Residential Electrical Troubleshooting in South Jersey

You might laugh off your flickering lights as signs of a haunted house, but there’s typically a more rational explanation. Flickering lights can range from being harmless, like a loose light bulb or a bulb nearing its lifespan, to being a symptom of a potentially dangerous issue.

A few serious causes might include:

• Old, corroded, or loose electrical wiring
• Voltage fluctuations
• Overloaded circuits
• Defective light switches
• Faulty or loose electrical outlets

Risk vs Harmless:

Any faulty electrical connection can trigger electrical arching, leading to overheating, sparking, and even the risk of an electrical fire.

The Solution:

Our licensed electricians are adept at electrical troubleshooting. Even if you pinpoint the problem, it’s strongly advised to leave the repair to the professionals.

Whether wiring upgrades, a circuit panel upgrade, or lighting upgrades, our team of certified electricians has covered it.

For an in-depth understanding of why your lights might be flickering and the appropriate actions for each potential problem, check out our blog post, “Why Are My Lights Flickering?”

Occasional vs Persistent Flickering or Dimming Lights:

Flickering lights occur sporadically, once or twice a day, and then become more frequent. Alternatively, they could persist all the time without any apparent reason. If you observe unusual changes in the frequency and intensity of the flickering, it’s a sign that something needs to be pinpointed and fixed before the problem escalates.

Ever plugged in an electrical cord and noticed these warning signs?

• The cord is loose and nearly falling out
• The electrical outlet isn’t working
• The outlet feels unsteady and wobbles

Such symptoms could indicate the need to call an electrician to repair or replace the outlet, maintaining the safety and functionality of your home.

Risk vs Harmless:

A loose outlet can, over time, disconnect its connected wires. This could result in an electrical short circuit, sparking, and even pose a potential fire hazard – a dire situation you’d want to prevent.

Solution:

Start by switching off the circuit breaker linked to the loose outlet on your main electrical panel. Following that, contact our bonded and certified electricians.

Should a repair be unfeasible for your loose electrical outlet, we can install a top-quality, safe, and energy-efficient replacement.

Our team at DK Electrical Solutions thrives on electrical troubleshooting. We can thoroughly inspect all your home’s electrical outlets to safeguard their operational safety.

Additionally, you’ll receive proficient advice on enhancing and updating your electrical systems, if required, with utmost simplicity and minimal disruption.

Normal appliances might generate some heat during operation, but your electrical outlets should never feel warm to the touch.

Immediate action should be taken to unplug electrical cords if:

• The outlet feels warm or hot
• There’s a burning smell or smoke
• The electrical outlet is loose or wobbly
• The plug is loose or sags when inserted

Risk vs Harmless:

Warm or hot electrical outlets are not to be taken lightly as they pose serious safety concerns. Overheated outlets and switches can ignite electrical fires. Needless to say, an electrical component that shouldn’t be hot but is, represents a grave concern.

Solution:

Immediately remove all appliances from the offending outlet and turn off its associated circuit at the mains.

In the case of switches, turn off the switch and its circuit at the mains, then call an electrician. Resist the urge to attempt DIY electrical repairs.

Our initial step is to perform electrical troubleshooting. Once we’ve identified the problem, we can suggest the most suitable course of action to rectify the issue.

A repeatedly tripping breaker could be a signal of various issues, including:

• Overloaded circuit – excessive electricity flow
• An electrical short somewhere in the system
• Damage or defects in equipment causing a ground fault

Sometimes, the key offenders may be the appliances plugged in, such as a hairdryer, heater, or microwave, which may draw excessive power, causing the breaker to trip.

However, if the breaker continues to trip irrespective of the various appliances plugged in, it could suggest a short in the wiring or outlet.

Risk vs Harmless:

A tripped breaker can be harmless if a single appliance is the source of the problem. Simply avoid using that appliance on that particular outlet. But, if the breaker continues to trip, it’s time to call in an electrician to check the circuit and prevent potential electrical hazards.

Solution:

If the breaker doesn’t consistently trip, you can reset the breaker and continue normal use. But, if the tripping persists, it could indicate a short in the wiring or another potentially dangerous issue. In such cases, always seek professional help.

Most of us have experienced an electrical shock at some point, usually when we touch an improperly grounded metal object.

Modern 3-prong outlets are grounded and considerably safer. However, if your home still houses older 2-prong outlets, an electrical shock can sometimes be a risk.

