Magic City Electric

08/29/2026

08/22/2026

Article 210.12 of the national electric code highlights where AFCI protection is required. Since the introduction of AFCI protection, it had the industry stumbling on tripped breakers , but why !? Over the years I have witnessed excellent electricians complete an installation only to have “phantom” tripped breakers occasionally shutting down circuits , did the electrician suddenly forget his trade ? What changed ? While we navigated through new products and technology , things seemed to get better , however , with one step forward we often take two steps back , simple cuts in insulation can cause a AFCI breaker to trip , is that a bad thing ? We simply don’t know , but AFCI breakers are designed to reduce the potential for fire. the AFCI breaker is detecting something wrong in the circuit and that means it’s doing its job , however, simple mistakes such as this in the video can cause a major issue when hunting for the problem, imagine disassembling this entire circuit, looking for a fault that doesn’t physically show up easily, that means disassembling receptacles , lighting fixtures, switches, etc basically anything associated with that circuit and ( behind that heavy dresser )just to find one nicked wire. A even bigger issue , is wire or a cable assembly hidden behind a wall that is damaged . This is the real world issues , of finding that “ nuisance” tripped breaker , they can be extremely difficult to find , unfortunately , there is a lot of labor spent researching the circuit, and troubleshooting. This is just something to consider if you have ever experienced a tripped breaker , there typically is an issue somewhere in the circuit. My next video I want to show reset practice of some of the common brands of AFCI breakers whether you are a customer of Magic City Electric or not, the information is useful and free and hope it helps in your next electrical dilemma , knowledge is valuable ! 701-240-3023

08/18/2026

A little attic action , remodels require unique attention!701-240-3023

08/10/2026

Happy Birthday too us! Magic City Electric turns 4 years old! Thank you to our excellent customers, it truly has been a pleasure serving you. As we continue to grow, we are acquiring tooling and infrastructure to make our services expand! Thank you for the support and patronage the past four years and we’re looking forward to serving the community for many more! 701-240-3023

08/05/2026

Kitchen remodel time! Pulling cable for those new canless LED wafer lights. Stayed tuned for the before and after photos! Remodels are always tricky but with careful planning and a vision this one will be the update this home needs. Let’s talk about your project!

Call 701-240-3023
Our Service Is Magic

08/01/2026

Look what we found this week! “We don’t have any power in the entire house.“ After a short conversation with the homeowner there are 20 different scenarios that play out in my head that could trip a main breaker. Meter socket lug burnt out? Overloaded? Main breaker lug burn up? Short in a branch circuit? All possibilities. A short in a branch circuit is not unheard of to trip a main breaker. A panel that is loaded heavily with a branch circuit fault can easily trip a main breaker, However, here is a bit of advice even as a homeowner, it’s a common analogy that there is a “bad breaker“ it happens but unlikely in most cases. Breakers typically trip because there is an issue in the curcuit somewhere. Occasionally a breaker can go bad, that’s not unheard of. The job of a breaker is to open the circuit because of overcurrent or a direct short. Failure to open the circuit can become a huge fire risk and simply damage the integrity of the circuit and its components.

In this photo I will point out several items that Magic City Electric does not install. One, this is solid conductor to a AC unit, meaning AC units are high vibration, stranded conductors are more flexible aiding in “go with the flow“. So to speak, in layman’s terms, it’s much more forgiving to flex with the vibration the motor and appliance will produce keeping a strong and secure connection that will not vibrate loose. Besides the frost and heat of an outdoor appliance that does not use a footing, it will move ND. Oh yes! Guaranteed!

Two, this unit was wired with NM cable, again a solid conductor cable assembly, the paper sheath and outside jacket of NM cable is not manufactured to withstand moisture. Ultimately, over time, the insulation will break down and fail. This is a violation of the national electric code because the raceway to the unit is considered a damp location. NM cable is only for indoor use. This wasn’t uncommon behavior back in the day however, upon discussion and further failures, shock hazards, and potential for fire, the code making panelists detailed this topic and it is not allowed .

Three, this is a easy solution and Magic City Electric always installs special made whips for these AC units. There are several options to make this code compliant. At Magic City Electric every new installation I provide the correct wiring method, stranded THWN insulation on conductors and the most presentable, service friendly installation. I provide craftsmanship and exceed code minimums on every installation, so electrical codes are surpassed and safety is not compromised.

In short (pardon the pun) the equipment grounding conductor (bare copper) was in contact with both energized lines that feed into the appliance, causing a line to line short that shut off power to the entire house. In less than a hour this was a pretty simple fix and we had the problem solved, power on, and the AC running again before this crazy hot weather continues.

“Our Service is Magic“ 701-240-3023

07/18/2026

North Dakota State Fair Parade - 2026

07/08/2026

Don’t Goof around with your wiring , call Magic City Electric! 701-240-3023

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1AGtw8s6e1/?mibextid=wwXIfr

07/04/2026

Happy 4th of July!

Today we celebrate the freedom, community, and spirit that make our country strong. We are grateful for our customers, friends, and neighbors who support us throughout the year.

Wishing everyone a safe, fun, and memorable Independence Day!

07/01/2026

Let’s talk about “ In use covers “aka “ bubble “ covers were required in 2002 the cover in this photo is made of metal . Due to our climate here in North Dakota the plastic models are almost a guarantee fail in the life of your outdoor receptacle, besides the frigid temperature , the UV light deteriorates the plastic and will eventually break causing your receptacle to be exposed to the elements, shorten its life , and become a shock hazard . Sure , I’ve installed plastic covers over the years and I will continue too if the customer requests it . However, Magic City Electric will install metal covers if no request for plastic is made . Sure they are bulky and every installation is dependent on the job at hand , but , here is a piece of advice worthy of your wallet , the safety of your Outdoor Receptacles ,
The performance of the “ In Use “ cover greatly depends on the gauge cord and confirm the plug your utilizing , some simply won’t allow the cover to close while ( in use )the frustration grows and the cover gets broken even after a gentle attempt to resolve the issue , metal covers are durable and can take more abuse , patience in opening them is a must , but your value will be in the purchase of a metal cover the first time vs replacement seasonally of a plastic cover ! I’ve been having great success and performance of the TaMac covers over the years and greatly recommend them . Wether you hire Magic City Electric to install them or not , inspect your covers this season prior to the winter ( the dreaded winter can be difficult to install with numb fingers ) a little preventative maintenance this summer or fall will reduce your outdoor cover troubles.. purchase metal covers the first time or replace with metal for their durability.
I ask you to take a look around while you’re out and about , count how many damaged covers you see ! Those are shock hazards, besides deteriorating the life of the receptacle! Call now to get your outdoor receptacles fixed up for the cold season ahead ! 701-240-3023