When an outlet in your home doesn’t provide reliable power for all your modern devices, it can be a major inconvenience. Luckily, there are some minor outlet issues that homeowners can handle themselves to troubleshoot and restore power quickly.

However, most outlet issues should be handled by a professional. These problems require the skills and training of a licensed electrician, and they’re often serious fire hazards that require emergency repairs.

In this blog post, the electrical experts at Penguin Air, Plumbing, and Electrical discuss how homeowners can DIY outlet issues like tripped circuit breakers and loose wiring. We also provide a list of issues that require the expertise of a professional.

Tripped Circuit Breakers

If an outlet suddenly has no power, it could be due to a tripped circuit breaker. These breakers protect your home from overloaded circuits and can cut power to a section of your home’s outlets if it senses too high of a current.

To fix this issue, go to your electrical panel and look for any breaker that’s halfway in the “off” position. Flip it fully “off” and then back “on.” This should restore power.

Loose Wiring

Loose wiring can cause power loss to your outlets due to a bad connection. This can occur over time due to normal wear and tear. To resolve it, turn off the power to the outlet at the circuit breaker panel.

Once you’ve confirmed there’s no electricity at the outlet, you can unscrew the outlet cover and inspect for any loose connections. Tighten or reattach any wires, replace the cover, and restore power at the circuit breaker.

Outlet Issues That Require Professional Repairs

Aside from a tripped circuit breaker or loose wiring, a licensed and certified electrician should handle most outlet issues to ensure your home’s electrical system is safe.

Call for professional repairs if your outlet issues include:

• Discoloration: An outlet that has burn marks or discoloration may be overheating. An electrician can inspect the wiring and the outlet to determine what needs to be fixed or replaced.
• Buzzing: Buzzing can result from various issues, especially worn or faculty connections in the internal components of your outlet. Trust a professional to troubleshoot the issue.
• GFCI reset issues: If your GFCI outlets won’t reset, you could have a serious issue, such as damaged wiring or a malfunctioning outlet.
• Damaged wiring: If the wiring in your outlet is visibly damaged, don’t attempt to DIY. A professional can replace any faulty wiring and safely handle this fire hazard.
• Melting faceplates: An outlet with a melted faceplate is the result of serious overheating. An electrician should inspect the outlet for severe electrical faults to avoid a fire.
• Sparking: Your outlets should not spark when plugging or unplugging electronics. Common causes include loose connections, damaged wires, or a short circuit within the wiring.

Choose Penguin for Outlet Repairs in Phoenix, AZ

When you need electrical repairs for outlets in your Phoenix home, trust the team at Penguin. Our experts are background-checked for your safety and are here with same-day services you can count on.

We provide our customers with a “Job Done Right” guarantee. Plus, with our upfront pricing and lifetime warranties, it’s no wonder we’re Phoenix’s top choice for electrical services.

Get the outlet repairs you need by contacting Penguin online today.