Electricity and the electrical industry are areas that generate a lot of questions from homeowners, and for good reason. Electricity can be dangerous causing costly damages or even bodily harm. We’ve seen and heard a lot over the years and wanted to share our experience with you. We compiled the following list of frequently asked questions to help you better understand the electricity in your house and how to keep yourself and your family safe. When in doubt, please consult with a licensed electrcian for help.

1. My Light Bulbs Blow Out Frequently, Should I be Concerned?

Yes! While there are several reasons this could be occurring, one particularly dangerous reason is that they’re overheating. Not only is it a pain to replace light bulbs constantly, but it is also a fire hazard. If you notice that your light bulbs are constantly blowing out it’s time to have a licensed electrician investigate.

2. Why Do My Lights Flicker?

Flickering lights are most commonly caused by an outdated electrical system. If this is true in your case, your electrical panel or wiring will need to be updated or replaced. Other causes of flickering lights include loose wires, an insufficient power supply, or another appliance on a circuit drawing too much power. A licensed electrician should be able to help you determine the cause.  

3. What’s A GFCI Outlet? 

A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is  an inexpensive electrical device that can either be installed in your electrical system or built into a power cord to protect you from severe electrical shocks. GFCI outlets should be installed in wet locations including unfinished basements, garages, and within six feet of sinks, kitchens, or bathrooms. A GFCI outlet has both a “test” button and a “reset” button on the face of the outlet. The “test” button will cause the GFCI outlet to trip, or turn off the power. The “reset” button will reset it, turning the power back on. If the outlet will not reset when the “reset” button is pressed, then you may need to have a licensed electrician investigate the problem.   

4. What’s the Difference Between Conventional Circuit Breakers and AFCI?

Conventional circuit breakers only respond to overloads and short circuits. They don’t protect against arcing conditions that produce erratic and often reduced currents. However, Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) are designed to protect against fires caused by arcing faults in electrical wiring. AFCIs are required in the United States for residential bedrooms. 

5. What’s the Difference Between A Fuse And A Circuit Breaker?

In general, a fuse and a circuit breaker disrupt the flow of electricity when a fault is sensed, however, a fuse will need to be replaced once it has tripped but a circuit breaker will not. Circuit breakers tend to be more common since they don’t need to be replaced as often. 

6. What Is A “Short” Or A “Short Circuit?”

When a “short circuit,” also known as a “short,” occurs the electoral wire has come into contact with the neutral or grounded conductor wire and produced excessive heat. You may even see sparks, scorch marks, or flames when a “short” happens. If there is any indication of burning you should contact a licensed electrician for help immediately.  

7. Some of My Outlets Aren’t Working, Should I Be Worried?

Outlets that aren’t functioning can be frustrating, but before you worry too much try this simple test. Find a small lamp or other electrical appliance with an indicator light and plug it into the outlet in question. Then, flip on all of the wall switches in the room. The lamp (or indicator light) may turn on because some outlets are controlled by a wall switch. If you can’t find a switch that operates the outlet, check around the room and see if other outlets or lights are out. Next, check the electrical panel to see if any circuits are tripped. If they are, reset the circuit breaker. If you’ve tried all of the wall switches and the circuit breaker and the outlet still isn’t working there may be a short in the system somewhere. A licensed electrician will be able to help you find it.

8. What Is Tripping My Circuit Breaker?

If you’re constantly resetting your circuit breaker you may have a serious problem that needs to be addressed by a licensed electrician. In general, the culprit of constant tripping is typically a power-hungry appliance like space heaters or air conditioners. Sometimes an appliance as small as a hairdryer will cause the breaker to trip. The solution can be as simple as increasing the rating of the circuit, for example, if a 15-amp circuit keeps tripping, then you may need to have it changed to a 20-amp. Changing circuits should only be done by a licensed electrician. 

9. Why is My Light Switch Hot?

If your light switch is hot to the touch you may have a serious issue that could lead to an electrical fire.  Please do not ignore warm light switches. Calling a licensed electrician as soon as possible could prevent a house fire. Some possible causes for the warm light switch are that the switch is being overloaded, the switch is failing, or there is faulty wiring.

10. Why Can’t I “DIY” Electrical Projects?

We advise against making electrical repairs a do-it-yourself project for many reasons. Please keep in mind that some electrical projects require a permit. Additionally, there is a large risk of being shocked or starting a fire when working with electrical wiring. Finally, attempting to do them yourself could cause serious damages to your home or even bodily injury. For your safety and for your wallet, we recommend calling a licensed electrician to perform any home electrical projects.