Frequently asked questions.

Watch for breakers that trip often, outlets that feel warm, flickering lights, buzzing sounds, and burning smells. Scorch marks on cover plates or a panel that feels hot also signal a problem that needs attention before it grows.

Plan on a full inspection every 3 to 5 years for most homes, and sooner after buying a house, adding major appliances, or finishing a remodel. Homes older than 40 years benefit from a closer look at wiring and connections.

A GFCI cuts power when current leaks to ground, which protects people from shock near water. An AFCI detects dangerous arcing in wiring, which protects the home from fire. Many circuits now need both types of protection under code.

Look at the cable jacket in the attic or at the panel, where aluminum wire is often printed with AL or ALUMINUM. Homes wired between 1965 and 1973 are the most likely to have it, and connections need special attention.

Installed at the main panel, it diverts incoming voltage spikes to ground before they reach your outlets. ST Electric Services installs them for homes around Kissimmee, FL, because summer storms send surges that quietly damage appliances and home electronics.

Yes. A strike nearby can induce surges through power lines, cable connections, and phone lines, damaging equipment inside a home that was never actually hit. Whole-house surge protection combined with point-of-use protectors gives sensitive electronics the best defense.

Before June 1, test GFCI outlets, confirm your panel is labeled, and have any generator serviced and run under load. Unplug sensitive electronics when storms approach, and never connect a portable generator to house wiring without a proper transfer device.

It is an insurance inspection covering the roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems of older homes. The electrical portion looks at panel brand, wiring type, and visible hazards, and certain panels can make a home harder to insure.

Copper wiring can last 50 years or more when it is protected and not overloaded, but insulation, outlets, and connections wear out sooner. Heat, humidity, rodent damage, and past do-it-yourself work often shorten that lifespan considerably in Florida homes.

Code does not set a strict number for most residential circuits, but a common guideline is eight to 10 outlets on a 15- or 20-amp circuit. What matters more is the combined load of everything plugged in at once.

No. Extension cords are built for temporary use and can overheat when run under rugs, through walls, or across doorways for months. If you rely on cords every day, adding a properly installed outlet is the safer long-term answer.

Check your panel first for a tripped main or branch breaker. If nothing has tripped, the problem may be at your meter or service connection, so contact your utility and have an electrician inspect the equipment on your side.

Lightning and utility switching cause the largest surges, but most happen inside the home when motors in air conditioners, refrigerators, and pool pumps cycle on and off. Repeated small surges gradually wear down electronics and appliance control boards.

Dedicated circuits serve a single appliance with no other outlets sharing them. Refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers, washers, dryers, ranges, and air conditioners typically need their own circuit so their heavy loads do not trip breakers or overheat the wiring.

Rewiring most single-family homes takes several days to a couple of weeks, depending on size, access, and wall finishes. At ST Electric Services, we plan rewiring for Kissimmee, FL, homes in stages so each room gets its power back quickly.

Most smart switches need a neutral wire to power their radios and stay connected. Many homes built before the late 1980s lack a neutral in the switch box, which means choosing a no-neutral model or adding wiring during installation.

Low-voltage lighting is safer around gardens and pools, easier to adjust, and uses less energy with LED fixtures. Line voltage suits long runs and brighter security lighting around driveways. Many properties use both, depending on the area being lit.

Inspection reports usually list issues like missing GFCI protection, double-tapped breakers, open junction boxes, or improper splices. A licensed electrician can correct them before closing, and buyers often ask sellers to handle those repairs as part of negotiations.

The 9th edition takes effect December 31, 2026 and adopts the 2023 National Electrical Code. Expect wider arc-fault protection, surge protection at service equipment, and dedicated panel capacity for EV charging in new homes built with parking spaces.