Question 1

How can I tell if my home’s wiring is outdated?

Accepted Answer

Look for cloth-covered or two-prong outlets, frequent blown fuses, or warm wall plates. If your place was built before the 1970s, it’s smart to schedule an inspection.

Question 2

Is aluminum wiring really that dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Yep. Aluminum expands and contracts, loosening connections and causing overheating. Special connectors or a copper rewire fix the risk.

Question 3

My lights dim when the A/C starts—should I worry?

Accepted Answer

Probably. Dimming lights usually mean the circuit’s overloaded or the panel’s undersized. Time for a load check and maybe a service upgrade.

Question 4

What’s the easiest sign my circuit is overloaded?

Accepted Answer

Warm outlets, buzzing breakers, or trips that happen every time you fire up the microwave. Those are your system yelling 'help!'

Question 5

Do whole-house surge protectors really work against Oklahoma lightning?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Panel-mounted surge protectors divert monster spikes before they toast your appliances. Pair them with plug-in strips for double defense.

Question 6

My basement flooded—do I have to replace the breaker box?

Accepted Answer

If water reached the panel, yes. Moisture corrodes breakers and can cause hidden arcing. Insurance usually covers replacement after a flood.

Question 7

How often should I test GFCI outlets?

Accepted Answer

Hit the 'Test' and 'Reset' buttons every month. Takes ten seconds and confirms they’ll trip fast if something gets wet.

Question 8

Are DIY outlet swaps safe if I turn off the breaker?

Accepted Answer

Only if you know load limits, grounding rules, and box-fill counts. Otherwise, a 'simple' swap can overheat or create shock hazards down the road.

Question 9

What’s a 'bootleg ground,' and why’s it bad?

Accepted Answer

It’s when someone ties the neutral and ground screws together to fake a ground. It can energize metal appliance parts—big shock risk.

Question 10

How do rodents start electrical fires?

Accepted Answer

They chew insulation off wires, exposing copper. That exposed conductor can arc to nearby metal or wood and ignite a hidden fire.

Question 11

My panel is Federal Pacific—should I replace it even if nothing’s wrong?

Accepted Answer

Yes. FPE breakers are notorious for not tripping under overload. Swapping the panel is cheaper than a house fire.

Question 12

Do I really need two ground rods?

Accepted Answer

Current code often says yes. Proper grounding lets surges and faults dump safely into the earth instead of through you or your gear.

Question 13

Can I plug my portable generator into a dryer outlet during a blackout?

Accepted Answer

Please don’t. That back-feeds the grid and can kill linemen. Use a transfer switch or plug appliances directly into the generator.

Question 14

Why do bathrooms and kitchens need GFCIs but bedrooms don’t?

Accepted Answer

Water plus electricity equals danger. GFCIs cut power in milliseconds where moisture is likely. Dry spaces rely on arc-fault breakers instead.

Question 15

How often should I schedule a full electrical safety inspection?

Accepted Answer

Every 3–5 years for newer homes; every 1–2 for houses over 40 years old or after major storms, floods, or a big remodel.

Question 16

What areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

We cover Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Claremore, Owasso, Bixby, Jenks, Catoosa, Sand Springs, Collinsville, Oologah, Sperry, Glenpool, Coweta, Verdigris.

Question 17

Do these FAQs apply to electrical panel upgrades and repairs too?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. These issues show up in both residential service calls and panel repair jobs—we troubleshoot and fix all of it.

Electrical Insights

Storm Season in Skiatook: The Electrical Problems I See Every Year

Author

Archives

Categories

We proudly serve the Greater Tulsa Area, including:

Tulsa | Broken Arrow | Owasso | Claremore | Bixby | Jenks | Catoosa | Sand Springs | Skiatook | Sapulpa | Mannford | Collinsville | Oologah | Sperry | Glenpool | Coweta | Verdigris