Common Topics and Issues

Your electrical panel is the central distribution point for electricity throughout your home or business. Power enters the building through the electrical service and is divided into individual circuits protected by breakers.

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Modern electrical panels are designed to protect wiring and equipment from excessive electrical current. If your panel is outdated, damaged, overcrowded, or no longer large enough for your electrical needs, an evaluation or upgrade may be recommended.

A circuit breaker is designed to shut off power when it detects an unsafe amount of electrical current.

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A breaker may trip because of:

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• Too many devices operating on one circuit

• A short circuit

• A damaged appliance or piece of equipment

• A wiring problem

• A ground fault

• A failing breaker

 

An occasional trip caused by temporarily overloading a circuit may not indicate a major problem. However, a breaker that trips repeatedly should be inspected rather than continuously reset.

A Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter, commonly called a GFCI, is designed to quickly shut off electricity when it detects current flowing along an unintended path.

GFCI protection is commonly found in areas where electricity and moisture may be present, including:

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• Kitchens

• Bathrooms

• Garages

• Outdoor areas

• Crawl spaces

• Basements

• Laundry areas

 

If a GFCI outlet will not reset or continues to trip, there may be a problem with the outlet, wiring, or equipment connected to the circuit.

Occasional minor flickering can sometimes occur when large appliances or equipment start. However, frequent or severe flickering can indicate an electrical problem.

Possible causes include:

• Loose electrical connections

• Failing switches or dimmers

• Loose bulbs

• LED compatibility problems

• Overloaded circuits

• Service or utility issues

If multiple lights throughout the building flicker at the same time, the electrical service should be evaluated.