Hiring an Electrician in Palm Harbor: What Are the Most Common Electrical Problems?

Buell Electric Blogger • Jun 17, 2020

Are you wondering whether you should hire an electrician in Palm Harbor? Check out the most common electrical problems that you'll want to hire one today!

electrical problems

No house is immune to electrical problems; even million-dollar mansions have their fair share of electrical issues. The worst thing you could do when your home has electrical issues is to try to fix them yourself. Apart from flipping the breaker, switching light bulbs, and a few other issues, it’s best if you leave fixing electrical problems to the pros.



However, it’s okay and even advisable to know the exact cause of these electrical issues and how they occur. In this post, we’ll be looking at some of the most common electrical problems you might experience at home.

1. Circuits Won’t Stop Breaking

If your circuit breaks more often than it should, then something could be wrong with the entire circuit. After all, circuit breakers get the name because they are made to break the circuit whenever something’s wrong with it.


In most cases, it’s because the circuit is drawing too much current, which could overload the electronic appliance. There’s an easy fix to this issue, all you have to do is reset the breaker. However, if you want to prevent this from happening over and over, you need to:


  • Unplug devices when not in use
  • Always check the amperage of electrical appliances
  • Never Piggyback powerboards



You’ll find the circuit breaker in the electrical panel, once you find it, switch the flip on, and you’re good to go.

2. Electric Shocks

Electric shock occurs when a person touches a live conductor and transmits current to the earth. Electric shocks can be as mild as a slight pinch, while the more severe ones could result in death. 


Death from an electric shock is known as electrocution, and about 3,000 people die each year from electrocution. That’s why it’s so important to let professional electricians handle complex electrical issues.



If you get an electric shock while handling an appliance, then take it to the nearest electrician in Safety Harbor, FL to check it out. 

3. Bulbs Burning Out

Are your bulbs burning out way earlier than they should? Then your bulbs may be getting too much voltage. It’s either that or you need to buy a different set of bulbs, because the bulbs may be the issue. 


In fact, there are lots of reasons why your bulbs may be burning out too frequently. Sometimes maybe it’s just because you don’t fix them correctly or there’s not enough air circulation.



 You can try buying new bulbs or bulbs from a different vendor and fixing them correctly. If the problem still persists, then it’s time to call the professionals. While you’re at it, you may want to consider getting some energy-efficient bulbs to drop your monthly electric bill.

4. Power Dips and Surge

Dips in power may be because of faulty electrical appliances, especially those that require high voltage. Most manufactures make off-brand electrical appliances with inferior materials causing them to drain more power than they should. This leads to a power drop in your home.


High-voltage electrical appliances like fridges and air conditioners are also the reason for power surges. When you switch these devices on, they increase the power demand drastically, which upsets the current steady voltage flow. In most cases, power surges aren’t that serious, but in severe cases, they might damage your devices.



Another reason for power surges is faulty wiring that is sometimes unavoidable. That’s because some wiring issues trace back to the utility company.

5. Outrageous Energy Bills

In some households, the electricity bill skyrockets out of the blues. There are plenty of reasons for a leap in your electricity bills. The most common ones are defective electronics or faulty wiring. To lower your monthly electricity bill, you should:


  • Turn off or unplug devices when you’re not using them
  • Slightly reduce your air conditioner setting
  • Fill you refrigerators, so they retain coldness for longer
  • Test any electrical appliance you suspect may be causing a power surge
  • Turn down the thermostat for a while to see if that’s the problem



If you do all that and nothing changes, then it’s time to call an electrician to check your home for faulty wiring.

6. Malfunction Switches

It’s common for switches, especially dimming switches, to malfunction over time. The worst thing you could do is to open the switch and try to fix it yourself. You may end up doing more harm than good. 


The main reason why switches malfunction is because they override. The only way you can fix this is if you replace the switch. Sometimes it’s just because the switch is old and has outlived its purpose, so you just need a new one.



If that’s not the cause, then the problem has to do with your wiring or circuit. Your electrician can inspect the switches and tell you the best way forward.

7. Wires Jutting Out From Outlets

When wires start jutting out their outlets, it’s a sign that your house is getting old. This means that there’s no more room for wiring and so they have to jut out of the sockets. In some cases, new houses may have jutting wires because of excessive wiring.



This is a serious problem because wires out of their sockets is an electrical hazard. The best thing to do is to cover them with insulation tape. However, that’s only a temporary fix; you need an electrician to fix it permanently because the tape can peel off easily.

Never Overlook Electrical Problems

These electrical problems might be common, but overlooking them could prove disastrous and very costly. As such, it’s important to get a certified electrician to look at the issues and give a permanent fix. You should also avoid very cheap electronics that aren’t designed to handle standard amperage.


If you need professional services from an electrician in Palm Harbor and Safety Harbor, FL, then get a free estimate today from Buell Electric Inc., and we’ll sort you out.

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