Electrical troubleshooting & repairs

Call right away for these problems

Some electrical problems cannot wait. Call us at 651-488-5555 right away if you notice a burning or rubbery smell from an outlet, switch, appliance or the panel; outlets, switches or the panel that feel warm or look discolored; sparks from an outlet; buzzing or crackling from the panel or a device; breakers or fuses that trip or blow again and again; lights that flicker or dim across the house; or a tingling feeling when you touch an appliance.

If you see smoke or flames, leave the house and call 911. If an outlet or appliance is sparking or smells hot, stop using it until an electrician has checked it. Our emergency service is available 24/7.

Problems we troubleshoot

We repair outlets and switches that stop working, breakers that trip or will not reset, GFCI outlets that will not reset or fail their test, lights that flicker, circuits that lost power, loose or damaged wiring, and outdoor outlets and lights that fail in wet weather. We also find the cause of partial power loss, where some rooms or appliances work and others do not.

Many problems trace back to a loose connection, a failing device, an overloaded circuit or damage from moisture or rodents. Repeated tripping is a warning, not a nuisance. A breaker that trips is shutting off a circuit that is overloaded or has a fault, and resetting it again and again does not fix the cause.

How we find the problem

We start by asking what you noticed and when: which outlets, lights or appliances are affected, and whether the problem follows weather, a specific appliance or a time of day. We then test the affected circuits, open and inspect the devices and connections, check the panel and breakers, and trace the wiring until we find the fault.

Before we repair anything, we explain what we found and what the fix involves. If the cause is a larger issue, such as a panel that is overheating or a circuit that is undersized for its load, we tell you and lay out the options, such as a panel replacement or a new dedicated circuit.

What homeowners can and cannot do

You can test GFCI outlets with their Test and Reset buttons, and you can stop using an appliance you suspect. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends testing GFCIs at least once a month and after a power outage, and calling a qualified electrician if one fails the test.

Do not open the panel, replace breakers, add circuits or rewire outlets yourself. Minnesota law allows an owner who lives in a single-family home with its own electrical service to do electrical work there under a permit and inspection, but troubleshooting live circuits carries a real risk of shock and fire. When a repair requires a permit and inspection, we file the request and schedule the inspection. Our electricians are licensed, background-checked and drug-tested.

Signs you need an electrical repair

• A burning or rubbery smell from an outlet, switch, appliance or the panel
• Outlets, switches or the panel feel warm or look discolored
• Sparks from an outlet or a buzzing sound from the panel
• Breakers trip or fuses blow again and again
• Lights flicker or dim in several rooms
• A tingling feeling when you touch an appliance
• An outlet, switch or circuit stopped working

Common questions

Sources

• NFPA electrical safety tip sheet — warning signs to call a qualified electrician
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission — GFCI fact sheet
• Ready.gov — Home fires
• Minnesota Statutes 326B.33 — Licensing; homeowner exemption, subd. 21
• Minnesota Statutes 326B.36 — Electrical inspections