In such cases, electrical troubleshooting of your home’s wiring may be required, especially if the wiring doesn’t have a safe way to neutralize (or ground) any stray current.

Alternatively, it could be a case of your electrical system being ungrounded despite having three-prong receptacles. In this scenario, you need an electrician to correctly ground the three-prong outlets.

If outlet replacement is necessary, inquire about the types of electrical outlets available with your electrician.

Risk vs Harmless:

Any electrical shock, no matter how minor it seems, should be regarded as a serious issue. If left unchecked, it could escalate into a much larger hazard.

Solution:

If you experience any kind of electrical shock when touching electrical outlets, appliances, or other fixtures connected to your home’s wiring, contact us immediately. Refrain from touching the problematic area and don’t attempt to fix it yourself. Let the professionals handle it.

Any burning smell linked with an electrical fixture in your home rings a loud alarm bell of something being significantly off.

You need to immediately address the issue and call an electrician if:

• Your home’s electrical outlets are hot or heating up
• You detect a smell of melted plastic or wiring
• Smoke is coming from an outlet or appliance
• You suspect the smell is emerging from within your walls (indicating wiring issues)

Risk vs Harmless:

As the saying goes, ‘where there’s smoke, there’s fire.’ A burning smell could certainly signify risk and potentially lead to an electrical fire.

Solution:

Switch off the relevant circuit at the main breaker and disconnect all connected appliances.

Even better, turn off all your circuit mains. Then, step back and call an emergency electrician. If the burning smell continues or you spot smoke or fire, evacuate everyone from the house and dial 911.

You might be familiar with the slight tingle experienced when touching one of your electrical devices. While a mild electric shock might appear trivial, it’s an indication of a flaw either in your home’s internal wiring or a network fault at the point where power lines interface with your property. Such issues demand immediate attention.

Risk vs Harmless:

Even a mild electric shock is a warning sign of an underlying electrical issue and should not be dismissed as harmless.

Solution:

Promptly distance yourself from the problematic appliance and turn off the circuit connected to it, if possible. It’s essential to contact a professional electrician to assess the situation and implement the necessary repairs. Never ignore such signs or try to fix them without professional assistance.

Have you noticed a warm sensation or signs of burns on the wall plate when you install a new light or plug in your coffee maker? If so, it could signal that an excessive amount of electrical current is flowing through it. Such symptoms require the immediate attention of a specialist.

Risk vs Harmless:

Warm or discolored wall plates are not harmless; they signify excessive current that, if left unchecked, could lead to more severe electrical problems.

Solution:

If you detect any warmth or discoloration on your wall plates, discontinue the use of any appliances connected to them, and switch off the related circuit, if possible. You should promptly reach out to a professional electrician to examine the situation and implement appropriate corrective actions. Don’t ignore these signs or attempt to address them without expert help.

When a light fixture is overlamped, meaning a bulb with higher wattage than recommended is used, the socket, as well as the underlying wires, can become potential danger zones. Excessively drawn lamps tend to overheat at the socket, causing arcing, a situation where electric sparks are transmitted through the air between wires. Arcing is a primary cause of fires.

If you possess any light fixtures made before 1985, it’s recommended to use bulbs of 60 watts or less. For fixtures manufactured within the last 30 years, ensure to adhere to the wattage limit indicated on it.

Risk vs Harmless:

Overheated light sockets are not harmless and could lead to dangerous situations like fires due to arcing.

Solution:

If you detect any signs of overheating in your light sockets, promptly switch off the light fixture and remove the bulb. Reach out to a professional electrician to inspect the situation and rectify the problem. Always adhere to the wattage recommendations for your light fixtures to avoid such issues. Don’t ignore these signs or attempt to fix them without professional guidance.

Electric shocks, albeit mild, can be bothersome experiences that sometimes occur when certain light switches are flicked or appliances are used. The problem could originate from the power source or the device itself. If the issue persists with a specific device, it’s likely the root cause. However, if an outlet is causing shocks through multiple devices it powers, the issue probably lies with the power source. In this latter situation, it’s crucial to have a professional electrician check the matter.

Risk vs Harmless:

Even mild electric shocks are not harmless and often signify underlying electrical issues that could escalate into larger problems if left unaddressed.

Solution:

If you experience electrical shocks, steer clear of the problematic appliance or outlet, and turn off the circuit connected to it. Contacting a professional electrician to investigate the situation and implement the necessary fixes is essential. Pay attention to such occurrences or try to resolve them without professional aid.