We frequently receive calls from homeowners for electrical problems which most people could remedy themselves. At Cooper Electric we do our best to walk our customers through these basic troubleshooting steps over the phone.
This eliminates any unnecessay expenses that would have resulted in sending an electrician out to their homes. Knowing these basic situations will help save you money.
Here are some common electrical problems and possible situations/solutions you should check before calling Cooper Electric:
Electrical Problem:Â Lights out.
Situations/Solution:
1. Flourescent light fixture doesn’t work after new lamp(bulb) is installed.
Double check the installation of the lamp. Did you get both pins on each end of the lamp seated? Caution: Change flourescent lamps with the switch in the OFF position.
Old style flourescent fixtures require starters and pre-heat lamps. New fixtures do not have starters and use rapid start lamps. These lamp types are not interchangeable. (We recommend that you replace the fixture with a new one which is more energy efficient and saves money.)
2. Incandescent lamps burn out quickly.
Are you using name brand lamps? Is the wattage of the lamp correct for the fixture? Using too high a wattage lamp creates more heat which can shorten lamp life and be a fire hazard!
3. Lights flicker, 1/2 power seems to be out. 
These symptoms generally occur during or after high winds. If your electrical service comes to your home overhead, the power company’s connection at the eave of your house may be the problem. If you’ve eliminated other possible causes, call your power company.
4. One light flickers. 
If only one light flickers, it indicates a bad connection, a defective switch, or a loose lamp. If you have aluminum branch-circuit wiring and the connection at the fixture is a the problem, only an electrical contractor certified by AMP, INC., can properly reterminate the connection. (Note: Amp Cop/Alum Correction is for aluminum branch-circuit wiring)
CAUTION: Remember that each year in the United States, over 53,333 fires and 400 deaths will result from unsafely modified electrical installations.
Have a qualified electrical contractor do you work. Be safe.
