Understanding Your Home’s Electrical Issues
Living in Norman means dealing with extremely hot summers and powerful storms. These weather conditions can cause serious problems with your home’s electrical system. Many Norman families experience the same electrical issues every year.
This guide explains the most common electrical problems in Norman homes. We’ll help you understand what causes these issues, how to spot them, and when you need professional help.
Air Conditioning Electrical Failures
What happens: During Norman’s hottest days, your air conditioner keeps shutting off. You have to reset the circuit breaker repeatedly to keep it running.
Why this occurs: When temperatures reach 100 degrees or higher, air conditioning units work extremely hard. If your AC keeps shutting down, your electrical system cannot handle the power demand.
Warning signs to watch for:
- The air conditioner stops working on the hottest days
- Circuit breaker trips multiple times daily
- House temperature rises quickly
- Burning odor near the electrical panel
Recommended action: Stop resetting the breaker repeatedly. Contact a licensed electrician immediately. Continuing to reset the breaker creates fire hazards.
Dimming Lights Throughout Your Home
What you’ll notice: While watching television or using electronics, the air conditioner turns on and all the lights in your house dim for several seconds.
Why this happens: Your electrical system is trying to power too many appliances at the same time. The electrical capacity cannot meet the demand.
Why this matters: Dimming lights indicate your electrical system is overworked. These power drops can damage computers, televisions, and other sensitive electronics.
Professional solution: An electrician can install additional circuits to distribute the electrical load properly throughout your home.
Warm or Hot Electrical Outlets
Safety check: Carefully touch your electrical outlets with the back of your hand. Any outlet that feels warm or hot requires immediate attention.
What warm outlets indicate:
- Loose wiring connections inside the outlet box
- Excessive electrical current flowing through old wiring
- Worn-out outlet requiring replacement
- Potential fire hazard developing
Safety warning: Hot outlets can start fires inside your walls where they cannot be seen. Stop using any warm or hot outlet immediately.
Required action: Contact an electrician the same day. This situation presents a serious safety risk.
Circuit Breakers Tripping Frequently
Understanding circuit breakers: A circuit breaker acts as a safety device for your home’s electrical system. It automatically shuts off power when it detects electrical problems.
The problem: Your circuit breaker trips repeatedly. Sometimes the same breaker trips multiple times in one day.
Common causes of frequent tripping:
- Too many appliances are operating on one circuit
- Aging circuit breaker needing replacement
- Faulty appliance creating electrical problems
- Moisture entering electrical connections
Important to remember: One occasional breaker trip is normal. Frequent repeated trips require professional inspection.
Flickering Lights During Storms
What Norman residents experience: Spring and summer storms arrive with thunder and lightning. Your lights begin flickering throughout the storm.
Oklahoma storm-related electrical issues:
- Lightning strikes, causing power surges
- High winds are affecting overhead power lines
- Storm damage to the electrical infrastructure
- Utility transformers switching during high demand
Normal versus problematic flickering:
- Normal: Lights flicker briefly once or twice during severe weather
- Problem: Lights continue flickering after the storm passes
Protection measures: Unplug computers and televisions when severe weather approaches to prevent damage from power surges.
Unexpectedly High Electricity Bills
What you observe: Your monthly OG&E electricity bill continues increasing. You haven’t changed your usage habits, but costs keep rising.
Hidden electrical problems are causing waste:
- Damaged electrical wiring is losing efficiency
- Old appliances are consuming excessive power
- Devices using electricity even when turned off
- Electrical faults you cannot see
Norman summer consideration: Electricity bills naturally increase during the summer months. However, if current bills are significantly higher than the previous year, electrical problems may be wasting energy.
Cost-saving solution: An electrician can perform an energy audit to identify where electricity is being wasted.
Buzzing Sounds from Electrical Panel
How to check: Stand quietly near your electrical panel, usually located in the garage or utility room. Listen carefully for buzzing, crackling, or popping sounds.
What unusual sounds indicate:
- Loose electrical connections inside the panel
- Failing circuit breakers
- Electrical arcing occurring inside the panel
- Overloaded electrical panel
Why does this happen in Norman, Oklahoma? Extreme temperature changes cause electrical components to expand and contract. This movement loosens connections over time.
Safety concern: Buzzing electrical panels present fire hazards. Contact an electrician immediately for inspection.
When to Contact an Electrician Immediately
Some electrical problems require immediate professional attention. Call an electrician right away if you notice:
Extremely dangerous situations:
- Burning smell from outlets, switches, or the electrical panel
- Visible sparks from any electrical component
- Electrical shocks from switches or appliances
- Smoke is coming from the electrical equipment
Serious problems requiring prompt attention:
- The circuit breaker will not reset
- Half of your house loses electrical power
- Electrical outlets feel hot to the touch
- Loud buzzing or crackling from the electrical panel
Preventive Electrical Safety Measures
Monthly safety inspection checklist:
- Check outlets by touch – none should feel warm
- Listen near the electrical panel – it should operate silently
- Look for burn marks or discoloration around outlets
- Notice whether the lights flicker during normal use
- Track which circuit breakers trip and how often
After severe weather inspection:
- Verify that all electrical outlets function properly
- Check for any unusual burning odors
- Test major appliances for normal operation
- Look for visible damage to exterior electrical connections
Pre-summer preparation:
- Schedule an electrician inspection of the AC electrical connections
- Verify the electrical panel can handle summer cooling demands
- Install surge protection before storm season begins
Professional Electrical Services in Norman
Is your Norman home experiencing electrical problems? Don’t risk your family’s safety by delaying necessary repairs. The licensed electrical contractor provides professional solutions for all residential electrical issues.
Why Norman homeowners trust Tri-L Electric:
- Licensed and insured Oklahoma electrical contractors
- Extensive experience with Oklahoma weather-related electrical problems
- Available 24 hours a day for emergency electrical service
- Clear explanations of all electrical issues and solutions
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Comprehensive electrical services for all problem types
Special offer for Norman residents: Mention this article when scheduling service to receive a complimentary whole-home electrical safety inspection with any service call.
Call Tri-L Electric today at (405) 887-6141 and get your house inspected now.