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David Heintz
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A & H Electric Co.
3505 N. Loop 336 West
Conroe, Texas 77304
Office: (936) 756-0442

Category: sparking

Common Electrical Problems

Circuit Breakers, Electrical Safety, Light Bulbs, outlets, Power Outages, power surges, sparking

common electrical problems

Why do my lights flicker?

This problem can be caused by several factors including plugging in an appliance that temporary draws more power causing the lights to flicker. Flickering lights are also often indicative of a defective or loose light bulb. If replacing or tightening the bulb doesn’t solve the problem, it is best to consult a licensed electrician, for expert diagnosis. The fault may be in the light fixture or its connections.

What is a GFCI device?

A GFCI or GFI is short for ground fault circuit interrupter. This inexpensive device is designed to protect you from severe electrical shocks. Through constant monitoring, a GFCI device immediately shuts off an electrical power circuit when it detects a differing flowing current along an unintended path, such as through water or a person. It can also shut off when outlets are overloaded to prevent electrical fires.

Why did my circuit breaker trip?

A circuit breaker plays a vital role in ensuring your safety by protecting the home from an electrical overload, which could damage your appliances, and ultimately result in an electrical fire. There are two conditions for circuit breakers tripping: 1) overloading and 2) short circuiting. It is common for older breakers (those 15 to 20 years old) to trip more often than newer circuits.

Why do my electrical outlets spark?

A brief spark may occur when power is suddenly diverted to an appliance. This is totally normal. However, if too much heat builds up in an outlet, the insulation can melt causing the wires to become exposed and ultimately increasing the risk for an electrical fire. This is known as a short circuit. Installation of a GFCI can prevent the overheating of electrical outlets thus ensuring your safety.

Why do my bulbs keep burning out so fast?

If you find yourself constantly changing light-bulbs, – at a rate of one every few weeks – you may be using a bulb with a higher wattage than your light fixture can handle. Check your light fixtures to make sure you’re using the correct wattage light bulbs. Other common causes include: too much voltage coming into your house, tightly screwed in light-bulbs, too much vibration, and poorly installed fixtures.

Flickering Lights: Why Do My Lights Flicker?

Electrical Safety, Lighting, power surges, sparking

 

flickering lights
{Image Source: pixabay.com}

Do the lights in your home flicker? Flickering lights don’t always signify a serious issue with your electrical system but it is still a situation that necessitates attention. If you’re dealing with flickering lights, it’s best to call a licensed electrician to check it out, as electrical work can be risky.

As with any problem, the best way to diagnose it is to start with the simplest and least expensive possibilities first, and then work your way towards more complex problems. The following causes of flickering lights can help you narrow down what might be going on with your electrical system.

Causes of Flickering Lights

1) Loose Light Bulb

If only one light bulb is flickering, then the issue likely begins and ends with that particular bulb, which makes remedying the situation quite simple. If a light bulb becomes loose, the connection socket becomes compromised, causing the bulb to receive inadequate voltage.

With the light fixture off, make sure the bulb is tight. Sometimes it helps to unscrew the bulb completely and re-screw it back in. Turn the light fixture back on. Does it still flicker? Then replace that particular bulb with a new one. If the problem persists, the issue lies elsewhere.

2) Faulty Switch or Connection

Outlet switches and light fixtures weren’t designed to last forever. If just one light seems to be flickering, try investigating the light switch itself, by switching the light on and off a few times to see if the flickering stops. If the flickering persists, you may have a faulty switch or connection, which will need to be troubleshooted and repaired by a certified electrician.

3) Voltage Fluctuations

If you notice your lights flickering on a regular basis, something may be interfering with the power supply, causing your home’s voltage to fluctuate. It’s important to take note of when the flickering occurs (i.e. during inclement weather, when the AC or heater kicks on, etc.) and provide this information to your electrician.

4 Electrical Issues That You Can Troubleshoot in Your Home

A&H Electric, Circuit Breakers, Electrical, Electricity 101, Home, Lighting, outlets, sparking

Most electrical problems need to be handled by a licensed electrician, like the ones at  A&H Electric.  If you are not a qualified professional, a mistake could be made that could cause an electrical fire and the results could be disastrous!  Every year many house fires are caused by improper electrical wiring, so if you aren’t sure, don’t try to fix it yourself.  There are, however, a few problems that can be safely solved with a little bit of troubleshooting.

“4 Electrical Issues That You Can Troubleshoot in Your Home”Continue reading

Why is my outlet sparking when I plug in something?

A&H Electric, Home, outlets, sparking

A&H Electricians in Houston TexasCauses of Outlets Sparking

Not many people think about it but outlets are one of the most important features in a house; they provide electrical power to all the appliances and electronics in your home.  We’re sure that you have had the experience of plugging a cord into an outlet and it sparks.  There are many reasons why this could happen and none of them are good; this could lead to an electrical fire.  Make sure that if an outlet ever sparks to contact an electrician right away.

Exposed Wiring

The sparking could be caused by exposed wiring this means that the insulation around the wiring has deteriorated or is missing for some reason. These exposed wires touching each other can cause short circuits and sparking.

Improper Wiring

Improper wiring is also a very strong possibility if you are getting sparking in an outlet; this could mean that the terminal wiring is loose or the internal contact is poor.  If the outlet feels hot to the touch this may be the cause of the sparking. Remember that these are just some of the things that might be causing sparking.  You should leave any actual electrical work to a certified professional electrician.

Overloaded Receptacle

Sparking could also be caused by an overloaded receptacle.  Outlets are designed to have two plugs in them so if you have multiple adapters or converters plugged in this could cause instability in the outlet.  If this is the case, try using surge protectors instead.