When is it time to call an electrician?


  • When you are resetting circuit breakers or changing fuses often.
  • When the air conditioner turns on and the lights dim in the home.   
  • Your lights are flickering or go on and off throughout the home.
  • When there is a burning smell in your home or at your electrical panel.   
  • If you have a Federal pacific or Zinsco electrical panel it is time to consider a panel upgrade.  


What areas of my house should be GFCI protected?


  • GFCIs should be installed in all wet locations including garages, anywhere outside the dwelling, within six feet of any sink, kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms.  


Is my Aluminum wiring safe?


  • Aluminum wiring is no longer permitted in the electrical code for 120v circuits in a home.
  • There are different options when being concerned about Aluminum wiring.
    • Rewire the entire home which can be very labor intensive and expensive
    • Electrically pig tailing the Aluminum to Copper switches and plugs/outlets.
    • Panel rejuvenations, circuit breaker change outs
    • A licensed professional should evaluate each situation on a case by case basis.  


What is the difference between conventional circuit breakers and an Arc Fault Breaker?


  • Conventional circuit breakers only respond to overloads and short circuits.
  • The Arc Fault Breaker (AFCI) circuitry continuously monitors the current and discriminates between normal and unwanted arcing conditions.


There is a humming noise coming from my panel. What does this mean?


  • This could be the result of a defective breaker or electrical short within the home. A licensed electrician should be called immediately because this could cause serious harm to electrical components.


What size electrical service panel do I need in at my home?


  • Electrical panels range from 100 – 400 amps.
  • The most common size electrical service is a 200 amp. A 200-amp electrical panel typically has 42 circuits and is needed to accommodate all the new electronic devices, air conditioning and electric systems a typical home has.  This also gives you some space for future additional circuits and expansion to your home.