What I See All the Time in Collinsville, OK: Electrical Headaches You Shouldn’t Ignore

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By Terry Davis, Local Electrician & Owner of Davis Electric & Design

If you live in Collinsville, you already know—it’s a great town with solid folks, older homes, and some real Oklahoma weather. I’ve been crawling through attics, upgrading panels, and rewiring houses around here for a long time. And trust me, I’ve seen the same electrical issues pop up over and over.

Here’s what I run into the most in Collinsville homes:

Old Wiring That’s Way Past Its Prime
A lot of the homes in Collinsville are beautiful—but let’s be honest, some of that wiring is pushing 40, 50 years or more. I’ve pulled cloth-wrapped wire and brittle insulation out of places that haven’t been touched since the '70s. That stuff’s a fire risk, plain and simple.

Undersized Breaker Panels
Homes today are running way more appliances, gadgets, and chargers than they were built for. That 100-amp panel from the '80s? It’s probably tripping every time you turn on the microwave and toaster at the same time. I get a ton of calls to upgrade panels to 200-amp or add subpanels for new additions.

No Whole-House Surge Protection
Collinsville gets its fair share of storms, just like the rest of Green Country. One lightning strike or power flicker and suddenly your TV, fridge, or AC is toast. Most homes I work on still don’t have a surge protector installed at the panel. It's a cheap way to avoid some expensive repairs.

Improper Grounding
Some older homes around here don’t have proper grounding—or worse, someone "DIY’d" it with a coat hanger (yes, really). I’ve seen metal boxes without grounding conductors and even live wires touching copper pipes. That’s just asking for a shock.

Flickering Lights & Hot Outlets
If your lights dim when the AC kicks on or you’ve got outlets that feel warm to the touch, don’t wait. That’s usually a sign of loose connections or overloaded circuits. I’ve seen fires start from stuff like that. Better to catch it early than deal with the damage later.

No GFCI or AFCI Protection
I still find kitchens and bathrooms in Collinsville homes with regular outlets near water—no GFCI in sight. Same with bedrooms that don’t have AFCI breakers to prevent arc faults. It’s not just about code—it’s about keeping your family safe.

Outdated or Recalled Panels
Ever heard of Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels? If you’ve got one, call me now. Those panels are straight-up dangerous, known for failing to trip during a short circuit. I’ve replaced dozens in Collinsville, and every time I open one up, I wonder how nothing caught fire yet.

Generator Confusion
After a bad storm, everyone wants backup power—but not everyone installs it the right way. I’ve had folks try to backfeed through a dryer plug or wire up a generator without a transfer switch. I install everything up to code and make sure your family can safely ride out the next big blackout.

DIY Electrical “Fixes”
Look, I love a good handyman, but electrical work isn’t the place to cut corners. I’ve seen everything from speaker wire used for outlets to extension cords hardwired into attics. If your lights or outlets are acting weird, chances are someone got creative in the past—and now it’s my job to untangle it.

Storm Damage You Can’t See
Even if your power came back on after that last thunderstorm, doesn’t mean everything’s fine. I’ve traced all kinds of weird issues back to storm damage—hidden melted wires, scorched breakers, you name it. If something feels “off,” it’s time to get it checked.

Bottom line? If you’re in Collinsville and your home’s wiring hasn’t been looked at in a while—or it’s giving you trouble--give me a shout.

I’ll make sure everything’s safe, up to code, and ready for whatever Oklahoma throws at us next.

Talk soon,
Terry Davis
Davis Electric & Design