Power outages

Whole house

When the power is out in the entire house, it most likely indicates an issue at the main electrical panel or meter connections. You can start by visually inspecting the panel main beaker for any signs of discoloration or a tripped main breaker. One possible step is to turn the main breaker off and then back on. If you also notice that your neighbors are without power, the problem is likely with the utility company rather than your home’s electrical system.

Outside

Outdoor low voltage lighting typically uses 12 to 24 volts, with DC (direct current) commonly used for LED fixtures and AC (alternating current) for traditional incandescent bulbs. While aesthetically pleasing, outdoor wiring presents unique challenges due to the corrosive nature of soil and the presence of microcurrents at buried junctions, often leading to issues.

Troubleshooting outdoor low voltage lighting involves a systematic approach. First, you'll need to locate and test the low voltage transformer unit, which is usually found somewhere on the exterior of the house. Confirm it's supplying power.

Next, you'll work your way along the wiring. Test the wire at the first junction point where it connects to the lighting run. If that's good, continue testing at junctions, moving from the last working light to the next non-working one.

Once you identify a faulty buried junction, you'll need to excavate it carefully. After exposing the connection, ensure you have enough slack in the existing wires to make a proper repair. It's crucial to use wire nuts specifically rated for underground or direct burial applications to ensure a durable and safe connection that resists moisture and corrosion.

Outlets in bedrooms

In modern homes, bedroom outlets are typically protected by an AFCI (Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter) device. This protection is often provided either by an AFCI outlet installed upstream from the first outlet in the circuit, or more commonly, by an AFCI breaker located in your electrical panel.

The first step in troubleshooting is to identify which method is used in your home. If you don't find an AFCI outlet, head to your electrical panel. Look for breakers that are specifically AFCI-rated (they usually have a test button) and are most likely 15 amps for bedroom circuits. To reset an AFCI breaker, firmly toggle it fully to the "off" position before pushing it back to the "on" position.

Furthermore, these breakers include a test button designed to verify their internal circuitry is operational. Regular testing, as per the manufacturer's instructions, is crucial. Electricians should ensure these instructions are prominently affixed to the electrical panel cover for easy reference.

Kitchen outlets

Kitchens are often designed with dedicated circuits to handle the higher power demands of various appliances:

You'll typically find at least four separate 15-amp or 20-amp circuits serving the kitchen counter receptacles, usually grouped in the same general area. If there isn't a GFCI outlet directly on the countertop, there must be GFCI breakers in your main electrical panel protecting those circuits.

The refrigerator almost always gets its own dedicated circuit.

The garbage disposal and dishwasher are also commonly on their own individual, dedicated circuits. While some installations might place a GFCI outlet directly under the sink, a proper and safe installation will have these outlets fed directly from a GFCI breaker in your main electrical panel. This provides comprehensive protection for the entire circuit from its source and makes resetting easy.