Hello there, friends! Have you ever experienced a situation where the lights are on in one part of your house, but the other part is in complete darkness? That’s called a partial power outage, and it can be a little puzzling.
For over 90 years, Armstrong Plumbing, Air & Electric has delivered top-notch electrical products and services to home and business owners in the Lubbock area. Armstrong has the expertise to help you figure out this mystery.
Take a moment and explore with Armstrong to learn why this might happen and how one of our professionally trained and licensed electricians can help you fix it.
Circuit Breakers: The Superheroes of Electricity
Electricity silently weaves through your home, working behind the scenes. The “general manager” of how the electricity works is the breaker panel, and the “front managers” are the circuit breakers. When there’s too much electricity flowing through a circuit, the breaker flips off to prevent fires and keep you safe.
Partial Power Outage: What’s Going On?
Imagine you’re using too many devices in one part of your house, like the living room. If you’re watching TV, charging your phone, and running the vacuum cleaner all at once, that circuit might get overloaded. When this happens, the breaker for that circuit will flip off to stop any problems.
When a circuit breaker trips, it only affects that part of your home. That’s why you might have lights on in one room but not in another. The circuit breaker is doing its job to protect you and your house.
Potential Causes of Partial Power Outage
1. Overloaded Circuit:
As I mentioned earlier, using too many devices on one circuit can cause it to overload, resulting in a partial power outage.
2. Faulty Wiring:
Sometimes, old or damaged wiring can lead to a partial power outage. If the wires can’t handle the electrical load, they might heat up and cause the breaker to trip.
3. Loose Connections:
Loose electrical connections can also cause problems. If a wire isn’t securely connected, it can create resistance and trip the breaker.
4. Breaker Malfunction:
Occasionally, the breaker itself may malfunction and trip unnecessarily.
5. Triggered Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI):
The GFCI is like an electrical gatekeeper located directly at a specific outlet. It immediately cuts the electric power to an outlet when the balance or load between the circuit conductors and electrical appliances is overloaded. The GFCI is in the outlet and can be found by looking for two buttons (usually red or black). Depressing the button marked reset, will typically fix a tripped GFCI and restore the flow of electricity.
How a Lubbock Electrician Can Help
If you’re facing a partial power outage in your Lubbock area home, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with a trained electrician at Armstrong Plumbing, Air & Electric for help. These skilled experts can handle electrical issues safely and efficiently. Here’s how they can assist you:
1. Troubleshooting:
An experienced electrician will have the necessary tools and knowledge to find the exact cause of the problem, whether it’s an overloaded circuit, faulty wiring, loose connections, or a malfunctioning breaker.
2. Repairs:
Once the cause has been identified, the electrician can repair or replace the faulty components. If you have old or damaged wiring, they may need to replace it to ensure your home’s safety.
3. Upgrades:
If your home’s electrical system is outdated and can’t handle modern appliances and devices, electricians can upgrade it to meet your current needs.
4. Preventive Measures:
Lubbock electricians can offer advice on how to prevent future partial power outages. They might suggest installing additional circuits or using surge protectors to distribute electrical load evenly.
Stay Safe and Call Armstrong
If you experience a partial power outage, do not attempt to fix it yourself. Instead, call Armstrong Plumbing, Air & Electric to ensure your safety and the safety of your home. Also, regular electrical inspections and maintenance will ensure you have electricity for the long haul whenever it is needed.
Contact one of our well-informed team members today to learn more about the Armstrong Service Agreement Plan (ASAP). There are tiered memberships with the top levels including regular electrical inspections and discounts on parts and labor for home and business electrical systems.
Don’t wait until you have an emergency to call Armstrong Plumbing, Air & Electric, but if whenever Something’s Wrong, Better Call Armstrong!