Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my power goes out?
Patience is a virtue – utility companies generally know when outages occur and promptly begin the restoration process. However, if you notice that you are the only building on the block without power, please call our 24-hour emergency electrical repair service immediately. In either case, safety is first and foremost. Only use a flashlight for emergency lighting, never use candles. You should always keep fresh batteries in a battery-operated radio for use in extreme weather. Turning off any electrical equipment you were using when the power went out will minimize surges in your lines. Avoid opening your refrigerator or freezer. Leaving one light on will help you know when power has been restored. If you are using a generator, never operate it inside the building.
How do I reset a tripped breaker?
Go to your main electrical panel, usually located on the opposite side of the wall from your electric meter. If you are in an apartment setting the panel is usually in a closet or storage room. Open up the panel to reveal the various circuit breakers. The “tripped” breaker lever will not be in either the on or off position, but rather in between. Sometimes a small red portion of the breaker will be exposed to show you the tripped breaker. To reset it, just push the lever to the off position and then back to the on position. You should hear a snapping sound and feel some resistance. In the event that the circuit continues to trip, there may be an excessive load on the circuit.
What is a GFI?
A GFCI is an abbreviation for a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. It is a specially designed outlet normally used in locations where moisture can accumulate, such as bathrooms, laundry areas and break rooms, to protect you from electrical shock. The GFCI will “sense” the difference in the amount of electricity flowing into the circuit to that flowing out, even in amounts of current as small as 4 or 5 milliamps. The GFCI reacts quickly (less than one-tenth of a second) to trip or shut off the circuit. If your GFCI trips it will generally effect more than one outlet. The GFCI has a test and a reset button. You should press the test button once a month then push the reset button, if the GFCI will not reset unplug all appliances on the circuit and try again. If it resets one of the appliances has a ground fault and should be repaired or replaced. If it does not reset call us.