Electrical Frequently Asked Questions
Electrical troubleshooting with your systems and appliances can be a pain. The electrical systems in homes are fundamental to our daily lives, powering everything from lights and appliances to heating and cooling units. These systems are designed to be reliable and long-lasting, often providing uninterrupted service for many years. Considering their constant usage and the critical role they play in maintaining a comfortable and functional home, their durability and resilience are quite remarkable.
When homeowners encounter electrical issues, they naturally become curious about how these essential systems work. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about residential electrical systems:
Is it normal for my lights to blink or flicker?
Occasional flickering is normal, especially in older homes, however constant flickering should be investigated due to the possibility of loose wires in the light or possibly the service panel.
Is it ok that my dimmer switch feels warm?
Yes it’s normal for switch to feel warm to the touch while in use, but it shouldn’t feel extremely hot. If it does have it checked out.
Why does my gfi outlet trip?
There are a few possibilities, such as a faulty appliance plugged into the outlet or an outlet down circuit. The outlet could be improperly installed or you could have loose or corroded wires or connections.
Do I need a bigger service for my house?
Very rarely does a house need a bigger sized service. You can get an upgrade with newer equipment and keep same breaker size. One of the only reasons that would come into play would be that you added major square footage to the house.
Why do my light bulbs keep blowing out?
There are a few reasons, such as overheating caused by replacing with wrong size. It could be a faulty light or connection, or vibrations from closing or slamming doors can cause filament in bulb to break.
Is that something my husband can do?
There are some minor things that can be done but the majority of electrical tasks should be done by an experienced electrician.
