Category Archives: Electrician

Few things are as widely used in homes more than electricity. Sometimes it’s hard to know when to call an emergency electrician or just unplug an appliance. Electricity poses a significant health hazard for you and your home when it’s not handled safely.

Next to natural gas, little in your home is as dangerous as working with electrical wires without the appropriate tools or know-how. An emergency electrician knows how to solve problems quickly and safely.

Circuit Breaker Trips Frequently

Unless there’s a specific reason, a circuit breaker that shuts off frequently needs replacing, which will require an emergency electrician to keep your home running smoothly and safely. Causes could be a short circuit in the wiring in the walls or at an outlet. Depending on the issue, it may be more than just the circuit breaker that needs repair.

Burning Rubber or Acrid Odors

Hot, burning rubber has an unmistakable odor and when you smell it, investigate it immediately. If it’s coming from a single source, unplug the appliance or device immediately. Smells coming from the circuit breaker box will require an emergency electrician. Either throw the main breaker for your home or turn off everything in your home and unplug power strips and surge protectors.

An appliance whose electrical wiring overheats may or may not throw the breaker. The best thing to do is unplug the appliance after turning it off immediately and call the manufacturer’s customer service department.

If the odor is coming from a dishwasher, open the door and look for something plastic on the heating element. Removing the object should clear the air. Otherwise, turn the circuit breaker to the dishwasher off and call an emergency electrician.

Stained Outlets or Switches

Should you notice that an outlet or a switch has black smudges or smoke on it, contact an emergency electrician, especially if it’s a receptacle or switch you use frequently. Until it’s replaced, you should not use either the outlet or the switch. The black deposits could indicate overheating, which leads to unsafe wiring behind the faceplate.

Flickering or Dimming Lights

When the lights flicker or change their intensity, you may have an overloaded circuit. Running too many high voltage devices on the same circuit will probably overload it. If the lights dim but the breaker doesn’t trip, you may have a bad circuit breaker.

After you call for an emergency electrician, take an inventory of how many electric devices are operating at the same time using the outlets on the circuit breaker. Some small appliances use substantial amounts of electricity, and to stay safe, avoid using too many on one circuit simultaneously.

As a rule of thumb, anything that creates or removes heat (like hair dryers, microwaves, and window air conditioners), uses a lot of electricity.

No Power

If you’re the only one on the block without any power, call Turn It On Electric for an emergency electrician after checking with SRP or APS for outages in your neighborhood.

Buzzing or Humming Noises

When these noises come from an appliance, they usually indicate a problem with the motor or frozen bearings. However, when the noises come from the circuit breaker panel, it signals a dangerous situation. A breaker may be stuck and can’t turn the circuit off, which causes the wires to overheat and could possibly start a fire. Turn off the main breaker and call an emergency electrician to troubleshoot the problem.

If In Doubt, Call an Emergency Electrician

If you\’re in doubt about whether or not you need an emergency electrician, it\’s better to be on the safe side and call Turn It On Electric.

When you have an electrical problem or need an upgrade, it’s easy to think that an affordable electrician will be hard to find. While it’s true that electrical work doesn’t come cheap, it is helpful to know what to look for when you need an affordable electrician for any size electrical job.

Licensing

In Arizona, electricians must have an active state-issued license before they can legally practice as a contractor. The state has specific requirements for classroom and on-the-job hours before becoming eligible for the tests. An apprentice must spend five years on the job working under a licensed electrician to qualify for the exam.

Once licensed, the contractor must obtain a bond, liability insurance, and carry workman’s compensation insurance. All three protect the contractor and clients from accidents on the job or property damage.

Finding an Electrician

Besides word of mouth, the internet is a good resource for identifying an affordable electrician. Use trusted sites like Angie’s List, the BBB, and even Yelp. Turn It On Electric enjoys A and A+ rating with each of these sites. All three provide unbiased reviews from customers to help others searching for a reputable contractor.

Once you’ve found an affordable electrician, check with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. They have an online database that identifies whether the contractor you’re considering has an active license, as well as bonding and insurance. Just type in the name of the contractor and the site will pull up the appropriate record. For work as critical as electrical, it’s crucial to have a licensed affordable electrician at your side.

Risks Associated with Using Unlicensed Electricians 

Electricity carries a number of hazards to both people and property. Electrical shocks can be extremely dangerous, if not fatal, and electrical shorts can start fires. No one deliberately wires or repairs wiring with the intention of causing harm, but accidents and mistakes do happen.

When you use an unlicensed electrician, you run a high risk of liability should an accident happen at your home. The law treats you as the contractor when you use someone without a license in Arizona, and claimants can look to you for financial recourse.

Your homeowner’s policy may not cover work done by unlicensed contractors. It leaves you personally liable for the damages or injuries. These damages could run into the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The scope of Work, Hidden Fees, and Up-Selling

An affordable electrician with a solid reputation has no need to charge hidden fees or provide services that you don’t need. Since wiring and electrical services and components are complicated and use specialized terminology, it’s easy for a less scrupulous contractor to exaggerate the materials needed and their costs.

A legitimate affordable electrician like those from Turn It On Electric will never mislead customers about the extent of the work that needs to be done. We know that nothing is more valuable than customer satisfaction and a solid reputation within the community. Charging hidden fees and up-selling aren’t ethical business practices and an affordable electrician who values integrity won’t engage in either practice.

Before you choose a contractor, make sure you\’ve done some research. And if you don’t understand why or what the contractor is recommending, ask for a clarification. A trustworthy and affordable electrician will always take time to explain what needs to be done and why.

Turn It On Electric has no hidden fees. We estimate your project up front and get approval from you before we do extra work. We are a local company and we care about our customers. Contact us for an instant estimate.