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Questions and Answers
My smart TVs and computers keep getting zapped during storms. Is this a problem with Gibson Electric's grid?
Frequent lightning on the rolling plains creates high surge risk for the entire Gibson Electric Membership Corporation grid. While the utility manages large-scale protection, surges entering your home can destroy sensitive electronics. A whole-house surge protector installed at your service entrance is a critical defense for modern smart home systems.
My Downtown Clinton house still has the original 1967 wiring. Why do my lights dim when the fridge and microwave run at the same time?
Your cloth-jacketed copper wiring is 59 years old. That system was designed for a much smaller load of 1960s appliances. Modern refrigerators, microwaves, and electronics draw more current, which can cause significant voltage drop on those original circuits. This dimming is a clear sign your 100A service is being pushed to its limit by 2026 demands.
I have an old 100-amp Federal Pacific panel. Is it safe to add a heat pump or electric car charger?
No, it is not safe. A Federal Pacific panel is a known fire hazard due to breakers that can fail to trip. Your 100A capacity is also insufficient for the continuous load of a Level 2 EV charger or a new heat pump. Installing either would require a full service upgrade to at least 200A and the mandatory replacement of that recalled panel.
What permits and codes apply if I upgrade my electrical panel in Clinton, Kentucky?
All work must comply with the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC), which Kentucky has adopted. Permits are filed with and inspected by the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction. As a licensed master electrician, I handle the full permit process, ensuring the installation meets all state licensing body requirements for safety and legality.
We have rocky soil out here near the courthouse. Could that affect my home's electrical grounding?
Yes, the rocky, rolling agricultural plains can challenge grounding electrode installation. A proper ground requires good soil contact to safely dissipate fault current and lightning strikes. We often need to drive longer rods or use multiple electrodes to achieve the low resistance required by code, which is especially important with the high lightning risk in this area.
How should I prepare my Clinton home's electrical system for a harsh winter ice storm or a summer brownout?
For winter lows near 15°F, ensure your heating system's circuit is on a dedicated, properly sized breaker. For summer AC peaks, consider a hardwired backup generator with a proper transfer switch to maintain power during brownouts. In both seasons, whole-house surge protection safeguards against grid fluctuations caused by severe weather.
The power is out and I smell burning plastic near my electrical panel. How fast can an electrician get here?
For an emergency like a burning smell, we dispatch immediately. From our starting point near the Hickman County Courthouse, we take US-51 to reach most Downtown Clinton locations within 3 to 5 minutes. Your first action should be to shut off the main breaker at the 100A panel if it is safe to do so, as that odor often indicates a failing connection or breaker.
My overhead service mast looks old and bent. Who is responsible for fixing the line from the pole to my house?
You own the mast, the weatherhead, and the conduit that attaches to your house. Gibson Electric owns and maintains the actual power lines and the connection at the weatherhead. A bent mast can allow water ingress and damage the service entrance conductors. The mast and wiring up to your meter are your responsibility to maintain, while Gibson Electric owns the line from the pole to your connection point.
