- November 25, 2025
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When it comes to protecting your home, family, and electrical system, few upgrades are as important as properly installed outlets, switches, and safety-rated GFCI/AFCI devices. Dan Matthews Electric provides licensed, code-compliant outlet and switch installation for homeowners throughout Morgan Hill, Gilroy, San Jose, Hollister, and surrounding California communities. Whether you’re updating an older home, remodeling a room, replacing outdated outlets, or improving safety around water-prone areas, Dan delivers expert workmanship, accurate troubleshooting, and dependable results backed by over 7 years of residential electrical experience and more than 35 years of electronics troubleshooting and design background.
As a licensed California electrician (License #102855) and FCC General Class License holder, Dan personally performs or supervises all electrical installations, ensuring that every outlet and switch meets today’s strict code requirements, performs reliably, and fits the needs of your household.
Electrical outlets and switches are used daily but often overlooked until they fail, become loose, or pose a safety hazard. Modern homes require safer, more efficient components than those installed decades ago. Upgrading provides critical benefits, including:
Older outlets may lack proper grounding, show signs of overheating, or fail to protect against electrical shock. GFCI and AFCI installations significantly reduce fire and shock risks.
Smart appliances, chargers, kitchen equipment, and electronics require stable, high-quality power.
Homes without required GFCI/AFCI protection may fail inspections or delay property sales.
USB outlets, dimmer switches, smart switches, and tamper-resistant outlets make daily living easier and safer.
Loose outlets, worn switches, and outdated wiring are among the top causes of electrical fires in older California homes.
Dan Matthews Electric ensures every upgrade is completed accurately, safely, and in full compliance with California electrical code requirements.
A Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet is designed to shut off power instantly if it detects moisture or an imbalance in the electrical current. California code requires GFCI protection in:
If your home has older two-prong outlets or unprotected circuits, Dan can upgrade them quickly and safely. This is one of the most important home safety improvements you can make—especially in older Morgan Hill and Gilroy homes built before modern electrical standards.
An Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) outlet or breaker helps prevent electrical fires caused by:
California requires AFCI protection in many living areas, including bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and hallways. Dan provides:
With decades of diagnostic experience, Dan quickly identifies and resolves wiring problems that others often miss.
Dan Matthews Electric offers complete outlet and switch installation services, including:
Add power where you need it—kitchens, garages, home offices, or outdoor areas.
If your outlets are loose, hot to the touch, or discolored, they need immediate attention.
Standard, three-way, smart switches, dimmers, timers, and motion-sensor switches.
Ideal for home automation and energy efficiency.
Perfect for modern device-heavy homes.
Required in homes with children or per updated code.
Safe, durable installations for patios, gardening, and holiday lighting.
Moisture-prone rooms require specialized outlets with proper safety protection.
Dan uses only high-quality components and performs all installations meticulously to ensure long-lasting performance.
Dan Matthews Electric is not a big company with rotating crews—you work directly with Dan, the licensed electrician performing the work. This ensures:
7 years of residential electrical experience and 35 years in electronics troubleshooting and design.
Every installation is done right the first time or corrected immediately.
You only pay for time and materials on T&M projects, with full transparency.
Every outlet, switch, and protective device is installed to meet or exceed today’s electrical standards.
Deep knowledge of wiring conditions in older California homes.
Dan personally performs or supervises all work—never subcontracted.
Protect your home, improve convenience, and ensure every outlet and switch operates safely. Whether you’re upgrading for safety, remodeling, troubleshooting issues, or preparing a home for sale, Dan Matthews Electric provides reliable, detail-focused service you can trust.
📞 Call today to schedule an appointment
📍 Serving Morgan Hill, Gilroy, San Jose, Hollister & nearby areas
🔧 Licensed Electrician – CA License #102855
With 7 years of residential electrical experience and over 35 years of advanced electronics troubleshooting and design, Dan delivers precise, dependable workmanship on every project. As a licensed California electrician (License #102855) and FCC General Class License holder, he personally performs or supervises all work to ensure safety, code compliance, and customer satisfaction.
A standard outlet provides basic power, while a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlet is designed to shut off power instantly when it detects a ground fault—protecting you from shock. GFCI outlets are required in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, outdoor areas, and anywhere near water. If your home still has standard outlets in wet locations, upgrading is an important safety improvement.
AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets or breakers detect electrical arcing—one of the leading causes of house fires. Modern electrical codes require AFCI protection in many areas of a home, such as bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, and common areas. If your home was built before AFCI requirements, upgrading helps prevent wiring-related fires and improves overall electrical safety.
You should consider replacing outlets or switches if you notice:
Loose plugs or flickering lights
Outlets that feel warm to the touch
Cracked or discolored faceplates
Frequently tripping breakers
Two-prong outlets with no grounding
Buzzing, sparking, or unusual odors
Any of these symptoms may indicate electrical damage or unsafe wiring—a licensed electrician should inspect the circuit immediately.
It is not recommended. While DIY installation videos may make it look simple, GFCI/AFCI wiring can be complicated. Incorrect installation can:
Disable the safety function
Leave downstream outlets unprotected
Create fire or shock hazards
Violate California electrical code
A licensed electrician ensures that the outlet is wired correctly, tested properly, and meets current NEC safety standards.
Most single outlet or switch replacements take 10–20 minutes, while GFCI and AFCI devices may take longer due to extra wiring and testing. Larger upgrade projects—such as replacing all outlets in a room or home—typically take 2–4 hours, depending on wiring condition.
Small, blue sparks can be normal when appliances with motors are plugged in.
However, large or frequent sparks may indicate:
Loose wiring connections
Worn-out outlets
Overloaded circuits
Faulty appliances
Moisture inside the receptacle
A sparking outlet is a major fire hazard and should be inspected right away.
Yes—many California homes still have:
Two-prong outlets with no ground
Old switches without modern safety features
No GFCI in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, or outside
No AFCI protection in bedrooms or living areas
Upgrading these systems improves safety, prevents electrical fires, and may be required for home insurance or real estate inspection.
Common causes include:
Tripped breaker
Tripped GFCI upstream
Loose or burned wiring
Faulty outlet
Bad switch controlling the outlet
Overloaded circuit
If resetting the breaker or GFCI doesn’t fix it, a professional inspection is recommended.
The National Electrical Code does not mandate a specific number, but most electricians recommend no more than 8–10 outlets per 15-amp circuit to prevent overloads. Homes with high-demand appliances may require additional circuits.
Pricing depends on the type of device, wiring condition, and installation complexity. On average:
Standard outlets/switches: $50–$100 each
GFCI outlets: $90–$150 each
AFCI outlets or breakers: $150–$250 each
Dan Matthews Electric provides upfront pricing, no surprises, and 100% customer-satisfaction-backed work.
Dan Matthews Electric is a licensed, locally owned electrical service provider serving Morgan Hill, Gilroy, San Jose, Hollister, and surrounding areas. With over 7 years of hands-on residential electrical experience and 35+ years of electronics troubleshooting expertise, we are committed to delivering safe, reliable, and code-compliant work. Every project is handled personally or directly supervised by Dan to ensure quality, honesty, and customer satisfaction.