As a home or business owner, you’ll likely have to deal with electrical wiring at some point. There are a few common electrical service FAQs that you may have about your electrical panels, wiring, outlets, circuit breakers, or fuses.

In this article, we’ll discuss frequently asked questions we get about electrical wiring, and when to know to get a professional electrician involved!

Why do my lights flicker?

One of the common signs you’re dealing with an electrical wiring issue is when you start experiencing flickering lights within your home or business.

There are several reasons why flickering lights can occur. For example, your flickering lights could be a result of a:

• Loose or defective light bulb
• Overloaded circuit
• Faulty switch or outlet
• Issue with the electrical panel

If you’re seeing persistent flickering, we recommend contacting a professional electrician to help resolve the issue.

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Related: 10 Important Questions to Ask Your Electrician

What is the difference between a GFCI outlet and a standard outlet?

A GFCI outlet, otherwise known as a ground-fault circuit interrupter, is designed specifically to protect against electric shock by monitoring the electrical current. If there is any imbalance, the GFCI outlet will detect it and shut off the power to prevent electrical shocks from occurring. You should have a GFCI outlet installed in any area of your home or business where there is water. These include bathrooms, kitchens, unfinished basements, or outdoor areas.

By comparison, a standard outlet does not have this feature. This makes standard outlets more susceptible to electrical shocks.

What causes a short circuit?

A short circuit happens whenever a hot wire touches a neutral wire. This causes a sudden increase in electrical current, which can lead to wires overheating and potentially starting a fire.

It’s important to have a professional electrician assess for damaged wires, faulty appliances, or any improperly installed electrical components to ensure your safety.

How do you reset your circuit breaker?

Has your circuit breaker tripped? Any time your circuit breaker trips, it just means that there has been an overload on the circuit. It’s pretty straightforward to reset the circuit breaker.

To fix, all you need to do is turn off all the electrical appliances on the affected circuit. Then find the tripped breaker in your electrical panel and switch it back to the “on” position.

If the circuit breaker continues to trip, it’s a sign that you should be hiring an electrician to resolve the issue.

What’s the difference between a fuse and a circuit breaker?

Both fuses and circuit breakers are safety devices that protect electrical systems from overloading.

The main difference is that fuses are meant for being a one-time use device that will need to be replaced after they “blow,” whereas circuit breakers can simply be reset after tripping. Additionally, circuit breakers can detect smaller overloads than fuses.

When should you call an electrician?

You should contact a professional electrician any time you experience any of the following issues:

• Continuous flickering lights
• Frequent power outages
• Burning smells or visible damage to outlets or wiring
• Frequent tripping circuit breakers
• Blown fuses
• Electrical shocks or tingling sensations when touching appliances or outlets
• High electric bill

In addition, you should contact an electrician whenever you need routine electrical maintenance services, you’re planning on winterizing your business, or your electrical systems need an upgrade.

Read more here for when you should hire a commercial electrician for an inspection.

Should I try to handle electrical wiring myself?

Lastly, let’s talk about whether you should handle electrical wiring yourself, or if you should get a professional involved.

Prior to starting any DIY electrical work, it’s important to understand the potential risk involved. Even if you’re already comfortable working with electricity, there are still some tasks that are best left with a professional.

For example, many electrical wiring projects require a permit, so you should always hire an expert to prevent injury or damage to your property.

It’s also worth noting that incorrect installation now could lead to electrical problems in the future. As a result, it’s best to avoid additional expenses and have a professional handle it right away.

The Benefits of Hiring Professional Electricians

Hiring an electrician can take the headache out of handling the work yourself. (Read more here about the dangers and reasons why you shouldn’t DIY electrical work yourself.)

Also, contacting a licensed professional ensures that all electrical work is conducted with the proper equipment and to code. Here are 5 benefits of hiring a reputable electrical contractor.

At Suburban Enterprises, our staff includes a team of licensed electricians with years of dedicated experience to performing work on electrical systems, from simple residential electrical panels, to complex commercial and industrial electrical setups, to yearly maintenance and repair for manufacturers.

Each team member has the training and experience to diagnose and fix any electrical issue. Our experts can also provide advice for improving your electrical system, which may help you save on your energy bill. Take a look at all our electrical services here.

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