HOMEOWNERS ELECTRIC TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE AND YEARLY CHECKLIST
1. The area in front of your service panel IS NOT for storage. Your panel must be accessible for servicing with a 3' working clearance in front of the panel by 30" in width. No items shall be installed above or below the panel (workbenches, etc)
2. Once a year turn all of your circuit breakers to the off position, then turn back on. This ensures proper functioning of the circuit breakers. If you happen to have any GFCI or ARC fault circuit breakers, please do the above procedure monthly using the test button on the breaker.
3. Keep electrical floor outlets as well as wall outlets clean from all debris this will ensure a proper connection when plugging in a cord.
4. Test GFCI receptacles on a regular basis, about once a month. These receptacles are located in the following areas: bathroom, garage(wall outlets and door opener), kitchen(look for (2) , outdoors, and basement(including sump pump). The following steps should be taken when testing your GFCI outlets.
a. Push the test button on your GFCI outlet, you will hear a pop and a light will come on. This may result in the power being off not only at that GFCI receptacle, but any other outlets being fed off of that GFCI device.
b. You may restore power by pushing the reset button firmly until it locks and remains set—the indicator light will now be off. If the GFCI fails to reset properly or the Red light is on the GFCI, DO NOT use and call Static Electric Contractors.
c. If a GFCI device trips by itself, try to reset by following the above instructions. If reset button does not reset, unplug items which are no longer working because of the tripped GFCI. If GFCI resets properly after this, plug in items one at a time until the GFCI trips—this item is the one requiring servicing. If your reset button still doesn't depress after all appliances are unplugged, please call for assistance.
LOCATION OF GFCI OUTLETS IN YOUR HOME:
A. All bathroom outlets are on one separate 20 AMP circuit GFCI device, this device is located in one of the bathrooms at the countertop level.
B. All kitchen outlets are on two GFCI devices; these devices are located in the kitchen over your countertops.
C. Weatherproof outdoor outlets may be fed from a common GFCI with the garage or may have a GFCI installed at the specific outlet.
D. Garage outlets (including door opener outlets)
E.) Whirlpool tubs are GFCI protected. Please use the same test procedures from 4A and 4B above. The GFCI device for your whirlpool is located in the bathroom in which the tub is located, look for an outlet about 12” off the floor.
F. Basement outlets including the outlet at the sump pump
G. If a loss of power is noticed in any area of your home, go to your circuit breaker panel. on your panel circuit breaker directory for a room name that coincides with a room that lost power. Try to reset that breaker turning the breaker off and back on. If it does not reset, try unplugging any devices on that circuit and try to reset the breaker once again. If it still does not reset, please call for assistance
H. Blinking or flashing recessed light fixtures indicates that a lamp had a greater wattage then the maximum wattage rating of the fixture. Typically a 6” recessed light fixture is provided with 8 watt LED lamp and a 4” recessed light fixture is provided with a 6 watt LED lamp.
I. Dishwasher disconnect is located either at counter top level or under the sink inside the cabinet. Dishwasher may be protected by a GFCI breaker or outlet.
J. Smoke detectors and carbon Monoxide Detectors; your home is equipped with 110-volt smoke detectors in each sleeping area and a smoke/co combo detector outside every sleeping area and also in the basement and also include a 9 volt battery backup. Please change the battery at daylight savings time or twice yearly. These smoke detectors are all interconnected with each other. If one smoke detector is activated, all the smoke detectors in your home will sound off. Please test every smoke detector by pressing the button on the unit once a month.
K. Arc Fault Breakers
An Arc Fault Breaker (AFCI) is a circuit breaker designed to prevent fires detecting a non-working electrical arc and disconnect the power before the arc starts a fire. An AFCI may not always, distinguish between a working arc that may occur in the brushes of a vacuum cleaner, on operation of a light switch, on insertion / removal of a plug into an electrical receptacle, or during the operation of other household devices and a non-working arc that can occur, for example a lamp cord that has a broken conductor in the cord or other electrical issues Arc faults in a home are one of the leading causes for household fires.
Occasionally an arc fault breaker may trip due to an arc caused by an appliance or other electrical device. If this occurs, reset the breaker. If it continues to happen, contact us.
Please call Static Electric Contractors with any questions or concerns 414-943-8130 direct
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