Real Electrical Questions Homeowners Ask
Homeowners ask the same electrical questions online every day: “Why does my breaker keep tripping?” “Why did half my house lose power?” “Why is my outlet dead?” This guide breaks down the most common real-world issues and what to do next—without the confusing technical talk. If you want a pro to handle it safely, Kais Pro Repairs can help with electrical service, breaker & panel repair, lighting installation, and EV charger installs.
Serving Loganville, Snellville, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Grayson, Between, Monroe and nearby areas across Gwinnett County and Walton County. Need help fast? Use the contact page.
Safety note: If you smell burning, see sparking, hear loud buzzing from the panel, or have partial power (half the home out), stop using the affected circuit and call right away.
Homeowner-Friendly Answers
Clear explanations for the questions people post online—what’s normal, what’s not, and when it’s time to stop DIY. For more help, visit our FAQ page.
Safe Next Steps
Simple checks you can do safely (and what you should never ignore). If you want a pro to diagnose it, book electrical troubleshooting.
Local Help When You Need It
If the issue involves breakers, panels, or repeated power trips, start with breaker & panel repair or message us.
Quick Jump
Tap a topic: Breaker keeps tripping Breaker won’t reset Half the house lost power Lights flicker Dead outlet GFCI keeps tripping Warm outlet / burning smell Buzzing panel Ceiling fan / light install EV charger questions
1) “Why do my breakers keep tripping?”
This is one of the most common questions online—and it’s also one of the most common service calls. A breaker trips for a reason: overload, a short, a ground fault, a loose connection, or a failing breaker.
Safe checks you can do
- Unplug the biggest loads on that circuit (space heater, air fryer, microwave, hair dryer).
- Reset the breaker fully: switch OFF then back ON (don’t “half reset”).
- See if it trips only when a specific device runs (that device may be the problem).
When to stop DIY
- It trips repeatedly with normal use.
- The breaker or panel feels warm, buzzes, or smells hot.
- Lights flicker or power seems “unstable.”
If this keeps happening, book breaker & panel service or start with electrical troubleshooting.
2) “My breaker won’t reset. What does that mean?”
A breaker that won’t reset often means it’s protecting you from an active problem (short/ground fault), or the breaker itself has failed. If it immediately trips when you turn it on, something on that circuit may be damaged.
- Unplug everything on that circuit and try again (some circuits feed more than one room).
- If it still won’t reset, leave it off and schedule service.
- If you see scorching, melting, or smell burning—call immediately.
Fast help: request service or call 943-289-5667. This typically falls under breaker repair.
3) “Half my house lost power, but the main breaker is on.”
This is a classic “online panic post” because it feels confusing—some lights work, others don’t. Many homes have two power legs. If one side drops out, you can lose power to half the panel.
Treat this as urgent
- Turn off sensitive electronics (TVs, computers) and avoid running big appliances.
- Don’t keep flipping breakers hoping it “catches.”
- Call a pro—this can be a serious connection issue.
Start here: electrical troubleshooting and we’ll determine if it’s panel-related, utility-related, or a connection issue.
4) “My lights flicker when the AC turns on. Is that normal?”
A tiny, quick dip can happen when a big motor starts. But if it’s frequent, getting worse, or you notice dimming/pulsing, it can point to loose connections, voltage drop, or an HVAC electrical component pulling too hard.
- If the flicker happens with multiple large loads, it’s worth checking the panel and main connections.
- If it’s mainly when the AC starts, it could be an HVAC component issue.
Because we handle both electrical and HVAC, we can diagnose the full picture: electrical service and heating & cooling repair.
5) “One outlet stopped working. The breaker isn’t tripped.”
This is extremely common. Often the “dead outlet” is downstream from a tripped GFCI (even if the outlet itself isn’t a GFCI), or it’s part of a loose connection in a nearby device box.
- Check and reset GFCIs in bathrooms, kitchen, garage, and outside outlets.
- Try a known-working lamp/device (don’t rely on a phone charger alone).
- If multiple outlets are dead, stop and schedule troubleshooting.
If it’s recurring or you suspect a loose connection, book electrical repair.
6) “My GFCI keeps tripping. Why?”
GFCIs trip when they sense current leaking where it shouldn’t. Sometimes it’s a bad device, moisture, outdoor exposure, or a wiring issue. Repeated tripping is a sign to troubleshoot—not to ignore.
- Unplug everything on that circuit and reset the GFCI.
- If it trips with nothing plugged in, it may be a device/wiring issue.
- Outdoor outlets that trip after rain often need weatherproofing and inspection.
For a clean fix, schedule electrical troubleshooting.
7) “An outlet is warm or smells hot. What should I do?”
Stop using it immediately. Warmth and odor can mean a loose connection, damaged receptacle, or overloaded wiring—this can be a fire risk.
- Unplug anything connected and avoid that outlet.
- If there’s discoloration, melting, or buzzing, turn off the breaker and call.
- Don’t keep “testing it” by plugging things back in.
This is a “call today” situation. Book electrical repair or use the contact page.
8) “My panel is buzzing / humming. Is that bad?”
A faint sound can happen, but a noticeable buzz or hum—especially with heat or flickering—can indicate a failing breaker, loose connection, or an overloaded component. This should be inspected.
Start with panel & breaker service. If you’re planning upgrades (EV charger, HVAC, remodel), it may also be time for a capacity check.
9) “Can I install a chandelier / ceiling fan myself?”
This is a popular online topic because it looks simple—until the box isn’t rated for the weight, the wiring is confusing, or the switch setup isn’t what you expected. The big safety issue is secure mounting and correct wiring.
- Heavy fixtures and fans need proper support (not just drywall screws).
- If wires are brittle, scorched, or “mystery spliced,” stop and call.
- Smart dimmers and LEDs sometimes require compatibility checks.
For a clean install, see lighting installation.
10) “Can my panel handle an EV charger?”
EV charger questions have exploded online. The right answer depends on your panel capacity, available breaker space, and your charger size. A proper install includes a dedicated circuit, correct breaker sizing, and safe wiring.
- If your panel is full, you may still have options (reconfiguration, subpanel, or upgrade).
- If you already have nuisance breaker trips, fix that first.
- Outdoor installs are possible with the right equipment and weather-rated setup.
Start here: EV charger installation and if you need panel capacity help, visit panel upgrades & repair.
Want Us to Handle It?
If something feels off, trust your gut. We’ll troubleshoot safely, explain what we find in plain language, and recommend the best fix—no pressure. Start with the contact page, or browse our services. If you’d like to see what homeowners say about our work, visit reviews.