Electrical problems deserve a different kind of guide than a squeaky AC. Most of them have a short list of safe homeowner checks — and a hard line where you stop and call an electrician. This page draws that line clearly.
Quick rule of thumb: if you smell burning, see sparking, feel heat at the panel, or get a shock from an appliance or outlet, call (561) 786-1337 right now. Everything else below can wait for the two minutes it takes to read the safe checks.
How to Use This Guide
Start with the emergency signs — if any match, stop reading and call. Then use the safe checks below: resetting a tripped breaker once, pressing a GFCI reset button, and checking a bulb are all fair game.
Then match your symptom to a problem page for the full rundown. Nothing here will ever ask you to open the electrical panel, remove an outlet cover, or touch wiring.
Call Immediately If You Notice
These don't wait for morning:
- A burning or fishy smell from an outlet, switch, or the panel.
- Sparking, arcing sounds, or visible scorch marks.
- A breaker panel that feels hot, hums loudly, or buzzes.
- A shock or tingle from an appliance, faucet, or outlet.
- Lights dimming sharply or going out across the whole house.
Safe Checks Any Homeowner Can Do
These four are safe, and they resolve a lot of calls:
- Reset a tripped breaker exactly once — flip fully OFF, then ON.
- Press the reset button on tripped GFCI outlets (bathrooms, kitchen, garage, exterior).
- Swap a suspect bulb and check dimmer compatibility with LEDs.
- Unplug devices from a circuit that's tripping to test for overload.
What You Should Never Do
Never remove the cover of the breaker panel. Never rewire an outlet, switch, or fixture yourself. Never tape a breaker in the ON position or swap in a larger one. Never ignore a burning smell to see if it goes away.
If a breaker won't hold, a wire is damaged, or anything feels hot — that's the end of the homeowner checklist. Call (561) 786-1337.
Common questions
Is it safe to reset a tripped breaker myself?
Yes — once. Flip it fully OFF, then back ON. If it holds and everything works, you're fine. If it trips again, leave it OFF and call an electrician. Repeated resets defeat the protection the breaker provides.
What's the difference between a breaker and a GFCI?
A breaker protects the wiring in your walls from overloads and short circuits, and it lives in the panel. A GFCI protects you from shock, and it lives in the outlet — the ones with test and reset buttons in wet areas. Both can trip, and both trip for a reason.
My outlet works sometimes and not others. Is that dangerous?
It can be. Intermittent power often means a loose connection, and loose connections generate heat. If an outlet or switch works only when you wiggle it, stop using it and schedule a service call.
When does an electrical problem need a permit?
Panel work, new circuits, and rewiring typically require permits and inspections in Palm Beach County. We pull permits where required — ask us on the call and we'll tell you what's needed for your job.
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