Top Emergency Electricians in Ware Shoals, SC, 29692 | Compare & Call
Mitchell's Electrical Heating & Air
Common Questions
We have overhead lines running to a mast on our roof. What are the common issues with this setup?
Overhead service masts, while standard, are exposed to the elements. Common issues include weatherhead degradation, mast leg looseness from wind, and tree interference. The entrance cable from the mast to your meter and panel must be inspected for damage. In older installations, this cable may be undersized for a modern upgrade, requiring replacement to meet current NEC 2020 capacity standards.
Our lights dim when the fridge kicks on. Is our old home wiring just not built for today's appliances?
Your home's electrical system is now about 73 years old. Original cloth-jacketed copper wiring from 1953 is safe if undisturbed, but its capacity was designed for a handful of lights and an icebox. Modern 2026 demands from computers, large refrigerators, and air conditioning create a load that 60-amp service and older circuits simply can't handle safely, leading to voltage drop and overheating.
Who do we call first if we lose all power or smell something burning from an outlet?
For a burning smell or smoke, call 911 immediately. For a total power loss, contact Duke Energy to report an outage. As a licensed master electrician, I can then be dispatched. From a central point like Ware Shoals High School, I use SC-252 for access and can typically be on-site in the Downtown area within 3 to 5 minutes to diagnose and secure the interior system.
What's involved with getting a permit for an electrical panel upgrade in Greenwood County?
All major work like a panel replacement requires a permit from the Greenwood County Building Inspections Department. As a licensed contractor with the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, I handle the permit application, ensure the installation meets NEC 2020 code, and schedule the required inspections. This process is non-negotiable for safety, insurance, and future home sale compliance.
We found a Federal Pacific panel and want to add an electric car charger. Is our current setup safe enough?
No, it is not. A Federal Pacific panel is a known fire hazard due to breakers that can fail to trip. Furthermore, a 60-amp service from 1953 lacks the capacity for a Level 2 EV charger or a modern heat pump. A full service upgrade to a minimum of 200 amps with a new, UL-listed panel is the required first step for safety and functionality.
We have lots of trees around our property near the high school. Could that be causing our lights to flicker?
Yes, the dense forest and rolling hills of the area directly impact electrical health. Tree limbs contacting overhead service lines are a common cause of flickering and intermittent faults. Furthermore, rocky soil common in these hills can challenge grounding electrode installation, making proper ground rod placement and testing vital for safety and surge dissipation.
Our smart TVs and modems keep getting fried during storms. Is this a Duke Energy grid issue?
Frequent lightning in our area creates high surge risk on the utility lines. While Duke Energy maintains the grid, surges can enter your home and overwhelm sensitive electronics. The solution is a layered defense: whole-house surge protection installed at your main panel, which is code-recommended, combined with point-of-use protectors for critical devices.
How can we prepare our home's electrical system for ice storms in winter and brownouts in summer?
For winter ice storms, ensure your heating system is serviced and consider a professionally installed and permitted generator with a transfer switch. For summer brownouts, which strain an already aging 60-amp system, a service upgrade improves stability. Whole-house surge protection, as mentioned, is critical year-round to guard against voltage fluctuations from the grid.
