand the mix of coastal living and urban energy that defines our city.As a locally-owned, fully insured, and bonded business, we operate as a top-tier Long Beach electrical contractor. We take pride in offering a comprehensive range of electrical services, catering to everything from industrial warehouse retrofits near the Port to delicate restoration work in designated Historic Districts. Our clients choose us because we combine the technical capacity of a large firm with the approachable, neighborly service of a small business.In a city as dynamic as ours, reputation is everything. We know that when you search for an electrical company, you need a partner who values safety, code compliance, and transparency. Whether you are dealing with a power outage during a summer heatwave in El Dorado Park or planning a garage conversion (ADU) in the Plaza, our team is ready to respond. The licensed electrician who arrives at your door will be a seasoned professional, vetted for their skill and committed to treating your property with the utmost respect.From emergency troubleshooting to large-scale commercial build-outs, we are the electricians near you who truly understand the Long Beach Municipal Code and local utility requirements. If you are looking for a dependable electrician in Long Beach who stands behind every circuit and switch, look no further. Contact Carter Electric today to experience the difference that genuine care and professional excellence can make.

Comprehensive Electrical Services in Long Beach

Finding a qualified electrician in Long Beach means finding someone who can navigate the diversity of our local infrastructure. We provide a full suite of Long Beach electrical services tailored to the specific needs of coastal homeowners, historic preservationists, and business owners.

Residential Electrician Services

Your home is your investment. Our residential electrician team specializes in enhancing the safety and efficiency of your living space while navigating the specific challenges of Long Beach architecture.

Historic Home Rewiring (Craftsman & Spanish Revival)

Long Beach is famous for its historic districts like Carroll Park, California Heights, and Hellman Street. Many of these homes, built in the early 1900s, still rely on knob-and-tube wiring or ungrounded cloth wiring. We are experts in “fishing” new, grounded copper cabling through lath-and-plaster walls without destroying the original architectural details. We ensure your vintage home meets modern safety standards while respecting the strict guidelines of the Cultural Heritage Commission.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Electrical

With Long Beach’s push for more housing, garage conversions and backyard ADUs are booming. We handle the entire electrical scope for your ADU, including:

• Load Calculations: Determining if your existing panel can handle the new unit.
• Sub-Panel Installation: Providing dedicated power control for the new living space.
• Separate Metering: Coordinating with Southern California Edison (SCE) to install dual meters for rental billing separation.

Dock & Marina Wiring (Naples & The Peninsula)

Living on the water requires specialized electrical knowledge. We provide safe, code-compliant wiring for private docks in Naples and the Peninsula. This includes installing marine-grade shore power pedestals, GFCI protection for boat lifts, and underwater lighting. We ensure all work meets the strict safety standards required for electrical installations over water to prevent shock hazards.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations

Whether you drive a Tesla, Ford Lightning, or Rivian, we install Level 2 EV chargers that get you back on the road faster. For older homes with limited panel capacity, we can install “load management” devices that allow you to charge your car without triggering an expensive main service upgrade.

Coastal Corrosion Protection

The marine layer in Long Beach can be tough on outdoor equipment. We inspect and replace corroded service risers, meter sockets, and outdoor panels that have fallen victim to the salty air. We use NEMA 3R and 4X rated stainless steel or polycarbonate enclosures to ensure your new equipment lasts for decades, not just years.

Interior & Exterior Lighting

• Security Lighting: Motion-activated floodlights for alleyways and garages to deter property crime.
• Recessed Lighting: Modernizing mid-century homes in the Plaza and Lakewood Village with energy-efficient LED wafer lights.
• Landscape Lighting: Low-voltage systems to highlight the tropical palms and architectural features of your property.

Commercial Electrician Solutions

We are the commercial electrician of choice for Long Beach’s diverse economy. From the industrial sectors of the Westside to the boutique retail shops of Belmont Shore, we keep businesses powered.

Industrial & Warehouse Electrical

Near the port and airport, businesses run on heavy power. We install and maintain 3-phase power systems, high-bay LED lighting for warehouses, and dedicated motor control circuits for manufacturing equipment.

Tenant Improvements & Retail Build-Outs

Opening a restaurant on 2nd Street or a boutique on Pine Avenue? We handle the electrical build-out, ensuring you have the right power for commercial kitchens, POS systems, and ambient lighting. We work fast to get you open for business.

Property Management & HOA Services

We partner with local property managers and HOAs for large condo complexes along Ocean Blvd. Our services include LED retrofits for common areas (saving thousands in energy costs), parking lot lighting repair, and routine safety inspections.

Insights into Your Home’s Electrical System

Understanding your electrical system is the first step toward a safer home. While Carter Electric handles the technical work, we believe in empowering our clients with knowledge.

The Challenge of Historic Electrical Systems

Knob-and-Tube Wiring Found in many homes built before 1950 (common in Bluff Park and Alamitos Beach), this wiring lacks a ground wire and has insulation that becomes brittle over time. It is a common red flag for insurance companies. We specialize in safe removal and replacement.Permitting in Historic Districts If you live in a designated Historic District, exterior electrical work (like moving a meter panel) often requires a “Certificate of Appropriateness.” We handle the coordination with the Long Beach Planning Department to ensure your upgrades don’t result in code violations or fines.

