Electrical Troubleshooting

Sometimes we get calls from people who cannot get their lights to work. The answer could simply be that the accompanying switches to these lights have not been properly turned on. Check the surrounding outlets and switches to conclude whether the problem is due to this or a deeper electrical issue.

If the problem with your lighting can be narrowed down to one particular lamp or device, replace the bulb to figure out if this cost-effective measure is the solution you’re looking for. Check the faceplate — It is possible that an appliance has shorted out the wiring behind a particular

It is possible that an appliance has shorted out the wiring behind a particular faceplate. Do not remove the faceplate; simply investigate by looking for a dark spot near the plug or sniffing for a burning odor that may indicate a wiring problem. If a burning plastic or sulfuric smell is detected near an electrical source, turn off power at the service panel and contact an electrician right away.

Your electrical issue appears to be confined down to one or two specific rooms only. This is likely an issue with the circuit breaker panel. This could be the work of a power surge, resulting in a blown circuit or fuse. Resetting a circuit breaker or changing a blown fuse is a task that can be completed on your own; however, if you feel any discomfort feel free to reach out to a local electrician here at SALT by phone, or schedule an appointment online. If your reset breaker continues to trip, then definitely contact SALT, as this is indicative of a larger problem and could significantly shorten the lifespan of your service panel. It may prove unlikely that the solution you need is as simple as above, but these precautionary troubleshooting measures will potentially save you time and money.