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Q&A
Our smart TVs and modem keep getting fried during storms. Does United Cooperative Services have a surge problem?
Yes, the United Cooperative Services grid in this area experiences frequent lightning strikes, making whole-house surge protection a critical investment. Utility-side surges can overwhelm plug-in strips. A service entrance surge protector, installed at your main panel, is the only effective defense for your modern electronics.
Our lights dim when the AC kicks on in our Riviera Estates home built in 1971. Is our wiring outdated?
Your original NM-B Romex wiring is now 55 years old and was sized for the smaller appliance loads of its time. Modern kitchens and entertainment centers draw significantly more power, which can cause voltage drops and overheating in undersized circuits. Upgrading key circuits and your 100A panel is often necessary to safely meet 2026 demands.
We lost all power and smell something burning near the panel. How fast can an electrician get to Riviera Estates?
For an emergency like that, dispatch from near Lake Whitney State Park via TX-22 puts us at your door in 10-15 minutes. The priority is isolating the fault to prevent a fire. A burning odor often indicates a failing connection at a breaker or bus bar, which requires immediate professional shutdown and diagnosis.
What's involved in getting a permit for a panel upgrade from the Bosque County office?
As a Master Electrician, I handle the entire permit process with the Bosque County Development Office. The work must comply with the 2023 NEC and be performed under my Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation license. After installation, the county inspects the upgrade to ensure it meets all safety and code standards for your home.
We have rocky, limestone soil near Lake Whitney. Could that affect our home's electrical grounding?
Absolutely. Rocky soil has high resistance, which can impair the effectiveness of your grounding electrode system. This is a safety issue, as it can prevent proper fault clearing. We often need to drive additional ground rods or use chemical ground enhancement to achieve the low-resistance connection required by code.
Our power comes from an overhead line on a mast. Is that less reliable than underground service?
Overhead service is common in the area and is reliable, but it is more exposed to weather, trees, and lightning. The key is ensuring the masthead and service entrance cable are in good condition, especially on a 55-year-old home. We also verify the grounding for this mast is robust, as it's the first point of contact for surges.
We want to add a Level 2 EV charger and a heat pump, but our panel is old and says Federal Pacific. What are our options?
A Federal Pacific panel is a known safety hazard with a high failure rate and should be replaced before adding any major load. Your existing 100-amp service is also insufficient for a Level 2 charger and heat pump. A full service upgrade to 200 amps, including a new panel with AFCI breakers, is the required and safe path forward.
How can we prepare our home's electrical system for winter ice storms and summer brownouts?
For winter, ensure your heating circuits are on dedicated, properly sized breakers. For summer reliability, consider a generator interlock kit for your panel to safely back up essential circuits during brownouts. In both seasons, the previously mentioned whole-house surge protector is vital to guard against grid fluctuations.