Improving Energy Independence

Main Panel Upgrades Many Long Beach homes still run on 60-amp or 100-amp panels installed decades ago. These panels cannot support modern loads like A/C units (essential for our increasingly hot summers) or induction cooktops. We perform “heavy-ups” to 200-amp services, handling all permitting and coordination with SCE.Solar Ready & Battery Backup We prepare homes for the future by installing solar-ready electrical panels. We can also integrate battery backup systems, allowing you to store solar energy for use during peak pricing hours (TOU rates) or during grid outages.

Safety First: Coastal & Urban Hazards

“Green Crust” Corrosion In coastal neighborhoods like Belmont Shore and the Peninsula, copper wires can develop a green oxidation layer. This increases resistance and heat, leading to potential failure. We use dielectric grease and corrosion-resistant terminations to protect your connections.Alleyway Service Protection In many Long Beach neighborhoods, power is delivered via alleyways. We ensure your service mast and weatherhead are secure and protected from accidental damage by passing trucks or vegetation, a common issue in dense residential areas.

Technical Breakdown: Devices & Infrastructure

To better communicate with your Long Beach electrical service provider, it helps to know the terminology of the devices in your home.

Dedicated Circuits

A dedicated circuit serves only one specific appliance. In Long Beach homes, these are critical for:

• Air Conditioning: Essential for inland neighborhoods like Bixby Knolls and North Long Beach.
• Electric Dryers: 240V circuits for laundry.
• Hot Tubs: Requires a dedicated 50-60 amp circuit with a disconnect switch.
• Commercial Kitchen Equipment: For our restaurant clients.

Outlets (Receptacles)

GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter): Mandatory in kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor areas. These prevent shock by cutting power if water is detected. In dock wiring, specialized marine-grade GFCIs are required.AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter): These prevent fires by detecting dangerous sparking in the walls. They are required by Long Beach code for most living areas during panel upgrades or renovations.USB Outlets: We can upgrade your standard outlets to include USB-A and USB-C ports, perfect for charging devices in home offices or kitchen islands.

Wiring Systems

Romex (NM Cable): The standard for modern interior wiring. Conduit (EMT/Rigid): In Long Beach, you will often see metal conduit on the exterior of homes or in garages. This protects wires from physical damage and is often required for outdoor runs. Ungrounded Cloth Wiring: Common in mid-century homes. We recommend upgrading these circuits to provide a true ground path for your electronics.

Electrical Panels

Main Breaker: The primary switch that cuts power to the entire property. Sub-Panels: Often found in garage conversions or ADUs. They distribute power to a specific area but are fed from the main panel. Meter Socket: The enclosure that holds the SCE meter. If this is rusted or damaged, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to replace it, not the utility’s.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

We understand that hiring an electrical company involves trust. Here are answers to common questions we receive from our Long Beach neighbors.

Do I need a permit for electrical work in Long Beach?

Yes. The City of Long Beach Development Services Department requires permits for most electrical work, including panel upgrades, rewiring, and installing new circuits for A/C or EV chargers. While minor repairs (like swapping a broken switch) may not, it is always best to check. Carter Electric handles the entire permitting and inspection process for you.

Can I do my own electrical work in a Historic District?

While homeowners can sometimes pull their own permits, working in a Historic District adds a layer of complexity. Exterior changes must comply with preservation guidelines. Furthermore, older homes often present hidden hazards. We strongly recommend hiring a licensed electrician who understands the nuances of working with historic lath-and-plaster construction.

What are the electrical requirements for an ADU?

Long Beach has specific requirements for ADUs. Generally, you will need a dedicated sub-panel, and if the ADU is a rental, a separate electric meter is highly recommended (and often required) to split the bill. The ADU must also meet Title 24 energy efficiency standards, which may include high-efficacy lighting and solar-ready infrastructure.

Why do my lights flicker when the washer runs?

This often indicates a loose neutral wire or an overloaded circuit. In older Long Beach homes, laundry circuits were sometimes shared with lights. The motor startup draws a surge of power, causing the voltage to drop momentarily. We can diagnose this and often solve it by running a dedicated circuit for your laundry appliances.

Is it safe to have original wiring in my 1920s home?

If the wiring is original knob-and-tube, it is considered obsolete and potentially unsafe. It lacks a ground wire and the insulation is likely brittle. Many insurance carriers will require it to be replaced. We can perform a safety inspection to determine the condition of your wiring and provide a plan for replacement if necessary.

How do I get power to my boat dock?

Running power to a dock requires strict adherence to Article 555 of the National Electrical Code (NEC). You need a dedicated circuit with ground fault protection, and the wiring must be rated for the marine environment. We specialize in safe dock power installations for Naples and Peninsula residents.

Ready to Power Your Project?

Whether you are restoring a Craftsman bungalow, outfitting a new warehouse, or simply need a ceiling fan installed, Carter Electric is here to help. We are proud to be the Long Beach electricians that this community relies on for safety, quality, and integrity.Contact Carter Electric Today Let us show you why we are the top-rated choice for electrical service in the LBC. Call us at (858) 278-7878Your Trusted Long Beach Electrical Contractor