Lights Won’t Work?

It may sound obvious, but make sure the light switch is in the ON position, especially if the light is controlled by more than one switch or plugged into a receptacle that’s controlled by a light switch. A burned-out bulb is another obvious, but often overlooked, culprit. If the switch is on, and the bulb is good, you may have a tripped circuit breaker. Go to your electrical panel and look for a breaker that’s in the tripped or in the OFF position. Always make sure no one is working on the electrical system, then firmly move the tripped handle to the OFF position and then back to the ON position. 

Lights Flicker?

Start-up of certain appliances, such as air conditioners and shop tools, may cause a slight flicker or blinking of the lights. A brief occasional flicker is normal. However, if permanent dimming occurs, or usage of a particular appliance repeatedly causes a circuit breaker to trip, that may be a warning signal that your electrical system is overloaded or something else is wrong. 

Receptacles Aren’t Working?

Check to see if a wall switch controls power to the receptacle, and keep in mind that each socket of the receptacle may be controlled by a different wall switch. Next, go to the electrical panel and check for a tripped circuit breaker. If the problem receptacle is located in the kitchen, bathroom, garage or outside, it may be a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacle or downstream of a tripped GFCI receptacle. If so, you’ll see a reset button on the receptacle – push that button to reset the unit. Also check the electrical panel for a GFCI or arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) circuit breaker. If it’s tripped reset by moving the handle to the OFF position and then back to the ON position. 

Air Conditioning Quits?

Often times, a blown fuse can be the cause of an air conditioning unit not functioning. Check the outdoor air conditioning disconnect to be sure it is in the ON position. Then, check your electrical panel for a tripped circuit breaker. Make sure no one is working on the electrical system, then firmly move the tripped handle to the OFF position and then back to the ON position.

Circuit Breaker Tripped?

Usually a circuit breaker trips because it detected a problem that it is designed to protect. So, before resetting the breaker, look for any obvious reasons for the tripping. If none are obvious, reset the breaker. Do not repeatedly reset the breaker without resolving the cause of the tripping. You may have overloaded circuits or a problem in the permanent wiring, appliances or power cords.