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Frequently Asked Questions
Feel free to call my phone with questions, but please check this page first to see if there is an answer listed here.
Why do my lights dim sometimes?
Why do some of my lights get brighter?
Why do my smoke or CO detectors chirp every minute?
Why is there a switch in a room in my house that doesn’t control anything?
Why does my gfci outlet in my bathroom trip randomly?
How do I remove a broken bulb from the light socket?
What size bulbs go into my light fixtures?
If my fuse or breaker is tripping can I install a larger one?
I’ve replaced the fuse in my panel why do I still have no power?
Q. Why do my lights dim sometimes?
A. There are many reasons for temporary voltage drops that cause the lights to dim.
1. A motor can draw 6 times it’s running current on startup until it gets moving.
Example: A 6 amp refrigerator can draw 36 amps for a second or two to get it
spinning.
2. A hair dryer or microwave can draw 13 to 16 amps and are sometimes on a
lighting circuit rated for 15 amps. The dimming is most noticeable on this
circuit, but also can be noticeable in the rest of the house.
3. Lights on dimmer switches are more noticeable when the lights are dimmed and
there is a voltage drop.
4. Most people have appliances such as these that cause dimming in the house:
Dehumidifier, air conditioning, refrigeration, sump pumps, septic pumps, oil burners, electric heaters and many others.
Q.Why do some of my lights get brighter?
A. Usually when a light gets brighter than normal, it’s a sign of a bad connection on the neutral wire. This can either be on a multi- wire branch circuit from your panel or at a bad connection between the utility transformer and your breaker panel.
Example: Normal power is 120 volts measured from Phase A to neutral and Phase B to neutral. Phase A and B together measure 240 volts. When the neutral (grounded) wire has a bad connection it will overheat at the bad connection, causing it to spark, which in turn creates a voltage drop or break in electrical flow. If your refrigerator comes on and draws 25 amps to start, the voltage readings will stay 120 and 120 volts to a stable ground point, but the neutral wire will raise in voltage from the weak point back to the appliance drawing the power. When measured under load the voltage from hot to neutral would look something like 100 volts and 140 volts to neutral. This means there is 20 volts on the neutral wire instead of 0. As this condition gets worse, you will see most of the items in your house that run on 120 volts start to burn out. Most people think the house was hit by lighting when this happens. Always call your utility company to check the power to your house first before calling an electrician. The utility company will repair any problems on their lines for no charge to you and they will unlock your meter for the electrician if it’s locked.
Q.Why is there a switch in a room in my house that doesn’t control anything?
A. Some houses without ceiling fixtures will have half of an outlet switched in the room to turn on a lamp. Usually one half is switched and the other is always live. If someone replaced the switched outlet and didn’t break the tab on the new outlet that was installed, the new outlet will never go off when the switch is turned off.
If you have a spare switch near your front door it may have been installed when the house was built to operate a post light that was never installed.
Q. Why do my smoke or CO detectors chirp every minute?
A. Check the battery and make sure it’s installed in the proper direction.
Q.Why do certain breakers trip in my panel.
A. The circuit could be overloaded or the breaker may have a bad connection to the panel busbar. Some things that overload the circuit are:
New hairdryers in houses with old 15 amp wiring in the bathrooms.
Microwaves installed using the old 15 amp hood fan wiring to feed the new microwave receptacle.
Electric heaters or portable A/C units
Large home office machines running on existing 15 amp circuits
Q. Why does my gfci outlet in my bathroom trip randomly?
A. Usually we find that water has found a way to get into the outdoor receptacle cover on the front or back of the house. Sealing the covers and the cracks in the shingles directly above the covers will keep the water out and stop most false trips.
Q. How do I remove a broken bulb from the light socket?
A. The best way I’ve found is with a pair of needle nose pliers. Make sure the
power is turned off to the fixture first, and you are wearing safety glasses.
Then insert the needle nose pliers and pull the handles apart while turning
counterclockwise. Works almost every time.
Q. What size bulbs go into my light fixtures?
A. Generally there is a sticker on the fixture that lists the maximum wattage. A shower light with a closed glass trim is usually 40 – 60 watts. A fixture with an enclosed glass globe is usually 60 watts. A fixture with an open globe to provide heat dissipation is usually up to 75 or 100 watts.
Q. If my fuse or breaker is tripping can I install a larger one?
A. Usually not. It’s hard to tell without removing the panel cover but if you can determine the wire size you can match up the fuse or breaker that should be installed. 14 gauge wire = 15 amp fuse, 12 gauge wire = 20 amp fuse 10 gauge wire = 30 amp fuse. For dedicated circuits to a/c units or motors it’s usually ok to go up one fuse size. Always follow the nameplate ratings of the motor or a/c unit.
Q. I’ve replaced the fuse in my panel why do I still have no power?
A. Some fuse panels use plastic threads for fuses sized 15 and 20 amps. If the wrong fuse is installed the threads can break and fall into the bottom of the hole. With these pieces lying in the fuse holder threads the fuse binds up against them before making contact to the panel. These pieces can be blown out with compressed air or scaped out with something non-conductive like plastic.
Do you have a question you would like to add to the list?
Email me and I’ll try to answer it and add it to the list.
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