Licensed & Experienced Electrician CT

First, we recommend testing the outlet by seeing if it is connected to a light switch. Simply find a small lamp and plug it into the outlet in question. Then turn on each light switch in the room one at a time and try turning the lamp on. You may discover the outlet is controlled by a wall switch. If this doesn’t work, we recommend checking each outlet and switch for functionality next. Then go to your electrical panel and make sure there are no tripped circuit breakers. If none of these options fix the problem, we recommend calling a certified electrician to diagnose the problem.

Both describe the same problem: when an electoral wire comes in contact with a grounded wire or neutral wire and causes the appliance to stop working or causes excessive heat. This can cause sparks or possibly a fire, so an electrician should be contacted immediately if you suspect a short circuit. 

This is a problem better left to a qualified electrician. If you are repeatedly resetting tripped breakers, you likely have appliances draining too much power. This could be a space heater in winter, an AC in the summer, or even a hairdryer, overloading the system. The solution is to have the circuit replaced to one with a higher rating. 

At KSB Electric, we strongly advise against making any adjustments to electrical items in your home without proper training as a licensed electrician. There are many dangers and risks involved when inexperienced and can cause more damage than the initial issue. We recommend calling a licensed electrician if you need to make any adjustments.

AFCI stands for Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter and is designed to protect against fires caused by arcing faults in electrical wiring, something conventional circuit breakers are not meant to handle. AFCIs are required in the United States for residential bedrooms. 

Hot light switches and faceplates are a sign of a serious underlying problem that can cause an electrical fire due to faulty wiring or an overloaded switch. You should immediately call an electrician to have the problem addressed. 

Outdated electrical systems are a common cause of flickering lights. The solution is to replace the electrical panel or wiring. Another cause could be a loose wire, an appliance drawing too much power or your electrical system may not be able to deliver a sufficient power supply. No matter the cause, this should be left to a licensed electrician for proper diagnosing and repair.

Unfortunately this is not normal. There are several causes, but the most frequent is there could be a dangerous level of overheating which is a major fire hazard. In this case, it is highly recommended to have a certified electrician inspect your fixtures to find the underlying cause of frequently blown bulbs.

Both function to disrupt the flow of electricity anytime a fault is sensed, but a fuse must be replaced after such occurrence. A circuit breaker can be reset, instead of being replaced every time, and thus, are more common choices for electrical panels. They are also more reliable and hardy, and are standard for code these days.

GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter. These outlets are designed to protect against electrical shock when wet or moist conditions are present. These are typically installed in commonly wet locations such as basements, within 6 feet of sinks, in garages, or in bathrooms. They look similar to other outlets but can be differentiated by the two buttons on the face of the outlet, “test” and “reset.” The “test” button will cause the outlet to trip, and the “reset” button resets the power, turning it back on. If either button malfunctions, an electrician should be contacted as there may be an underlying problem needing attention.