10 Common Electrical Questions

With 51,000 fires every year being linked to electrical issues, it’s natural to be extra alert when you suspect an electrical problem in your home. For people with no background in the field, it can all see a little mysterious.

Read on to learn the 10 most common electrical questions people ask.

1. Why Aren’t My Outlets Working?

One of the most common reasons outlets stop working is that a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) has been triggered. If your electricity accidentally gets rerouted the wrong direction or too much power is coming through your system, this breaker will be triggered. Go to your circuit breakers and see if something needs to be switched.

2. Why Is My Light Flickering?

A common cause of flickering lights is that your bulbs are suffering from a bad connection. This could mean that you need to screw your bulbs in better.

It could also mean that you need to check for frayed wires along your line.

3. What About My Flickering LEDs?

LED lights have trouble dealing with the powerful alternating current coming from your walls. Often, they fall out of sync with your line and they might flicker. As technology improves, this problem will go away.

4. How Much Does It Cost To Upgrade My Old House?

An average single-family home wired decades or even a hundred years ago may not be built to handle all the needs of a modern family. Running a dishwasher, vacuum, and a few desktop computers can be a drag on an old system.

Whether you’re selling or staying in your home, there are a lot of good reasons to upgrade your home’s electrical wiring.

5. Why Do Breakers Keep Tripping?

Be sure you distribute your high energy devices across several circuits. Running too many appliances at the same time will cause shorts and surges.

6. How Much Will It Cost To Add Wiring To My Garage?

A shed or garage connected directly to the house is easier to wire than one that’s detached because you won’t need to run wires underground. Your power needs will determine price.

Consult with a professional to obtain pricing based on your specific wiring needs.

7. Why Did My Doorbell Stop Working?

If you have a circuit tester, see that your transformer is still working. Otherwise, your doorbell might have just aged out of its lifespan.

Most doorbells can be replaced easily with two low-voltage wires.

8. Should I Use CFLs?

Compact Fluorescent Lights are more energy efficient than traditional bulbs. This can save you money and lower your impact on the environment.

9. How Much Should A Fixture Installation Cost?

For a small, simple fixture you can pay as low as $20. But for something heavier and more robust like a ceiling fan, you’ll need to include supports so they’ll be an additional cost. The overall price of your fixture will depend on both the type of item and the necessary items needed for installation.

10. How Do I Find a Licensed Electrician To Answer My Electrical Questions?

If you’re in the Los Angeles area, contact us for information on finding a licensed electrician. With your family’s safety and the security of your home at stake, be sure you go with a licensed expert to answer your electrical questions.

Signal Alarms and Electric is an electrical contractor in Southern California providing full capacity electrical contracting services for new construction, renovations, tenant improvements, service upgrades, exterior, interior and landscape lighting, retrofits and service installations in the Southern California/Los Angeles County area.