Most electrical problems give you a warning before they turn into a bigger one. A breaker trips, a light flickers, an outlet feels a little warm. Here in the East Valley, our homes also deal with long, hot summers, heavy AC loads and monsoon storms, which can make small problems show up faster.
Here’s what the most common signs mean, what you can safely check yourself, and when it’s time to call Randy, our licensed electrician.
Safety first: never remove a panel cover, open an outlet or switch, or touch wiring. If you smell burning, see smoke or sparks, or something is hot to the touch, shut off the breaker if you can do it safely, and call. Emergency calls are answered 24/7 at (480) 228-3875.
1. A breaker that keeps tripping
What it can mean: A breaker trips to protect the wiring. Repeated tripping usually means the circuit is overloaded (too many things running at once), an appliance is failing, or there’s a short or a loose connection somewhere on that circuit.
Arizona angle: In summer, the AC, pool pump, fridge in the garage and a home office can all be running at once. Older panels and circuits that were fine years ago may now be working at their limit.
Safe homeowner check:
– Unplug or turn off everything on that circuit.
– Reset the breaker once: push it fully to OFF, then back to ON.
– Plug things back in one at a time to see if one appliance sets it off.
Call when: it trips with nothing plugged in, won’t reset, trips again right away, or the breaker or panel feels warm or buzzes. Don’t keep resetting it. Learn more about our electrical troubleshooting and repairs, and if your panel keeps running out of room, read about panel upgrades.
2. Flickering or dimming lights
What it can mean:
– One fixture: often a loose bulb, a failing bulb, or a dimmer that isn’t compatible with LED bulbs.
– A whole room or several rooms: can point to a loose connection on the circuit or at the panel.
– Lights dim when the AC or a big appliance starts: a brief dip can be normal. A big dim, flicker, or a dip that’s getting worse can mean a loose connection or an overloaded panel or service.
Safe homeowner check: with the light switched off and the bulb cool, make sure the bulb is snug, or try a bulb you know works. If it’s on a dimmer, check that the bulbs are labeled dimmable.
Call when: the flicker affects more than one fixture, it’s getting worse, or you hear buzzing or smell something burning. See our lighting installation page for fixture and dimmer upgrades.
3. Dead outlets and GFCIs
What it can mean: The most common cause of a “dead” outlet is a tripped GFCI somewhere else, often in a bathroom, the garage, the kitchen, or outside. One GFCI can protect several outlets down the line. After a monsoon storm or when the sprinklers hit an outdoor outlet, moisture can trip a GFCI too.
Safe homeowner check:
– Look for GFCI outlets (with TEST and RESET buttons) in nearby bathrooms, the garage, the kitchen and outside, and press RESET.
– Check the panel for a tripped breaker.
– Test your GFCIs monthly: press TEST (the power should go off), then RESET.
Call when: a GFCI won’t reset, trips over and over, or the outlet still has no power after you’ve checked. Outdoor outlets should have weatherproof in-use covers; if yours don’t, we can help.
4. Warm or hot outlets and switches
What it can mean: Outlets and switches shouldn’t feel warm. (Dimmers can feel slightly warm, which is normal.) Heat usually means a loose connection, a worn-out device, or too much load on it, such as a space heater or window AC plugged into an old outlet.
Safe homeowner check: unplug what’s in it and stop using it. Look for brown or black marks around the slots or cover plate, without touching anything inside.
Call when: it’s warm, discolored, loose, or a plug falls out easily. This is one to take care of promptly. Our emergency electrician team takes calls 24/7.
5. Buzzing, humming or crackling
What it can mean: A soft hum from some dimmers or LED drivers can be normal. Buzzing or crackling from an outlet, switch, breaker or the panel is not; it often points to a loose connection or arcing.
Safe homeowner check: note where it’s coming from and when it happens (for example, when the AC runs). Don’t open anything.
Call when: the buzzing comes from an outlet, switch, breaker or panel, or you also see flicker, heat or marks.
6. A burning smell
What it can mean: A burning-plastic or “hot electrical” smell with no obvious source can mean wiring or a device is overheating.
What to do: if you can do it safely, shut off the breaker for that area, or the main breaker. If you see smoke or flames, get everyone out and call 911. Then call us. Emergency calls are answered 24/7.
Arizona-specific things to watch
- Summer heat and AC load: your AC is usually the biggest load in the house. Panels, breakers and connections in hot garages and exterior walls age faster in the heat.
- Monsoon season: storms bring power surges, wind and water. Check outdoor outlets and GFCIs after a storm, and consider whole-home surge protection, which is required when a home’s service is replaced or upgraded.
- Pools, spas and hot tubs: these need proper GFCI protection and bonding. If your spa trips the breaker, see our pool, spa and hot tub electrical page.
- Utility outages: if your whole neighborhood is dark, check with your utility (SRP or APS) before calling an electrician. If only part of your home has power, call us; that can be a sign of a problem at the panel or service.
- Older homes: if you’re seeing several of these signs at once, it may be time to look at whole-home rewiring or a panel upgrade.
When to call Henderson’s Electric
Call us if you notice any of these:
– A breaker that trips with nothing plugged in or won’t reset
– Lights that flicker across a room, or dim more and more when the AC starts
– An outlet or switch that’s warm, buzzing, loose or discolored
– A GFCI that won’t reset
– Any burning smell
– Part of your home has power and part doesn’t
Randy Henderson, our licensed electrician, is responsible for the work on every job. We serve Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler and the rest of the East Valley.
Call us at (480) 228-3875 or request an estimate. Emergency calls answered 24/7.
Henderson’s Electric Solutions LLC – Solutions Only - No Excuses. ROC # CR-11 341452. Bonded and insured.
FAQ
Is it safe to keep resetting a breaker that trips?
No. Reset it once after unplugging everything on that circuit. If it trips again, there’s a cause that needs to be found.
Why does only one room have no power?
Most often it’s a tripped breaker or a tripped GFCI outlet in another room. If resetting those doesn’t work, call an electrician.
Is it normal for lights to dim when the AC turns on?
A brief, slight dip can be normal. Noticeable dimming, flicker, or dimming that’s getting worse should be checked.
Is a warm outlet dangerous?
It can be. A warm outlet often means a loose connection or worn device, which can overheat. Unplug it, stop using it, and have it checked.
What should I do if I smell something burning?
Shut off the breaker if you can do it safely. If there’s smoke or flame, leave and call 911. Then call us. Emergency calls are answered 24/7.
Do I need surge protection in Arizona?
Monsoon storms make surges common. Whole-home surge protection helps protect electronics and appliances, and it’s required when a home’s service is replaced or upgraded.