Having electrical troubleshooting problems with flickering lights, tripping breakers, and buzzing or hissing sounds can be a nuisance – but they are also potential fire hazards. This is true for most Orlando residents who have an abundance of air conditioning units, pool equipment and electronic appliances which generate a lot of electrical usage. Here we provide some common electrical trouble shooting & repair symptoms of your Orlando home that require a licensed electrician’s help and explain how they are different in your home compared to others in other locations.
Troubleshooting Flickering Light Fixtures – Understanding Common Causes
Troubleshooting flickering light fixtures is one of the most common electrical issues that a homeowner faces in their Orlando home. While most homeowners believe flickering light fixtures are caused by a burned-out light bulb; most of the time it is something much worse than that. Flickering light fixture troubleshooting in your Orlando home could reveal a variety of more complex electrical problems within your home’s wiring system.
Some of the most common reasons for flickering light fixtures are:
- Loose electrical connections
- Overloaded electrical circuits
- Bad lighting fixtures
- Voltage variations (variations in voltage)
- Corrosion within the electrical wiring system
- Old electrical panels
While some Orlando homes, particularly those built prior to the advent of modern electrical codes, may experience flickering light fixtures because of worn insulation or unsafe aluminum wiring; in new construction homes, flickering light fixtures may be caused by overloaded electrical circuits from the addition of an electric vehicle charger, additional HVAC equipment or other new electrical appliances.
Why Flickering Light Fixtures Can Cause Fires
Loosened electrical connections produce heat. Heat produces fires. What starts out as a flickering light fixture may soon develop into a heated electrical wire or a fire in the walls of your home – typically with little to no warning.
When to Call an Electrician for Electrical Troubleshooting Problems
You should never ignore:
- When the flickering occurs at the same time as you use electrical appliances.
- When the flickering occurs in more than one room.
- When there is buzzing or popping in conjunction with flickering.
- When you have flickering along with breaker trips.
All of these situations are indicative of a serious electrical troubleshooting problem requiring immediate attention from a licensed electrician.
Finding An Electrician for Tripping Breaker in Orlando – What Your Home May Be Telling You
Breakers are installed to protect your home from the dangers of electrical shock, overheating and fire. When a breaker keeps shutting off, it is not malfunctioning – it is doing its job and protecting your home and your family.
If you are searching for an electrician for tripping breaker in Orlando, here are some possible explanations for this behavior in your home.
Common Reasons for Breakers to Trip in Orlando Homes
- Overloaded electrical circuits
- Short circuits
- Ground faults
- Damaged wiring
- Outdated electrical panels
- Faulty appliances
Most Orlando homes were not originally wired to support today’s level of electrical consumption. With the addition of items such as hot tubs, pool pumps, smart devices and electric vehicle charging stations, most homes are consistently overloading their electrical systems.
Dangers of DIY Solutions to Tripping Breaker Issues
Homeowners commonly attempt to “fix” a tripping breaker issue by:
- Increasing the size of the breaker
- Frequently resetting the breaker
- Placing electrical appliances in another location
All of these actions are extremely hazardous. By increasing the breaker size without upgrading the electrical circuit, you allow a large amount of heat to accumulate within the walls of your home – creating a potential fire hazard.
What an Experienced Licensed Electrician Will Do
An experienced licensed electrician will perform the following tasks to diagnose electrical problems and ensure your home is properly protected:
- Determine the maximum electrical load each circuit can carry
- Test the integrity of each circuit
- Check the condition of your electrical panel
- Identify damaged wiring within the walls
- Properly balance your electrical load
If your breaker continues to trip on a regular basis, it is no longer just a nuisance – it is a warning sign.
Repairing an Electrical Outlet That Is Not Working – What Could Be Causing It
There is nothing quite as annoying as finding out an electrical outlet has suddenly stopped working. Most homeowners put off contacting an electrician for electrical outlet not working repair, assuming it is a simple fix. However, dead outlets are often a symptom of a larger electrical problem with the wiring in your home.
Possible Causes of an Electrical Outlet Stopping to Work
- A tripped GFCI outlet upstream
- Loosened electrical connections
- Burnt electrical terminal ends
- Defective electrical outlet
- Broken circuit wire
- Rodent-damaged wiring
- Moisture-exposed outlets
Dead outlets commonly occur in kitchens, bathrooms, garages and outside areas due to the presence of moisture and high electrical usage.
Red Flags Indicating a Hazardous Outlet Failure
- Burning odor coming from the outlet
- Warm or hot electrical outlet plate
- Visible burn marks
- Cracking, popping or buzzing sounds
- Intermittent function of the outlet
Any of these warning signs are indicative of internal arcing, which is a primary source of residential electrical fires.
Electrical Troubleshooting & Repair in Orlando – Why Local Expertise Matters
As mentioned previously, Orlando homes present a number of unique electrical challenges. Due to high levels of humidity in the area, frequent thunderstorms and older home stock, the likelihood of electrical issues occurring in Orlando homes is greater than in most other cities.
To address electrical troubles in an Orlando home, it is essential that the electrician has a deep understanding of Florida state electrical codes, experience dealing with storm-related surges and knowledge of older homes featuring aluminum and cloth wiring.
Additionally, a knowledgeable licensed electrician in Orlando will have expertise in installing modern electrical panels and calculating proper electrical loads for modern appliance demands.
Not Only Safer – More Affordable Long-Term
While many homeowners delay calling an electrician to perform electrical troubleshooting & repair in Orlando due to concerns about cost, waiting to perform electrical repairs usually results in a more costly repair down the road.
Waiting too long to perform electrical repairs will result in:
- Wider repair zones
- Panel replacement as opposed to circuit repair
- Damage to appliances
- Additional expenses related to repairing fires
- Claims filed with insurance companies resulting in increased premiums
- Higher long-term repair costs
Early electrical troubleshooting & repair is less expensive and provides peace-of-mind knowing that your home is safe from electrical fires.
Red Flags Indicating You Must Contact an Electrician Now in Orlando
You should contact an electrician right away if you notice:
- Flickering lights in multiple rooms
- Daily breaker trips
- Buzzing or sizzling from electrical outlets or panels
- Warm or burning odors emanating from electrical outlets or panels
- Sparking or discoloration of electrical outlets
- Partial loss of electrical power throughout the home
Any of these indicators signify an electrical emergency – do not wait for a small electrical problem to escalate into a disaster.
Protecting Your Orlando Home with Preventive Electrical Inspections
Annual electrical inspections for homes over 20 years old are highly recommended – especially for homes located in Orlando that consume a high volume of electricity, including EV charging, pool pumps, and heavy HVAC loads.
Final Thoughts – Avoid Waiting for a Minor Electrical Issue to Become a Catastrophe
If your home exhibits signs of:
- Flickering lights
- Tripping breakers
- Dead or buzzing outlets
Your home is sending you warning signals. Prompt electrical troubleshooting & repair will protect your family, property and investment.
No matter what type of electrical service you need in Orlando – whether it is electrical troubleshooting for flickering light fixtures, an experienced electrician for tripping breaker in Orlando or quick electrical outlet not working repair – taking care of electrical issues immediately will prevent thousands of dollars in potential damages and possibly save lives.
Electrical problems cannot be ignored. The faster you get them diagnosed, the safer your home will be.
