You can check the list below and possibly save yourself a $150 service call from the electrician. The electrician does not like charging you a $150 to reset the circuit, reset a GFI or changing a burnt out light bulb. However, they have to paid for their knowledge, time and truck expenses coming to help you.

• No power in Part of the Building
  
• Kitchen Breaker Keeps Turning Off
  
• Garage and Outdoor Outlets not working
  
• Outlet or Switch is Hot to the Touch
  
• Power and Lights are Flickering On and Off
  
• Recessed Can Lights are Going On and Off

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A common reason that your outlet(s) or light(s) do not work is a tripped circuit breaker.  Circuit breakers trip when they are overloaded* or have short in the system. * Typical home electric outlet circuits are rated for a maximum of 15 amps (1,800 watts). Small portable 1,500 watt space heater (12.5 amps), window air conditioner (10-12 amps), 5 horse power 1,500 watt vacuum sweeper (12 amps) or portable 1,850 watt hair dryers (12-15 amps) added to the existing electrical load will cause the circuit breaker to trip and prevent a fire (unplug them and try to reset the breaker).

Solution: How to reset a circuit breaker. First thing is to check if someone has plugged in a new electrical load and unplug it. Now unplug other electric loads or appliances on that circuit as they may be causing the the overload or short on that breaker. To reset a circuit breaker it must first, be pushed all the way to the "off" position and then returned to the "on" position. If the circuit breaker trips again, call the electrician to find and correct the problem causing the tripping breaker. Please visit the Articles Page , Site Map or Forum for more updated information.

An electrician may charge you about $150 to just reset your breaker. Push it all the way OFF position and then to the back to ON position.

The typical kitchen outlet wiring is rated at 2,400 watts (20 amps ). If you turn on your coffee maker (1,500 watts) and starting making toast (1,500 watts) at the same time your circuit breaker reads a load of 3,000 watts (25 Amps) and the circuit breaker trips the power circuit off. These appliance must be plugged to different outlets on different circuits if they are used at the same time.

Many homes build in the last forty years have at least two 20 amp outlet circuits for the kitchen and dinning area. Electric grills, toaster, coffee makers and electric fryers are all high ampere (over 1200 watts or 10 amps each) draw appliance. Two of these appliance can't be safely used at the same time on the same circuit.

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Why can't I just install a larger breaker? Installing an over sized breaker on your wiring is very dangerous or deadly, DO NOT DO IT! This is a fire HAZARD.

National Electrical Code (NEC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) have codes that limit the voltage & ampere (power) that a wire can safely handle. They update the codes about every three years to keep pace with fire or life safety hazards, new and better technologies and equipment. Electricians & Electrical installations are the most regulate construction field for good reasons.

Solution: Have the electrician install an additional circuit in the kitchen if required.

GFI outlets are normally found in the bathroom, basement, garage and other wet areas   If the outlets are not working a common problem is a GFIC breaker or GFI outlet may have been tripped.  If you can not reset the GFI it may be faulty and requires immediate replacement.  Yes a tripped GFCI in your bathroom, garage or basement may be the reason for all of your bathroom, garage and outdoor outlets not working correctly. One common reason GFI's tripping is that water gets into the outdoor outlet or extension cords going to Christmas lights, water fountains or landscape lighting. Try unplugging them and let them dry out for a while as this may take care of the problem.

How to test the GFIC: GFI outlet(s) have a test and reset button in the middle of the outlet.  To reset press the test button and then the reset button to see if that resolves the problem.  GFI's & GFCI's need to tested monthly.

GFIC (ground fault interrupter circuit) GFI (ground fault interrupter) outlet.

Refrigerator in the basement or garage. Most homes built in the last forty (40) years or so have GFIC protected outlets in the basement and garage. Older refrigerators and freezer should NOT be plugged into a GFI circuit receptacle because they will damage GFI's over time causing it fail. You don't want to all your food to spoil unknowingly because the GFIC failed. Newer Energy Star appliance are GFCI compatible.

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Switch or outlet that feels hot when you touch them need to be inspected and repaired. The outlet or switch may have a power overload, loose connection or weak contacts inside the device. If your power cord is loose or falls out of the outlet it needs to be replaced. Loose or bad connections on the outlet can cause power outages and they are fire hazards.

Note: Dimmer switches produce some heat in their normal operation and may feel warm to the touch.

Arcing, sparking, smoking or making crackling sounds. Electrical devices such as switches, outlets, panel boxes should NOT have arcing or crackling sounds, sparks or have smoke coming out of them, smell funny and if they do it COULD MEAN YOUR HOME IS IN IMMINENT DANGER FROM AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. Call the fire department and the Electrician PDQ. If you have a hot or smoking electrical device turn it off or unplug the power if you can safely! Loose connections in the electric system must be repair as they can cause a fire.

A loose connection in the wiring system is the normal reason of flickering lights.  The loose connection can be with the main power connection on the outside of the building, inside your electric panel or your interior wiring. Loose electrical connections create heat and heat can start a fire. This may be an electrical problem and a possible fire hazard. Call the a licensed electrician for some PDQ electrical service!

Flickering can cause by loose or bad electrical connections on switches, plugs, sockets, wiring or even a improperly sized light bulb in the recessed can light (100 watt bulb in a 60 watt light socket). Call the Electrician before you have a power outage or an electrical fire.

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My recessed can lights are blinking on and off. Many of the recess can lights used today are IC rated (In Contact with the insulation) and have an internal heat sensor that may limit it to a 60 watt maximum lamp. It will turn the over sized bulb off and on allowing it to cool down to help prevent a dangerous heat build up or a fire.

Check the recess fixture rating. To check the fixture bulb and watt rating. Turn off the power, remove the light bulb and look inside the fixture to see if it has a bulb size guide still affixed. Follow the manufactures recommendations for type and size of the lamp and the style of trim ring. Call the electrician if the problem continues.