Top Emergency Electricians in Newport, AR, 72112 | Compare & Call
Paschal Air, Plumbing & Electric
Questions and Answers
How should I prepare my home's electrical system for an ice storm or a summer brownout?
For winter lows around 24°F that bring ice storms, ensure your heating system's circuit is dedicated and in good repair. Summer AC peaks strain the grid and can cause brownouts. A professional can install a manual transfer switch and generator inlet, allowing you to safely back up essential circuits. Whole-house surge protection is also wise year-round to guard against grid fluctuations during these severe weather events.
My new smart TV keeps resetting and the lights flicker. Is this an Entergy problem or something in my house?
Flickering lights and electronics resetting often point to voltage fluctuations. While Entergy Arkansas manages the grid, our area has a high surge risk from frequent lightning, which can damage sensitive electronics. The issue could originate from loose wiring in your home or from the utility side. Installing a whole-house surge protector at your main panel is a critical first defense to protect your investment in modern smart home devices.
We have overhead power lines coming to our house. What are the common issues with this setup?
Overhead service, common in Downtown Newport, is reliable but exposes the mast and weatherhead to the elements. High winds or falling limbs can damage the entrance cable. We inspect the mast for integrity, ensure the drip loop is correct to prevent water ingress, and verify the meter base is sealed. For any service upgrade, the mast and cable must be brought up to current NEC 2020 standards to handle the new capacity safely.
We live in the flat river valley area near the courthouse. Could the soil affect our home's electrical grounding?
Yes, the terrain in our flat river valley can impact grounding. Moist, clay-heavy soil common here generally provides good conductivity for your grounding electrode system. However, it's crucial that the grounding rods are properly installed and that the connection to your panel's grounding bus bar is intact and corrosion-free. We test this during a panel inspection or upgrade to ensure your home has a safe path for fault currents.
Do I need a permit from the city to replace my electrical panel, and will you handle that?
Yes, replacing a service panel always requires a permit from the Newport Building Inspections Department. As a licensed Master Electrician, I pull all necessary permits and schedule the required inspections. The work must comply with the current NEC 2020 code and all standards set by the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing. Handling this red tape is part of our service, ensuring the upgrade is legal, safe, and properly documented for your home's records.
Our Newport home was built in the early 70s. Why do the lights dim when we run the microwave and a hair dryer at the same time?
Your home's electrical system is over 50 years old, which explains the struggle. Downtown Newport homes built around 1972 with original NM-B Romex wiring were designed for far fewer appliances than we use today. Modern 2026 kitchens and home offices demand more power, often overloading those original 15-amp circuits. Upgrading branch circuits and potentially the main service panel is the reliable fix for this capacity issue.
We have an old 100-amp panel and want to add an electric car charger. Is our current system safe for that?
With a 100-amp panel from 1972, adding a Level 2 EV charger is not safe and is likely impossible without a service upgrade. The charger alone can demand 40-50 amps, nearly half your home's total capacity. We must also check for a Federal Pacific panel, a known hazard brand that requires immediate replacement. A full upgrade to a 200-amp service with a modern panel is the necessary, code-compliant foundation for an EV charger or a new heat pump.
My power is out and I smell something burning near the panel. How fast can an electrician get here?
For an emergency like a burning smell, which indicates active overheating, we dispatch immediately. From our starting point near the Jackson County Courthouse, we're typically at your Downtown Newport address in 5 to 8 minutes using US-67. Your first step is to safely turn off the main breaker at the 100A panel if you can do so without risk, and then call. We prioritize fire hazards.