Electrical problem at home? Talk to a licensed Newnan electrician.
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A burning smell, a sparking outlet, or a sudden loss of power can be alarming, and it is hard to think clearly in the moment. Knowing a few simple steps ahead of time helps keep your family safe and limits damage until a licensed electrician can take a look. Here is what our team at Shocking Electric Solutions, Inc. recommends for Newnan homeowners when something electrical goes wrong.
First: Know When to Call 911
Some situations are not a job for an electrician first. Call 911 right away if you see flames or smoke, if someone has been shocked or burned, or if a power line is down on or near your home. Get everyone out of the house if there is smoke or fire. Never use water on an electrical fire, and only use a fire extinguisher rated for electrical fires (Class C, such as a multipurpose ABC extinguisher) if the fire is very small and you have a clear way out.
If Someone Is Being Shocked, Do Not Touch Them
Touching a person who is still in contact with an energized wire or appliance can pass the current to you. If you can do it safely, shut off power at the breaker panel or unplug the device first. Then call 911. Even a shock that seems minor should be checked by a medical professional.
Downed or Damaged Power Lines
Treat every downed line as live. Stay at least 30 feet away, keep kids and pets back, and call 911 and your electric utility. Around Newnan that is usually Georgia Power or Coweta-Fayette EMC, depending on where you live. Lines from the pole to your house belong to the utility. If the weatherhead, service mast, or meter base on your house was damaged, that equipment is usually the homeowner’s responsibility, and it typically has to be repaired by a licensed electrician before the utility can restore service.
Burning Smells, Sparks, or a Hot Outlet or Panel
A burning plastic smell, buzzing, scorch marks, or an outlet or breaker that feels hot usually means something is overheating. If there is no fire or smoke:
- Stop using the outlet, switch, or appliance involved.
- If you can reach the panel safely and it is dry, turn off the breaker for that circuit. If you are not sure which one, or the panel itself is hot, smoking, or smells burnt, do not touch it.
- Do not reset a breaker over and over. A breaker that trips again right away is protecting you from a problem.
- Call a licensed electrician to find the cause.
A burning smell at the breaker box is especially serious. Our page on a burning smell from an electrical panel in Newnan explains the common causes and what we check.
Part of the House Lost Power
If only some rooms went dark, first check your panel for a tripped breaker and check for tripped GFCI outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor areas. If your neighbors also lost power, it is likely a utility outage. If half the house is out and nothing is tripped, or lights are suddenly very bright or very dim, it can point to a problem with the main service connection. That needs prompt professional attention. Learn more on our half house lost power page.
Water and Electricity
After a leak, a storm, or a flooded basement or crawlspace, do not walk through standing water that may be touching outlets, cords, or appliances. If you can reach the main breaker without standing in water, shut it off. Otherwise, call your utility to disconnect power. Outlets, panels, and equipment that have been underwater should be inspected by an electrician before they are used again.
Using a Portable Generator Safely
Run portable generators outdoors, well away from doors and windows, because of carbon monoxide. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet to power the house. This is called backfeeding, and it can energize utility lines and seriously injure line workers or neighbors. A properly installed transfer switch or interlock is the safe way to connect a generator to your home’s wiring.
What Not to Do
- Do not open the panel cover or try to repair damaged wiring yourself.
- Do not tape over a hot outlet or keep using it “just for tonight.”
- Do not use extension cords to work around a dead circuit for days at a time.
- Do not ignore a problem because the smell or flicker went away. Overheating connections often come back worse.
When to Call an Electrician
Once everyone is safe and any fire, injury, or downed line has been handled by emergency services and the utility, the next step is finding and fixing the cause. Our licensed electricians handle electrical troubleshooting and repairs in Newnan, GA, including overheating outlets, failing breakers, damaged service equipment, and partial power loss. We explain what we find and what needs to be fixed now versus what can be planned for later.
Call Shocking Electric Solutions, Inc.
If you have an urgent electrical problem, call Shocking Electric Solutions, Inc. at (678) 552-9399 or text (470) 516-7261 and tell us what you are seeing so we can help you decide on the safest next step and schedule a repair. We are based at 1002 Highway 16 W, Suite A, Newnan, GA 30263, and serve Newnan and communities within about 40 miles. Learn more about our licensed electricians in Newnan, GA.