As your trusted commercial, industrial and residential electrician, we’re not only here to answer your call – we’re here to answer your questions as well. Here you will find answers to some common electrical questions which are provided as an informational guide. For specific information and advice before performing any electrical work on your own, call Vertex Electric.
First check the light bulb. Make sure it’s in tight, hasn’t burnt out and replace if necessary. Sometimes outlets are controlled by a wall switch, check to see if this is the case and that the switch is turned on. It could also be a tripped breaker or GFCI outlet. Check and reset. If none of those did the trick, give us a call. We’d be happy to diagnose the issue.
A ground fault circuit interrupter, otherwise known as a GFCI, automatically shuts off an electrical circuit when it detects that the current isn’t flowing correctly and used when a receptacle is located in an area that could get damp, like a countertop or outdoors. If the reset button won’t work, unplug all the appliances on that circuit and then press the reset button. It should click. Plug your appliances and devices back in and they should work. If the reset is unsuccessful, you should also check the circuit breaker for a trip or try plugging in one device at a time in case there is an overload. If you still can’t get it to reset, call us to check the GFCI for issues.
Whole house surge protection allows you to protect all of your equipment at once from an external power surge rather than just the individual pieces that are plugged into a surge protector. It can be helpful if you have a lot of electronics or appliances and offers the best defense when used in conjunction with high quality point-of-use surge protectors.
Watch for signs of wear and tear. Plugs should fit snugly into the outlet. If your plugs are loose or fall out easily, it’s time to replace the receptacle. If the outlet ever feels hot or even warm or you notice a smell, you should immediately unplug anything plugged in, turn off the power and call Vertex Electric.
A tripped breaker is fairly common and actually means your circuit breaker is doing its job by protecting your wiring from overheating. To reset your circuit breaker safely, first disconnect any devices or appliances that may have caused the breaker to trip. Then inspect your breaker box to identify any switches that are out of place. Check that the switch is turned all the way off, then flip it back to its normal position. If this fails to reset the breaker, there may be a more serious problem which we can help you address.
Flickering or dimming lights can occur at the start of some appliances or motor-driven equipment such as an air conditioner or vacuum. It could also be an indication that your bulb is about to burn out. If you believe the flicker is caused by something else, check with your power company to see if there are any possible defects in your power supply or connection. If you still can’t determine what is causing the issue, contact Vertex Electric, your trusted, local electrician for help diagnosing the problem.
While the upfront cost of LED lights is higher, they are more efficient. Quality LED lights can last up to 50,000 hours compared to about 1,200 for incandescent. They also take less energy to operate, saving money and resources over time as well.
Lightbulbs can burn out quickly if they are not the proper wattage for the fixture or appliance. Exceeding the wattage rating to cause too much heat and burn the bulb out faster. Power surges, loose connections, vibrations and off-brand bulbs can also cause bulbs to not last as long.
Contact Vertex Electric today for a free estimate or to schedule a service visit.
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