Top Emergency Electricians in Taylorsville, MS, 39168 | Compare & Call
Robinson Construction
Questions and Answers
My lights flicker and my new smart TV reset during a storm. Is this a problem with Mississippi Power or my house wiring?
Flickering during storms often points to grid disturbances from Mississippi Power, a common issue given our area's high lightning strike frequency. However, your home's internal wiring and lack of proper surge protection can leave smart electronics vulnerable. Installing a whole-house surge protector at your main panel is a critical defense, safeguarding your devices from surges that enter through the utility lines or travel along phone, cable, or data lines.
My power comes in on an overhead line from a pole. What should I look for to know if the connection to my house is damaged?
With an overhead mast service, visually inspect the cable (service drop) running from the pole to your roof. Look for frayed insulation, a sagging line, or a masthead that is pulling away from the house. Also check the weatherhead for cracks or rust. Any vegetation contact is a hazard. These are entry points for moisture that can cause shorts or failures. Only Mississippi Power can work on the lines to the pole, but a licensed electrician must repair the mast and connections on your home.
How can I prepare my home's electrical system for Mississippi summer brownouts or winter ice storms?
For summer peaks, ensure your AC system is on a dedicated, properly sized circuit and consider having an electrician evaluate your panel's load calculation. For winter storm preparedness, a professionally installed manual transfer switch and generator inlet is the safest solution for backup power. This setup allows you to safely connect a portable generator without back-feeding dangerous power onto Mississippi Power's lines, protecting utility workers.
The power is completely out and I smell something burning from an outlet. How fast can an electrician get to my house near City Hall?
Treat any burning smell as an immediate fire hazard and call 911 first. For a licensed electrician, our typical dispatch from the Taylorsville City Hall area uses Mississippi Highway 37 for direct access, putting us at your door in 3-5 minutes for urgent calls. We prioritize these emergencies to secure your home and prevent further damage to the wiring or panel.
I have an old Federal Pacific panel and want to install an electric vehicle charger. Is my 100-amp system from 1975 safe for this?
Combining a Federal Pacific panel with an EV charger is a significant safety risk. These panels are known for faulty breakers that can fail to trip during an overload, creating a fire hazard. Even if the panel were safe, a 100-amp service from 1975 lacks the capacity for a Level 2 charger alongside your home's other loads. A full service upgrade and panel replacement are required first for safety and functionality.
We have huge trees over the power lines near our house. Could that be causing our intermittent electrical issues?
Absolutely. The heavy tree canopy common around Taylorsville can cause several problems. Branches rubbing against overhead service lines can damage insulation and create intermittent faults, leading to flickering or brief outages. Furthermore, dense root systems in our soil can interfere with the critical grounding electrode system for your home, compromising safety during a lightning strike or surge. An inspection can identify damage to your masthead or grounding.
If I upgrade my electrical panel, what permits are required with the Smith County Building Department?
A service upgrade always requires a permit from the Smith County Building Department and a final inspection to ensure compliance with the 2020 NEC. As a Master Electrician licensed by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors, I handle the permit paperwork and scheduling. This process isn't just red tape; it verifies the safety of the installation for your family and is a crucial record for home insurance and future resale in Taylorsville.
My Taylorsville house was built around 1975 and the lights dim when the air conditioner kicks on. Is the original wiring the problem?
That's a common issue in the Taylorsville Residential District. Your home's 50-year-old electrical system, likely using original NM-B Romex, was designed for a different era of appliance use. Modern loads from multiple computers, large-screen TVs, and kitchen gadgets can overwhelm a 100A service panel that was considered adequate in 1975. Upgrading your service capacity is often the most effective solution for stable, safe power.