Electrical - Questions 

Q: What should I do when my home loses power?
A: If possible, check with your neighbors to see if the homes around yours have also lost power – if so, the utility company is likely experiencing an outage. If your home is the only one without power, check your main electrical breaker to see if it’s tripped (see question below) and reset if needed. If none of the above apply, call Lee Company for assistance.

Q: How can I tell if a circuit breaker has tripped?
A: If your power is out, look on your main electrical panel for a circuit breaker switch that is in the “middle” position. If found, firmly switch the breaker left to the OFF position, and then firmly switch it right back to the ON position. If your power is still out, contact Lee Company for assistance.

Q: Why do the lights in my home flicker?
A: The flickering of lights in a home is often the symptom of an electrical connection that is beginning to fail at some point in the system. We recommend that you call Lee Company very soon after noticing this condition, as it will definitely worsen as the component continues to fail.

Q: Is it dangerous if plugs fall out of my loose outlets?
A: Yes, loose electrical connections generate heat, which could lead to a home fire. Lee Company electricians can replace your outlets and remove this danger from your home.

Q: What do the terms GFCI and AFCI mean?
A: A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protects an individual outlet (like the ones in a bathroom) from overloading and provides TEST and RESET buttons on the outlet. An Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) is a circuit breaker that constantly monitors the flow of electricity and is designed to detect problems such as a picture nail hitting a wire or a cord being cut, immediately stopping the flow of electricity.

Q: What should I do if the outlet(s) in my bathroom stop working?
A: Depending on the age of your home, the outlet might have buttons on it labeled TEST and RESET like GFCI plugs. If so, pressing the RESEST button should return the outlet to service. If pressing RESET does not fix the outlet, or if your outlets do not have these buttons, contact Lee Company for assistance.

Q: How do I know if the electrical system in my older home needs repaired or replaced?
A: While every old home is different and many factors can affect the health of an aging electrical system, consider that modern day gadgets can overload older electrical systems.  A maintenance plan that provides regular inspections of critical safety components can detect early warning symptoms before they turn into major problems.

Q: Can I install a bigger fuse if the ones in my box keep blowing?
A: NO, the job of a fuse (or circuit breaker) is to protect the wire it’s feeding from catching fire due to being overloaded. If you install a larger fuse, you increase the chances of experiencing an electrical fire.

Q: Should I have the fuses in my electrical panel replaced with breakers?
A: Yes, in most cases this will increase the safety of your electrical system and allow you to install safer technologies such as AFCI protection.